one of the most amazing mk2 golf builds ever undertaken

[Westyfield2]

Just read the entire thread, love it . Wonder how much it's worth?

Re the whole VW scene thing, I reckon most of it's alright. Not so keen on the tartan covered MDF though!

 

[MikeHunt79]

I think I'd prefer the original mk2 dash in there, but apart from that, I think he's done a good job and I like it!

 

[Virdi]

very nice build.

It amazes me how much time and effort people put into their cars.

 

[mjt]

That is truly brilliant.

 

[Sp00n]

So fresh so clean!

Love it.

 

[Howard]

That's brilliant, nicely done. I can't understand the interior hate myself! Looks like it fits very well indeed

 

[Saytan]

anybody else think the fact that he has just slapped the airbags in with no real consideration for their geometry is a bit dangerous?

 

[Lopéz]

I know nothing about this sort of stuff but I'm impressed with the build. It looks to be far more than just an engine swap, nearer IMO to a modernisation of a the mk2 GTi.

That's pretty much exactly what it is.

 

[998cc]

Sigh, he's hosted all his photo's on photobucket which means i cant see them as bandwith exceeded.

Photobucket is :\

 

[Joshy]

That's pretty much exactly what it is.

And this is pretty much exactly why many people will not "get" the car.

If he wanted "modern" I don't understand why he didn't fix the Leon?

Do not people think that not having ABS, Traction Control and eleven million airbags is a big part of the fun and character of running old cars?

 

[Lakeland]

anybody else think the fact that he has just slapped the airbags in with no real consideration for their geometry is a bit dangerous?

Yeah it would probably be safer without them

 

[MofoKilla]

be better with a vr6 under the bonnet

 

[allllec]

I certainly admire the work gone into it, but having never driven a Mk2 or a 1.8t variant a few questions if I may?

Is the Mk2 (standard) that good a car? Or does it just have some sort of cult status?

I thought the 1.8t was reknowned for being a bit "boring"? Which leads me to ask:

Does the engine suit the car?

My personal experiance:

Mk2 (standard), handling is supposed to be quite good. I don't know if mine was just a wrong'n but it understeered a bit to easily. Which just gave my gut a bad feeling on the twisties. However that was stock gti suspension, and although in good order I couldn't say for sure if the car had not been stacked at some point in its life. (Questionable fitting of the fuel filler cap and slight differences in the paint)

HOWEVER stick some decent aftermarket suspension on there are they aint half bad. Although my 306 d turbo could keep up with a friends on the twisties. Despite him being a better drive than me I did have the advantage of following, so by no means definavite.

1.8t is not a boring engine when popped into a golf. Mine ran stock management with a MBC. (Despite what the interweb says if setup correctly they work as well as a remap upto 1bar). It felt like a propper turbo wagen.

This is just my experiences. Please don't quote me going "omgzzzzz they handle amazing" because they may do. I just never experienced it myself.

Ta

Alec

 

[DreXeL]

The thing is as standard they are fairly soft, and that combined with the usual VAG lack of steering feel makes them feel a little 'wooly', especially on worn suspension. Feel aside, they are generally a very neutral car on the limit, pushing slightly wide when past the limit of grip. They certainly don't feel as 'sharp' as that other 80's hot hatch icon, the pug 205, but they are arguably easier to drive quickly around the twisty stuff without being prone to snap lift-off oversteer, they are more progressive due to the softness.

A suspension refresh (even if you stick to OEM) and uprated rear ARB makes a world of difference, it tightens up the front end and pushes the on-the-limit neutrality towards the rear.

At the end of the day the reputation didn't come out of nowhere, they are still fondly regarded by motoring journalists and not that she's any barometer of driving excellence but Vicky Butler Henderson still has one as her daily drive and absolutely loves them.

 

[MikeHunt79]

Is the MK2 GTI's suspension much different to a mk2 1.6 driver model? A mate of mine has one and I'm not sure if there is something wrong with his it but it leans so much, it seems like it's almost scraping it's wingmirrors when going around roundabouts!

 

[DreXeL]

It's probably worn, IIRC the driver used the same suspension as the GTI.

 

[MikeHunt79]

It's probably worn, IIRC the driver used the same suspension as the GTI.

Thanks, I'll let him know that a suspension refresh would help the handling... It's almost comical how much it leans right now!

 

[Morba]

Sigh, he's hosted all his photo's on photobucket which means i cant see them as bandwith exceeded.

Photobucket is :\

This

 

[Matt82]

Thanks, I'll let him know that a suspension refresh would help the handling... It's almost comical how much it leans right now!

there are different versions of the gti. earlier ones had 239mm brakes, later were 256mm and to go between you needed different hubs

(tbh though, i think the springs and dampers are completely interchangable)

as for the Driver. you could swap a load of gti stuff onto it, including ARB or just buy a gti

 

[MikeHunt79]

there are different versions of the gti. earlier ones had 239mm brakes, later were 256mm and to go between you needed different hubs

(tbh though, i think the springs and dampers are completely interchangable)

as for the Driver. you could swap a load of gti stuff onto it, including ARB or just buy a gti

Cheers, It's a J plate so one of the later ones. I don't think he wants to spend too much on it as he only bought it as a runaround, so I think a few new springs and dampers would do the job.