mk3 gti 16v

[ripper46]

You may remember A while a go I wanted to buy a 1990 bmw 318is, this didn't go so well because I was looking for a car which was reliable and din't have too much malfunctions, In my quest to do better I stumbled upon a 1994 vw golf gti 16v 120000 kms ( in the last years the kilometrage/year dropped to 5000), sold by first owner (woman in her 40's) complete dealer service history, completely original, 4400 EUr:( :) Looks like there isn't a spot of rust at all ,and not a single scratch or dent, nice stationary rpm just below 1000 rpm, no excessive smoke when revving up to 5000 rpm

are there any points to pay attention too? ...parts likely to fail?

and what do you think of the car in general? Is it really as soggy as "they" say?

[Mäusekino]

you bought a vw instead of a bmw. okay seems like the vw is in good condition, but well... ehm how can say? vw, bmw, vw, bmw, vw, bmw... can you guess what i want to say?

[McReis]

you bought a vw instead of a bmw. okay seems like the vw is in good condition, but well... ehm how can say? vw, bmw, vw, bmw, vw, bmw... can you guess what i want to say?
No because you said virtualy nothing. Useless post.

Ripper46: I think the Golf might be a better choice. I prefer the BMW, of course, but given the state of each one, and given the complexity and reliability, the Golf can be a great choice. Is the price good?

[ripper46]

4400 EUR :p

[McReis]

Not bad, but not amazing either. Offer the owner 3500.

[ripper46]

he "came down" from 4500, i'm going to try 4300 , but even thats going to be tuff, he's so stubborn...
this saturday i'm going to make the big decision

[ripper46]

I'm just hoping that the fact that its vw dealer serviced means that its in a good mechanical state

[ripper46]

And does anybody have a decent web link regarding to the mk3 gti /16 V?:D
because all I found was useless rubish which is weird because the golf gti must have loads of fans...

[h00t_h00t]

VWVortex.com or something like that. Ask Quiggs.

[Quiggs]

We never got the 16 valve motors.

What kind of info are you looking for exactly?

[Egg Nog]

We never got the 16 valve motors.

What kind of info are you looking for exactly?

You serious? Canada got the 16v.

[ripper46]

We never got the 16 valve motors.

What kind of info are you looking for exactly?

well, I'm looking for a kind of buyers guide, stuff that could go wrong,stuff that should have been replaced, some detailed info on the engine....

[Quiggs]

Window regulators, sunroof motors, and coilpacks are the main things that tend to break. I'm not even sure if the ABF used coilpacks or a distributor, though.

Make sure the timing belt/chain (again, not sure which it uses) has been changed in the last 40,000 miles. Otherwise you may want to budget some extra money to have that done. The hatches tend to rust around the license plate frame. Other than that, just check for the normal stuff. Take it to a mechanic you trust and have him look it over.

[ripper46]

any ideas what it would cost to replace the timing belt at a VW garage?

[Quiggs]

The belt itself isn't expensive. But the labor kills you. I think it's quoted at 5 hours, so whatever your shop's labor rate is times 5 or 6 hours. Call a few shops around you and see what they quote you.

[ripper46]

probably 200 euros for that job then

[Waugh-terfall]

Watch out for the MAF dying, you can usually tell this when driving and the power suddenly goes completely then suddenly comes back every so often.

[The_Canuck]

You serious? Canada got the 16v.

We always get the better VWs. Like the 5 door GTi we've had for a year or two, the U.S only gets it this year.

[ripper46]

Watch out for the MAF dying, you can usually tell this when driving and the power suddenly goes completely then suddenly comes back every so often.

MAF?:confused: :D stands for?

[Waugh-terfall]

Mass Air Flow meter I think

[ripper46]

aha, thats not a wear and tear thing , just something that wasn't a strong point on this model I guess..

[Waugh-terfall]

I think it is wear and tear, comes with higher milage, my dads old car had it go and my uncles TT Roadster's went just before

[ripper46]

I'm gonna take a test ride tomorrow, I'll be sure to check the MAF then ;)

[ripper46]

gonna pick him up on monday :D

[Waugh-terfall]

Wahay!!!
Good one dude, look forward to the pics at al in the Users Rides then! :D

[Quiggs]

I'm going to say it now, so when you post pictures of it I don't have to do it then. Lower it.

[Waugh-terfall]

Not too far though, otherwise things that should hit your bumper, will end up cracking your lights..:p

[ripper46]

I agree that when its stock , it stands quite high...
but for the moment I haven't got loads of cash left:p

[Ferrer]

Completely off-topic, but does anyone think that standard modern cars are too low? In the Mini it's very easy to touch the ground with the fron spoiler.

[ripper46]

Not too low I would say, the mini isn't that bad , its a great compromise, Ive drivven one and I think its perfect but nor suited for offroading offcourse:D

[Quiggs]

I have yet to find a mass production car that is low enough from the factory for my standards.

[Waugh-terfall]

lol, our dep. head at school 'sorry i couldnt make it in yesterday, hence why assembly is today, Snow and a Mini with sports suspension don't go to well...'

[ripper46]

btw, During the test drive today the MFA showed that the fuel consumption hovered around 17 litres/ 100 kilomtres. However, the owner claims 9/100, so is the MFA broken:confused: ? I heard that they were sensitive things...

[h00t_h00t]

Completely off-topic, but does anyone think that standard modern cars are too low? In the Mini it's very easy to touch the ground with the fron spoiler.

Some cars are, its more of a european thing I think. Japanese cars tend to sit a little higher.