Perhaps MK3 Golfs aren't that bad!

Was travelling back home on the A151 between Spalding and Bourne (Lincs) and got a flash and a wave from a chap in a MK3 Golf! Took me by surprise so my response was a little late!

Certainly a first for me!

Well you have remember that they are getting rarer now, too - the earliest ones are over 12 years old, which is the age my first Mk1 was when I bought it for ?400. They are definitely going down the food chain from a dealer perspective too, as they are now two models behind the current one.

Although I'm sure the owners are fine people and are as enthusiastic about their cars as we are, but I have to say that I never liked the Mk3 from day one, and to this day it is still my least favourite Golf.

My Golf-styling favourites, in order:

Mk1
Mk4
Mk2
Mk5
Mk3

http://www.carpignano.ch/Video/red_devil_04_15mb.wmv

This MK3 is Ok I suppose

My order goes: 1. MK1
                       2. Mk2
                       3. Mk5
                       4. MK4
                       5. MK3

Hmmm… mk3's a bit bulbous - agree with your order kins. had a mk3 16V tailling me on the A12 a while ago. Thought he was trying race at first and pulled over to let him by, but he pulled up beside me had a good look at the car and gave me the thumbs up

Nice video - anyone think it's speeded up?

The driver's head does not lurch back enought for 580hp

kins said

http://www.carpignano.ch/Video/red_devil_04_15mb.wmv

This MK3 is Ok I suppose

My order goes: 1. MK1
                       2. Mk2
                       3. Mk5
                       4. MK4
                       5. MK3

Same here!

Cheers,

Drew.

I'd rate the mk4 higher than the mk5.. for 1 reason ONLY.. the R32  

mmmmmmm R32!!

but hey! I should give the Mk5 some time!

What were VW thinking with the rear bumper (bumber) on the MK5? I am tempted to knock it down to 4th for that!

The R36 on its way though so that rescues it cant wait!  

I ran a Mk3 GTi Colour Concept in Jazz Blue for a while.

My observations were
- best seats ever bar non, heated leather colour coded genuine Recaros
- not as slow as you might think and as quick as a standard Mk1 through the twisties
- exterior styling not too my liking

The Mk5 is OK, but poor value for money and not as good dynamically as its main rivals. I am sure the new Leon Cupra will address those issues though.

Cheers
Rajan

I had a Mk3 1.8CL for a while and liked it (!)  'Solid' is the word - not fast but felt nice to drive and was reliable. VW messed up big time with the Gti in Mk3 format though IMO. I have a Mk4 TDI (PD130) and that's a good car too. Fast, sips fuel and very comfy. Handling leaves a lot to be desired though (even with the optional factory sports pack !). And build quality isn't that great either. Had the front spoiler fall off and the passenger window fall into the door (common problem - plastic clips holding window runner to mechanism break). Oh, and the seat lifter handles fall off all the time too !. Good job it's a company car !  Collegue at work has had electrical and water ingress problems with hers - also common probs.
Still not 'into' the shape of the Mk5. Too fat !  And why do VW always put too small a wheel in too big a wheelarch ?!? It will probably grow on me but at the moment next company car will be Audi A3 TDI (I'm due a change start of next year).

Cheers,
Mark

It is possible that the chap in the Mk3 had a mk1 as a weekend toy!?!?

I had a Mk3 Gti for 4 years while My Mk1 was being SLOWLY sorted.

Doubt it - was on the weekend and he was in a MK3

Just being sarcy Al!! - the thought crossed my mind too :wink:

hi there,

The mk1 is by far my favorite, but i have just bought a mk4 gt tdi 130. pick it up on friday- cant wait. my dad got a 115 gt tdi and we just got back from bodging the engine it as it just dropped out??? 3 weeks after he had a full vw service and mot. needless to say not happy. wonder if they will still be round in 25 years???

Well chaps and of course kate, I bought a mk3 cab 8 or so years ago! I was looking for the car I have now, the mk1 rivage! I tried to make doo with the avant garde, it was meant to be the top of the range, gti engine etc! What a sorry disappointment that was!! It drove like a bag of washing, all soft and the power steering was awfully washy with no feeling from the road! Pile of poop! Don't buy one! I sold mine within 2 months of buying it and bought a mk1 1.6 gl cab! Much better and even as a 1.6 it performed better than the mk3 2.0 gti!  Cheers…Walt!

I had a mk3 16v as a company car between 1997 and 1999, and absolutely loathed it. It simply didn't seem quick enough to me, the glovebox fell apart and the dashboard creaked and groaned.  Felt gutless on the move unless above 4500 rpm.

Brakes were good though!

A colleague had a Peugeot 306 GTI-6 at the same time and after a drive in that I realised I'd chosen the wrong car. I hate to admit it but the Peugeot 306 GTI was the car the mk3 should have been.

Replaced it with a 1992 run-out spec Mk2 8v when I changed jobs. That felt quicker, and handled better, though I did miss the air-con button.

TDI man now of course. My Audi A4 is a bit of an old mans car, but with a 160 bhp serial port reprogram, koni shocks, h+r springs and 18" RS6 alloys it's fun enough for the commute!

Cheers,

Drew.