potentially buying a mk4 BUT...

[eltonking]

went to go check out a 2002 mk4 1.6 5 sp manual with a friend of mine today (for him). Before i go in to detail, the car i going in for a service tomorrow, regardless, on starting the car it struggled to find a correct idle, it revved all the way up high ~2200rpm? then almost stalled, then after about 20 seconds righted itself and all was good. Next up was the oil light constantly being on, despite the oil being topped up earlier that day. The seller said all these things (along with a blown taillight) would be rectified as well as RWC being supplied for the change over.
are these common occurrences? should he look at a different car? are there any known problems?
if it helps, car has ~130,000kms.

cheers, elton

[djorkboy]

If it were me I would start running. There are enough MK4 Golfs around that you should be able to find a decent one without these issues elsewhere.

If this one is so cheap as to be hard to pass up I would want the seller to give me details of the mechanic who is doing the servicing so I could verify the work being done and the cause.

[kapowww]

Next up was the oil light constantly being on, despite the oil being topped up earlier that day. The seller said all these things (along with a blown taillight) would be rectified as well as RWC being supplied for the change over.

My sister's oil light had the same problem till they changed a blown fuse this morning.. Could be that, but why did he have to top up the oil? Make sure there's no leak or it's not burning oil. If he's gonna service it now that he's selling it to me it's a telltale sign that he never services it and to ease your mind he'll do a last minute one (or maybe it's just a coincidence it's due for a service).

Check out the car after the service but I'd look at a different one.

[ohsnap!]

i would also find out if it's had a major service (check log book and chase up the dealer). it should've had a timing belt change (listed as toothed belt in the log book), somewhere between 90-130k and if it hasn't i'd go elsewhere. a tb change will probably cost at least 1k. i got quoted 2k for a major service from a vw specialist, so keep that in mind.

honestly though i'd listen to djorkboy and look for another one, it's not like there's a shortage of mkiv's around!

[craig_the_german]

From someone who owns a mk4 1.6 these are fairly common issues but that's not to say you shouldn't find one without them

[250celowrider]

yeah... idle could be as easy as a poor contact on the dis or a cracked cover. does the car look good for its age?
carpet etc...wear on the steering wheel etc.'
if you are unsure.....get a trusted mech to do the once over.
My mate found a bora 4motion for 7k with minor issues that seemed like majors.
JUST NEED A MECH THAT KNOW VW"S

[out2golf]

JUST NEED A MECH THAT KNOW VW"S

can you suggest any independent mechanic's that specialise in vw in melbourne?

thanks!

[eltonking]

Have a chat to dazza, Josh, he's always Dijon to part some knowledge.

[out2golf]

Yeah... he's parts knoledge with so much useless information though that I'm a bit conserned that he doesnt always know 100% what he is even rambelling about...