Mk4 Buyers Guide?

[bonfire]

Found a decent deal on a Mk4 TDi.

I don't know much about the Mk4's especially the diesels.

Is there a decent buyers guide somewhere?

Things I should look out for?

It has 220+K on it. Is that a lot for the tdi?

Any help and guidance would be appreciated.

[Kor]

Re: Mk4 Buyers Guide?

IMO 220K is a lot for any car! Does it have a service history? If the owner has not serviced it regularly, now is the age where it will start to matter more.

I would say if there is *any* rust, walk away.

From a website: "TDIs can suffer with faulty ECUs, exhaust gas recirculation valves, turbos, wastegates... mass air sensors can be problematic on all cars. Timing belts and pulleys can break (make sure they've been changed on schedule)! Electrics issues include cooling fans, windscreen wipers, instruments, electric windows."

I believe there was a minor refresh of a lot of Mk4 issues and some improvements around 2002/2003 (2002.5?) so one thing might be to look for a 2003+

[Stonewall]

Re: Mk4 Buyers Guide?

Depends on the year. If it is before 04 it is an ALH TDI that with proper maintenance will run for a long long time, check when the water pump, rollers and timing belt where last done. If it is later then 04 it is an PD TDI which can have cam wear problems with they ever used the wrong oil (even once), same thing about maintenance and timing belt as an ALH. Also if it is a golf see if the key will open the rear hatch. Most don't due to seizing issues when the sprayer pipe breaks in the rear washer housing. Not really an easy fix but doable.

[bonfire]

Re: Mk4 Buyers Guide?

It is a 2001. Going to have a look at it on Wednesday.

I called the guy today, and talked to him about it. He said, he slid the seat all the way back one afternoon, while trying to clean the carpets. Then when he started it up, the airbag light came on. Did a little google work, and that seems that the wires for the side air bag are back there, and that can be an issue, if you slide the seat all the way back, sometimes it can jar the harness.

The guy on the phone seemed really helpful, and open about the car. He lives outside of the city so almost all of the miles are hwy.

But it does have an 800watt inline coolant heater, which seems like an upgrade, from all the threads I have seen over the years. It also hints to the guy taking some care of the car.

I assume every 100k the belts and w/p should be replaced?

[Benjamin]

Re: Mk4 Buyers Guide?

If everything was replaced in the tbelt change, ie all the rollers, pulley's, and water pump it probably is a 160k km change for the t-belt. I never let it get that far, 140k km and I typically change it just to be safe.

Egr's can be deleted or capped, your TDi shouldn't have the faulty ecu(Previous generation of TDi's)
Maf's not so much any more although if they have a K & N filter or similar this is a MAF killer,
Cooling fans and instruments I think are previous generation Passats
Electric Windows are not the electric side, but the plastic clips that VW used, I think all MK4's gas and diesel had this issue
Windshield wipers are another MK4 gas/diesel issue, the linkage would rust and cause the issue. I have never had this, but have heard of the problem before.

220k km on a tdi engine assuming oil was changed with the correct oil and on time should be fine. Typically it takes around 100k km to break in the engines properly, and people tend to get better fuel mileage at 100k km's then at 20k km's. I have never owned an ALH with less then 260k km's on the clock and the only thing major that has ever broke on me is turbo's, but I don't blame VW as I had a chip that pushed them too far.

If you think 220k km's is high I think my brother's fiance's 2001 golf has 530k km's with the original engine, does that answer your question?

Mine has 385k km's and is rusting pretty bad, but that's what happens when it spends 2/3 of its life out east.

The low power might make you feel like its slow, and it is stock. There are some things you can do to up the power that can make it feel way better and still allow you to get your fuel economy. Its a slippery slope many of us have taken with little regret.

[nismodrifter]

Re: Mk4 Buyers Guide?

2 ALH TDI's in our household

#1: 2001 TDI (black one on BBS LM's): - Bought at 113k (timing belt had just been done). Replaced so far = MAF @ 115k, timing belt at regular interval, wiper linkage (as mentioned above, it is a common issue), passenger wheel bearing @ 2xxk, alternator @ 260k, axles @ 270k, driver wheel bearing @ 275k. Other than that it has been regular oil changes (usually 16k interval) and brakes/minor up keep.

#2: 2000 TDI (silver on keskin KT1's): - purchased at 133k. Replaced so far = pass front window fell (under warranty by first owner). I've changed MAF, coolant temp sensor (fans were running all the time), and changed out the suspension at 2xx kms. I think thats it. Car has been freaking solid.
As of late I've driven this car from Calgary -> new orleans and back TWICE, calgary to chicago and back TWICE, without a hiccup. Now due for Timing belt. Rusted front fenders...partly my fault as I tore them apart with my wide wheels. No rust elsewhere.

edit: intake manifolds on both cars were removed and decoked at one point

I seriously want to buy TDI Dub's car just because of the low kms. If the car you are looking at has been SERIOUSLY maintained by an enthusiast/OCD person I would consider it. Otherwise no way.

[bonfire]

Re: Mk4 Buyers Guide?

Interesting. All very helpful.

