Mk4 VW Golf Test Drive/Review

[@Hairysnid]

We got a brand new MK4 1.8t GTi in 2001 and I thought it was really good, one of the best cars we ever owned.

[@ProjectNigel]

Quicker than the GTi then

[@frimleyfrodo]

I’ve got a 2014 Touran 2.0 TDi with DSG which I’ve had from new. It’s never going to win any prizes for looks, excitement or appeal. However, I’ve done 211,000 miles with no breakdowns and only requiring rear shocks & springs and a new thermostat. Everything else is original. I service it myself every 9-10k and have the DSG oil and filter changed every 35-40k. It’s my work van, occasionally a minibus and tows 1.5 tonnes when required. I can drive for 3 hours, hop out, do what I need to do and drive home again all without fuss and over 50 mpg. Dull as ditchwater, but easy and relaxing to drive and I’ll keep it until it suffers an uneconomic failure.

[@ProjectNigel]

It makes I know 😅

[@MarcD404]

Whilst the MK4 wasn’t something you’d enjoy driving “out of the box”, they can be made into such. My ex-daily driver with 335K on the clock is still enjoyable to drive and does have that “something” that ticks my boxes due to a change of bushes, suspension and brakes that occurred when it had done around 130K. It has no engine mods. Most cars fall into this category to be honest in that they need to be made into something enjoyable to drive. Not all can be either.

[@owensteele1645]

The 8-valve GTi is 115bhp on a good day. You really needed the 1.8T 20-valve turbo version for the standout GTi requirements. That would make a good test-drive video, if you can find a good one.

[@owensteele1645]

To sum up, this is the perfect car for economically getting from A to B without fuss.

[@Mr_Boaty]

Hello ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to this: the world’s worst ever sales pitch for a car that Mustard (and Mustard alone) decided we should buy in an attempt to become less poor! Remember, it has no style, no character, no joy, it won’t make you smile, you’ll need another car to enjoy as it’s not a driver’s car, it’s not exciting, it s dull, it’s not interesting to look at or to drive, the materials are not as good as you’d hope they’d be, it has a little too much power but you’ll be annoyed as you want more, but it could make you feel like a bank manager that no one likes and it’s kind of ok as a transportation device. If you don’t mind it lunging like a perverted doctor that should be struck off. Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m sold. Buy it before I decide to keep it as our company daily! 🙄🤣

[@Hairysnid]

😂

[@Hairysnid]

More sales training required! 😂

[@powerconversionlimited4013]

😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@ProjectNigel]

Thank you 😊

[@lukem4321]

Had the PD130 one of these and would have another. The diesels are excellent mile munchers and perfect if you just want "a car"

[@ProjectNigel]

😅

[@AliMackMechanical]

The PD engine is brilliant if looked after i can't count how many i have had. They are reliable the current one i have in the Audi a4 sport i have is remapped to 170hp from 130bhp all the golfs i had i liked. I enjoyed your review 😊

[@ProjectNigel]

Thank you 😊

[@begachka]

Aye when lesser engines would be complaining, leaking, starting to smoke, the pd fair takes a bit of punishment. I was thinking maybe the m'ways round north Manchester yu would want something a bit more refined but blasts on a82 or the struie etc wd prefer bit of tough german tech. It definitely grew on me.

[@dreammaker730]

Mustard , greetings . If you fancy doing a review on my mk3 estate let me know . Im happy to pop up.

[@ProjectNigel]

I absolutely would be

[@dreammaker730]

@@ProjectNigel OK 👍

[@mattscars]

I've had a few Golfs of different mks. Had 3 mk4s too. They are decent daily cars but ultimately compromised as a drivers car, including the GTIs. Can't deny they are tough as cockroaches though!

[@neilmartin5341]

Have owned a few & yeah they are a bit dull but just keep going. My work van is a Caddy with a PD engine & proper boring to drive but just keeps on going. Think none car people keep them as they just keep going. A really posh house near me still own a Y reg Golf Tdi.

