Wanted - MK3 Golf with ABS

[T Rex]

H Golfers. I'm a Touareg owner but looking for a Mk3 Golf for a younger driver. Can anyone tell me which ones had ABS or how to tell by looking under the bonnet? Anything else I should be looking for when buying this model? I have about $5000 to spend. Thanks Geoff.

[peedman]

If u look in the engine bay the abs module sits on the passenger side firewall under the cooland reservoir. Its easy to spot with all the brake lines running in it. A non-abs will just have a rectangular valve. Check to see if the abs is working tho, the light should turn on then off when u turn on the ignition. If it stays on = throwing an error code or if it doesnt turn on at all then the warning light is unplugged. FYI abs modules are prone to breaking simply due to the age of the thing.

[T Rex]

Thanks very much. Was this a popular option? Most I have enquired about don't seem to have it. Cheers. Geoff

[peedman]

I believe they were standard on the vr6, might have been an option for the gl im not 100% sure. I havent seen an abs gl other than a tdi but that doesnt mean they dont exist. Both the gl and cl ive had both didnt have abs standard.

You prob shouldnt solely base your purchase on abs, like i said many arent working now and those that do dont forget they are 15 years old technology and not the modern stuff u get on the new corollas and like. Finding a good nick mk3 can be hard let alone finding one with abs

[gldgti]

i dunno mate, my CL has factory ABS and it works great. for a 15 year old car i dont have any probs with the abs at all - it works perfectly - individually on all 4 wheels.... even after me swapping brakes and doing rear disk conversion.

i reckon worth it if you can get it - on that note - findinga good mk3 is OK - you'll just have to pay for it .

[Golf Loon]

It was an option on later GLs. Find a good one that works and it will be fine. Pay more for a better car is muy advice.

[T Rex]

Thanks Guys. Really appreciate the guidance. I have found a couple of GLs with ABS but they have over 200,000km - would prefer less mileage. Does the cam belt need to be changed every 100,000km?

[Golf Loon]

Yes the belt every 100ks at least.
Mk3s are dureable, I`d worry less about the ks and more whether everything works, window regs, heater, air con etc.
Get a well serviced one and it will last forever.

[T Rex]

Thank you. A hard question for Mk3 owners to answer but... if you had a choice between a Mk3 and a Mk4 in the same condition/same price, which one would you choose?

Geoff

[mk3pete]

personally i would choose the mk3