Topic: 2004 VW Golf..

[NorPlan]

 . Daughter picked up a 2004 VW Golf. 2.0L , 5 Speed. 170,000km's showing.. Body's solid & good shape.. Run's Good, the Water Pump & Timing Belt along with the Struts were just replaced and brand new tires all around.. Hopefully that will get her down the road for a few good miles..Anything to watch out for with the VW Golf ??

[tpl]

Assorted annoying electrical problems is the Mk IV claim to fame.   The 2.slow is a reliable old non-interference engine.

[marcus_go]

My mom's 2001 Jetta TDI has been very reliable even with 200k on it. Just routine maintenance and servicing and none of the constant electrical gremlins and problems everyone seems to complain about on VWs. The 2.0 and manual shift is probably the combination to have other than the TDI for simplicity and reliability. Since the timing belt/water pump have already been done, should be good for a while. Coilpacks do fail over time which will usually trigger a CEL, but that mostly affected the 1.8T and VR6. 2004 was near the end of MKIV production so the earlier chassis problems were resolved by then.

[beagle]

2.slow is an interference engine. Since the timing belt is changed recently, should not be a problem for a while.  Hopefully the new water pump has a metal impeller, the factory one was plastic.  Window regulator clips are plastic and have a habit of breaking.  Keep an eye on the rear calipers, it is quite common for them to seize due old age.  Just use a good VW502 oil and OEM filters, good for 15000km oil change.  2.slow plus 5 speed is indestructible.