Unsure as to whether buyers really preferred a hot or a merely warm Golf GTI VW decided to hedge its bets with the Mk4 model. So it launched both a normally-aspirated 125hp 1.8-litre car and a 150hp turbocharged version.
Tuneable turbo is the Mk4's biggest asset
Considered too dull and heavy by many the normally aspirated model took 9.9 seconds to reach 62mph, whilst the faster turbo still took 8.5 seconds. Hardly earth-shattering performance, but with a decent spec and that sought after GTI heritage they both sold reasonably well. In fact 61,879 Mk4 GTIs were eventually sold to UK buyers by 2004.
A 2.0-litre 115hp motor had been launched 1999 as well as a facelifted Cabriolet, along with VW's first diesel-powered 1.9-litre GTI in 2001. And 2002 saw a GTI 25th Anniversary model with a bit more power - the 1.8-litre turbocharged GTI now made 62mph in 7.9 seconds. As the Mk4 began to age the tuning potential of the turbocharged model finally began to be realised, as AMD's Shaun Hollamby points out. "Things got much better with the 1.8T engine as tuning houses could release a decent bit of power." Those seeking a truly fast factory Golf however were forced to spend big on the 3.2-litre V6 R32 Golf.
Fast forward to 2014 and the Mk4 Golf GTI has become something of a performance bargain. "These are very popular now due to the relatively low cost of the vehicles and the ability to tune them to 300hp for sensible money," explains Paul Farenden at VW tuning experts RevoTechnik.
And Jody backs this up. "A decent map will give up to 60hp extra on a later 1.8T, the best examples having the AUM engine code - something of a tuner's favourite."
Buy if: You're looking for a GTI bargain - but make sure it's the 1.8T
Don't buy if: Potent performance or impressive handling are key requirements
We found: 2000 VW Golf GTI 3dr, blue metallic, service history, 138K miles, £1,499
Price Guide
Poor: Under £1,100
Good: £1,300 to £3,995
A1: £4,000+
Special Editions: GTI Anniversary £3,700 to £5,000, R32 V6 £5,000 to £11,995
