Golf MK4 1.8 200,000km+ maintenance!

[damianzmd]

Hey guys,

My MK4 Golf 1.8 (non-turbo, engine code AGN) has reached around 230,000km's. It still runs great *touch wood*, with a couple niggles in the interior and what not.

I'll be doing a major service soon, just needing some advice on parts, obviously timing belt is one thing that is needed, although I've already replaced my water pump with metal impellers, after it gave up on me last year (slap me I know I should have done the belt at the same time, but I was crazy low on funds at the time, and needed the car on the road asap.)

I've been looking over ecstuning.com for parts, and was wondering if this is a good buy?

http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-...lt_Kits/ES5954

I know it comes with the water pump that I have already replaced, but oh well. Will this properly fit my engine? Having the 1.8 non-turbo there is always doubt in purchasing parts for it

I've got a close family friend who is a mechanic, and would do this job for me for next to nothing.

If not, how much do mechanic's usually charge for a timing belt service? I usually deal with Volkwerke in Greensborough VIC, but I'm a little short on the money side of things again. Would it be significantly cheaper if I asked for generic branded parts? Is there a major negative to buying non-OEM parts?

I'll also be need to replace my brakes all round, and I've found packages on ECS Tuning for around $200-250 that should probably suffice, that come with bentex pads and brembo discs. Is this fine, or can I get it for much cheaper locally?

Last but not least, what other things will have to be maintained at this time? Keeping in mind I'm trying to do just above the bare minimum to keep this thing running as long as possible.

Cheers,

Sorry for the long and poorly structured post.
Thanks in advance.

[ben_marrett]

Hey Mate,

Ive just done the very same!! I have a 99 1.8 NA(AGN) I purchased the kit for the 1.8T from ECS and everything was perfect!! Did it with my brother in about 8 hours with next to no light i rang around and got prices to do the whole lot including parts and it was anywhere from 850 to 1500. I figured i should save some dollars so I did it myself.

Ben