Evening

My work mate is probably selling the above with 75k miles on it, 2002 , fsh etc.

When I asked him how much he wants for it he said ‘probably around £2k’ which seems like a flippin bargain when I’ve seen some with twice the milage go for well over £3.5k.

Anyway, it seems an ideal combination of economy and fun (it’s supposed to handle better than most mark IV’s due to lowered and updated suspension), assuming it’s in good condition.

Thoughts?

Ta

I had one and it was a great car for motorway miles and had plenty of go when you put your foot down. It wasn’t the most fun on twisty stuff, I found it rolled quite a bit but I suppose mine was pretty tired when I got rid of it with 172k on the clock! (i’d had it since 62k) Fuel economy was brilliant – I think the 6 speed box helped. There are a few known issues with them but if you know the history and it’s been looked after I reckon it’s well worth 2k. I loved mine, only got rid as things were starting to go wrong with it, but up until then it had been a superb car which never let me down.

My boss had one, & the one thing that sticks in my mind was the handling; & how good it was. Great car.

I’d have his hand off, ive had 2 130TDi’s and they were more than good enough, the 150 will be ace.

I test drove a few. They go well but handling is nothing special. Sounds like a decent price though.

I bought an a3 Quattro instead.

As a car for just chugging round in then its ideal. Not bad when you put your foot down either! Thats a bargain price and for some reason those Golfs are fairly sought after.

However, they are fairly dull and dont handle particularly well. I cant think of a worse “sporty hatch” really. Apart from the none diesel GTI version.

I had a go in a few of these back in the day, usually as loan cars while mine was in for a service.

TBH I found them pokey, but stodgy. Great to be stuck in a traffic jam in and pretty quick when the turbo was on song, but throwing it around the bends was a wholly unrewarding experience.

My car at the time was a Mk 2 16 valve, which probably says it all really.

but for 2K, buy it, i miss my 52 plate golf 130.

Friend had teh 150, loads more grunt.

Yeah you can get faster diesels now but its 10yr old and 2K.

They dont handle that bad either, all the haters must just be pretty naff drivers who need the car to do all the work!

STW’s very own motoring ‘expert’ will be along shortly to say that he’s ‘thinking of buying one’…

My wife has been driving a 53 plate for the past couple of years. For the money they seem pretty decent cars, performance is ok, they do about 50mpg, as mentioned above the suspension is a bit soft. Tax disc is cheap too.

Unfortunately that particular engine does have a weakness in the camshaft and tappets, VW have addressed this and replacement tappets are now harder than the originals and last. The car we bought had had a bodged repair at about 80k, which recently failed again at 100k. I got it properly sorted out, but it wasn’t cheap, and it was only that I know the rest of the car is decent that I didn’t get rid of it. I would be careful buying at 75k if it is on the original tappets and you don’t want a £1k+ bill in the future.

Check out the UK MK4 Golf Forum for all the info you will need regarding the Mk4 chassis and engines.

From my experience of them, and i’ve drove a fair few from standard to tuned i can say the following :

Decent torquey engines that pull well, but you have to work the box – quite a narrow power band delivery but you can have fun in them and shock a few so called sporty cars in a straight line – get them to a good VW diesel specialist and get a full service and checked over first hand as the camshafts are made of cheese and standard clutches are weak after hitting certain mileage dependant on the previous owners driving style, all your boost pipes should be checked for leaks and securely fitted – might possibly need changing if not already been done so you might as well go for silicone samco’s or similar, Check oil feeds are clear to turbo and oil pressure is high and also ensure the Dual Mass Flywheel is holding up with no rattles or suchlike as they’re expensive to replace, and they do go bang if the car’s been abused.

Suspension wise they are walloway and not very responsive as it’s a heavy lump of an engine in a heavy lump of a car but you can sharpen it up to give a better turn in and stability, decent eibach springs with uprated progressive spring rate on the front and rear with uprated shocks and new top mounts etc as these take a helluva abuse – i recommend bilsteins B6 or B8 shocks but that’s just my preference along with uprated eibach anti roll bars and get every suspension bush replaced, either standard replacements all round or TT fronts and polybush the rest, they wear out surprisingly quick on this car, again, coz it’s so heavy and a lot of inertia to throw about and change direction.

A miltek stainless exhaust will only give you 5-10bhp at max but will improve pick up no end as the torque curve is more important on such a car as this and is a worthwhile improvement if all the above mods are done.

