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Thread: Just brought a 03 MK4, have a few questions

  1. #1
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    Just brought a 03 MK4, have a few questions

    Hey guys, firstly I’d like to say hi has this is my first post on these forums.

    So 2 days ago I brought a 03 Golf GTi from Carsales, after taking the car for a drive and talking to the fella for a while I was happy with what I saw and decided to purchase the car, the guy mentioned to me that the car is P plate legal (I'm on my red's) though it has had a some stuff done to it thought it still is drive able on my P's. The work done is as follows

    *Stage 2 custom APR ECU tune
    *Larger brake disk upgrade
    *Full turbo-back exhaust system (nice exhaust note though can be noisy)
    *AFE Cold Air Intake System
    *Lightened pulleys
    *Upgraded larger 110W Alternator
    *Upgraded larger battery

    The car has 155,000k on it and is currently getting a service at the moment, so basically what to know is what general things should I look out for and with the work done and the amount of k’s it has on it is it worth me getting it in for a tune? From what I've gathered the previous owner only had the services done at the required set K’s but it hasn't had a tune since the first owner.
    The car runs fine and doesn't skip a beat thought the exhaust does gargle a little when shifting down the gears. It’s my first turbo car so I can’t really say if anything feels out the norm though it does seem to kick in around the 2.5-3 grand mark which I have read is normal. Only other thing on the top of my head that felt a little off was the steering felt a little heavy compared to my old Astra, could that mean the power stearing is on its way out or is that just a thing with the Mk4?

    Also just curious what hourse power will the car be running roughly with the mod's mentioned?

    Any info on a decent car garage/tuner or general or advice would be greatly appreciated as like I have mentioned before this is all new to me.

    Regards,
    Ricky.
    Last edited by RM86; 30-03-2015 at 11:06 PM.

  2. #2
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    Hey nice car. I don't think Apr has a stage 2 tune on the mk4 or I'd have one.
    You probably get 120kw at the wheels or roughly 150kw engine power.
    Regular service is all they need there is no tune up on these as the computer does all that and yours has been tricked up already.
    Suspension will likely be shot by now, got any squeaks?
    Hoses start to deteriorate vacuum leaks are common.
    Has the clutch ever been replaced?
    The alternator thing sounds odd must have died and aftermarket option was cheaper, not sure of the benefit of higher rating though.
    Yes steering is heavier than a lot of cars particularly japs or newer electric steering.
    MK4 GTI - Sold
    MK5 Jetta Turbo - Sold
    MK5 Jetta 2.Slow - Until it dies.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by JustCruisn View Post
    Hey nice car. I don't think Apr has a stage 2 tune on the mk4 or I'd have one.
    You probably get 120kw at the wheels or roughly 150kw engine power.
    Regular service is all they need there is no tune up on these as the computer does all that and yours has been tricked up already.
    Suspension will likely be shot by now, got any squeaks?
    Hoses start to deteriorate vacuum leaks are common.
    Has the clutch ever been replaced?
    The alternator thing sounds odd must have died and aftermarket option was cheaper, not sure of the benefit of higher rating though.
    Yes steering is heavier than a lot of cars particularly japs or newer electric steering.
    Hey mate thanks for the reply, Ah yeh I went on there website and couldn't find anything on Stage 2 tune so not sure what the go is there, as for suspension squeak's i haven't really heard anything yet as the current exhaust is quite loud, especially around the 3000 rpm mark (Is this normal as it quite deafening). As for the clutch i think it has been replaced before as it's still quite smooth and i think the previous owner may have changed the alternator.
    One other thing i was curious about is I'm currently running it on BP e98 fuel and I've noticed that fuel consumption is quite bad compared to my Astra, I'm at half a tank now and I've done around 205km, Is it true if i run it on e95 ill get more millage but we a little loss of power? and if i decide to do this should i run the tank to empty then fill it up?

    As for the car what future mod's would you recommend doing? I've been reading up on K04 turbo and adding a BOV and possibly getting new suspension.

    Once again thanks for the reply
    Last edited by RM86; 01-04-2015 at 09:47 PM.

  4. #4
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    You should look into what dv you have in it, because some need servicing depending on which one you have. My mk4 has 124k km and the steering is just harder than other cars. As for your exhaust, check if it has been decatted, because mine drones quite a bit.

    For your future mods I'd suggest getting an intake and the n75H from 034 motorsports. And if you choose to do a k04, you should do the TIP and injectors/4bar FPR (depending what tune) while you're at it.

  5. #5
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    Mate I get 650 ish out of a tank on Optimax with a tune only. Sometimes better
    MK4 GTI Revo Stage 1 / BFI Dogbone Mounts / 710N DV

  6. #6
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    First point of call should be a smoke boost leak test!!! If your getting bad fuel consumption under normal driving conditions you might have leaks!!! Fix these up and not only will you save money from better fuel economy, but it's free power upgrade as well!!

    I would consider doing a k03s upgrade with stage 2 custom code. cheaper than going k04 route.

  7. #7
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    don't bother with K04. go for the full big turbo upgrade that you WANT, everything has to be changed anyway.

    if you don't want to go that crazy just stick with stage 2 and a K03s mine is plenty quick and fun to drive (still want more power but thats normal)

    I get 650 easily in peak hour daily driving and giving it curry a lot. even with K03s 3" downpipe, no cat, pod filter and stage 2 Custom Code tune

  8. #8
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    Just finished a full tank of e98 and I got 510km out of it, this seems to be considerably less the you guys are getting, what's your fuel consumption on take off from lights? Mine is generally around 35-47 on the petrol consumption gauge.. What could be the cause of the extra perol use, we replace the fuel filter last week when the car had a service..

    As for DV maintenance how would i find out if I need to donut and also what type I'm running?
    Last edited by RM86; 04-04-2015 at 10:36 PM.

  9. #9
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    ......... Have you done a boost leak test. I bet a million bucks you have leaks...

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