Mk4 golfs

[super__dan]

I’ve been offered a mates year 2000 mk4 golf, 2.0L non GTI, 95k miles, 6 month MOT, no tax, serviced well, generally good condition on the cheap (very cheap). The water pump has gone and he suspects the head gasket might need doing too. Obviously this is quite possibly worth taking on but what are peoples experiences like with them?

I was looking round for a cheap diesel but this is so cheap (it’s almost free) that the loss in economy is worth taking on. I’d appreciate anyone’s experiences with what MPG they get/got, it’s the 8V 115bhp engine (I assume).

Dan

[Big G]

In my honest opinion...

The 2.0 8v is a very poor engine for the mk4. it's practically the same engine carried over from the mk3 GTI (but obviously the mk4 gained a few kilo's over the mk3). I think VAG badged the 2.0 as a GTI... If it's a free car that just needs a small bit of work then great.

I can't remember if the water pump on that engine is driven off the cambelt or the aux belt though. If it's off the cambelt that should be done at the same time. if it's off the aux belt it'll be a doddle to do.

Head gasket is simple enough to do on that engine too.

TDI golfs seem to hold their money really well. I drive a '98 mk4 TDI (110bhp) which I've owned for just over 3 years and I love it to bits. The engine has never let me down and it's now clocked up 260k. Doesn't smoke at all even when you hammer it. I get 550-600 miles off a tank of fuel.

If the car is near free and can be make useable for £200 then use it and keep looking for a TDI. You can always move it on later then

[RogerM]

As G said it's a little under powered for the Mk4 as she is a heavy old beast! The motor itself is very strong and reliable and also easy and cheap to work on.

The GTi badge was added by VAG UK so those who's insurance companies laugh at them when the mention the dirty "turbo" word could still drive a "GTi" ... or at least look like they do in the car park.

The combination in the Mk4 is only really good for cruising about at a gentle pace but it make a decent job of doing that, in fact many would say it's better than the 1.8 20v NA lump it was replaced with.

[Col]

Regardless of the VW badge, it's an 11 year old car that doesn't run. Send it to the scrap yard!

[super__dan]

That's interesting Col, I don't consider 11 years that old for a modern ish car. Certainly without issue it's worth the best part of £1800 I reckon and so I'd hope to come out £1k better off equity wise.

ANyone any idea on MPG, I have a nice low mileage 2003 1.6 16V Pug 307 which I assumed would be good on fuel but it's not particularly. Graham (Hunter) suggested the engine was too small for the weight and hence revving it harder, thus was thinking a torquey 2.0L wouldn't be any worse on gas perhaps.

[bodgit]

Look in www.autotrader.co.uk for the same model that will give you perforance, mpg and owners reviews