A Revo remap should be able to give you 180-190bhp and 330 lb-ft of torque including a rolling road set-up for under £300, and will more than likely not affect you mpg or may even improve it, obviously dependant on heavy your right foot is

If you do get the car for £2000 and you know it’s history, it’d be a worthwhile investment to carry out the above mods either over time or all at once if you’ve got £1300 – £1500 odd to spare and you want a decent sleeper style driving car.

Good luck with it, i’ve drove a few tuned ones that can drop a Porsche Boxter with ease.

They dont handle that bad either, all the haters must just be pretty naff drivers who need the car to do all the work!

I currently hold the second fastest lap time at my local go karting ring. I know what Im on about.

They handle fine if all you want to do is potter about and cruise up and down the motorway. But compared to something like a Focus ST, its nowhere close.

I currently hold the second fastest lap time at my local go karting ring. I know what Im on about.

Ha…Ha, that was genuinely funny, I doff my virtual cap to you for that one.

Mate had one from new and I had a shot when it had around 20k on it. Felt fairly nippy for a diesel as standard, nice solid feel to it but had no confidence driving it around corners. Probably due to it not being my car! It did feel like a right ole lump,though. I would guess it being a nice combo of performance,economy,good build.. maybe I’m wrong. That’s the impression I got.

Wouldn’t go out looking for one though. So much more out there I’d be looking at first.

Blimey, well thanks all for the responses guys, quite a mix of opinion!

I should probably clarify that despite being 32 I’ve only been driving for about a year and literally any car is going to handle better than my current 17yr old Astra complete with teflon 155 tyres!

It’s not that I was actively searching for an older Golf TDI, more that looking at what I can get for £2k, this particular car seems quite a bargain.

I’ve generally being looking for something with “luxuries” such as ABS, airbags, decent sized tyres and enough grunt to actually overtake when required!

I’ve also driven a mk1 Octavia (based on mark IV Golf) as well as a 2009 Golf and quite like that VAG-feel!

Also driving an ’02 150bhp, as said – plenty of grunt and overtaking is no problem but the gear box needs some work as the car’s designed more as a cruiser, partly explaining the softer suspension and wallowy handling (although the weekend car’s and Elise, so after that anything’s wallowy). A decent set of front tyres will help the handling, mine had Pirelli P6000s on when I got it and they’re terrible for understeer, replaced with Bridgestone Turanzas and the handling’s improved no end. I use it for a mixture local driving – around town, to the Peak – and motorway cruising – work in Nottingham to home in Elgin return (1000 miles) – and it’s good for both, the 6 speed box and cruise control on the motorway in particular. On the cruise north the fuel economy works out around 55mpg.

Picked mine up for a not disimilar price and with 85k on the clock from a dealer. As long as you know, and are happy with, the history and like the car generally then go for it.

As somafunk says, look at the Mk IV forum, loads of additional info there too…

Oh, and the all-important question I nearly forgot to ask:

Does a bike fit okay in the back?!

Davetrave – tbh I quite like the sound of a swift, comfy cruiser.

Driving my current car is like a form of exercise such is the amount of effort that has to go into changing gear constantly, trying to squeeze some power from the brakes, hoiking on the wheel etc..

Mk4 Golfs are lovely places to sit – interior is far nicer quality than the Audi A3 of the same vintage. Friend of mine has a 5-door and easily gets his DH bike in with just the front wheel off.

Well this one is a 3 door but I assume I right in saying it’s the same physical size as the 5 door?

I need to arrange to look at it by the sounds of things..

Oh…..Just passed your test and driving an old Astra?…… Well if that’s the case it’s a no brainer for you – Buy it!, make sure you get it serviced by a VW diesel specialist, not necessary a main dealer, in fact i’d avoid the main dealers at all costs – where are you in the country?, i’ll be able to recommend you a specialist within driving distance from you through all the VW geeks i know up and down the country.

Jumping from an old astra into the golf will be an evangelical experience for you, be careful of the power delivery especially in the wet coming off roundabouts or greasy roads with autumn leaves lying around.

As above good tyres are essential, Turanza’s as mentioned are decent but they’re more of a summer touring tyre and not that confidence inspiring in the wet as they hold on..hold on then give without much warning, from experience of owning Sciroccos/Corrados/Golfs i cannot stress enough the importance of having good tyres with a suitable compound on the front and rear, as understeer on the front is easy to provoke but controllable, oversteer for a relative novice driver is impossible to reign in so run your tyres with the most tread on the rear. I run Michelin Pilot Exalto’s PE2 (very stiff sidewalls so perfect for a heavy hatch like your golf) on my Hot Mk2 Golf in the summer and Nokian WR G2 winter tyres in the winter but a decent tyre swill see you fine all year round as i doubt you’ll be driving with spirit as they say.

