I've got a friend looking into one of these, or a GTI. What exactly goes wrong with them by 100-150k? Is it serious stuff or just annoying idiot lights? Are parts expensive or hard to find? the diesels seem to go for a lot so that's not going to happen.

7/13/2011 9:43:13 AM

Timing belt/water pump replacement is usually the biggest showstopper. Check previous receipts or service history to be sure its done at least every 100k, the 2.0 and I think these 1.8s are both interference engines so if they break while running then you're fucked. Replacement is actually relatively easy with normal shop tools compared to some cars and the most replacement parts are good prices. Most mkIVs these age tend to have a lot of the plastic clips, tubing, and accessories becoming brittle and either breaking during service or when you are trying to disconnect/move them for other work you were planning on doing so they can become minor annoyances with time. Manual clutch replacement isn't too bad but I'm not familir with the autos.

7/13/2011 10:20:08 AM

What about the so-called sludging problems? Any firsthand experience on this?

7/13/2011 12:15:56 PM

Coil packs...

slut keeps a spare in his car they go bad so often.

he get rid of the leggy yet?

7/13/2011 12:30:16 PM

I've got a MKIV Jetta 1.8T. I did the timing belt/water pump at 83k and it was only around $350 from a local mechanic. Only other problems I've had is a coil pack went bad and left me on the side of the road ($20 part, 1hr fix) and the evap line in the a/c system had a leak. Overall, for all the bad hype about these cars, so far (knock on wood) its only had normal maint that needed to be done.

The engine is great though, once the turbo spools up it is a quick little car.

7/13/2011 12:32:11 PM

yeah, the recommended timing belt interval is 80k, not 100k. and $350 is real cheap for that, typically figure $700ish for timing belt and water pump service (more at some places). i would highly suggest an OEM water pump, and that is all i will put one one of these

there is currently a recall for the coilpack issue, but they will only fix it if one fails. the so-called hitachi bolt-down coilpacks are a lot more reliable than the standard ones and about $120 for a set of 4

the mk4 parts are cheap and plentiful. i would highly recommend chipping it. makes a huge difference (30-40 bhp and 60-70 btq)

other common issues:
auto trans (just don't get an auto)
secondary air injection crap (broken hoses, bad solenoid valves, pump failure, etc)
evap stuff, usually the purge valve aka n80 (not really common, but not uncommon)
seen a few thermostat failures since it got really hot out
at 150k you might be coming up on replacing some a/c stuff (not cheap)

[Edited on July 14, 2011 at 8:49 AM. Reason : fwiw, we do pre-purchase inspections.]

7/14/2011 8:41:41 AM

^iirc some mechanics were quoting from $800-$1200 for a timing belt/water pump service. I found a local asae cert mechanic in my hometown that does car work on the side for a hobby, $350 and it was all done. OEM water pump and everything.

I will say, when the line from my evap core to the condenser in the A/C system developed a leak, VW wanted over $400 for the OEM line. I ebay'd a used line, for $44 shipped. Works great.

[Edited on July 14, 2011 at 9:20 AM. Reason : .]

7/14/2011 9:18:28 AM

as far as the chips go, they are actually reflash type of tools? Or are you physically sending in the ECU for modification? Is there any way the owner can adjust the mapping or is it one of those deals where you buy off-the-shelf maps or get a custom mail order or local shop tune?

Quote :

"secondary air injection crap (broken hoses, bad solenoid valves, pump failure, etc) evap stuff, usually the purge valve aka n80 (not really common, but not uncommon)"

no way to disable the codes associated with this, at least for an air injection delete?

Quote :

"at 150k you might be coming up on replacing some a/c stuff (not cheap)"

Are we talking about big stuff like a compressor or just fixing a localized leak? Or does it just vary a lot?

7/14/2011 9:57:24 AM

side work maybe.. but we charge 700ish typically for a timing belt & water pump job. overhead is a bitch.

mk4 chips are just a reflash and afaik every major chip tuner out there does this through the obd2 port. takes 30-60 minutes. there is one software suite i know of that allows end-user adjustability of maps and such, but most are just "off the shelf" maps. the ecu will adapt to an extent based on sensor readings and such for small differences in hardware setups.

there is a way to disable the SAI and evap stuff.. you know.. for off road use and stuff.

yea, i am talking about the compressor. actually, thinking about it, it is not really super common. we've seen a few go out this year, but it has been really hot. similarly, the heat has brought a lot of failed thermostats and fan control modules. just seems like it was a lot of overheating and a/c issues right when it got hot out.

7/14/2011 10:09:59 AM

I had a mk4 1.8t jetta for 5 1/2 years and knew beethead since then.

listen to him. he's the real deal.

7/14/2011 7:50:59 PM

^^beethead and crew kept my gf's beetle in great shape for some time.

7/15/2011 3:23:12 PM