[@andyarmstrong1493]

As long as you can make money with it, it's a great car!

[@MeMe-qr3go]

The golf's not a bad motor. It sort of ticks all the boxes, that is if you can stay awake long enough to tick all the boxes! What I really want to know is why VW took a golf, or is it a polo, which are arguably not bad motors and made them look like an allegro and called it the Audi a1? And why are so many people so enamoured by cars that look like allegros? Unless people really loved the allegro all along but couldn't admit it somehow? I wonder if VW always suffered from allegro envy....

[@adebrade172]

I had Fabian vrs pd 130 , remapped it very rapid.

[@ProjectNigel]

Very smokey though?

[@Hairysnid]

I disagree Captain, surely the MK3 Golf is the less desirable one.

[@ProjectNigel]

Possibly, although they're a rare sight now

[@zdrifterboy]

Nooo...my feelings!😁 mk3s look nicer imo and handle better..i have both..but my mk3s aren't standard in any way to be fair. They can both look nice i guess with a bit of love.

[@brenglover72]

Many rave about them but only because of the PD engine. The pd engine was a peach - nippy and good on fuel - just dont stand near the exhaust while the engine was running - what comes out of the exhaust proved to be the engine's undoing. Water leaks, rust and electrical problems are what have seen most of them off.

[@conorf8091]

1.4 petrol AXP and BCA engine code code more reliable to be honest. Had one PD mk5 and had nothing but problems

[@MrStevecrasher]

Many do rave over the PD but the 1.8 20v turbo is the real jewel.

[@windymiller5058]

I quite like Golfs, though the choice ones for me are the Mk2 and the Mk5 rather than the 4. I did like my old Mk4 but I don’t yearn to have it back like I do the Mk2 GTI I had or the 170bhp turbo diesel Mk5 a former holder of the title of Mrs Miller had. The Mk5 is, in my view, considerably better than the Mk4. Our rather nice Mk5 got changed for a more modest Mk6, a Bluemotion one, and we didn’t enjoy that so much. I concur that the modern Golf, particularly higher spec and speedy ones, are quite often driven badly by silly young men but I put it to you they are not a menace of the scale of those small Teslas or any recent Land Rover. Especially the white ones, because they’re the finance ones and that’s where your argument of perceived prestige by proxy holds water.

[@ProjectNigel]

It seemed that the naughty Golf driver Is as ubiquitous ad Tesco

[@skik6313]

I got 2003 golf gti been in storage for years,I was always surprised the horsepower for 2.0 gti is only 115

[@ProjectNigel]

Yes that's my thought too

[@spitfires1979]

That’s the NA 2.0L engine you have which was only ever badged and sold as a ‘Gti’ by British dealers. Literally by sticking a badge on. Everywhere else they were just badged ‘2.0’ and sat above the 1.6 in the range and below the ‘real’ Gti, which had the 1.8T motor (a very strong and reliable engine, though without much personality) lowered suspension, recaro seats and 150BHP. I had one of the 2-door 1.8t’s from new as a company car and it was swift enough and handled tidily but it seems VW were more focussed on build quality and feel than fun or performance at the turn of the century. My 80-year-old Mum has had that car for 15 years now, and at 23 years old it’s still doing its job - in fact it’s still so tidy that I will take it back when she’s finished with it, refurb it a little and pass it on to my daughter.

[@Dino_Dad.]

Or buy a skoda octavia and get a much bigger car with same engine. The golf will still sell itself come the time though..

[@bunter6]

While not exciting and the one you sampled a very tired example. The tale of the tape is how many of its contemporary competitors are still around in sizeable numbers? None of them have lasted anywhere near as well, nothing from ford, vauxhall, rover etc have anything like the aftermarket and parts support. Boring yes, still a comfortable and useable car as a daily 20 years on also yes.