And a bike or two will fit in no bother, go on buy it.

I currently hold the second fastest lap time at my local go karting ring. I know what Im on about.

I truly and sincerely hope that was meant to be a joke.

(if not, you can always claim the Edinburgh Defence to save face)

Somafunk, yes I’m imagining it will feel similar at least to my parents old Octavia (one that I was planning on getting running).

Oversteer and understeer are something I experience on a daily basis in the astra unfortunately, even on my commmute to work!

This morning I had the pleasure of trying to accelerate very gently up a steep hill in the rain and found the astra just sat there and span it’s wheels in protest!

Good tyres sound like a sensible first upgrade indeed – any suggestions on an “all rounder”?
I think the 150 also has traction control to some degree, which will help with greasy roundabouts and the like.

As for my location I’m based in Sheffield and have seen a few adverts for local independent VW specialists but don’t know them personally .

Ropey,

If it’s swift, comfy cruiser you’re after then you’ll not find much better at that price/vintage/mileage IMHO. Soma’s point about the power delivery’s a good one – something I’ve noticed, even with the ESP turned on.

As for bike fit, the rear sets in mine are almost permanently down and my FS fits in with front wheel only removed.

Soma,

The Turanzas were a short notice replacement, with only a little research, and are nowhere near as bad as the P6000s – I found them terrible in wet or dry, giving up grip far too easily! Will try something else next time – any recommendations for a moon on a stick cruising/spirited driving/good in wet/good in dry/all-rounder…? Oh and, through your VW geeks, any recommendations for good VW indys in/around west Nottingham/east Derby and in/around Elgin?

Ropeyreignrider : If your in sheffield you have to use Audi Dave, it’s practically the law if you own a VW in that area and i personally know of a few VW’s geeks that use him from the various VW meetings down that way – very decent guy and knows his VW’s inside out and back to front, a short drive from you but worth it as a good mechanic is to be valued, very honest and very skilled when it comes to VW’s.

Otherwise there is VolksTech, they mostly specialise in older VW’s such as beetles n’ campers but again very good with everything VW with a stellar reputation for being fastidious.

davetrave : i’ve mailed a mate up in elgin so when i hear back i’ll post here, as for tyres i find it hard to better the Exalto’s as mentioned above – compared to my Toyo R888 track tyres they only lose a few seconds per lap round Knockhill in the dry and slightly more time against my soft compound cut/grooved slicks – they need careful driving for the first 500 odd miles till the compound hardens and wears in then they’re excellent – i honestly cannot fault them in the dry or wet.

Pirelli P6000s?, Ha, i know what you mean, **** dangerous tyres imho – My old scirocco had these fitted when i bought it and on the 200 mile journey home from birmingham i kept stopping to check the tyres as i was convinced there was something wrong with them, are they punctured? – nope!, are the pressures correct? – yes. Back home and take car up the garage, maybe the tracking is out? – nope!, Camber perhaps? – nope!…just a piss-poor tyre all round, took them off and didn’t even try to sell them despite over 6mm of tread left – dumped them in our tyre pile and i expect they’re still there, shame on pirelli.

Thanks somafunk but that link is knackered by the looks of it..

They dont handle that bad either, all the haters must just be pretty naff drivers who need the car to do all the work!

On the contrary, I found that the MkIV TDi is very uninvolving to drive, there’s just understeer and very little dialogue between the steering wheel and the contact patch of the tyres. The car wanted to do all the work without including me in any of it. I’m sure it’s rapid and grippy, but there’s no incentive to drive it into bends. The interior and engine are fantastic though, as a motorway cruiser it’s brilliant.

My old Mk 2 Golf GIT had plenty of feedback through the steering wheel, neutral handling and mild lift off oversteer too, so I think I know a little of what I’m talking about when it comes to driving a swift Golf.

Drove one briefly. Massive turbo lag, but when it finally woke up it went like a rocket. Guess you just have to get used to its ways, I’d still have one though..;-)

All this talk is making me miss mine and want another one!

Sorry, my fault for one too many http’s in link,

Audi dave is here

davetrave : Not heard back fae mate bout elgin yet

Thanks!

I had a chat with the workmate who’s selling it and I didn’t realise that it’s been off the road for a few months.
– he took delivery of his shiny new 318d and has been meaning to sell the golf since May.

On the plus side he’s going to stick it through its MOT, tax it and enquire about the cost of the cambelt change it’ll probably need , to be on the safe side. It does have fsh though and the only problem he’s had with it was the drivers side window mechanism failing which got replaced.

