2003 Volkswagen Golf Consumer Discussions

Toyota Prius vs VW Golf TDI

Re: . [dewey]

Written by: gagrice on Sep 08, 2009 02:07 PM

Debating the merits of Prius and Golf TDI can be enjoyable. However their are diesel haters that lurk on this site. They attack posters off site that they do not agree with. Probably teenagers that somehow sneak past the folks here at Edmund's. Just to clarify a couple things. The 2nd generation Prius that included MY 2004 to 2009 did not arrive here till October ... Read More...

VW Golf

Revs

Written by: bankman on Mar 16, 2009 02:16 PM

I have just bought an automatic 2003 VW Golf 2.0 Generation. As I am not familiar with this car, just wanted to check with others whether the following is "normal"?; - When idling, it revs at around 1,000 - Seems to switch into 4th (top) gear at around 60km/h where it revs at around 2,000, but when going at 100km/h, the rev counter starts to get towards 2,500-2,750 ... Read More...

Volkswagen Golf: Care & Maintenance

Re: Spark Plug replacement on 2003 Golf with 110k miles on it [igallwas]

Written by: bpeebles on Dec 04, 2008 06:21 PM

Any competent mechanicaly-minded persons with a swivel-head ratchet extension should have no troubles replacing sparkplugs in a 2.0L VW engine. The maint points are; *) Do not pull on the sparkplug wires to remove them from the plugs. *) Clean area where sparkplugs are BEFORE removing so no crud drops into engine. *)Aluminum heads tend to seeze to the sparkplugs... ... Read More...

Spark Plug replacement on 2003 Golf with 110k miles on it

Written by: igallwas on Dec 03, 2008 09:07 AM

Hi Everyone, Just want to thank everyone for all their help in the past! Is replacing the spark plugs on my 2003 VW Golf 2.0L engine a big deal? Can I have my parents small town Mechanic do it who doesn't have really any experience with VW's? He's VERY honest and VERY reliable unlike most of the guys I've found around here in Chicago suburbs. Plus he's a TON cheaper. ... Read More...

Re: Timing Belt on 2003 Golf (Not Diesal) [igallwas]

Written by: bpeebles on Nov 18, 2008 06:57 PM

You did not mention which of the 3 gasoline VW engines you have in your Gulf but my answer below goes for any of them. Along with TimingBelt, there are a number of other things that should be changed at same time. (they may not go another 100K miles and if they fail, you have to do the TB all over again) These other items include; *)TB tensionor/pully *)WaterPump (some ... Read More...

Timing Belt on 2003 Golf (Not Diesal)

Written by: igallwas on Nov 17, 2008 08:39 AM

Hi, I put a LOT of miles on my call (all highway). I have a 2003 VW Golf with 109k miles on it. It's timing belt time, right? Dealer said to do it at 105k miles. Question: Do I have to have the dealer do it? My guys at Merlin said they can do it (one of them used to work at VW), but was honest and said he's only done 2 timing belts. Makes me nervous. I live in Palatine, IL. Any suggestions? ... Read More...

Volkswagen Rabbit

Re: Where..... [bodble2]

Written by: jbaustian on Feb 03, 2008 10:37 PM

No, not really. The early New Beetles and Jettas built in Mexico had some problems, but by 2002 and 2003 -- when it was possible to directly compare Mexican Jetta sedans versus German Jetta wagons -- there was really no difference in build quality. My Golf TDI was built in Brazil, and I don't have a single complaint about the build quality. The engine was from Germany, ... Read More...

Volkswagen TDI Models Prices Paid and Buying Experience

Considering a Diesel Rabbit...I mean Golf...

Written by: lizziewriter on Jan 31, 2008 09:28 AM

We had a diesel Rabbit back when... Anyway, I am thinking of "trading in" my 2006 Chevy Uplander minivan for a diesel Golf, maybe a 2003? As soon as I can scrounge up a used Chevy Astro van (mine died and I couldn't get another right away) I would like to ditch the new minivan and get a diesel VW. It's been a long time since I've driven a VW, and hubby is leery of anything ... Read More...

Volkswagen Rabbit

rear suspension no big deal?

Written by: jbaustian on Jun 05, 2007 07:58 AM

The rear suspension is one of the main differences between the Mk4 and Mk5. And yes, it adds to the cost. Yet I wonder if more than 5-10% of buyers are even aware. I don't see VW going back to the older conventional rear suspension. But that is what I have, and I don't mind. I just know better than to push cornering beyond the limit. Do you corner quicker than I do? Maybe. ... Read More...

Volkswagen Golf Electrical/Lighting Questions

Re: Re 2003 Golf Windshield Wiper Problems [wooly4]

Written by: dblj369 on May 25, 2007 09:00 AM

Have you contacted the VW advocacy line at all yet to complain? If we can get 50 people, we can get a recall... Read More...