GTI Advice!

[dom]

Hi guys, am looking into a GTI and came across one on carsales (from a dealer).
I went to view it in person and all looked good. one thing thats putting me off is that its been advertised for about 3 weeks and hasn't sold..
It also has a Blow off valve which is putting me off because i have been told they shouldn't be fitted to a Mk4 due to running rich etc.. does anyone have some good advice into this GTI?

Let me know if you've seen the ad before or in person:

2000 Volkswagen Golf 4th Gen GTi

Ps - Is it ok to buy from a dealer? (Auburn)

[dom]

also trip computer read 13L/100Km.. either BOV causing issues or previous owner thrashing?

[RedMk2Gti]

I'd be cautious about the mileage, if it doesn't have log book/service history to prove its low mileage, walk away.
13L/100Km definitely wrong, my Mk4 GTI was chipped, ran 18" wider wheels it was about 11L suburb drive.

[brad]

I wouldn't worry about it sitting around for 3 weeks. It's a 14 year old European car so demand won't be huge.

Fuel consumption will be rubbish because of short test drives & idling on the forecourt.

If your preliminary inspections show s the car to appear OK then get an independant inspection done - either by Sydney Roads or a VW specialist.

Buying from a dealer? Your title is guaranteed & it shouldn't be encumbered & (maybe?) there's a small warranty. You'll pay more for the privelige (there will be about $2k margin at his asking price) but you should have room for negotiation as well.

[h100vw]

The DV is $50 to remove, not a great move blowing off but not the end of the world. Consumption reading varies massively. Only way to check that, is zero and then monitor.

My first impression is that it looks pretty tidy.

Lowish KM but I personally like to buy higher mileage cars.

If the history holds up and it passes an inspection, spend the money.

Might be in a Polo which is a fair bit more modern for not a lot extra???

Gavin

[dom]

The DV is $50 to remove, not a great move blowing off but not the end of the world. Consumption reading varies massively. Only way to check that, is zero and then monitor.

My first impression is that it looks pretty tidy.

Lowish KM but I personally like to buy higher mileage cars.

If the history holds up and it passes an inspection, spend the money.

Might be in a Polo which is a fair bit more modern for not a lot extra???

Gavin

hey Gavin. why do you recommend higher mileage cars? i thought 120k isn't too bad?

[h100vw]

hey Gavin. why do you recommend higher mileage cars? i thought 120k isn't too bad?

120k in 13 years. not even 10k a year. mostly around town, tough on clutches. Def make sure it's had a timing belt in the past, I wouldn't be too surprised to find it hasn't.

The reason I like high mileage cars is because they have been used and therefore highway kms. This isn't hard on clutches, brakes and other running gear in my opinion.

Needs history to back it up but my S3 has 280000 on, Polo GTI on 170000 nearly. A4 wagon 240000. All pretty much running like clockwork.

Most folk wouldn't bother doing an annual service if they go by the dash warnings, they''l just ignore it until they get to 10000km. Meanwhile, stop start driving in the city is hard on the oil. Most wear occurs when the engine is cold.

At the money asked, I'd want EVERY tick in the box for that one. Timing belt, service history, 4 branded tyres not some cheap rubbish, brakes that have lots of life left in them.

No reason for cam cover gaskets to leak on their own, so someone has probably taken it off. Not required during a belt change.

Water outlet is a common failure though. Cheap to fix, pink stains on the top of the gearbox.

Black oil filters not ryco etc would indicate to me that it was serviced at a specialist, which I'd consider good.

If you are going to mod the car and throw the suspension away, you might as well start on one for less money that has worn out parts anyway.

Gavin

[dom]

120k in 13 years. not even 10k a year. mostly around town, tough on clutches. Def make sure it's had a timing belt in the past, I wouldn't be too surprised to find it hasn't.

The reason I like high mileage cars is because they have been used and therefore highway kms. This isn't hard on clutches, brakes and other running gear in my opinion.

Needs history to back it up but my S3 has 280000 on, Polo GTI on 170000 nearly. A4 wagon 240000. All pretty much running like clockwork.

Most folk wouldn't bother doing an annual service if they go by the dash warnings, they''l just ignore it until they get to 10000km. Meanwhile, stop start driving in the city is hard on the oil. Most wear occurs when the engine is cold.

At the money asked, I'd want EVERY tick in the box for that one. Timing belt, service history, 4 branded tyres not some cheap rubbish, brakes that have lots of life left in them.

No reason for cam cover gaskets to leak on their own, so someone has probably taken it off. Not required during a belt change.

Water outlet is a common failure though. Cheap to fix, pink stains on the top of the gearbox.

Black oil filters not ryco etc would indicate to me that it was serviced at a specialist, which I'd consider good.

If you are going to mod the car and throw the suspension away, you might as well start on one for less money that has worn out parts anyway.

Gavin

Thanks a lot Gavin, this has been great! very helpful

[Timmyrgm]

That is Properly cheap.

Quite low k's, I haven't heard if a DV affecting air fuel ratio's. The stock DV is no good at higher psi. I had to temporarily put on the stock DV and it made a terrible noise when letting off at 16psi.

Dont let a few mods put you off, a DV is just about the easiest thing to install/remove. I wish I got my gti that cheap.

Dealers are shifty, but As lonv as you can get up the car history, make sure it hasn't been stacked etc you should be fine.

Try find out if the timing belt has been done recently. You'll be due for a new one most likely soon and mechanics like to charge around $600 to do that... That's if you aren't up to tackling it yourself.

Go look at the car and a few things to have a look at are.

The coolant flange that comes out the right side of the head, check if it has split underneath. If it has you should be able to nock a few $$$ off the price. And it's a very easy fix.

Also see if the rocker cover gasket is leaking, any minor problems you can find are good, because that means the price gets lower. And if you do the work yourself it isn't costly at all. I actually have a 1.8t rocker cover gasket sitting at home haha.



Get an racv check done on it, trust me it's worth it.

Sent from my One using Tapatalk

[dom]

That is Properly cheap.

Quite low k's, I haven't heard if a DV affecting air fuel ratio's. The stock DV is no good at higher psi. I had to temporarily put on the stock DV and it made a terrible noise when letting off at 16psi.

Dont let a few mods put you off, a DV is just about the easiest thing to install/remove. I wish I got my gti that cheap.

Dealers are shifty, but As lonv as you can get up the car history, make sure it hasn't been stacked etc you should be fine.

Try find out if the timing belt has been done recently. You'll be due for a new one most likely soon and mechanics like to charge around $600 to do that... That's if you aren't up to tackling it yourself.

Go look at the car and a few things to have a look at are.

The coolant flange that comes out the right side of the head, check if it has split underneath. If it has you should be able to nock a few $$$ off the price. And it's a very easy fix.

Also see if the rocker cover gasket is leaking, any minor problems you can find are good, because that means the price gets lower. And if you do the work yourself it isn't costly at all. I actually have a 1.8t rocker cover gasket sitting at home haha.



Get an racv check done on it, trust me it's worth it.

Sent from my One using Tapatalk

mate you're a legend! cheers for the info! will head over this weekend