Simon123 Posted April 16, 2012 Report Share Posted April 16, 2012 Hi, Thinking on buying a VW Golf GT Tdi 115bhp. The car is a 'X' reg and has covered roughly 140,000 miles, and the owner is asking around £1250 Was thinking if there is anyone to give me any advice on the car, any pros and cons, what to look out for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted April 16, 2012 Report Share Posted April 16, 2012 My advice? don't do it. Or if you do, make sure you have some cash put aside as a buffer. Have a look at Honest John's site for the shortcomings of this model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun4860 Posted April 16, 2012 Report Share Posted April 16, 2012 smiithy off here had one, nothing but bother, he hasnt got one anymore, money pit :shaun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgguinness Posted April 16, 2012 Report Share Posted April 16, 2012 Well I had a VW Passat 03 plate TDI Sport Estate TDI 130bhp. Bought it at 20k miles, had it remapped ( correctly done not one of these plug in boxes), sold it with 130k miles on it. Went like a land missile, excellent fuel economy and I loved it. A common failing is the alternator has a free wheeling pulley on it to take the stress out of starting and stopping the engine. When this seizes it shocks the belt, belt idler etc and can sheer the bolt that attaches the idler pulley to the engine, causing it to snap, and stuff hits the cooling fans, through the rad, loss of power steering etc, big bills. Luckily mine went on tickover so limited damage. The cam belts can be costly to replace due to labour charges, but is an easy DIY job. The front suspension is complex and has lots of arms etc. Don't be fooled by buying copy suspension arms at £30 a shot as they will only last 10-15k miles, where as the originals cost say £90 but last 100k. I loved my VeDub and would defo have another. Jonathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bedwards1966 Posted April 16, 2012 Report Share Posted April 16, 2012 Not bad cars, I think the price is perhaps a little high and could come down a bit, but they tend to be reasonable motors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted April 17, 2012 Report Share Posted April 17, 2012 At that price and age you buy purely on condition, take someone who knows with you and you could pick up a cheap motor, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy198712 Posted April 19, 2012 Report Share Posted April 19, 2012 the 115 is the worst of the GT's from 110, 115, 130,150. 130 is the pick of the mix, 150's had a few problems with cams going flat i have the 110 with bigger injectors going to about 120 ish now and it nice.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12borejimbo Posted April 20, 2012 Report Share Posted April 20, 2012 I had one, awesome motor. Owned it from new, Full VW Service history, 95k on the clock and on a "Y" plate, sold it to a mate 2 years ago for £2000. Still got it. He loves it. I would buy it personally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted April 20, 2012 Report Share Posted April 20, 2012 I think there is a big difference between putting the miles on car and buying it with them already on. I like golf's I have owned almost all of them over the years, I have 130 Tdi ATM but it needs almost constant fettling to keep it going or even just running at times. I wouldn't say don't buy it, would just be careful, and if you don't know cars take someone along who does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartynGT4 Posted April 20, 2012 Report Share Posted April 20, 2012 The most common killer of these cars is the water pump going. It's got a plastic impeller attached to a metal shaft, it wears and eventually stops spinning. The engines are so thermally efficient you don't notice anything wrong, until coolant starts being pumped out the overflow because of a blown head gasket. If you buy one and it needs a timing belt, make damn sure you get a metal water pump fitted at the same time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster123 Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 ive got a 140 gt mapped up to 180 and i love it vw has an excelent build rep.i would have a good look about first Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.