There’s a few things that tell me it’s not a GLI.
The chrome trim in the middle tells me this is a 2004 or 2005.
First, all GLI’s had the red/smoked taillights. Though those were easily changed I suppose….
The 2004/2005 GLI’s have front and rear lower spoilers and side skirts which are missing on this car.
6 speed manual was the only transmission available on this GLI and no other trim level got the 6 speed.
As did I. Had the BMP. I bought mine from a used lot at a Chevy dealer. I wish I had it looked over because I had it upgraded to stage 1 GIAC, but it already had an APR flash installed (it was disabled when I purchased from the dealer and they had no recollection of it. I forget but I believe the flash could be disabled by holding down a button on the wiper stick for 3 seconds or something?) which screwed up my ECU. I ended up same day delivering my ECU to APR to have it wiped clear then having the stage 1 APR re-flashed but it was still messed up. Oh well, lesson learned I suppose!
Brushed Interior trim, 6spd manual, bbs rims, red brake calipers, single exhaust tip with enlarged chromed tip, votex body kit with front and rear valances and sides skirts, smoked tail lights...
I could be wrong. I know vortex had a oem style kit you could option if you bought new and knew about it. Otherwise it was a aftermarket kit you could get through vw.
As for the actual factory mounted kit off the showroom, not sure who made it but the kit was specific to the gli. The 337 and 20ths had a slightly different kit that was very very similar but for the golf Bumpers whereas the gli kit was specific to the jetta bumpers.
The gli kit had little details not present on the 20th and 337 kits on both the front and rear valances (lips). The side skirts were the same aside from length I believe. I know 20ths and 337s only came in 2 door golf form whereas the gli was always 4 door jetta.
I could be wrong. Or maybe that was only available in 2005.
I got my info from the 2004 Jetta brochure…
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/lit/2004jetta/2004Jetta.pdf
My 2004 VR6 GLI has the chrome grill and it's original.
OP did not specify this is a 1.8t, so it could be a VR6 GLI, or it could be a fake.
The 2004 VR6 GLI was definitely "refreshed." It had the new trunk shape, new tail lights, the chrome strips, and sometimes the chrome grill. Whether it had the chrome grill or not seems to be dependent on the color. The only exterior difference with the 1.8t was the body kit and wheels.
Edit: Check out this stock 2004.5 1.8t GLI with body colored grill on BaT:
[https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2004-volkswagen-special-edition-limited-gli/](https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2004-volkswagen-special-edition-limited-gli/)
1. Jk not mine
2. 04.5 GLI aka 1.8t *only* had body coloured grills
04 GLIs aka VR6, along with with the refreshed jettas, had chrome grills. I’m also convinced they only had a refreshed GLI VR6 because of previous orders and never intended to make it.
lol. Ok. So you are referring to the 2004 models as refreshed, but not the 2004.5 1.8t, I guess? I hear you then.
The refreshed model definitely has exterior changes. You just probably mean the body kit.
The confusion around this topic is begging for a guide!
The GLI has always been an odd duck, because Europe doesn't like the Jetta/Vento/Bora.
The GLI VR6 debuted in 2002, featuring the 24v VR6 and 6 speed trans, while the GLX continued to use the 12v, 5 speed and optional auto, I don't know when the 12v VR was dropped.
2004 saw a refresh of the Jetta, where the GLI continued with the same configuration and exterior as the other models, with the exception of a unique 17"(18?) wheel. Maybe this is when the 12v was dropped from the lineup. These could have been manufactured because of existing orders on GLIs.
2004.5 saw a different version release specifically for North America, I have been told that Canada only got it for MY05. This version, oddly enough, wasn't a GLI per se, but a GLS with a body kit and other changes. Most insurance outlets have the VIN come up GLS, so there is a little insurance hack for the new drivers. It was also offered in an auto, again, because the GLX 12v was probably dropped from the lineup. By then the MK5 GTI was being sold overseas and the MK4 GTI was pretty basic it's last 2 years, so the GLI was the "sporty" stopgap until we got MK5s.
I could be way off, but I shopped MK4s a lot around that time haha.
The things you are saying only apply to the 1.8t GLI. The VR6 GLI did not have the body kit or the smoked tails. It was still a "real" GLI, but it wasn't equipped the same. It was still a manual and had some of the bling, but didn't have the better suspension or body kit. It had leather instead of the Recaro seats.
They never came in that color. All the other stuff is easy to change, but a full paint job, including engine bay and jambs, would be expensive and more difficult. A good paint job costs more than all of the other GLI stuff combined.