Hopefully I’ll be able to take a proper look at it soon!

Massive turbo lag is usually down to wastegate pressure and boost leak problems, they should drive with very little turbo lag if you get a well sorted one.

And they can be made to handle with a bit of cash thrown at them, also decent tyres are a must, not to a Mk2 standard of turn in and agility obviously and yeah, lift off oversteer is great fun if you do it intentionally, can scare the crap out of your mum in the passenger seat at 90mph+…she saw the funny side eventually though as i talked her through what the car was doing and why and how to bring it back round. A triangulated rear beam also helps but buggers about with the self-steer action on the road.( at knockhill btw)

Soma,

Hmm, Audi Dave also a possibility for me when I’m at work – 38 miles, quick hop up the M1. A reliable, knowledgeable indy specialist is worth the effort to go a bit further. Unless you know of anybody closer to Nottingham…?

Run Toyo T1R Proxes fronts and Advan Neova AD07s on the back of the Elise, getting on quite well with the Toyos so may consider trying them as a known quantity. Or maybe have a look at the Exaltos…

If it’s been off the road for a few months, not started, then Oil & Filter change before you turn it over or drive it far, take it to Dave and mention Kenny Mk2 ABT Golf told you to use him and get him to do service/cambelt/tensioner etc, haven’t spoke to him for a while but if you like i’ll give him a call beforehand – but he’s A1 sound so you’ll be fine, he’s one of the few honest folk around. Don’t be tempted to drive it much till you get this done as Oil is of vital importance with these engines, they can be quite thirsty and old oil that’s been sitting will have absorbed moisture especially over the summer months as the block/sump heats up then cools down with daily variations in ambient air temps.

The main problem with the mkiv’s handling – bulk aside – is the over sized front anti-roll bar. They fitted it to give ‘safe’ understeer handling.

The damping and spring rates don’t seem to tally too well either for press-on driving.

The strange things is there’s plenty of OEM components – admittedly from other VAG members – that can be fitted as part of routine maintenance that transform it’s handling.

S3, TT, Cupra R and VRS components can be bolted straight on and it tightens things up loads.

Regards the front arb an adjustable, thicker/heavier rear arb can be fitted quickly and makes the car either neutral or oversteery (if that’s your thing).

I found all Toyo tyres apart from the R888 semi slick to have very flexy sidewalls but then again i don’t know how your car is set-up, a lotus elise is a very different proposition to a 28yr old Golf chassis wise so what i say will prob have no bearing on your car, i did like the Toyo R888 on my old Scirocco (twin 40’s, Stage 2 TSR 16v head on 2.1 ABF Corrado engine – lovely noise but 18mpg) but the police used to be a pain the arse as they did not agree that semi-slicks were suitable road tyres, despite the car only being used in the dry……mostly….perhaps slightly damp conditions sometimes….or was that my pants after a slide?.

If you are near dave then go for it, well worth the trip.

If you like the Elise (fantastic car – i’d love one for the track but can only afford one car to run )then check out my mates new Exige S as i mentioned in this thread page 2, my golf on page 1

, lift off oversteer is great fun if you do it intentionally, can scare the crap out of your mum in the passenger seat at 90mph+…she saw the funny side eventually though as i talked her through what the car was doing and why and how to bring it back round.

You obviously know your cars, & have driven a few but that sounds a heck of a foolish activity if it was on a public road.

Nae worries, Knockhill track day.

A 17-year-old Astra on 155 tyres will have more of the qualities you seek than one of my vehicles and yet I find that vehicle offers more than enough of all the qualities you seek. Quick cars on the road are pointless even if they are fun at Knockhill. So do you intend to spend your weekends at Knockhill or would it no make more sense to continue running the devil you know and adapting your driving to suit?

In answer to the orignal question, no I haven’t driven a that Golf but I have driven several Astras from mk 1 to current; used as intended they are fine machines.

RRR- how many previous owners does it have? Thats bloody brilliant mileage on a 10yr old diesel car. Most 2002 Golf diesels of that age should be on double that. How long has he owned it and when was the last belt/water pump change?

EDukator, my Astra is down right scary at times , especially in the wet. It’s also very uncomfortable on long journeys and increasingly less economical.

As per my earlier posts I’m not seeking out a fast car, more that my friend has the golf for sale and it seems like a safe, comfortable and economical car. I’m also not interested particularly in how sporty it feels on country roads as I tend to pootle along anyway.

Hora, its has two owners including the current one and no the belt/pump has not been changed but I would factor this into the cost and get it done ASAP.

Soma , thanks for the info and yes I may well mention you if and when I buy it!