MK4 Buying questions

[vwthunder]

I have been watching Carsales for a while and finding that a good low Km MK4 GTI will still cost you around 19 or 20K.
Lot of money seeing as a MK5 GTI, you can pick up for around 28K, which is a so much better car (a bit off topic lol)

If I get one I would want the lowest Km one there is, a few with 60k on the clock but expensive

[spj]

I have been watching Carsales for a while and finding that a good low Km MK4 GTI will still cost you around 19 or 20K.
Lot of money seeing as a MK5 GTI, you can pick up for around 28K, which is a so much better car (a bit off topic lol)

If I get one I would want the lowest Km one there is, a few with 60k on the clock but expensive

I have a great example advertised for $16.5k for vww members...

See here...http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ad.php?t=22375

[walshydub]

I reckon waiting a few months might be a wise move. I've seen some MK5's drop below the $20k mark which has got to push the prices lower, especially once the MK6 has landed.

[dubbed]

If anything these beasts have gone up or at least retained their value in the past 6-12 months. I bought mine for $15k requiring new tyres and rego coming up. Since then I've also had to spend $300 on a new MAF and $65 on a coolant sensor.

If I was hunting again I would be looking for a 2000.1+ model that has had the timing belt, water pump etc replaced recently and would be willing to pay a bit more for it.

[YellowDieselGolf]

If you're doing it at 60000km, you're doing it 60000 early. The service manual lists it as a 120,000 km item. Yours may have been changed due to age or condition.

Timing belt/ tensioner/ water pump and oil service recently cost me $850. You gotta do that one every 60,000 kms or she goes bang and costs THOUSANDS. 1.8T head rebuild = $$$ x 20

[Mr Messy]

The service book was drafted years ago, before 1.8Ts started snapping belts. Many 1.8T owners get it done early for piece of mind etc. When I had my water pump done (same time as belt) some impellor blades had already snapped off - I felt more than vindicated doing it early.

The original T belts were also made of a material now deemed inferior. I can't be bothered doing the research again but basically, you've got your head in the sand if you are certain a GTI will go to 120,000 kms on the original belt, water pump etc etc.

[YellowDieselGolf]

The service book was drafted years ago, before 1.8Ts started snapping belts. Many 1.8T owners get it done early for piece of mind etc. When I had my water pump done (same time as belt) some impellor blades had already snapped off - I felt more than vindicated doing it early.

The original T belts were also made of a material now deemed inferior. I can't be bothered doing the research again but basically, you've got your head in the sand if you are certain a GTI will go to 120,000 kms on the original belt, water pump etc etc.

ZOMG, you'd better go tell VW.com. They haven't updated their online service schedule either. I'm not saying that changing the belts early isn't a good idea, but that's why it's listed as an item to check at the earlier services.

[sierra055]

Without trying to be a smartarse, that service schedule doesn't actually specify when the timing belt should be "replaced", but does indicate 60 and 120 for checking. It obviously does specify the V belt be changed at 120 though.