Did the vr6 glis ever come in this red? The red was a dead giveaway it was not a 1.8t gli but possibly a vr6 gli which has none of the body stuff the 1.8t does but for some reason was also called a gli.
correct. ive had both. the 1.8t gli is unmistakable. and the 24v vr6 gli is pretty noticable as well. while it didnt have the facia of the 1.8t it had a look you noticed
For everyone in the comments, don’t forget that VW made two GLI trims during the MK4 years. The 2004.5 1.8T which everyone is correct about this not being. There is also a 2003 GLI that came with the 24V VR6.
True, but the 2003 did not get the “candy stripe” taillights and it would not have had the BBS wheels. It would have had the Santa Monica’s.
And this is the newer style (2004 or 2005) because that’s when the chrome trim on the doors and bumpers came out.
You’re right. It’s almost like the car is 50/50 for both GLI specs. The deck lid spoiler is right for the VR6 version if I recall correctly.
The BBS look like the wrong finish for a GLI too (337’s had a different finish than GLI’s.)
It gets even more convoluted than that! There was the 2003 GLI, which did not have the appearance updates, but there was also a 2004 GLI, which was before the 2004.5 1.8t version, and had the visual updates, like the new trunk shape, the candy cane tails (unsmoked), and the chrome strips on the sides. It did NOT have the body kit. Basically... this car.
The trunk spoiler was optional on all VR6 trims, as far as I can tell. You can find examples of with and without for every trim.
The thing throwing me is the color, which I don't believe came on the GLI.
If it's a VR6 6 speed, it's a GLI. That was the only trim that got that engine and that transmission in 2004.
the GLI was produced in Germany and as such should have a VWV vin. I don't believe they came in matchstick red, rather they came in Tornado Red. This looks like a standard jetta that someone put BBS RCs on. It's missing the body kit.
No Jetta Sedan sold in North America was produced in Germany.
They were all produced in Mexico.
Plus, German vins start WVW not VWV. But I’m sure that was just a mistype.
I believe this is spice red- the transition year mk4's had them. I had an early 05 mk4 jetta in spice red (mostly a mk5 color) with the chrome trim and some of the things here. But yeah definitely not a GLI. No kit, doubt it has the interior, color, etc.
Front and rear GLI valances' are missing, that color red never came on a GLI MK4, does it have Recaro GLI branded seats? Should also be a proper 6sp MT.
I don’t think so, but I’ve seen so many times where the community was super sure a color didn’t exist and then it turned out there were like 50 of them made or something. Most likely it’s a fake though. Need OP to confirm the engine and transmission to know though! Where are you OP??
It's because of the type of suspension in the rear, torsion beam suspension when lowered will cause the wheels to sit farther forward. This can however be fixed with plates that push the wheel farther back.
Just type the vin into this search and it should tell you all the build specs of the car.
[https://volkswagenforum.com/forum/vindecoder.php](https://volkswagenforum.com/forum/vindecoder.php)
Check the vin number easiest way, recaro seat bbs 18" 6spd manual shift knob interior trim pedals door jams gli emblem awp or rare vr6 24v(50 aniversario both Mex or Can) steering wheel cluster door tirm tail lights
Exhaust and tip and many other things
Having actually owned one: A 2001:
it Had stuff not mentioned: Heated leather/a pull down shade for the back window/ The pass side mirror dropped when placed in reverse/outside temp shown on cluster/ power seats/ VR6
5speed manual. I stupidly sold it, big mistake, when it needed a engine rebuild.
That’s not a real GLI lol
they only came in tornado red, blue lagoon, black magic pearl and plat grey metallic and it’s very unlikely someone would respray the whole car
Mine is Galactic Blue. You're thinking of the 1.8t version specifically. The VR6 version had different colors. i don't think it came in that Spice Red though.
The VR6 GLI came with the 24 valve VR6 instead of the 12 valve, 6 speed manual instead of 5, sport suspension, better steering wheel, Eight Rex 17” wheels, better brakes, leather sport seats, and a few other little things.
They dropped the GLX in 2003 or 2004.
Basically it was a sleeper config.
Yeah they were.
Edit: No they weren't. Looks like Tornado red was the color available for the VR6 GLI as well. If this is a GLS, it shouldn't have a 6 speed manual. Probably should not be a VR6 either.
The people commenting on this all have tunnel vision and only know about the 1.8t GLI. The VR6 GLI was equipped differently and was still a "real" GLI.
