It depends whether the car will stay totally stock or not. I've had an MY04 then an MY00 which unfortunately got written off and I now have an MY02.

I bought the 04 for the cosmetic changes inside and out but after deciding to return to the fold I really didn't see the point in paying the extra for an 04 which is why I bought a very nice 00 example. 04/05 suspension is wallowy and has a lot of body roll but that can be sorted with coilovers. The earlier cars use more oil than the 04 on. However, I'd just say get an earlier one with a front lip and boot spoiler and if it doesn't already have some put a set of OEM 17's on it and you'll see hardly any difference.

ATEOD though go for what you like and just make sure it's been well looked after as that's the most important thing over which MY to choose

 

Lol !
Thanks guys some great replies there. I have read about the Carbon syncros in the 04 cars and the better torque spread of the Motor. That’s what attracted me to the facelift cars.
I don’t want to go for the 06 cars partly due to the Road Tax (Robbing Bastards) but mainly because of the fly by wire throttle and all the nannying crap they put on more modern cars.

That’s one of the reasons I got out of the M3. The throttle was just crap and had no feel despite De Mafing the car and having a full Alpha N remap done.
Also the manual gearbox on the M was not nice, even though I removed the CDV and upgraded the oil and fitted a weighted gear knob.
You just can’t beat Japanese gearboxes. The M had a great engine but the car was too big to throw around the lanes. Also the seats were bloody uncomfortable.

Dan nice to talk to you at Donington mate. I like what you have done to your car. Yes I will go for some coilovers when I get a car, so the softer set up of a facelift car
Won’t be an issue. So I’m still undecided, I guess I need to drive both to make up my mind. I’ll try and make it to the Essex meet if it’s not too far away and then I can see some more cars.

Many thanks guys

 

What nannying stuff?

VSA was an option until much later where it was standard fit, and even then can be turned off. My 2006 has no VSA in it.

Other than VSA there are no other nannying options?!

 

That's why what I was thinking if you can afford the face lift be sure to get one and if not wait till you have don't even bother with the pre
Sent from my GT-I9300

 

There are no carbon syncros on UKDM facelift cars and the better torque spread is of F22C engine. Some of the changes apply only to AP2. I can't see any other nannying stuff than VSA, which can be turned off, as said before. Btw. It's drive-by-wire throttle .

 

Not sure on that. My MY00 doesn't use a drop of oil in 2000 miles of mixed driving. Down to ownership maybe?

The punishing road tax hike for essentially the same car with minor tweaks made me go for an earier one and the rawer drive

As others have said though drive them all and then you have the full picture.

And don't be swayed by the whole 17" wheel thing. They look nice but I couldn't believe how much better the ride is on 16s. I was all ready to start changing the MY00 as we drove down in a 17" shod MY02 to view the car. Then I drove it and did a complete U turn on the idea.

Whichever car you do go for, try and find one which has been Geo'd by a specialist (like COG) as it does make a big difference to the handling and should feel much more balanced to drive.

 

After a couple of years the (very expensive) VSA turns it's self off, permanantly. Leaving you with an MOT fail.
There are threads on the USA forums that have data to show the DBW throtle has a faster response, I don't see why there is so much predudice against having it, except if you want after market traction/launch control.

 

!7's are for wimps.... I've 18's on my Golf Baz (terrible Nuvolari reps) Couldn't agree more with the 16's, I agree they give more feel so long as you're using the best rubber available

 

If seems to me that te people with facelift models will swear that their cars are better, and the people with pre-facelifts think that theirs are better.

Everyone has their own opinion on what looks good and what drives better.

Try both, and find out which one suits you.

 

From owning 4 different model years in various guises I'd say post facelift pre DBW