VWwA Used Car Guides (Type 1J) Golf 1998-2005 GL, GLE, Sport, Generation, GTI & R32

[phaeton]

1998-2005 Golf (Type 1J) 1.8 GL, 1.6 GL (Generation), 2.0 GLE (Sport), 3.2 V6 R32

If you have owned or own one of the models above please state your experience with the Golf negatives and positives .

Also fill in the below blanks


example
Model: Golf R32
Engine: 3.2 with 177kW
Year: 2004
Any Problems ?: tyres fell off

[YellowDieselGolf]

Model: Golf GTI
Engine: 1.8T
Year: 2002 MY03
Any Problems ?:
Sunroof mechanism replaced
Microswitch in drivers door lock failed
Throttle position sensor replaced
Cruise control/indicator stalk replaced
Drivers seat material replaced at first service due to wear
Comfort module failed, resulting in passenger power mirror pointing to the ground
Window regulators creaked - didn't fail, but were going to.
N75 valve replaced due to fault
Differential replaced due to clunking
Clutch replaced due to wear
Fuel lines replaced

+ probably more.

[dubbed]

Model: Golf GTI
Engine: 1.8t
Year: 2000
Problems:
MAF replaced
Coolant sensor replaced

It also has a couple of other small issues at the moment.

[spritle]

Model: Golf GL
Year: 2000
Gearbox: manual
Mileage: 114K kms

Owned since new.

Mods:
Koni FSD's @ 70K kms
Poly bushes in lower control arm (front and rear) @ 70K kms
decent wheels and tyres @ 10K kms (which accountant decided to put 175/80 tyres at the design stage )
tow bar
tint
wooly seat covers


Problems:
Gearbox self destruction @ 85K kms (new box @ $4K). Systemic issue with DUU gearboxes for 1.6 manuals due to alloy rivets in diff wearing out, popping out and destroying the box.
Coolant sensor replaced. Known Mk4 issue.
minor seat bolster wear (therefore wooly covers)
rear wiper stopped working (electrical issues somewhere in the body, can't be arsed to fix).
rear boot light doesn't work (probably microsensor in rear lock mechanism, but can't be arsed to fix)
now got an ocassional rattle/clonk from the front suspension
driver's side window regulator (and had the passenger one changed too)


Pro's:
1.6 alloy engine's lighter than the other iron engines so it feels a bit better balanced
interior design and quality
mine got built in Germany
Lots of support forums
Still can't find something that I like enough to replace it (yes, driven a Mk5 GTI; Mk4 GTI; company Astra, Corolla, Falcodore, Aurion)


Con's:
1.6 lacks bottom end torque. Hec, it just lacks.
being wary of the low alloy sump
1.6 manual's a rod shift and feels a bit more clunky than the 1.8/2.0/1.8T cable shifter
wondering if it'll make it to 200K kms?

[Clarkee_vw]

Model: Golf Mk4 GL
Engine: AVU 1.6L
Gearbox: Manual
Km's: 164,000
Owned: 3 1/2 years (93,000km)

Getting ready to turbo the motor

Now for my list of problems...

Problems
Coolant temp sensor replaced at 101,000km
Thermostat housing replaced at 110,000
Broke the gearbox at 124,000 the rivets in the diff gave out :/ got a rebuolt gearbox with bolts in the diff and strengthened.
Heavy duty clutch put in at 130,000 due to old one failing
Water pump replaced at 120,000 with an all alloy pump.
Cv joint starting to fail now on drivers side
O2 sensors need replacing as well as the coolant temp sensor AGAIN :/
Factory tint peeling on all windows
Clear coat peeling on rear quarter panels and roof
Rear seat material has come apart at seams
Front rotors needed replacing a few months ago

Think ive got it all lol...

[Manaz]

Am going to make a separate thread

Are the issues for a Bora that different to a Golf that the thread would be significantly different?

[phaeton]

Are the issues for a Bora that different to a Golf that the thread would be significantly different?

You tell me

I thought as they were built in different factories and had different engine options apart from the 2.0L that they may differ in some respects.

Also could not fit a full description of all Bora models in the title hence my decision to separate the two (this can easily be changed)

[geoff_gti]

what link? it's just text with underline. we're supposed to fill in the details like so:

Model: MY03 Mk IV Golf GTI
Engine: AGU 1.8T with Oettinger chip + K04 upgrade
Year: 2003
Any Problems ?: Front window regulators replaced
Water pump and timing belt replaced at last service (60,000km). Expensive, but before they went which would have been worse!
Excessive wearing on front tyres (due to inner guards coming loose and rubbing on tyres, nothing else )
Throttle body has been reset / cleaned out, still plays up occassionally causing high idling, cruise control won't work, and aircon seems to cut out too
Flex in dump pipe cracked and had to be replaced (sounded worse than a Diesel for a bit!)

Other Features:
R32 bodykit
OZ 18" Superleggera rims
Oettinger pedals
Now with stubby antenna and remote windows! Cheers to Tim @ Dub Addiction and Fuzion!!

[gavs]

Model: MkIV GL Rally
Engine: 1.6 SR
Year: 1999
Problems: Entire passenger side door electrics replaced (window regulator, power mirror, door lock), passenger side door wiring loom replaced, a myriad of squeeks (i carry WD-40!), gremlin in the drivers door windor/door switch module, CCM intermittent problems, possible inner CV joint on drivers side failing....

[JustCruisn]

Model: Golf GTI
Engine: 1.8T + APR
Year: 2001
Any Problems:
Part broke on seat rail, stiff to move forward/back, @37K fixed
Part broke on seat rail again @ 37.1K - still not fixed
Water pump failed @ 65K
CV boot fails every 40K
Tailgate latch mechanism replaced @ 100K
Clutch and flywheel @ 102K
Door locks gone crazy @ 120K
Diff, 1st gear, crown wheel & bearings shot @ 185K

Still heaps of fun to drive.