VAG 1.8T Gti/Vrs

thecomedian

I'm thinking of picking up a cheap 1.8T. When I say cheap I mean under €2000, around 1500 would be better.
If I can pick up a 2001 year car that would do.
I'll need a 4/5 door so that got me thinking of the old Vrs. Ive never driven one, so is there much of a difference between the two?
Is the interior in the Vrs as good as the golf?

I'll also be looking to remap whatever I get, along a few engine/suspension mods hopefully. For those of you who have done this how did it effect your insurance?

All so the car wont be on the road straight away.
So if anyone knows of a cheap one going let me know.

Geoff

dgt

Tossyyyyyyyyyy to this thread please

thecomedian

dgt wrote: »

Tosyyyyyyyyyy to this thread please

The first lad I thought of while writing it

tossy

Like i told you when you were looking at S3's Geoff a poorly looked after 1.8T could cost you, you would easily lose the savings you made by buying the wrong cheap one in the first year.

Oil sludge blocking the oil pick up is a rpeorted problem but i think (George might back me up on this) it's more commonly seen in the A4,Passat where the engine is moiunted longitudinally.

Boost,vacum and breather hose leaks will be the most likely next big problem you will meet, a lot of small fiddly hoses that can add up.

Coilpacks is the one after that.

I would wager most 1500/2000 euro VRS's/GTI's out there will suffer from one of the last 2.

As far as mods needed the GTI doesn't come with 312mm brakes (GTI,TT,S3 set up) up front as standard unless it's a 180bhp model. The VRS does, there is a big difference between these and the 288's on the GTI. So on a golf a 312mm upgrade is a must.

Also the Golf comes with solid rear discs, the VRS shares the same vented rear set up as the (S3,225 TT,3.2 TT etc)

Both cars need suspension mods out of the box to imporve them, a H&R cup kit and upgraded bushes would bring them up to scratch pretty quickly.

Personally the VRS wouldn't be a patch on the golf for build quality up to 01 the GTI had recaro seats as standard and the interior was built to last.

Remap wise there is a differnce between the two also the VRS has a KO3s turbo as standard and will map to around 210/220, where as the 150bhp GTI has a KO3 and will only see 197/200 max.

In standard form i'e breaks and suspension it would be a hairy ride in either.

Neither will come close to your TT or E46 in terms of comfort,handling or inerior quailty.

If it must be a 5 door then i would push the boat out and get a Seat leon Cupra R, same engine as the 225TT/S3 and probably one of the best looking 5 door hot hatches ever made.

Here's one from Autostadt, as far as i'm aware it's a good car..

http://www.autostadt.ie/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=76&t=8053

It might seem like a big jump from 2000 euro but if you say got a 2000 euro GTI or VRS and factored in the following...

reamp 350/400 e
312 brake upgrade 300e
Cup kit 500e
Upgraded bushes 150e?

That brings it up to 3350 already before you might have encountered any hidden suprises with hoses or coilpacks etc

As always talk to George too

For me if you are going 1.8T from that era then it's got to be an S3,TT or Cupra R,then only one that meets your needs is the Cupra so it's a no brainer lol.

I know when you drove the S3 you were impressed, and you might be chasing that kind of performance, comfort etc neither the VRS or the golf will come close.

matt70iu

Hi

Own a 99 mk4 1.8t gti myself for the last 3 yrs.

Over all very reliable but as with all German cars they do need to be looked after.

Here's what I've had to get done on mine.

Door lock modules
Brake light switch
Window regulators
Coolant temp sensor
Thermostat
ABS sensor
Starter motor
Bushes
Brake pads and discs
Exhaust
The usual servicing costs every 6000 miles or so.

Mine is mapped to 180bhp from the 150 standard. She's nippy and great to drive. I would advise looking at the suspension as others have said as they roll a lot in the corners as standard especially with 18 inch wheels.

Try get one with a good service history and check if any of these items have been replaced, if not, expect to replace at some stage.

Would also suggest talking to George, as he knows these cars inside out.

Happy hunting!

thecomedian

Thanks Shane and Matt, that's great information. Yea I'll need the 5 door as we have a baby due in March. A 3dr wouldn't be realistic.
At 1500 I'd be able to buy it without selling my own car first. Then I can arse around with it for awhile.
The Cupra would do but, the price on a R were too much.
I forgot about an A3 1.8T Quattro, I'll throw that into the mix also.

TestTransmission

I had a vRS mk1 for over 2 years, looking back now as what I've had after it ,it handled like a boat. :pac:

It's super practical, economical enough, as Tossy said hose leaks were commonplace.I also had quite a lot of electrical demons.