I had to give up my Mark 4 Golf after eleven years and 86,461 miles. Some problems of my car, which other Mark 4 owners may or may not have had , included:

brake caliper giving out (making a noise that sounds like a deli slicer)

alternator dying, car shutting down (happened to me in, of all places, the Lincoln Tunnel between NYC and NJ! )

coilpack replacement needed

leaking oil

glove compartment door hinge (broke thrice - that's three times!)

interior trim falling off (fixed with Krazy Glue)

Still a good car overall, though, in spite of everything . . .