I was bouncing around ECS's website. If I got the car, I think I would order their version 3 TB/WP kit right off the bat. Just focus solely on the maintenance items, with an upgrade in mind. One of the reasons I am fairly attracted to this model of car, is the volume of 3rd party support, and general forum knowledge across the boards. I want to keep myself out of the rabbit hole that is modding. As I am usually a sucker for things of that variety. But been looking at Malone stuff already. I think I would also get the suspension refresh kit from ECS, as I am sure by now the running gear would be pretty worn.

My current car is a Toyota with 350k on it, I am not overly afraid of the high mileage. I just was afraid of the cam wear problems I was hearing about, but I see that is a different generation of motor. The owner of the car, his brother in law runs a junkyard in Sask, that specializes in VW, and supposedly he is a VW nut. So one would hope that would have transferred just a little.

Any things, that you would look for specifically?

[Benjamin]

Re: Mk4 Buyers Guide?

Here, ECS is known in the gas world and if I remember right is UPS shipping most times. In the TDi world there are some different vendors that dabble in gas a little, but there bread and butter is TDi's.

Here is a few in no specific order, but I have ordered from them all at one point in time.

Idparts.com
Boraparts.com
http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/roseland/VWPartsA4.htm

The last guy is Canadian and on the east cost and I have personally bought my timing belt and have sent others there happily as well.

In terms of suspension, bug Natty here on the forums. I know for a fact that he can easily get everything in that picture for less then you would pay there plus shipping(Assuming Shipping is not free of course). He could have it that day or the next as well, no need for the surprise customs bill on this side as well.

What to look for, open the hood check for a timing belt sticker, and even remove the cover to take a look. Lots of cracks you are on borrowed time and I would not drive it much if at all until you do the belt.

Take if for a drive, turn the radio off and listen while you drive. Any whining noises like wheel bearings?

Is the steering wheel center?

When you brake does it pulsate or pull to one side?

Do all the tires match and have even tread wear?

Before you start the car check under the hood and see if there is heat, ie it was started 20 mins before you showed up. Cold starts are your best indication for other problems, but it is not the say all either. Listen for the starter, if it makes a weird noise it will probably need a replacement soon.

Check the coolant colour, vw is pretty specific on this

Check all the windows, sunroof, and trunk access as well.

All I can think of right now.

[sabbySC]

Re: Mk4 Buyers Guide?

Give Natty on this site a PM. He has a ton of good parts available, all new and at competitive pricing.

[Natty54]

Re: Mk4 Buyers Guide?

Thanks guys! and yes any parts you need I have! Most of it in stock as well!

My diesel has approx 550,000 (Mk2) and still goes strong! I had a mk4 tdi before too and it was awesome.

Some things that I am aware of:

-If intake hasn't been cleaned out yet, then it more than likely will need to
-check the timing belt / or if the seller does not know when it was replaced - better off to replace it for peace of mind
-glow plugs / harness replaced?

[Ben]

Re: Mk4 Buyers Guide?

Have to agree with everyone here, 220k is nothing! My 02 TDI had 356000 km's before i decided to part it out. Saying this the only reason i parted it out was i blew the turbo in half, and it was starting to show a bit of rust. Well that and i was bored of the car and made the same amount or more parting it out than i would get selling the car.

[bonfire]

Re: Mk4 Buyers Guide?

Alright. This has been super helpful.

I went and looked at the car, made a deal, going to get a lein check and such tomorrow morning, if all is well, going to pick this puppy up.

Took it for a drive. It hauls, lots of get up and go, more than I expected for a diesel.

Hit the brakes pretty hard, felt firm. Had a look at the rotors, they look pretty new. The current owner bought it used from a dealer this summer, but just wants something a bit bigger. Has a dog and such, and wants an SUV.

It was somewhat warm, I mean it was only -5. Plus his wife drove it home from work, had been home for roughly an hour.

But it started quick, and sharp. Hit some rail tracks in it twice, during the test drive. It was tight, no shakes, shimmies, or squeaks. I didn't take the TB cover off, but I was able to see the accessory belt, and it looked super clean, again somewhat new. I still think I am going to order up a TB kit, just for peace of mind. Just worried about it. The wheel wasn't dead center, but under hard braking, there was no pulling to any direction.

The owner before him, has painted the plastic inserts and such of the interior, red, to match the exterior. So that is the first thing on the map, clean that up. The other thing, is that it needs a skid plate/pan. The plastic one is no longer there. I work at a fab shop, so I am sure I can figure something out, with some weekend work.

All 4 tires were new this winter, some Goodyear Nordics, not the best winter tire, but better than none. Just gotta find something for summer.

[Kor]

Re: Mk4 Buyers Guide?

Took it for a drive. It hauls, lots of get up and go, more than I expected for a diesel.

Feels fast; is not fast.

[bonfire]

Re: Mk4 Buyers Guide?

Feels fast; is not fast.

Indeed.

Ended up buying it. Really enjoying it so far, put 160k's on it today. Tried some hwy and some city.

Not I just have to get to work on the trim, that has been painted red. Gotta find me a TB kit. Going to build a skid plate this weekend at work. Also picked up some headlight polish and sand paper, to get the lenses cleared up.

A CEL came on, then went away. Then came on again. So, that is kind of lame. Gotta find someone with a vagcom.

[dJ]

Re: Mk4 Buyers Guide?

Welcome to the TDI world. Let me know when you're ready for the Stage 2 chip. I got one laying around collecting dust.