Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk3 16v Review

Overall Rating

Speed.
Reliability.
Styling.
Safety
Running Costs

Standard stereo.
Standard Alarm not Cat 1 as required by all insurance companies.

I have had my Volkswagen Golf GTi for 13 months. I paid the higher end of the price range, but what I got was a mechanically sound car. Unfortunately I viewed the car when it was raining and missed a few things (ie rust). If looking out for anything, one point to check is the tailgate and doors for rust. I paid £300 to resolve all the body work issues with the car, paint and a previous repair to a dent (which wasn't repaired properly). Other things to watch out for are the standard alloys, they tend to corrode and the leak air (I had this problem, but was able to replace all 4 at a very low expense). Having the 5 door is definitely the best choice. Having a family 3 door various would certainly be a problem (also meaning when taking friend anywhere, having to get out of the car!). The power of the car in standard form is excellent, very quick and will give VR6's and mk4 1.8 Turbos a run for their money. Compared to the VR6 I personally would say it's better as the 0-60 is just as quick and isn't front end heavy (which VR6 are due to the weight of engine). Top end speed is very fast, I have topped out at and indicated speed of 143MPH. I would recommend a few changes if purchasing a 16v. Firstly removed and seal up the hot air intake at the back of the airbox and remove all the internals of the airbox, purchase a performance replacement element and a cat back stainless exhaust. This makes a significant difference to the airflow of the car. Also recommend lowering the car on uprated shocks and springs and maybe uprate the Anti-Roll Bar, then the car would be perfect. I have also uprated the stereo with a decent CD head unit and component speakers. With the car being so solid the acoustics from the speakers are fantastic. Other problem I have had is one with insurance as they demanded a Cat 1 alarm, so I had to get one installed also during some localised flooding I went through an overflow stream (it was dark at the time) which went as deep as the top of the bonnet, even though the car got through it broke down. Went to the dealer who dried it out and it work again no problems whatsoever!

Members' Comments onRobTur's Review

• marky55555 on 23rd Mar 2008

  great write up ,i would say have the cat removed and decated as the gain is worth it and also fit the scopes under the lights and fix ducting to them and then directly to the air filter as again the gain is worth it.