Test Drive Volkswagen Golf IV 5 Doors 1997 - 2003 Hatchback

Volkswagen Golf III

It all started 22 years ago, when Volkswagen had a new car with an attractive name Golf. Drivers, they are buyers, found this car good. So since 1974 and to this day, the car named Golf became a favorite of more than 15 million people. From the square on the thin wheels of Golf, the time rose more precipitated Golf II, behind it - rounded and Eye Golf III. In the appearance, everyone visited the stylistic continuity of generations, which at the same time does not obscure the individuality of each model.
In Germany, Golf III has a 1st place in terms of sales in its class. His market success is determined by many factors. The car has a wide range of engines - gasoline with a capacity of 60, 75.90,116 and 150 hp (for the GTI version), two VR6 (174 and 190 l.), as well as 3 diesel - two atmospheric (64 and 75 hp) and turbocharged (90 l.), Which in Volkswagen circles is called short : clean.
The car has 4 bodies: 3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback, sedan (his name is Vento) and a wagon, as well as several finishing options. There is a version of Syncro, with a constant drive for all wheels and a viscous coupling.
Each Golf III has a 4-speed heating system, a filter in the cabin ventilation system, fog lights, a lamp for the passenger and the service period of the service.
Additional equipment includes radio tape recorders, cassettes, electrical adjustment of the angle of seats, centralized lock control locks with safe secrecy, electrically heated seats, air conditioning and even the engine preheater during the cold season.
The car is well thought out by the safety system - fmined zones, special transverse elements of rigidity and profiles in the door, a deformable steering column, the design of the seats that does not allow the passenger's cracks under the safety belt. And, of course, the pillows for the driver and the front passenger.
Very convenient to Golf Trunk - due to low side. The back of the rear seat on all models is folded, so the volume of the trunk can be increased from 400 to 1350 liters.
With the same pleasure, the owners and maintenance specialists Golf III are celebrated, so it is the famous German quality. This concept is made up of many objective and subjective assessments. But even a completely inexperienced person, minimal gaps between body parts and the density with which they are adjacent to the body that are not opening the side windows will be seen (in the 3-door version). Specialists will see more - for example, waterproof and reliable electrical plug-offs.
From the whole variety of modifications Golf III, Russian consumers prefer a car with a body of a sedan or a 5-door hatchback with gasoline engines with a capacity of 90 and 115 liters. with. or 1.9 liter Diesel with a capacity of 90 hp Three-door Golf is not very popular, as well as the engine with a volume of 1.4 liters (60 l. P.). If the 3-doorheatchback with a small engine is bought and buy (the cost of a custom-cleaned machine with a carburetor or injection engine 1.4 liters in Moscow - from $ 18,000), most often for women, especially if the car is equipped with an automatic box. In general, as dealers, Golf, acquired for decent money, is not much used by the economy - this is a car of business people.
It is known that everything starts with the car shopping. Maintenance, repair, diagnostics, seasonal equipment (rubber, oil, liquid). The Golf's service book ends at a mark of 300 thousand km. Replacing the oil every 15 thousand km, service - after 30 thousand. Manufacturer's warranty on the body (from corrosion) 10 years, to the paintwork - 6 years, for everything else - 1 year.
The resource of the engine is about 300 thousand km of run, or 10 years of operation. The engine and aggregates are quite maintainable, the manufacturer releases repair kits under the first, second, third, etc. repairs. All official dealers in Russia have the same rules of the game - if there are no parts in stock, it will be delivered for 3-7 days with prepayment from 70 to 100%.
At one of the TomskSwagen topics, we were told: the operation of the new Golf III delivers great joy to the driver, since he does not have almost no problems other than gasoline refueling. By the way, Golf is equipped with only a balloon key and jack - so as not to lazilize where it should not be. All repair operations, in addition to replacing the wheels, is recommended to produce at the service station.
The first 3V4 years of the new Golf The trouble almost does not deliver and its maintenance is limited to the periodic replacement of oil and filters. Depending on the intensity and operating conditions, the front brake pads can be added. 80 thousand km of run, as a rule, will have to change the rear pads.
Golf is well adapted for Russian conditions and practically does not break. Between periodic service, the hood can not be opened. According to the technological map, the service is carried out every12 months or every 30 thousand km of run. The list of works is quite extensive and the service takes 2V2.5 hours. Mandatory work - replacement of oil in the engine and automatic gearbox, air filter change, cabin filter, fuel filter, candles, belt stretch, visual inspection of the chassis, computer diagnostics of the engine, checking the braking system, outdoor lighting, etc.
It is necessary to refuel Golf only on branded benzocolones, otherwise the electric submersible fuel pump will soon thorough, although its resource is not formally limited. Replacement will cost DM600.
Do not try to add standard hydraulic fluids into the tank of the steering hydraulic. In Golf cars, a special G002 liquid is used, which does not come to the stores, and is supplied by the manufacturer on the manufacturer to branded service stations. Use the recommended oils Mobil, BP, Castrol, and additional additives and additives you will not be needed.
The valves are equipped with hydrocomathers and do not require adjustment over the entire period of engine operation. After a run of 90 thousand km, it is necessary to pay attention to the state of the timing belt, when the crack appears, it is replaced.
The chassis of the problems usually does not deliver. Traction, screws, tips, silent blocks normally work90v110 thousand km, self-regulating grip - 140v150 thousand km. After 110-120 thousand km, sometimes you have to replace the starter overtaking clutch, and the generator and other electrical and electronics are practically sureless.
In principle, purely mechanical malfunctions can be eliminated on any good maintenance station. But such types of work as engine diagnostics, replacement of racks, rear brake pads, timing belt or TNVD on a diesel engine, require a special tool and highly high personnel qualifications. The cost of work at the stations is $ 35-50 per hour.
Sergey Aslanyan, Alexander Piculento
 

A source: Motor magazine [№12 / 1997]