saj_123
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Registered: 6th Jan 09
Location: Berkshire
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My mate is looking to buy a mk4 VW Golf, i was just wondering any common problems these cars had? and what to look for when viewing the car? One more thing, any good owners club? Thanks. 
[Edited on 16-12-2009 by saj_123]
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Corsa Sport Gav
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Registered: 12th Feb 03
Location: Durham, County Durham Drives: A6 Allroad
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what engine?
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Corsa Sport Gav
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Registered: 12th Feb 03
Location: Durham, County Durham Drives: A6 Allroad
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as for owners clubs try here http://uk-mkivs.net/
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mart08uk
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Registered: 10th Jan 08
Location: N/A
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http://www.golfgti.co.uk/ - quite good, helped with all problems i have had.
Common fault seems to be the central locking, some soldering comes loose and doors fail to lock/unlock.. There is a few little problems  but they are great cars imo... a bit of info here aswell Click
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saj_123
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Registered: 6th Jan 09
Location: Berkshire
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1.6 engine, should have made that more clear.
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AlunJ
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Registered: 3rd Apr 07
Location: Newport
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according to my mate who is a die hard vw fan, the 1.4 and 1.6 engines should be avoided... I can't for the life of me remember why though so I'm useless
perhaps they're just sluggish being quite a heavy car?
[Edited on 16-12-2009 by AlunJ]
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mart08uk
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Registered: 10th Jan 08
Location: N/A
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quote:
Originally posted by AlunJ
according to my mate who is a die hard vw fan, the 1.4 and 1.6 engines should be avoided... I can't for the life of me remember why though so I'm useless
perhaps they're just sluggish being quite a heavy car?
[Edited on 16-12-2009 by AlunJ]
I have a 1.6 its by no means rapid etc but its a quick comfortable car. They only thing i have had done is rad, and it was quite cheap to get sorted ... gearboxes are known for breaking on 1.4/1.6 though ...
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ryzer
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Registered: 18th Mar 03
Location: Berkshire Drives:UGLY MUG
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stretch to the 1.8t, much better engine.
good solid cars, if it has climate control you need to check the fans and these always break. when the air con is on, the fans should be on constantly, and increase in speed when required, they always break though and keep turning off and on when required, apparrently this doesnt cool the engine sufficiently when the air con is running.
also you need to de lock it, as it is a massive weak spot on the mk4, mine got broken into by the scumbag literally leavering the lock barrell out of the door, the delock kits are about a fiver delvered off the bay and are very easy to fit.
also rear arm bushes are weak and can go.
apart from that a very decent car.
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ajscorsa
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Registered: 30th Apr 02
Location: Perceton, North Ayrshire
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I love mine. 1.8t remapped and a few wee bits, goes very well for the tiny turbo they have.
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Claire
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Registered: 19th Jan 03
Location: The Sarrrf
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I would a avoid any engines other than the 1.9TDi, 1.8 20vt, V5 or V6.
Common problems I know of are water ingress via polen filter, window regulators, door locking (caused by faulty CCM or door lock modules), A/C compressor clutches, coolant temp sensors, brake light switches.
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Bonney
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Registered: 14th Nov 04
Location: St Helens
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quote:
Originally posted by AlunJ
according to my mate who is a die hard vw fan, the 1.4 and 1.6 engines should be avoided... I can't for the life of me remember why though so I'm useless
perhaps they're just sluggish being quite a heavy car?
[Edited on 16-12-2009 by AlunJ]
I think its because they go through coil packs. I had a 1.4 Ibiza and i mush have replaced every one twice at £30 a go. (One for each cylinder).
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Mattb
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Registered: 2nd Feb 03
Location: Under your sisters bed
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if its the 8v 1.6 avoid it like the plague - its crap. the 16v engine isnt that great but is miles better than the latter..