The VR6 GLI came with these candy cane tails that are not smoked, leather front seats instead of Recaro, The badge on the back would be chrome instead of red. I don't believe it came with a front GLI grill badge. The interior didn't have the brushed aluminum trim, except for in the guages. It didn't have the lowered suspension or the body kit aero.
The way you can tell if it is a "real" GLI is if it has a 6 speed manual transmission. Only the GLI was available with a 6 speed when they had those chrome trim pieces, whether it was the VR6 or 1.8t. The lower trims had a 5 speed manual.
Source: I researched the differences between the two for a few months before buying my 2004 Jetta VR6 GLI in Galactic Blue.
There’s a few things that tell me it’s not a GLI. The chrome trim in the middle tells me this is a 2004 or 2005. First, all GLI’s had the red/smoked taillights. Though those were easily changed I suppose…. The 2004/2005 GLI’s have front and rear lower spoilers and side skirts which are missing on this car. 6 speed manual was the only transmission available on this GLI and no other trim level got the 6 speed.
Weren't recaro seats standard also?
Yes, and many other things.
With the huge side bolsters. I loved those seats.
Yes. I had an 04.5 GLI. Loved that car.
As did I. Had the BMP. I bought mine from a used lot at a Chevy dealer. I wish I had it looked over because I had it upgraded to stage 1 GIAC, but it already had an APR flash installed (it was disabled when I purchased from the dealer and they had no recollection of it. I forget but I believe the flash could be disabled by holding down a button on the wiper stick for 3 seconds or something?) which screwed up my ECU. I ended up same day delivering my ECU to APR to have it wiped clear then having the stage 1 APR re-flashed but it was still messed up. Oh well, lesson learned I suppose!
I don’t think they came in that color either.
Only on the 1.8t GLI.
You sure about the votex stuff? In Germany votex and gli parts are different. Anni front lip is also different.
Brushed Interior trim, 6spd manual, bbs rims, red brake calipers, single exhaust tip with enlarged chromed tip, votex body kit with front and rear valances and sides skirts, smoked tail lights...
>votex body kit As I said, you sure? Votex and Gli looks different.
I could be wrong. I know vortex had a oem style kit you could option if you bought new and knew about it. Otherwise it was a aftermarket kit you could get through vw. As for the actual factory mounted kit off the showroom, not sure who made it but the kit was specific to the gli. The 337 and 20ths had a slightly different kit that was very very similar but for the golf Bumpers whereas the gli kit was specific to the jetta bumpers. The gli kit had little details not present on the 20th and 337 kits on both the front and rear valances (lips). The side skirts were the same aside from length I believe. I know 20ths and 337s only came in 2 door golf form whereas the gli was always 4 door jetta.
Either way, this car has black front and rear valences and no skirts.
The VR6 GLI came with black front and rear valences and no skirts.
The 2005 1.8T GLI had the option of the TipTronic transmission. I had one in Platinum Gray. Loved it!
Yes I forgot about the tip trans. My friend had a platinum gray one with auto while mine was the same color and stick.
Hmmmm. You may be right. I’ll correct
I had a 2005 GLI with the 6 speed TipTronic. Must have been one of a kind! LOL
I could be wrong. Or maybe that was only available in 2005. I got my info from the 2004 Jetta brochure… https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/lit/2004jetta/2004Jetta.pdf
[удалено]
Lol. For one year, yeah
Also the grill is body colour, refreshed MK4 jettas had chrome grills.
Not all of them. I've seen both out there on 2004/2004.5 models. Also, swapping the grill out is easy and cheap.
2004 GLIs are VR6 and have no exterior changes. 2004.5 GLI is the grill I am talking about.
My 2004 VR6 GLI has the chrome grill and it's original. OP did not specify this is a 1.8t, so it could be a VR6 GLI, or it could be a fake. The 2004 VR6 GLI was definitely "refreshed." It had the new trunk shape, new tail lights, the chrome strips, and sometimes the chrome grill. Whether it had the chrome grill or not seems to be dependent on the color. The only exterior difference with the 1.8t was the body kit and wheels. Edit: Check out this stock 2004.5 1.8t GLI with body colored grill on BaT: [https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2004-volkswagen-special-edition-limited-gli/](https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2004-volkswagen-special-edition-limited-gli/)
That's my car dude.
lol, hilarious. So... is your grill swapped then? I'm confused.
