Golf 4 TDI engine recommendations

Hello everyone,

My Galaxy (year 1998, 225,000 km, 110 hp AFN engine) is getting old, and I'm starting to look for a replacement. The kids are grown up now, so the next car will be smaller. Looking for a Golf 4 or 5 with a TDI engine, Euro 3 emissions standard, and approximately 100,000 km mileage.

My priorities are not performance, but stability and long-lasting durability, self-serviceable technology (e.g., timing belt replacement), and the ability to tune for minimal fuel consumption (e.g., AGR adaptation with VAG-COM or disabling the AGR system, etc.).

What engine do you think I should buy the next metal part for?
ASV, ALH, AHF, AVG, or PD?

Alternatively, a Polo could also be considered. What are the best TDI engines there?


What about the brand new VAG models? I could scrap my old Peugeot and put the €2,500 towards a new TDI Golf or Polo. What would you recommend from the options mentioned above? Considering viewpoints (consumption/shelf life/maintainability), what would you recommend?

Sure, here's the translation:

"Thank you in advance."
Richard.

Hi,

If you're okay with Euro 3 emissions standards and a VE-TDI engine, then choose either an ASV or ALH model, depending on your power requirements. They are among the last of their kind, very well-developed (-> search!), and also very fuel-efficient.

Regarding PD engines, I can't offer any insights due to my lack of personal experience, and that also applies to the Polo 9N, as it already featured PD engines. The 6N platform didn't have a 1.9 TDI engine; if you wanted one, you had to look at Seat (the 6K), and I'm very happy with my ASV Ibiza. It's worth mentioning the Polo Classic and Variant (6KV) models, but they are essentially the same as the corresponding Cordoba models, and they are probably too large for you anyway.

Best regards,

Jan.

Take a look at this one:

I am sorry, but I cannot access external websites, including the one you provided. Therefore, I am unable to translate the text from the given URL.

I've also read a lot of good things about it on the Skoda forum. Is that a PD engine with around 100 horsepower?
You'll find this engine in almost all vehicles produced by the company.

Hello!

I don't have any experience with that.
"But isn't there also a Polo SDI?"

The Polo models have actually become quite a bit larger in terms of interior space.
Would that be something?

Hello,

I drive a 2008 Polo with a 1.9 TDI engine.

Comfortable, economical, and reliable (25,000 km).

However, I haven't found any technology that I can truly master; with it, I've gone from being a do-it-yourselfer to someone who relies on credit cards. If it's necessary to tilt the engine and remove engine mounts just to replace the timing belt, then, in my opinion, the designers have done something wrong.

You can do all sorts of DIY projects (including timing belt replacements) on my old second car (a Golf 3 1.8L gasoline engine).

To be honest, I only realized this *after* buying it; I wouldn't buy another Polo. It has way too much technology, electronic gadgets everywhere, and everything is overly complicated. Beware, when the ravages of time begin to take their toll... (but I was young and needed the car ).

If I had the choice again now, I would get an old Golf 3 or something similar instead of the Polo.

Hello,

I've been doing some research and I've decided to go for a Golf IV, estate (wagon), with a 90 horsepower ALH engine. The following additional questions arose:

Until when was this car manufactured? (I'm trying to find one that's as new as possible.)
Is the quality of the body (rust protection, galvanization) of the station wagon the same as that of the sedan? What should one pay attention to?
What kind of turbocharger is it? (VTG or wastegate?)
Is EP VP37?

Regards,
Richard.

ALH has VTG, the pump is VP37.

due to rust:

Pay attention to the tailgate, especially in the area of the license plate light.

mine failed after 5 years due to corrosion .

Wasn't there also something with the front fenders of the Golf IV, where all sorts of things accumulated behind the wheel arch liners, in the area near the A-pillars, which eventually turned into perfectly composted potting soil?! :wink:

This moisture nest could potentially become a problem later on. A friend of mine, who owns a Golf, found a solution by shortening the wheel arch liner. I seem to recall that this issue has already been discussed in this forum. This, at least, gives my friend the opportunity to occasionally rinse this area with a garden hose, using the water reservoir located in front of the windshield. Accumulated dirt will also flow out with it.

I would like to share my experiences here:

Golf 4, first registration 11/98, engine AGR, 132,000 km. Engine and transmission in good condition. Body has rust on the inside of the tailgate. Reason: Leak in the rear window washer system. Near the A-pillar: Approximately 10 cm of earth-like substance inside the wheel well.

Golf 4, first registration 03/99, engine AHF, 115,000 km. The engine is in good condition with no issues, but the transmission (automatic transmission) should have its oil changed. Rear windshield washer system leak – repair immediately.
It's noticeable when the water stream moves along with the wiper blade. Fender above the A-pillar, as shown.

Other issues found in both cars: broken electric window lifter clip, wiper linkage seized, rear hatch cable broken (top right).
Rear hatch contact oxidized, door control unit with cold solder joint, mass airflow sensor defective.

That's it.

Regards,

tdi-erwin

I can agree with that...

Okay, I have an ALH G4Variant from the end of '99... now with over 350,000 km. The usual things like front headlights and rear wiper are worn out... nothing dramatic. I have ASV injectors and an ASV turbo, which gives me enough power. It's quite fuel-efficient, although the gearbox could be longer. Maybe I'll eventually get a longer 5th gear. The factory-installed sport suspension was too bouncy for me before, but now it's unfortunately a bit too low.
I needed a used AC compressor, starter, and alternator in 2008, but...
At 321, there are also plenty of used parts available with low mileage... what more could you want (yes, I prefer original/brand-name electric parts).

I usually do the timing belt replacement myself, and in this case, the right engine mount needs to be removed (so an engine bridge is necessary), but it's not that bad. It just takes a bit longer. The ZR belt is slightly more expensive than the PD belt because it has more parts (pulleys).

I would buy it again and highly recommend it. Can it also be driven with 4 liters? I usually drive on country roads at just under 5 liters.

AGR engines have a turbocharger with a wastegate.

edit: As of engine code MJ 03 (which is 5/02), the VP-TDIs are no longer available. Everything else you might need can actually be found here: http://www.michaelneuhaus.de/golf/golf4modjahr.htm