VW Golf 4 (1997-2005) – batteries


When choosing a battery for the Volkswagen Golf 4 (1997-2005), it is important to pay attention to several key factors, such as capacity, starting current, and battery type. Depending on the engine version, the power demand may vary, making the correct battery selection crucial for the proper operation of the vehicle.

For gasoline engines ranging from 1.4 to 2.0 liters, which do not have the Start-Stop system, lead-acid batteries with a capacity of 44 to 65 Ah and a starting current of 360 to 640 A are recommended. For example, for engines like the 1.6 16V, batteries with a capacity of 55-65 Ah would work well. Example models include Bosch S30 05, Exide EA640, or Varta D15. Larger engines, such as the 2.0 or 1.8 T, require batteries with a slightly higher starting current, in the range of 540-640 A. Here, models like Bosch S40 05, Exide EA640, or Varta D24 are worth considering.

For diesel engines, like the 1.9 TDI, batteries with a capacity of 70 to 78 Ah and a starting current of 640 to 780 A are recommended. Diesel engines have a higher power demand, especially during startup, meaning they require stronger batteries. Example models suitable for these engines include Bosch S50 08, Exide EA770, or Varta E13.

The Volkswagen Golf 4 does not feature the Start-Stop system, which means that standard lead-acid batteries will be appropriate for all engine versions. However, it is advisable to choose batteries from reputable brands to ensure reliability and longevity. Interestingly, in models with four-wheel drive, such as the 1.9 TDI 4motion, a stronger battery may be necessary to handle the increased load.

VW Golf in version 4 was produced in the years 1997 – 2005. We invite you to a list of batteries matching individual engine versions.

Basic parameters of batteries suitable for VW Golf (1997-2005):

LayoutTerminal typesBase hold-down
0 – positive on the right side1B13

VW Golf 4 – petrol engines:
  • 1.4 16V

ModelCapacity and CCADimensions (LxWxH)Price
Bosch S3
S30 02
45 Ah
400 A
207x175x190 mmMore
Bosch S4
S40 02
52 Ah
470 A
207x175x190 mmMore
Bosch S5
S50 02
54 Ah
530 A
207x175x190 mmMore
Exide Classic
EC440
44 Ah
360 A
207x175x190 mmMore
Exide Excell
EB500
50 Ah
450 A
207x175x190 mmMore
Exide Premium
EA530
53 Ah
540 A
207x175x190 mmMore
Halfords Standard
HCB 012
52 Ah
450 A
207x175x190 mmMore
Varta Black Dynamic
B19
45 Ah
400 A
207x175x190 mmMore
Varta Blue Dynamic
C22
52 Ah
470 A
207x175x190 mmMore
Varta Silver Dynamic
C30
54 Ah
530 A
207x175x190 mmMore
For the VW Golf 4 with a 1.4 16V gasoline engine, we choose batteries with dimensions of 207x175x190 mm, whose capacity exceeds 41 Ah. The weakest of these is the battery Exide Classic EC440 which capacity is 44 Ah and Cold Cranking Amps is 360 A. The most powerful battery is Bosch S5 S50 02 of a capacity 54Ah and Cold Cranking Amps: 530 A. All batteries compatible with the 1.4 16V engine have a B13 mount.

VW Golf 4 – petrol engines:
  • 1.6
  • 1.6 16V
  • 1.6 FSI

ModelCapacity and CCADimensions (LxWxH)Price
Bosch S3
S30 05
56 Ah
480 A
242x175x190 mmMore
Bosch S4
S40 05
60 Ah
540 A
242x175x190 mmMore
Bosch S5
S50 05
63 Ah
610 A
242x175x190 mmMore
Exide Classic
EC550
55 Ah
460 A
242x175x190 mmMore
Exide Excell
EB620
62 Ah
540 A
242x175x190 mmMore
Exide Premium
EA640
64 Ah
640 A
242x175x190 mmMore
Halfords Essentials
HB 027
56 Ah
480 A
242x175x190 mmMore
Halfords Standard
HCB 027
62 Ah
550 A
242x175x190 mmMore
Lucas Supreme
LS027
65 Ah
640 A
242x175x190 mmMore
Varta Black Dynamic
C14
56 Ah
480 A
242x175x190 mmMore
Varta Blue Dynamic
D24
60 Ah
540 A
242x175x190 mmMore
Varta Silver Dynamic
D15
63 Ah
610 A
242x175x190 mmMore
The above three petrol engines of the VW Golf 4, namely 1.6 ,1.6 16V and 1.6 FSI, will perform best with batteries of at least 52 Ah capacity. We recommend choosing higher-end battery models for cars with a large number of optional extras. The weakest of these is the battery Exide Classic EC550 which capacity is 55 Ah and Cold Cranking Amps is 460 A. The most powerful battery is Lucas Supreme LS027 of a capacity 65Ah and Cold Cranking Amps: 640 A. The base hold-down of the above batteries is B13.