[@ProjectNigel]

Actually it drives very well, but it's just nit pressing any buttons for me.

[@bunter6]

@@ProjectNigel yeah agree it's far from exciting, only the R32 is something of note and it appeared very late in the mk4 lifecycle, but the do just go on and on which as you pointed out is what most people want I think. It's a sort of toaster or kettle of a car bland but does what's required.

[@begachka]

@@ProjectNigel Get it mapped, it should do 165 bhp. It's a heavy car for its size but with that power you can throw it round b roads and it will feel solid and take loads of punishment. It feels a bit like an old volvo 340 except faster and better planted.

[@stephenbates8370]

I had a golf4 gti 1.8t agu engine with a revo tune I definitely didn't find it boring regret getting rid to be honest having said that there's no way I'd swap for my zr 😂

[@stevesj80]

Good to hear Mike Oldfield playing the outro.

[@TwoDollarGararge]

It was popular because it was dull it's a transition box that's cheap to run what made golfs popular

[@ProjectNigel]

Good point

[@Pixleyjamaica1983UK]

I liked your review 1 had 2 Pd150 mk4s until last week. Sold one that’s gone to Albania apparently. My wife mainly drives it and it’s only done 70k she is 3 lady owner from new. Its is a joy to drive, works as it should great economy and we changed filers oil every 8 months. My son has the 130 model and loves it. Easy to get parts.

[@SY-ml5nl]

What oil do you use? As thr pd only takes a certain oil to protect the camshaft

[@danpeters5028]

A friend of mine once had a MK4 golf 1.8 20v turbo was fairly nippy car

[@ProjectNigel]

I guess it would be

[@rami735]

Owned several mk4 and love these cars!

[@CarzwithJC_]

Never been a fan of the VW Golf boring and doesnt have a character. But I know the PD engine is very reliable and good on fuel. I find the interiors dated and materials cheap and tacky. And always seem to melt and become sticky. That turbo sounds like its mabye dying or got a boost leak? Another great review Paul.

[@ProjectNigel]

Yeah I was a bit worried about the turbo, bit then that noise stopped

[@CarzwithJC_]

@@ProjectNigel Thats good news then!

[@AliMackMechanical]

​@@CarzwithJC_Turbo noise is normal on the PD engine 😂😂

[@CarzwithJC_]

@@AliMackMechanical Not a whistle noise like that.

[@AliMackMechanical]

@@CarzwithJC_ Watch a few of mine then. You will hear a knackered turbo noise on one of the videos 🤣🤣

[@alextoft9199]

I like it. 😊 got a lot of the traits of my 2002 Fabia Estate. I found it boring at first and wanted something else. Then I started to bond with. It is boring but has a precise driving experience and feels glued to the road in the wet. It's not a car to love driving. It's very much a practical tool, put on Radio 3 / 4 and get you and 4 people plus their stuff to the destination without issue. You know it will last too. Quite frankly makes our 2006 C Class look rubbish. 😂

[@ProjectNigel]

I knew you'd be along for this one. 😅 That bonding thing is what none of us can do instantly, and why car reviews are somewhat unfair, but I loved making the video and the car will be in everyday use this. Maybe another video will pop up.

[@alextoft9199]

​​​​@@ProjectNigelHa. I would like you to to try an Auris Hybrid or a new Prius. Toyota have truly beaten Volkswagen in terms of sheer boredom. I had to up my dose an antidepressants after just a short ride. In terms of fun I do like the Fiesta and Focus we have at work. For all their faults, they are a lot of fun! The Fiesta really is a masterpiece in making a small car with not much power feel like a warm hatch. People ask if I want to move it or go round the industrial estate if they can see if I'm in a bad mood. 😂 Someone also has a Smart Roadster. That is driving joy for a purist. I hope you get to try one.

