GT TDi - any tips to look out for when buying?

[Welton]

Hi all, looking at buying a GT TDi for 'her indoors' soon and would like to know if anyone can offer any tips or common problems to check when buying one.

Thinking of a 130 BHP as I suspect this might be a nice balance between the 115 and the 150.

She currently drives an E36 318 tds Compact which is top-endy (for a Diesel), I drive a 2.0 HDI 110 which is bottom-endy. I understand the Golf PD's will also be bottom-endy but even more so?

Any tips and pointers about the Golf will be most welcome,

Thanks.

Welton.

[RickT]

hi,

MK4 or MK5?? i take it MK4 as the 130 TDI was in that... MK5 140 TDI..

A mate of mine has the 1.9 TDI 150BHP... lovely engine...

its all somes down to watch you want and cost... the 115BHP does the job well and so does the 130BHP...

Best bet... the middle model is the better overall for price on the used market... 115.. i would keep away..

its all down to budget i guess..

if its the MK4... also keep away from the 2.0. i think its 115BHP and is not the best lump in that car....... but theres the 1.8T


have a look at www.parkers.co.uk to do a bit of comparing againt 0-60 MPG etc..

RicKT

[Eshrules]

hi,

MK4 or MK5?? i take it MK4 as the 130 TDI was in that... MK5 140 TDI..

A mate of mine has the 1.9 TDI 150BHP... lovely engine...

its all somes down to watch you want and cost... the 115BHP does the job well and so does the 130BHP...

Best bet... the middle model is the better overall for price on the used market... 115.. i would keep away..

its all down to budget i guess..

if its the MK4... also keep away from the 2.0. i think its 115BHP and is not the best lump in that car....... but theres the 1.8T


have a look at www.parkers.co.uk to do a bit of comparing againt 0-60 MPG etc..

RicKT

i agree with the above, if your budget allows, go for the 130, easily chipped beyond 150bhp and cheaper on insurance, fairly common on the 2nd hand market.

common faults to look out for..... anti roll bar bushes, wishbone bushes, rear suspension bushes, turbo/maf faults. best thing i would advise as has been advised on here before.... take the golf for a stretch on the motorway, dont be afraid to rev the car a little, take it beyond 3k on the revs and feel for any juddering/hesitation, make sure you have the radio and air con/heater off so you can listen to the engine. any knocks and screeches that come from the engine are not good.

id also look into the service history of the car, make sure its been maintained as it should have been and that if the car is beyond 4 years old/60k, make sure the timing belt and tensioner have been done.

all i can think of for now!

[Welton]

Thanks chaps for the replies, some good tips there.

I am hoping for a 130 model, maybe a 52 or 03 reg for around 7500.00 to 8000.00 with about 70 to 80K miles.

I've seen a few recently advertised at places like Car Shop supermarkets etc which have been picked up from ex - fleets I suppose, these can be good purchases with loads of history/no expense spared.

There's LOADS with small motor traders but I'm not too keen on dealing with these really, don't fancy driving 100 miles to pick up a Golf with no warrenty

Thanks,

Welton

[Eshrules]

Thanks chaps for the replies, some good tips there.

I am hoping for a 130 model, maybe a 52 or 03 reg for around 7500.00 to 8000.00 with about 70 to 80K miles.

I've seen a few recently advertised at places like Car Shop supermarkets etc which have been picked up from ex - fleets I suppose, these can be good purchases with loads of history/no expense spared.

There's LOADS with small motor traders but I'm not too keen on dealing with these really, don't fancy driving 100 miles to pick up a Golf with no warrenty

Thanks,

Welton

id agree, try not to go with these small time traders, i've had a bad experience with my supplying dealer, hence i now know practically every clause and legality of the 'statuatory' warranty these dealers offer. ex fleet /business cars are the best buy as far as used cars are concerned, as you say, maintained at no expense spared. as i said though, make sure that cam belt has been done and if the cars approaching 80k, its due a major service.