The joys of a Mk4

Speedlaw · Post by **Speedlaw** » Mon Oct 13, 2003 10:53 am

This seems to be a common problem, as I've read more than a few owners that report about this, but it's still annoying.

Does it ring a bell with any of you?

Blk6N · Post by **Blk6N** » Mon Oct 13, 2003 12:23 pm

Ding ding ding! My 6N is OK - But the car has had some paint in the past hence it coulda been fixed before. BUT...... my Mothers 2000 GTi has this on the Drivers Side (RHD)

My friends Corrado went in the same place. He ended up having the badges and these sections smoothed over

Speedlaw · Post by **Speedlaw** » Mon Oct 13, 2003 12:49 pm

Odd innit?

Someone suggested it could be down to lowering the car (hence, firm suspension) without the use of strut braces. The flex of the car would cause the seams to rip. Someone else pointed out that even non-modified cars had the problem...!

I assume your mum's GTI isn't lowered? Would kinda prove my thesis that it's not my own fault.

Blk6N · Post by **Blk6N** » Mon Oct 13, 2003 1:15 pm

yeah Mums car is Standard and she drives slow. I've also seen this on MK2 Golfs (I had 1 for 5 years) mk3 Golfs too.

Joys Of a MK4 Today for Me:
Battery was flat this morning. Had to get a friend to drive over from work so I could use the jump leads. I park on a very steep driveway so that was my only option. Ordered a new Bosch battery which arrived here 1hour ago. Fitting it on my Lunch break

(Should of changed it weeks ago as I was advised)

jakethesnake · Post by **jakethesnake** » Mon Oct 13, 2003 8:50 pm

Alex is that the seam under the rear lamp where the rear quarter panel joins ?.
If so, mine's been like that for several years. Long before I had stiffer lower springs anyhow. Think it's only a mastic type sealer so no rust should form there.

Speedlaw · Post by **Speedlaw** » Tue Oct 14, 2003 11:02 am

That's good to hear Chris, it is indeed under the rear lamp. Only have this on the left side (for now).

It's funny how the internet works:

(Saw this on a diff. forum)

Person A: What's this cracking business?

Person B: Yeah it's because you lowered the car without strutbraces. I know for sure because mine is lowered with braces, and it has no cracks, and my mate's car is lowered without and he does have cracks.

The ultimate scientific proof has then been found, apparently.

Thanks for the alternative views guys.

Oh, and I had my battery go dead a while back too - that only happens when you really need to go some place. It knows. Then dies.

KarlM · Post by **KarlM** » Tue Oct 14, 2003 12:25 pm

@ Alex's battery!

I was thinking about lead filling these gaps and smoothing over them - do we reckon this will be a bad idea cause i'll just be repairing it all the time?

btw mine hasnt cracked yet...

simon pope · Post by **simon pope** » Wed Oct 15, 2003 7:46 am

mine was cracked prior th lowering, so i think that theory is out the door aint it!!!!!!!!

TONY · Post by **TONY** » Thu Oct 16, 2003 7:49 pm

hahaha!

mines like that too. its not lowered yet though.

i once parked next to an IDENTICAL polo and it had the exact same cracks.

Speedlaw · Post by **Speedlaw** » Thu Oct 16, 2003 8:38 pm

Weird innit Tony?!

You were known as Chief something something?

TONY · Post by **TONY** » Sat Oct 18, 2003 3:01 pm

yup, i sure did.

i got sick of trying to spell it whenever i had to sign in again

Speedlaw · Post by **Speedlaw** » Sat Oct 18, 2003 5:18 pm

Good choice.

Si · Post by Si » Mon Oct 20, 2003 10:21 am

im dumb and i dont understand where this crack is, i cant recognise it from the photo, can someone explain exactly where it is on the car??

Speedlaw · Post by **Speedlaw** » Mon Oct 20, 2003 12:15 pm

Sure Si,

it's under the rear light cluster, on the left side of the car. There's a weld seam (or it looks like one) just to the left of the boot lid.

Welcome, btw!

Post by **Josh_PoloGTi** » Mon Oct 20, 2003 12:39 pm

Speedy

This happened on my MK4 too... Annoying innit.

I'll have to check whether it's gone on my GTi... I can't remember seeing it on this one.