Tell me about the Mk 4 VW Golf

jock_in_nz, Jan 14, 2:15am
Hello, I'm looking for some advice please. We need to upgrade our ageing Corolla and I fancy a Golf as I owned an Audi A3 a few years ago in Scotland and it was nothing but reliable and was build like a tank. But what is servicing and parts costs for the Golf like here! I can't stretch to a GTi model, I have about $5k to spend, so would be looking at a 1.8/2.0 model. Any weak points or things to watch out for on the MK 4! It would probably need to be an auto. Is there a specialist in Auckland who looks at these cars and could give an honest opinion on one before I bought it! Cheers.

jock_in_nz, Jan 16, 4:40pm
Hoping someone can offer some advice.

vtecintegra, Jan 16, 4:49pm
I don't think that's sufficient budget to get a workable Mark IV

wasser61, Jan 16, 4:50pm
wait for it.

noswalg, Jan 16, 5:06pm
I recently replaced an aging corona with a 2000 mk IV golf, I paid $4500 for it from a dealer with 150000kms on the clock, I've had it for 3 months now and I'm quite happy with it. It's certainly no speed machine but it's a nice smooth car to drive and reasonably cheap to run, (I took it up to northland recently and did 1200kms on 2 tanks of fuel) I have'nt given it it's first service yet so can't comment on those costs but i did take out a 3yr warranty as I've never owned a euro car before and I wanted piece of mind (I've heard some horror stories on prices of genuine parts).

thunderbolt, Jan 16, 5:12pm
As our resident Euro guru is on a self imposed break you may struggle for much feedback.
Even though we appear to be getting more Euros on our roads, most workshops are much more familiar with Jap cars and therefore recommend them.
I hear Qualitat in penrose are resonable for parts and service pricing, so may be an option for your servicing and repairs.
The Euro knowledge and parts supply will grow as time goes on, but we have lived on a diet of Jap imports for the last 15 yrs, so that is what the aftermarket parts suppliers have been stocking.

the-lada-dude, Jan 16, 9:12pm
check the side bar on this thread,
punch in V W golf

intrade, Jan 17, 1:07am
mk 4 golf is galvanised like audis automatics need rebuilding so you need your 5 grand for a new transmission rebuild. and for 5k you wont get anything good prices of cars have gone up scrap that cost 600$ is now sold for 3 grand so your money just buys above scrap for any make. a good car is now 8 to 14 grand+

jock_in_nz, Sep 27, 2:58pm
Thanks for the replies guys. So the autos can be problems! Anyone know the service intervals of the 1.8!

I'm looking at the usual Corolla, Familia (323), Laser, etc too.