Common Mk 4 problems:
Window regulators fail
rear axel bushes split
wishbone bushes split
Anti roll bars / bushes wear and knock
Center exhaust silencer brackets brake and knock / rattle
Front suspension top mounts wear out relativly fast
Water pumps readlily fail on all engines where the pump is driven off the cambelt
The 1.6 / 1.4 14v engines suffer badly from piston slap due to 'unfavourable tolerances in the machineing process' (VW's exact words) - tell tale is a knocking noise from the engine
the 1.6 8v engine - these can start to burn oil after 40k miles sooting up lambda probes etc - avoid this and the 2.0 8v engine
i could continue with things that go wrong on mk4's but they are the main things
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taylorboosh
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Registered: 3rd Apr 07
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also they are extremely easy to break into, you will need to do the door lock mods asap.... but i loved mine as said try and get a pd or 1.8t id also avoid the v5 / v6
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AlunJ
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Registered: 3rd Apr 07
Location: Newport
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quote:
Originally posted by mart08uk
quote:
Originally posted by AlunJ
according to my mate who is a die hard vw fan, the 1.4 and 1.6 engines should be avoided... I can't for the life of me remember why though so I'm useless
perhaps they're just sluggish being quite a heavy car?
[Edited on 16-12-2009 by AlunJ]
I have a 1.6 its by no means rapid etc but its a quick comfortable car. They only thing i have had done is rad, and it was quite cheap to get sorted ... gearboxes are known for breaking on 1.4/1.6 though ...
yup now you remind me, he said the gearboxes were weak.
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ryzer
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Registered: 18th Mar 03
Location: Berkshire Drives:UGLY MUG
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quote:
Originally posted by john-d
also they are extremely easy to break into, you will need to do the door lock mods asap.... but i loved mine as said try and get a pd or 1.8t id also avoid the v5 / v6
obviously the 1.8t is the best engine, but why, in your opinion, would you avoid the V5 or V6?
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taylorboosh
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Registered: 3rd Apr 07
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not nearly as tunable although the sound is fucking awesome
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shibby
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Registered: 6th Apr 08
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ive driven a 1.4 and 1.8t mk4, 1.4 felt underpoweered, i would imagine the 1.6 16v would be alot happier with the weight of the car tho!
V5 is very thirsty for the power, but smooth. 1.8t is same power but better on fuel
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taylorboosh
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Registered: 3rd Apr 07
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1.8ts are crap till remapped
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jmacd
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Registered: 24th Jan 04
Location: Gloucester
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1.8t is the only 1 i would get. Used to have 1 with
a remap etc n was still slow
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Fro
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Registered: 20th Jun 06
Location: Rainham, Essex Drives: A3 2.0TDi Sport
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quote:
Originally posted by Mattb
if its the 8v 1.6 avoid it like the plague - its crap. the 16v engine isnt that great but is miles better than the latter..
Common Mk 4 problems:
Window regulators fail
rear axel bushes split
wishbone bushes split
Anti roll bars / bushes wear and knock
Center exhaust silencer brackets brake and knock / rattle
Front suspension top mounts wear out relativly fast
Water pumps readlily fail on all engines where the pump is driven off the cambelt
The 1.6 / 1.4 14v engines suffer badly from piston slap due to 'unfavourable tolerances in the machineing process' (VW's exact words) - tell tale is a knocking noise from the engine
the 1.6 8v engine - these can start to burn oil after 40k miles sooting up lambda probes etc - avoid this and the 2.0 8v engine
i could continue with things that go wrong on mk4's but they are the main things
I thought it was only the plastic impellor water pumps that broke apart, people usually change these for the metal ones and havn't had poblems.
Another problem are the resistors in the radiator fans can fail which stop them having the low speed setting when aircon/climate control is on, this causes the fans to pulse instead which can kill them quicker.
Everything else i can think of has been mentioned.
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Andyrs1800
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Registered: 15th Oct 03
User status: Offline
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Avoid 1.4 and 1.6. the car is to big for the engine. They dont last to long 
Not had a prob with my 1.8t since i bought it over a year ago.
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Pip308
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Registered: 25th Oct 07
Location: Basingstoke Drives: Audi A4 Avant, Mk1 Caddy
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although mines a Bora (same differance) i love it, i have a 1.9tdi 130 thats remapped t around 170bhp, its brilliant, good on fuel, quick and not have many problems, i replaced the clutch, master and slave cylinders and i've had a rad aswell
Phil
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taylorboosh
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Registered: 3rd Apr 07
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by jmacd
1.8t is the only 1 i would get. Used to have 1 with
a remap etc n was still slow
where was it mapped it because mine was rapid, spanked many a car although mine was k03s
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jr
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Registered: 20th May 02
Location: Kent
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matt so far is the only one who has actully got the real 1.4/1.6 fault correct
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taylorboosh
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Registered: 3rd Apr 07
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they look nice with little work too...
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