VW Golf GTI Mk3 & Mk4: Which Was The Greatest Generation? PART 3/5 - Carfection

Join us for a look back at a classic set of films with Alex Goy looking at the legendary VW Golf GTI and find out which was the greatest generation in this 5 part series.
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[anonymousmind]

The MK4 R32 is probably the best looking Golf!

[ashtonbutler]

I have a 2003 1.8t as my first car and I can honestly say, for a car with 100, 000 miles on it, the interior looks almost new. Volkswagens are made to last a long time.

[inenpvu]

I had a 1.8T mk4 as my first car. I'd agree its not as fun and tossable as the other generations. It leaned more towards the luxury side of things. Mine had a nice black leather interior, sunroof, interior panels felt solid, and the turbo engine had a good surge of torque.

[ralicahristova]

Mk3 gti's are getting more and more rare. Not to mention the 20 years anniversary edition! (Only about 1000 with the 16v engine were made)

[williamgson]

I love the Golf mk4, might be my favourite Golf of all time.

[lkczcgh]

Golf 4 GTI. Are beautiful the best of all the golf !!!!

[arda_]

Mark IV is the best Golf design of all generations in my opinion.

[Trendyflute]

I really wish you could've driven my 04 GTI. 180 HP 1.8T, 5-speed, stripper model with no options but the 17" rims weighed in at 2750 lbs. with full interior and half a tank. I comprehensively replaced engine and suspension and subframe and rear axle mounts throughout the car with one step stiffer, combined with a mild lowering spring and shock (chosen for their combination of appropriate stiffness for ride height, while also keeping the ride height near the stock operating point, which is beneficial for the camber curve), michelin pilot super sports, TT brakes, mild shifter upgrades, and a stock engine. It was a really capable everyday, backday, and trackday car, and while it doesn't make me giggle like my miata does, I had TONS of fun in it for twelve years (and it was my only car, and was consistently great at that)

MkIVs are super quality cars underneath. The factory did fail to tune them right for enthusiasts. But the factory parts bin is huge and has lots of fun toys, the aftermarket is huge and quite affordable, the chassis is robust and good against rust and has fundamental geometries that work for performance surprisingly well while also being pretty light by modern standards. They're the right-sized sorta car as well. I love a good MkIV. They get better from stock when you have a clue on what you're doing.

[mindspinn]

The Mk4 for me was all about the special editions and then the R32. In the US the GTI 337 followed by the 20th Anniversary were the ones to have.

[guadalupeesquivias]

They may not be the best, but I love my mk3 and mk4

[jamessheehy]

The lego and plug analogy was spot on! If you're not on top gear next series i will be highly disappointed mate great work 👍👍

[stephanvelines]

I agree that stock the GTI wasn’t the greatest GTI produced. It lacked a revised chassis, a bit of sporty trim and sound but the 1.8 T engine is a great engine. With the Mk4 you need to invest in a bigger turbo, intercooler, the R32 front bumper and suspension components. That the Mk4 becomes epic

[nickk.]

Still love my first car, 1997 MK3 1.6 ;)

[ctrmint]

Great to see Alex back, get him permanently, channel hasn’t been the same since he left!

[jimtaylor]

Some good engines in the MK3 (ABF and VR6) .. shame about the rest of the car!

[jimvest]

My first car was 16v mk3, it was very nice car and plenty fast.

[macuse]

Mk4 was the only Golf to perfectly blend classic Golf characteristics and styling and make it modern. It’s a simple Gold but extremely modern a very good car

[SPIKE-]

VR6 Highline was the best Mk3....loud as fuck, good handling, comfy, very post-modern....and had that lovely aerodynamic line round the bodywork on the wings that sadly went missing on the MK4's & MK5's and didn't return til the MK6 & Mk7. That being said MK4-wise, if not a V6 4Motion, then if it were a turbo it had to be the AUQ'd KO3S Anniversary or the R32....

[vdub]

Sure its not a "true GTI" but I still love the scream from my 24v vr6. That and with a bit of suspension/chassis upgrades and they can handle pretty well too. But true, it's not in the same ethos as the mk1

[cobaltlukather]

I just found my elementary-school era hoodie with a big orange riced-out Mk4 Golf on the front of it 2 days ago.

Shame it doesn't perform super well.

But then came the Golf R32