VWwA Used Car Guides (Type 1J) Bora 1999-2005

[Syndicate]

Does the K&N filter make much of a difference? and is it worth getting?

I found these
eBay: Chen's Ham and Motorcycle options

about the same price as a stock air filter, and from what I remember same build quality as the K&N's

[VR6man]

Model: Bora V5, Indigo Blue
Engine: 2.3 with 125 KW and 5spd manual
Year: 2002
Odometer: 118,000km
Length of ownership: A few weeks
Rating: 8/10
Problems: noisy starter motor, squeaky brakes

Gripes: soft stock suspension, reach for spare tyre

Likes: just enough power for a family hack, drives smoothly , comfortable leather interior, heated front seats, big boot, decent stock stereo ,very good braking and braking feel

Mods: none yet

Thinking of: Suspension

[Wighty654]

did you know you can close the sunroof when you lock the car using key ? Sunroof has to be in tilt though, not fully open. And I don't think you can open it....

My sunroof will close from any position when i hold the key to lock?

[markc]

Model: Bora V6 4motion
Engine: 2.8 with 155 KW and 270 NM
Year: 2001
Odometer: ~214,000 kms
Length of ownership: 2 years
Rating out of 10 = 6.5

Problems:

- Coilpack died due to flooding in Melbourne in 2011
- clutch pedal linkage broke
- gearbox failed
- clutch failed
- boot latch failed

Gripes:

- Front suspension in squeaky despite stage one suspension refresh kit
- suspension is too soft
- 16" stock wheels should have been 17" (on the non-Sport)
- headlights are pretty average
- general wear and tear on an aging car

Likes:

- brilliantly torquey engine
- AWD grip, especially accelerating out of corners
- one touch close sunroof
- seat warmers
- rain-sensing wipers
- clean console and dash design
- practical with a good boot size
- design has aged well, still looks fairly modern
- reasonably priced (2nd hand)
- low insurance premiums

Mods:

- K&N filter

Thinking of:

- Selling

Overall I've enjoyed the car. Zero engine issues even at these high kms which is testament to regular servicing. Most of the issues I've had are generally due to the high kms and general wear and tear. It still hurts when you have to pay half the value of the car when the gearbox and clutch fail.

[BMan]

Hi All, I just recently purchased a used (I am the third owner) 5 Speed manual, 2004 V5 Bora Sports with 129,000 km on the clock. Factory optioned with Climatronic, leather and premium audio (which isn't so premium anymore).

The car is wickedly fun to drive around and I have very little to complain about. I would like to be able to use this as a hobby car and do it up where I can. The car has full logbooks and has always been serviced at McCarrols VW on the North Shore.

This is the first German Manual I've driven and can't believe how much fun it is to drive.

Will be doing an Audio upgrade shortly.

has anyone tried fitting the iPad mini into these MK IVs?

[Bora99]

Model: Bora 2.0 Type 1J
Engine: 2.0 with 85kW
Year: 1999
Any Problems? I bought my Bora secondhand off CarSales in 2011 (I think) with about 180,000kms.
Passenger window wouldn't go up or down (luckily it was up when it went out). CD Player went in it after I owned the car for a year or so.

Besides costing me an arm and a leg due to my own fault (I was a bit neglectful after hitting a massive roo at about 35km/ph) I absolutely love/d my Bora! Bloody tough little thing. I had to drive her about 1300kms after hitting a roo but got about another 15,000km before engine mounts went and everything else. Got fixed up and then the exhaust/manifold went, welded her up 2 or 3 times until the mechanics said enough's enough you gotta get a new exhaust, was quoted $1300 for a new one and it'd have to be shipped from Europe and that was without fitting it Not sure if he was talking BS just to get me to buy a new car or not ha. She still runs, struggles to start in hot weather but has been retired at around 320,000kms. Had a lot of good times and memories, she was super quick around corners and has been to hell and back.

EDIT - Had the coil pack go on me coming home from Melbourne, RACV put a piece of plastic on it to stop it shorting out. That piece of plastic kept her running for 2 years until some nong who did the plugs and leads took it off! Replaced with one from a wrecker and good as gold again.

I would definitely get another Bora, hell I almost did end up with a second one but I have animals I have to cart around so I went for a Passat wagon this time (after my AU ute of 1 1/2 months blew up!). Seriously think they're very under-rated against your holdens and fords.