[@coffeepot3123]

I have a mk4 in silver, 4-speed automatic. Damn near spotless interior/exterior, but just this summer saw signs of bubbling around one wheel well, and some other spots of rust. Will get it all sandplasted beneath and coated asap, best car i've ever driven.

[@As_129sl]

what mpg are you getting? my 4 speed is 1.6 petrol and averaging 28mpg around town ffs motorway is 44mpg

[@caparn100]

I've got a 2002 Golf Mk4 PD 150 that I have owned since new. It feels a very safe car to drive when cornering and braking, and if you want to overtake something on the motorway you just put your foot down leaving it in top gear and you'll fly past it. I nearly forgot to mention it averages 50 mpg.

[@claretbadger]

The 2.0 8v and 1.8 20v weren’t GTi’s in Europe - they were UK badged “specials” The 1.8t can be special when tuned - but was in the family shadow of S3 and R32 so could never beat their respective figures/performance. Happily the bits from those vehicles fit this - suspension and power train

[@begachka]

Had Rover 218 and Golf pd 130 and preferred the Golf. For such a small car it could munch through motorway miles and it was very chuckable handlingwise despite heavy engine. Also felt safer than Rvr. Didn't like Mk 3 Golf tho.

[@ProjectNigel]

It certainly feels strong

[@SmashingPistons]

12:10 Try and find a mk1 Fabia VRS to test. Same engine and LOTS of fun.

[@ProjectNigel]

Yeah?

[@SmashingPistons]

@@ProjectNigel I loved mine, wish I'd kept hold of it now as they're super hard to find a good one.

[@Tagomago12]

I'd disagree with you on the flamboyant comment, the mk3 scirocco r is gorgeous.

[@richardhowlett9424]

The perfect car ..... for people that hate cars and driving them

[@ProjectNigel]

Yes exactly!

[@MrStevecrasher]

The PQ34 platform is a classic, mine is project Brian, a 1U5 VRS Skoda Octavia. Some parts are becoming a problem.

[@Phiyedough]

Perhaps people buy them because they no longer make the classic Beetle. Those used to sell in huge numbers despite being noisy, uncomfortable and claustrophobic! There are loads of Golfs here in Croatia but that is because here they love all things German.

[@neilwalsh4058]

Like you I can't get excited about Golfs and VW's in general. Bought by people who aren't interested in cars, and think they're living on the edge by leaving the house without a brolly when there's a 5% chance of rain. Lots of modified ones too which says to me they weren't exciting or good enough in the first place. Audi drivers are slightly different, they're semi snobs who think VW's are for commoners and they want to belong to an exclusive group. In reality though, all they've done is bought a badge engineered VW and paid more for it.

[@ProjectNigel]

Very insightful 😄

[@neilwalsh4058]

@@ProjectNigel Don't hide my dislike of VAG very well do I 🤔 . Had a Mk4 Golf 1.6 petrol for 2 weeks and it was better than any sleeping pill . Took me 54 years to own a VAG, kept it a fortnight, lesson learnt

[@conorf8091]

@@neilwalsh4058let me guess , you only drive Japanese cars lol

[@neilwalsh4058]

@@conorf8091 I've had well over 100 cars , not a single one as a keeper as been Japanese, but my missus and daughter run Mazdas at present. Plain and simply because they work and drive well. Bought and sold a few other Mazdas, a Yaris, a Micra over the years, and missus ran a 323F for 2 years and a Primera for 6 months. They're not exciting in the slightest but they do exactly what they say on the tin. I've never understood all the hype around VW, they're just as boring as a Jap but more prone to break. Didn't own a VW until I was 54, bought a Mk4 Golf to sell on off an old guy who'd given up driving 3 years ago, had it for a couple of weeks &felt absolutely no attachment or desire to ever have another. A young lad who'd just passed his test bought it 3 hours after I'd advertised it, turned up with his dad in a modified Audi and was over the moon. Nice enough kid, but I felt for him , there was no escape, he'd been snared in the VAG trap and will probably spend his driving days in them. Horses for courses, each to their own, they're just not for me.

