14 Feb 03
Small family car
Introduced: 1998
Bodystyles: Three- and five-door hatchback, Bora saloon, estate, cabriolet
Prices: from £3,000; petrol GTIs from £4,500, 2.3 V5 from £5,000, 2.8 V6 4MOTION from £8,000; estates from £4,500; TDI PD diesels from £5,000, GT TDI PD 130 from £8,500
4car rating: 
The Golf is: a long-running favourite, even though it is rather outdated. It has a smart image other small family cars can only dream of, and remains the posh choice in this market sector, and even though anecdotal evidence suggests it's not quite as well-built as popular wisdom would have you believe, it has a reputation for reliability, solid build and a quality finish. The Golf comes with a large choice of engines and trims, from the utiltarian 1.4 to the executive-cruiser, four-wheel drive 2.8 V6 4MOTION and the uncompromisingly sporty 240bhp R32, and there are a series of excellent PD (Pumpe Duse, or unit injection) diesel engines. The GTis may not really be proper GTis any more - although the 1.8T turbo versions are appealingly quick - and even come in diesel form, but the R32 is a real stormer. Cabriolet models are based on the last-generation Golf platform.
For: Image, appearance of quality, nice cabins, refinement, residual values, PD diesel engines, solid feel
Against: The mainstream models have dull, stodgy handling; closely-related Seat Leon is cheaper, relatively high prices
Sum-up: Still a benchmark for a quality feel in this class, despite its age - though long-term, that quality might not seem so great
Model rundown and history
The Mk4 Golf was first offered in E, S, SE and GTi trim. Basic-spec E models (1.4 and 1.9 SDI engines only) have power steering, driver, passenger and side airbags, ABS, central locking, radio/cassette, height-adjustable driver's seat and a split/folding rear seat, with a spartan cloth interior. S models have central locking, electric windows and electric mirrors; SE versions have sunroof (or optional air conditioning), remote locking and alarm, velour upholstery, rear head restraints and eight-speaker stereo. GTi and GT TDi models add 15-inch front fog lamps, sports seats, colour-coded exterior trim and leather steering wheel. 1.8T GTi models have 16-inch alloys, Recaro seats, wood/chrome gearknob, wood trim. The Golf estate joined the range in September 1999, targeted as an upmarket family car, and the four-wheel drive, 204bhp V6 4MOTION was launched in May 2000. V6s have a full top-end spec including a six-CD autochanger and xenon gas-discharge headlamps (leather optional). Options include satellite navigation and multi-CD autochanger. For 2000, S models gained a sunroof, the SE standard air conditioning and the SE and GTi a CD player. In June 2002, all except E models have ESP (electronic stability control), and the E gains central locking and two rear headrestraints. Match models have just replaced S specification for 2003; these have electric windows, a CD player, 15-inch Avus alloy wheels, remote central locking and alarm, ESP (electronic stability programme) and electric mirrors. Plushly-trimmed SE versions now have cruise control and the option of leather seats. The R32 has a full sports specification with lowered, stiffened suspension, leather bucket seats, aluminium-trimmed cabin and xenon headlights.
Golfs to buy: We'd all love an R32 - it's the only proper 'GTi' in the range - but on a more pragmatic note, the PD diesels are the ones to have. They're much quicker and smoother than the old TDIs. If diesel's not your thing, the 2.3 V5s are refined junior executive cars, with sharp responses and great cruising ability. For a budget buy, the 1.6 petrol is decent enough.
Golfs to avoid: The 1.4 is a bit lifeless, and the aged 2.0-litre, 115bhp is hardly worthy of the GTi badge - the 1.8T is a better bet. The V6 4MOTION is an extremely desirable car, but complex to maintain and usually overpriced. The old TDi diesels are more than adequate, but the poverty-spec 1.9 E SDi is best avoided.
Buying the best Golf: There are always good Golfs at Volkswagen dealers', but you will pay handsomely for these. Stock at the independents and car supermarkets tends to be higher-mileage, lower-spec or imported, though the imports are usually from Ireland and perfectly OK. There are plenty for sale privately, too, and for enthusiast-owned high-performance models it's worth looking at the ads in the specialist Volkswagen magazines. Watch out for general quality problems - damaged door seals and creaking dashboards are particular niggles - and steering pulling to the left, faulty alarms, and diesels which burn oil or have engine management problems (stalling at low speeds).
Engines and performance:
Petrol:
1.4 (75bhp): 106mph, 0-60 13.5 sec, 44.1mpg
1.6 8v (100bhp): 117mph, 0-60 10.9 sec, 37.2mpg
1.6 16v (105bhp): 118mph, 10.5 sec, 39.8mpg
1.8 16v (125bhp): 125mph, 0-60 9.9 sec, 34mpg
1.8T GTi (150bhp): 134mph, 0-60 8.5 sec, 36.2mpg
2.0 GTi (115bhp): 121mph, 0-60 10.2 sec, 35.8mpg
2.3 V5 (170bhp): 134mph, 0-60 8.8 sec, 30.4mpg
2.3 V5 (170bhp, 2001-): 134mph, 0-60 8.2 sec, 32.1mpg
2.8 V6 4MOTION (204bhp): 146mph, 0-60 7.1 sec, 25.7mpg
R32 3.2 (240bhp): 154mph, 0-60 6.4 sec, 24.6mpg
Diesels:
1.9 E SDi (68bhp): 99mph, 0-60 17.2 sec, 55.4mpg
1.9 TDi 90 (90bhp): 112mph, 0-60 12.6 sec, 57.6mpg
1.9 TDi PD 100 (100bhp): 117mph, 0-60 11.3 sec, 52.3mpg
1.9 TDi 110 (110bhp): 120mph, 0-60 10.6 sec, 57.6mpg
1.9 TDi PD 115 (115bhp): 121mph, 0-60 10.3 sec, 49.4mpg
1.9 TDi PD 130 (130bhp): 127mph, 0-60 9.6 sec, 52.3mpg
1.9 TDi PD 150 (150bhp): 134mph, 0-60 8.6 sec, 51.4mpg