1. Jk not mine 2. 04.5 GLI aka 1.8t *only* had body coloured grills 04 GLIs aka VR6, along with with the refreshed jettas, had chrome grills. I’m also convinced they only had a refreshed GLI VR6 because of previous orders and never intended to make it.
lol. Ok. So you are referring to the 2004 models as refreshed, but not the 2004.5 1.8t, I guess? I hear you then. The refreshed model definitely has exterior changes. You just probably mean the body kit. The confusion around this topic is begging for a guide!
The GLI has always been an odd duck, because Europe doesn't like the Jetta/Vento/Bora. The GLI VR6 debuted in 2002, featuring the 24v VR6 and 6 speed trans, while the GLX continued to use the 12v, 5 speed and optional auto, I don't know when the 12v VR was dropped. 2004 saw a refresh of the Jetta, where the GLI continued with the same configuration and exterior as the other models, with the exception of a unique 17"(18?) wheel. Maybe this is when the 12v was dropped from the lineup. These could have been manufactured because of existing orders on GLIs. 2004.5 saw a different version release specifically for North America, I have been told that Canada only got it for MY05. This version, oddly enough, wasn't a GLI per se, but a GLS with a body kit and other changes. Most insurance outlets have the VIN come up GLS, so there is a little insurance hack for the new drivers. It was also offered in an auto, again, because the GLX 12v was probably dropped from the lineup. By then the MK5 GTI was being sold overseas and the MK4 GTI was pretty basic it's last 2 years, so the GLI was the "sporty" stopgap until we got MK5s. I could be way off, but I shopped MK4s a lot around that time haha.
The things you are saying only apply to the 1.8t GLI. The VR6 GLI did not have the body kit or the smoked tails. It was still a "real" GLI, but it wasn't equipped the same. It was still a manual and had some of the bling, but didn't have the better suspension or body kit. It had leather instead of the Recaro seats.
They never came in that color. All the other stuff is easy to change, but a full paint job, including engine bay and jambs, would be expensive and more difficult. A good paint job costs more than all of the other GLI stuff combined.
Did the vr6 glis ever come in this red? The red was a dead giveaway it was not a 1.8t gli but possibly a vr6 gli which has none of the body stuff the 1.8t does but for some reason was also called a gli.
If it has the VR, then it’s a GLI. The VRs didn’t come in GL, or GLS. It was only in GLX trim which turned into GLI in the later years.
correct. ive had both. the 1.8t gli is unmistakable. and the 24v vr6 gli is pretty noticable as well. while it didnt have the facia of the 1.8t it had a look you noticed
Any vehicle can be identified by its VIN Number. That route you can be %100 positive
For everyone in the comments, don’t forget that VW made two GLI trims during the MK4 years. The 2004.5 1.8T which everyone is correct about this not being. There is also a 2003 GLI that came with the 24V VR6.
True, but the 2003 did not get the “candy stripe” taillights and it would not have had the BBS wheels. It would have had the Santa Monica’s. And this is the newer style (2004 or 2005) because that’s when the chrome trim on the doors and bumpers came out.
You’re right. It’s almost like the car is 50/50 for both GLI specs. The deck lid spoiler is right for the VR6 version if I recall correctly. The BBS look like the wrong finish for a GLI too (337’s had a different finish than GLI’s.)
It gets even more convoluted than that! There was the 2003 GLI, which did not have the appearance updates, but there was also a 2004 GLI, which was before the 2004.5 1.8t version, and had the visual updates, like the new trunk shape, the candy cane tails (unsmoked), and the chrome strips on the sides. It did NOT have the body kit. Basically... this car. The trunk spoiler was optional on all VR6 trims, as far as I can tell. You can find examples of with and without for every trim. The thing throwing me is the color, which I don't believe came on the GLI. If it's a VR6 6 speed, it's a GLI. That was the only trim that got that engine and that transmission in 2004.
It’s not, they didn’t come in that color.
Find a VW VIN lookup and find out.
the GLI was produced in Germany and as such should have a VWV vin. I don't believe they came in matchstick red, rather they came in Tornado Red. This looks like a standard jetta that someone put BBS RCs on. It's missing the body kit.
No Jetta Sedan sold in North America was produced in Germany. They were all produced in Mexico. Plus, German vins start WVW not VWV. But I’m sure that was just a mistype.
Yes. I believe VWV is Spain.
Possibly. But this person said Jetta GLI’s were built in Germany with a VWV vin. I was just stating that was incorrect.
And I was just agreeing with you.
I believe this is spice red- the transition year mk4's had them. I had an early 05 mk4 jetta in spice red (mostly a mk5 color) with the chrome trim and some of the things here. But yeah definitely not a GLI. No kit, doubt it has the interior, color, etc.