[@MrStevecrasher]

I live, berth, eat, and dream cars and I get excited about VW and the Golf 4 platform.

[@b4tm4nrubin33]

I had one of these tdis. Best car I have ever had if I’m honest

[@StevensPaul]

I didn't know Volkswagen's played Golf ⛳.....👀😜. Anywho there's LOADS of these things still on the roads here. Even I have quite a few NOS Panels laying around. That looks like a car for Allegro Man ♂️🚗💨☁️........!

[@ProjectNigel]

Non rusty I guess 😅

[@StevensPaul]

@@ProjectNigel Rust is illegal 👀.

[@KevinTheRant]

My MK4 TDI is the one car that I’ve owned for the longest and has paid dividends in fuel economy and overall maintenance. The cam lifters are a fail point and something to keep in mind. I replaced mine with a billet cam and single mass clutch. I replaced the stock KP39 turbo with a VNT17. These are interference engines that use im rubber timing belts, make sure to change the timing belt within the interval cycles. Also replace the transmission fluid to help with clunky shifting. Also look into And always clean the undercarriage. This car has been a dream to own

[@SY-ml5nl]

Best pd oil please?

[@KevinTheRant]

@@SY-ml5nl I’ve been using Mobil 1 5w40 turbo diesel truck for the past 10 years, never an issue with my VNT17 or engine with this oil. I also used this oil in my BRM Jetta. Just be sure to replace around 7500 miles. Check your oil monthly and top off if needed

[@SY-ml5nl]

@@KevinTheRant thanks, I don't think that's available in the uk. Is your engine the pd?

[@KevinTheRant]

@@SY-ml5nl yes I have the PD engine

[@SY-ml5nl]

@@KevinTheRant thanks

[@lordbrennanofsealand5772]

The MK 4 golf was VWs R8 moment, and though VW has survived and rover has demised it really peaked with this car.

[@TheCounty90]

If Rover were making cars like that in 25 years ago they would still be around.

[@SmashingPistons]

2:58 The other trouble with the Golf's of this time is that the Polo looked almost exactly the same.

[@ProjectNigel]

Yes that's true

[@MrStevecrasher]

?? Should have gone to Spec Savers!

[@kevincraven4038]

Top Tip: When you gloss over the odd coloured wings, use paint that is the same colour as the rest of the car... 😂

[@ProjectNigel]

Good idea

[@JimF500]

Ah the chavmobile, but at least its not in silver.......

[@dreammaker730]

How much for those alloys 😆

[@ProjectNigel]

They come with the car 😅

[@SteveDull]

What is going on with the steering rack?😮

[@ProjectNigel]

Nothing, I was using a very floppy phone holder 😄

[@tbeau6663]

Going to the shops, doing the school run? Something reliable that you know won't let you down as long as you service it every year. The VW Golf is much better than it's lesser contemporaries from that era. (The Vauxhall Corsa, Ford Focus or anything Renault, Citroen, Peugeot, and Fiat.) I'd buy a 2003 Honda Civic or a similar age Toyota Corolla....if I could find a low mileage, one or two owner model that would do same the job of a Mk 4 VW Golf.

[@andrewbuttigieg2018]

Das nue Projeck Helmut.

[@ProjectNigel]

😄

[@daviddel2781]

It’s like a more modern version of a fiat panda

[@peppitachips1764]

2.5 the best golf ever made

[@Tagomago12]

Your tyres will spin up the tin bobin

[@scottcarr862]

Its no L series though 😉

[@anti-social-media]

Adequate

[@ProjectNigel]

😅

[@anti-social-media]

If it's good enough for Rolls Royce... When's your meetup happening again? I might be able to make it now 😬

[@dellavega2568]

Ach..... Ein VAG Derivat! Kennst Du einen, kennst Du alle!

[@ProjectNigel]

Yeah that's what I thought