VW Golf Review (1999 to 2004)

Quick Summary

Although the styling hasn't dated particularly elegantly, the Volkswagen Golf Mk IV Estate makes a sound purchase. If you plan on using it for some heavy duty work, it's best to opt for a turbodiesel powerplant, and it's impossible not to take a shine to the rather naughty TDI130 unit. The 1.4-litre petrol model is best avoided unless absolutely necessary but otherwise there's little to go wrong. Track down an honest example with realistic mileages and you should team up with a faithful workhorse imbued with a little feel-good quality.

Overall:

Models Covered: (5dr estate 1.4, 1.6, 1.8T, 2.0 petrol, 1.9 diesel [E, S, SE])

ESTATE OF THE HEART

Ask most people what a Volkswagen Golf is and most will answer 'a hatchback', a few will proffer 'a convertible' but precious flew will plump for an estate car. The Golf Estate is a curious proposition when you pause to consider it. Here's a car that sells (in hatchback form at least) on the basis of its premium quality and image, yet in the MK IV estate guise we look at here, metamorphosed into a rather dull looking workhorse. Rather unsurprisingly, this resulted in rather unspectacular sales figures in the UK, with many prospective customers realising that a Skoda Octavia Estate offered many of the attributes of a Golf Estate in a far more affordable package. If you do have your heart set on the Volkswagen however, there is no shortage of models available, although tracking down your exact specification and/or colour may well take some time.
Used VW Golf for sale

History of the Golf

Introduced in August 1999, the Mk IV Volkswagen Golf Estate was sold alongside its more popular hatchback and convertible siblings, offering those determined to buy Volkswagen a more practical solution. A huge array of engines was eventually offered including petrol options such as the 75bhp 1.4-litre 16v, the 100bhp 1.6 and the 115bhp 2.0-litre. A 150bhp V5 flagship version was initially offered then quickly dropped, replaced by a four cylinder 1.8T with identical power. Some were initially confused by the car's similarity to the Bora estate, a car which was offered for sale in many foreign markets but which Volkswagen wisely decided not to import to the UK. The brand equity in the Golf badge spelt potentially bigger sales for Volkswagen.August 2000 saw the 8-valve 100bhp petrol engine replaced by a 105bhp 16-valve unit. For the 2001 model year, Volkswagen replaced the 115bhp TDI engines with 130bhp units, kept the 90bhp diesels and reintroduced the 110bhp engines, previously deleted when the short-lived 115bhp Pump Duse engine came on stream. The TDi diesel range in the estates was reappraised at the end of 2001 to consist of 100 and 130 bhp Pump Duse variants.
Used VW Golf for sale

VW Golf Road Test

The Golf's reputation as the car that would corner on three wheels with steering that danced in your hands and a chassis that made the keen driver's eyes light up is a bit of ancient history now. The Mk IV Golf is a far more urbane creature, looking disdainfully at such juvenile antics. Even the GTi models are smooth, refined and syrupy, with none of the verve of old models.Many drivers will lament this metamorphosis, and turn to French or Japanese rivals instead, but for many others it will be a significant benefit. The Golf really does feel like a £25,000 Passat inside – it's only when you glance over your shoulder that you realise that you're in a compact estate. Buy a model with air-conditioning, decent stereo and an automatic gearbox and you'll have the perfect antidote to road rage.There are seven different engines choices: a 75bhp 1.4, a 105bhp 1.6 and a 115bhp 2.0 as well as the 150bhp 1.8T. Diesel fans meanwhile, get a choice of 68, 100 and 130bhp units. If you're commonly likely to be hauling around heavy loads, the 1.4-litre model is probably best avoided, but the others should feel willing enough. The 1.6 and the 2.0-litre units manage sixty in 11.5s and 11.4s on the way to 119mph and 121mph respectively. At the pumps, they average 39.8mpg and 35.3mpg. Under the skin, there are few dynamic differences between the estate and its hatchback counterpart, though the rear suspension has been tuned to take the extra weight. The result is a slight reduction in body roll, though the ride isn't quite as absorbent.
Used VW Golf for sale

Buying a VW Golf

If only everything in life was as reliable as a Volkswagen. Would make a good advertising slogan, that. In all seriousness, the Golf has had an impressive reliability record although it was never quite able to pip Japanese rivals in reliability surveys. Perhaps this is of secondary importance to the way the car feels. Even if it's not 100% bulletproof, a Golf will always feel better built than its rivals and that counts for a lot. When buying used, look for a decent service record and check the obvious things like panel fit and so on. Golfs are favourites with car thieves, so it may well pay to get an HPI check. You'll also need to look for high mileage estates used by companies to haul samples from one end of the country to the other. Pay close attention to odometer readings and look for the usual signs of intergalactic mileages. Otherwise a used Golf Mk IV is a sound purchase.
Used VW Golf for sale

VW Golf Typical Pricing

Although they didn't exactly fly out of showrooms from new, Golf Mk IV Estates are proving surprisingly solid used buys. A 1999 T-registered 1.4E opens at £4,000 but with all that weight to carry around, the 1.4-litre engine isn't the best place to start. The 1.6-litre cars are much better, and these start at £4,400 for a 1999 T-plated 1.6 S, or £5,400 if you go for one of the later 2000 X-plated 105bhp versions. 2.0-litre cars start at around £4,500 on a 99T plate. The desirable diesel versions start at £5,100 for a 110bhp 1999T plated SE trim level. The powerful 130bhp variants kick off at around £7,000 on a 2001 Y plate.
Used VW Golf for sale

VW Golf Parts

(approx based on a 1999 Golf 1.4 Estate ex Vat) An exhaust system is about £65. A clutch assembly will be around £70 and a new catalyst will be around £60. An alternator should be close to £50. Brake pads front and rear are about £25 and £23, respectively. A replacement headlamp is close to £65. A windscreen should be in the region of £90. Major and minor services are around £75 and £35 respectively.
Used VW Golf for sale