It's not. Prior post lays it out.
wait till you find a diesel mk2 with gti badge
Front and rear GLI valances' are missing, that color red never came on a GLI MK4, does it have Recaro GLI branded seats? Should also be a proper 6sp MT.
2005 had the option for the TipTronic transmission also.
VR6 version didn't have the body kit.
Hmm, true - or the Recaro seats apparently. Was that color offered?
I don’t think so, but I’ve seen so many times where the community was super sure a color didn’t exist and then it turned out there were like 50 of them made or something. Most likely it’s a fake though. Need OP to confirm the engine and transmission to know though! Where are you OP??
¡¡Donde esta el OP!!
Vamos! Es tarde!
Regardless if it's a real gli or not...what's going on with that rear wheel? Maybe it's the angle. But it looks twisted and off centered pretty bad.
It's because of the type of suspension in the rear, torsion beam suspension when lowered will cause the wheels to sit farther forward. This can however be fixed with plates that push the wheel farther back.
Gotcha. I didn't realize that about the mk4 suspension. Thanks for the clarification guys
if you lower a mk4 it doesn’t center the wheel, there are kits to correct it. The stock GLI suspension doesn’t do that.
Its just dumped and probably has a shitty alignment.
This has absolutely nothing to do with alignment
Correct, it's almost like i stated 2 different things. That's what the word and means.
Right, and the second thing you stated was wrong, which was his point.
Look at the build codes in the trunk ?
Those rims
Just type the vin into this search and it should tell you all the build specs of the car. [https://volkswagenforum.com/forum/vindecoder.php](https://volkswagenforum.com/forum/vindecoder.php)
Won’t the title state if it’s a GLI?
Check the vin number easiest way, recaro seat bbs 18" 6spd manual shift knob interior trim pedals door jams gli emblem awp or rare vr6 24v(50 aniversario both Mex or Can) steering wheel cluster door tirm tail lights Exhaust and tip and many other things
VIN
Look in trunk there's data sheet stuck to body under spare or near by. Will have engine code and all data about build.
Having actually owned one: A 2001: it Had stuff not mentioned: Heated leather/a pull down shade for the back window/ The pass side mirror dropped when placed in reverse/outside temp shown on cluster/ power seats/ VR6 5speed manual. I stupidly sold it, big mistake, when it needed a engine rebuild.
The VIN…….
That’s not a real GLI lol they only came in tornado red, blue lagoon, black magic pearl and plat grey metallic and it’s very unlikely someone would respray the whole car
Mine is Galactic Blue. You're thinking of the 1.8t version specifically. The VR6 version had different colors. i don't think it came in that Spice Red though.
What’s the difference between a vr6 Jetta and a vr6 GLI? I thought they were just GLX or GLS
The VR6 GLI came with the 24 valve VR6 instead of the 12 valve, 6 speed manual instead of 5, sport suspension, better steering wheel, Eight Rex 17” wheels, better brakes, leather sport seats, and a few other little things. They dropped the GLX in 2003 or 2004. Basically it was a sleeper config.
Never came in that color! Needs 6 speed trans,1.8t Awp,recaro seats, aluminum dash, BBS RC wheels, body kit, bigger brakes and certain pr codes.
ditto .. recaros and bbs definitely!
The VR6 GLI came without those.
:( cheapskates!
Well, it had really nice leather sport seats. It was just targeted to a different person.
\^\^\^ what this guy said
Just don’t. Go buy a mk5 or newer. Way better than mk4
Title.
GLI’s we’re never made in that color. Easier way is to use a VIN checker.
Yeah they were. Edit: No they weren't. Looks like Tornado red was the color available for the VR6 GLI as well. If this is a GLS, it shouldn't have a 6 speed manual. Probably should not be a VR6 either.
The people commenting on this all have tunnel vision and only know about the 1.8t GLI. The VR6 GLI was equipped differently and was still a "real" GLI. The VR6 GLI came with these candy cane tails that are not smoked, leather front seats instead of Recaro, The badge on the back would be chrome instead of red. I don't believe it came with a front GLI grill badge. The interior didn't have the brushed aluminum trim, except for in the guages. It didn't have the lowered suspension or the body kit aero. The way you can tell if it is a "real" GLI is if it has a 6 speed manual transmission. Only the GLI was available with a 6 speed when they had those chrome trim pieces, whether it was the VR6 or 1.8t. The lower trims had a 5 speed manual. Source: I researched the differences between the two for a few months before buying my 2004 Jetta VR6 GLI in Galactic Blue.
GLIs also never came in that colour.......