Buying a Mk 4 2002 - reliability?

[williamssteve]

Hi

I need some info on Mk 4 2002 Golf regards reliability.

According to the local VW specialist they are pretty good.

But - some UK forums make them sound like a horror vehicle with gearbox issues, so I need some guidance. I'm assuming ( rightly/wrongly? ) that UK models are different to here in Oz?

The car has 80,000 km on it and seems in good order and has been serviced regularly.

It has 1.6L engine & is the SE model. We plan to keep it to drive an additional 100,000 km.

Any thoughts welcome.

[dylan8]

I maybe wrong, but havnt heard amazing things about the 1.6 models, think gear box like you said?

Other then that, i have a 2lt bora, and is the best! good on fuel, yet can manage to pull a car load of people and gear up hills and around corners. so other then the engine size and whatever the difference with the gear box is, itd be the same as mine i guess, and there a awesome car!

Welcome to the forum also

[gavs]

Welcome williamssteve

I have a 1.6 golf and majority of the problems I have had are in relation to electrical problems except for a worn inner cv joint on the drivers side and tired shocks (I am in the process of finding new ones!)

Other than a squeeky drivers seat, I have gradually come to enjoy my golf, especially on winding roads! Granted the 1.6 isn't all that powerfull, but the car is relatively light and with stiffer springs, it corners pretty well!

Oh, all the gearbox issues that afflict the 1.6 Mk4 are in relation to the MANUAL box. The US models are different, we got the euro spec here I believe, but if someone knows better, please correct me

Fuel economy is a strong point, I get on average 650km per tank on 95-98RON and 600-620km on 91 RON, and I'm no nana when driving!

[dylan8]

Originally Posted by gavs

Welcome williamssteve

I have a 1.6 golf and majority of the problems I have had are in relation to electrical problems except for a worn inner cv joint on the drivers side and tired shocks (I am in the process of finding new ones!)

Other than a squeeky drivers seat, I have gradually come to enjoy my golf, especially on winding roads! Granted the 1.6 isn't all that powerfull, but the car is relatively light and with stiffer springs, it corners pretty well!

Oh, all the gearbox issues that afflict the 1.6 Mk4 are in relation to the MANUAL box. The US models are different, we got the euro spec here I believe, but if someone knows better, please correct me

Fuel economy is a strong point, I get on average 650km per tank on 95-98RON and 600-620km on 91 RON, and I'm no nana when driving!

Hate to change the topic a little, but is that city or country km?

Think most of the things gavs raised arnt model specific? Maybe im wrong?

[craig_the_german]

Hi,

If considering a Mk4 1.6 beware of the manual gearbox. There are plenty of threads here about broken gearboxes (mine included). If it has the dreaded "tick tick" in reverse steer clear of it.

Other than that, everything that is golf is good. Nice to drive and economical.

Good luck.

[gavs]

Hate to change the topic a little, but is that city or country km?

It's mostly to work and back with the odd trip into the city. I guess you would call it general suburban driving with a little bit of highway work...

[polak]

wow thats strange coz i normally get about 750km per tank out of my 1.6L