VW Golf 4 – petrol engines:
  • 1.8
  • 1.8 4motion
  • 1.8 T
  • 1.8 T GTI
  • 2.0
  • 2.0 4motion
  • 2.3 V5
  • 2.3 V5 4motion

ModelCapacity and CCADimensions (LxWxH)Price
Bosch S4
S40 05
60 Ah
540 A
242x175x190 mmMore
Bosch S5
S50 05
63 Ah
610 A
242x175x190 mmMore
Exide Excell
EB620
62 Ah
540 A
242x175x190 mmMore
Exide Premium
EA640
64 Ah
640 A
242x175x190 mmMore
Halfords Standard
HCB 027
62 Ah
550 A
242x175x190 mmMore
Lucas Supreme
LS027
65 Ah
640 A
242x175x190 mmMore
Varta Blue Dynamic
D24
60 Ah
540 A
242x175x190 mmMore
Varta Silver Dynamic
D15
63 Ah
610 A
242x175x190 mmMore
For the 1.8, 1.8 4motion, 1.8 T petrol engines and others from the above list, we select batteries measuring 242x175x190 mm with a capacity exceeding 59 Ah. The weakest of these is the battery Bosch S4 S40 05 which capacity is 60 Ah and Cold Cranking Amps is 540 A. The most powerful battery is Lucas Supreme LS027 of a capacity 65Ah and Cold Cranking Amps: 640 A. All of the above motors have a base hold-down B13.

VW Golf 4 – petrol engines:
  • 2.8 V6 4motion
  • 3.2 R32 4motion

ModelCapacity and CCADimensions (LxWxH)Price
Bosch S4
S40 08
74 Ah
680 A
278x175x190 mmMore
Bosch S5
S50 08
77 Ah
780 A
278x175x190 mmMore
Exide Excell
EB740
74 Ah
680 A
278x175x190 mmMore
Exide Premium
EA770
77 Ah
760 A
278x175x190 mmMore
Halfords Standard
HCB 096
76 Ah
680 A
278x175x190 mmMore
Lucas Premium
LP096
75 Ah
680 A
278x175x190 mmMore
Lucas Supreme
LS096
78 Ah
780 A
278x175x190 mmMore
Varta Blue Dynamic
E11
74 Ah
680 A
278x175x190 mmMore
Varta Silver Dynamic
E44
77 Ah
780 A
278x175x190 mmMore
For VW Golf 4 with 2.8 V6 4motion or 3.2 R32 4motion petrol engines, we use batteries measuring 276x175x190 mm or 278x175x190 mm and with a capacity exceeding 71 Ah (ampere-hours). The weakest of these is the battery Bosch S4 S40 08 which capacity is 74 Ah and Cold Cranking Amps is 680 A. The most powerful battery is Lucas Supreme LS096 of a capacity 78Ah and Cold Cranking Amps: 780 A. All of the above motors have a base hold-down B13.

VW Golf 4 – diesel engines:
  • 1.9 SDI
  • 1.9 TD
  • 1.9 TDI
  • 1.9 TDI 4motion

ModelCapacity and CCADimensions (LxWxH)Price
Bosch S3
S30 08
70 Ah
640 A
278x175x190 mmMore
Bosch S4
S40 08
74 Ah
680 A
278x175x190 mmMore
Bosch S5
S50 08
77 Ah
780 A
278x175x190 mmMore
Exide Classic
EC700
70 Ah
640 A
278x175x190 mmMore
Exide Excell
EB740
74 Ah
680 A
278x175x190 mmMore
Exide Premium
EA770
77 Ah
760 A
278x175x190 mmMore
Halfords Essentials
HB 096
70 Ah
640 A
278x175x190 mmMore
Halfords Standard
HCB 096
76 Ah
680 A
278x175x190 mmMore
Lucas Premium
LP096
75 Ah
680 A
278x175x190 mmMore
Lucas Supreme
LS096
78 Ah
780 A
278x175x190 mmMore
Varta Black Dynamic
E13
70 Ah
640 A
278x175x190 mmMore
Varta Blue Dynamic
E11
74 Ah
680 A
278x175x190 mmMore
Varta Silver Dynamic
E44
77 Ah
780 A
278x175x190 mmMore
The VW Golf 4 with diesel engines 1.9 SDI, 1.9 TD, 1.9 TDI, and the others mentioned above, should be equipped with a battery sized 276x175x190 mm or 278x175x190 mm, with a minimum capacity of 67 Ah. The most basic battery of this set is Bosch S3 S30 08 of a capacity 70Ah and 640A Cold Cranking Amps, the battery with the biggest capacity is Lucas Supreme LS096 of a capacity 78 Ah, having 780A Cold Cranking Amps. The base hold-down of the above batteries is B13.
If you’re still unsure which battery fits your VW Golf , or if you want to help others in their selection, please send us a photo of your current battery in the comment section at the bottom of the page. You can also send the picture to contact@whatbattery.co.uk (we will place it in the comments to also help other users). Be sure to specify the car model, year, type, as well as the engine capacity and power. We’ll do our best to assist you!

See also information about other cars of this manufacturer

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