I just want some reassurance that what I've just bought was a good buy.

A guy local to the village is off to Dubai on Friday, he wanted a quick sale on a Black MK4 99 Golf GT TDI 110 with 140k on the clock. He's given me loads of history nearly all main dealer, only down sides are the cambelt is 20k over due and the lacquer is f**ked on the roof and bonnet. I'll get a bonnet from the scrap yard but the roof is another matter.

Red/black Interior is good, no worn bolsters, gears are tight. Starts instantly from cold, takes a while when warm... Read it could be coolant sensor? AC works, no leaks from the engine and still pulls well.

Taxed and mot'd until may next year.

£500.

Is it worth me throwing money at it to get the paint done on the roof?

Also, with the 140k on the clock should I bother with a remap from Rtech?

Thanks.

For that price sort cambelt, drive. Wouldn't waste the money on the paint, but if you must, why not get it wrapped as it would probably be cheaper!

Got 500 squids just run it as it is . Cambelt will only be a few hundred through a good garage. Seems like a cheap run about.

In the grand scheme of things £500 is nothing.

£500 for that Golf is a good buy.

As above, get the roof wrapped, get the cambelt done at a local independant - and enjoy!

Thanks for the input. I'll consider wrapping the roof at a later date, can they colour match for the rest of the car?

Also, what's your opinion on remapping it? And how much should I expect to pay for a cambelt change?

Thanks.

remapping might get you up to 140bhp. The 110 engines don't remap as keenly as the PD engines, at least not without some spending on hardware first - fuel pump, nozzles, turbo, intercooler, being the main ones.

Sounds like a good buy to me. If it were mine, I'd be tempted to sand and rattle can the bonnet myself. Ensuring the rest of the car is masked off - or unbolt the bonnet.

UK average MOT cost this year £520 - Bargain i think. Cam belt waterpump tensioner essential, and drive it til it gets too costly to run. Total cost £750 and i recon a good 4 years motoring.

Like devon says you could just rattle bonnet or just keep eyes open for a bonnet in same colour

Cheers.

I'm useless at spraying, though i've only ever used cheap paint. Local dismantlers don't have a bonnet yet so i'll just hold out with it looking tatty for a while. It looks ok when it rains, and the weather we're having at the moment it looks ok most days.

I'll book it in for the belts to be done this week, they were last done at 63k, 142k now!

Edited 6 August, 201213 yr by Callum82

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-GOLF-MK-4-BONNET-METALLIC-BLACK-/330761864844?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4d02f1868c#ht_500wt_1289

Post option and best offer

That one also needs a bit of paint work, i'll hold out. Thanks though!

Good buy. Will probably need some odd and sods done over time like bearings and gaiters but nothing dramatic. Engine could be good for the same again if the bodywork holds out.

Work mate recently sold her 02 130hp TDI for about £2500, it had a similar mileage. Engine was running perfectly but bodywork was starting to go at the sills and wings.

More good news.

Reading through the receipts and history I initially thought the cam belt was done at 63k. The guy I bought it from said he "thought" the previous owner had it done but there were no receipts to back it up. I found a number for the owner before the last and gave them a call. Cam belt, tensioner and water pump all done at 102k giving me another 20k before a change!

If I would have looked through the service manual and not just receipts I would have spotted it. Ha.

Aspman the body is solid apart from knackered lacquer.

Very happy with it as we just needed something good on fuel for a up coming 40 mile a day commute.