Bought a mk4 golf gti recentely. Its a 98 with AC and its never had an AC service. Ive also noticed that its probably not as cold as quickly as it should be
I saw a thread earlier about getting the gas topped up and checking for leaks, but i want to get it serviced to put the stamp in the book as well.
Thing is i loathe main dealers, and would prefer to go to halfords or somewhere like that, but how does the 2nd hand car market view a non dealer stamp ???
Also, want to get the oil changed as i had no idea what oil was in it, and there was an unopened litre of 10/40 which i have topped it up with, but i want to put a decent oil in and then i can continue to use that. Whats the best without going too overboard, btw its the 1.8 20v non turbo (125bhp)
Ta
Andy
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Plenty of VW indies out there, most will sub out the aircon anyway (as would plenty of VW main dealers).
At 5/6 years old, IMHO the fact that it's got a continuous service history is more important than where it's been serviced.
It shows the car has been looked after and won't have had sludge running round the sump until 3 days before it went up for sale.
As regards oil, a semi-synthentic is probably fine, not quite as good as full synthetic but good enough.
If you intend putting high mileage on the car, it might be worth going for the full synthentic, depends on the condition on the engine and the mileage really.
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Forget the VW dealer, who will quote you at least twice as much as you would pay an independent A/C specialist, if my experience is anything to go by. I've had a Golf VR6 since new in 1997 and its A/C survived without servicing for five years without a hint of trouble. If you're in or near Herts, I can give you a lead to an excellent A/C specialist who will do the job for well under £100, but you won't have difficulty in finding one anyway. I wouldn't worry about dealer stamps; just keep the specialists' invoices.
I use Mobil 1 in the VR6, which I recently replenished at Kwik-Fit for a mere £34 for 5.5 litres, as I reported to the Back Room some days ago. VW's own synth or semi-synth should be fine, if you prefer. You don't say what mileage the car has done, and I guess some would say avoid synth/semi-synth if it has done plenty of mileage (? 50,000+) and has always run on ordinary oil.
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Thats a good point actually about the oil. The car has done 48,000, but ive no idea what was put in it previously. Its been serviced regular at a main dealer, but i bought it of a woman who "appeared" to have no idea about cars.
So do main dealers have a standard, or is it down to what they've got more of on the shelves ??? maybe i should ring the dealer, but id be surprised if they keep a log of that ?
I plan to keep it for a couple of years probably, but it would be nice to keep it right, and id like to get the best out of the car, its a nice car, but it aint a real GTI !
So do i go for semi synth, or normal ?
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The dealer should know what sort of oil they use, just give them a call.
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Just use a 10W/40, semi-synthetic engine oil.
Shop around for a/c servicing, pay no more than £80, tops.
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Indeed, all the VW dealers near me bulk buy 10W40 semi-synthetic oil for routine servicing (except specific PD engine oils). Typically Castrol Magnatec 10W40 or Esso Ultra 10W40. They should all meet the required VW standard, in fact even VW synta 10W40 semi-synthetic (blended by Castrol) oil in the silver grey containers is only about £14 for 5 litres from your local dealer.
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Vauxhall 10W/40 semi-synthetic oil (5 litres) is currently the cheapest 'decent' oil out there at the moment. About £11 all in, last time I had some.
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I used to get my old Mercedes serviced at a VW specialist (run by an ex dealership guy). He used Quantum 10/40 semi synth. He said it was the same oil used by VAG main agents
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A Bosch engine management specialist, which you should have locally, should do an aircon service.
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I too have a Mk IV Golf - TDI SE Auto
I fell out with the main dealer (Wayside)towarsd the end of warranty and have been using a VW independent specialist ever since Mark Tempest in Wewyn Garden City). He is excellent and cheaper. He serviced my aircom for £80 when vehicle was 4 years old and reported that 50% of the refrigerant had been lost - so do not leave servicing forever else the compressor will get damaged
Give mark a ring if you are in the vicinity (01707 392392) and you won't be disappointed.
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