vw golf mk2
- Thread starter T1rez
- Start date
the early 16vs have the best power to weight ratio
some prefer the 8v due to the low down torque being slightly better but in general the 16vs are regarded as better.
The mk2 gti's are 1.8 not 1.6
Here's a good buying guide
http://www.matey-matey.com/golf_buying_guide.shtml
some prefer the 8v due to the low down torque being slightly better but in general the 16vs are regarded as better.
The mk2 gti's are 1.8 not 1.6
Here's a good buying guide
http://www.matey-matey.com/golf_buying_guide.shtml
I prefer the 16v to drive, the 8v engines can feel very flat, especially the later Digifant ones.
Look for the usual "old car" issues (ie being generally knackered) but weak spots are rust in the sills, door bottoms, boot floor, tailgate; rings (look for blue smoke under full power); distributor issues on the 16v (look for an oil leak at the base of the dizzy, this can be expensive to sort out and leads to rough running); knocking top mounts (cheap to fix) and non-functional handbrake (you will nave to replace the calipers with new or refurbished ones and they always fail again after a few years)
Amazingly well catered for in both the aftermarket tuning world and for just general spares - GSF and Euro Car Parts have almost everything available at decent prices, particularly suspension parts, steering, exhaust, brake and most other general running gear. Even VW are reasonable for some parts.
If you are going to buy a 16v one you will need to rev it quite hard to get the full benefit of the extra performance whereas the 8v can be hustled along at a decent pace without too much bother.
PS I am not a Golf fanboy in the slightest! In fact I really didn't like the GTi I had very much at all. The handling was too predictable for my liking and I never got on with the feel of either the gearchange or the steering.
It's funny, compared to the 205 GTI I found it felt cumbersome and high-sided, but gruntier and had more mechanical grip.
My Golf-loving mate tried the 205 GTI and found it felt gutless and like it was about to fall off the road at any second, but much more flickable.
Depends what you want in a hot hatch - the 2 manufacturers just found different ways of skinning the same cat.
Looked alright though:
Look for the usual "old car" issues (ie being generally knackered) but weak spots are rust in the sills, door bottoms, boot floor, tailgate; rings (look for blue smoke under full power); distributor issues on the 16v (look for an oil leak at the base of the dizzy, this can be expensive to sort out and leads to rough running); knocking top mounts (cheap to fix) and non-functional handbrake (you will nave to replace the calipers with new or refurbished ones and they always fail again after a few years)
Amazingly well catered for in both the aftermarket tuning world and for just general spares - GSF and Euro Car Parts have almost everything available at decent prices, particularly suspension parts, steering, exhaust, brake and most other general running gear. Even VW are reasonable for some parts.
If you are going to buy a 16v one you will need to rev it quite hard to get the full benefit of the extra performance whereas the 8v can be hustled along at a decent pace without too much bother.
PS I am not a Golf fanboy in the slightest! In fact I really didn't like the GTi I had very much at all. The handling was too predictable for my liking and I never got on with the feel of either the gearchange or the steering.
It's funny, compared to the 205 GTI I found it felt cumbersome and high-sided, but gruntier and had more mechanical grip.
My Golf-loving mate tried the 205 GTI and found it felt gutless and like it was about to fall off the road at any second, but much more flickable.
Depends what you want in a hot hatch - the 2 manufacturers just found different ways of skinning the same cat.
Looked alright though:
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- 20 Oct 2002
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- Northampton
i love these cars, had a few 8vs and 16vs, i prefer the 8v myself as you need to constantly rag the 16v to go anywhere, just be on the lookout for rust in the usual places, parts are cheap and working on the cars is a piece of cake.
heres my current g60:
heres my current g60:
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I'd choose the 16V personally but try both and see what you think.
Have a look at My Golf Project for an idea of what I did to mine.
Leon covered most of what to look out for. Also check around the front wiper holes, windscreen, battery tray and rear suspension turrets for rust.
Don't worry about Leon's comments about the handling, he drove mine and said it felt like a 205 GTI
What do you plan to do to it as a project?
ClubGTI is a very good source of info.
Her mate was asking when you were coming back to see her.
A few pics
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Don't worry about Leon's comments about the handling, he drove mine and said it felt like a 205 GTI
It does, but that's because it's sorted
Crazy Neils did not feel like one and neither do any of Gareths fleet of sheds
well really i want to try and keep the mods basic for now as i am a nearly 18 with one partial blame claim to my name.
probably just go for lowering it, k&N airfilter.. and then just dent removal if any.. get the paint up to scratch and then a sound system.
I really want to get one with leather interior but they are rare and come with a big engine which could be expensive to insure..
im going to join a club and hopefully get classic car insurance.. or second car insurance with limited mileage.
edit.. BBS alloys are a must!
just down the road from me there is a mk2 golf in black.. wolfsburg edition full leather trim.. lowered bbs alloys.. some very nice sounding exhaust
im going to try and speak to the owner and see if he has any advice.. but i dont think he did the mods him self because one day i saw him driving a newish gold and then the next mk2..
probably just go for lowering it, k&N airfilter.. and then just dent removal if any.. get the paint up to scratch and then a sound system.
I really want to get one with leather interior but they are rare and come with a big engine which could be expensive to insure..
im going to join a club and hopefully get classic car insurance.. or second car insurance with limited mileage.
edit.. BBS alloys are a must!
just down the road from me there is a mk2 golf in black.. wolfsburg edition full leather trim.. lowered bbs alloys.. some very nice sounding exhaust
im going to try and speak to the owner and see if he has any advice.. but i dont think he did the mods him self because one day i saw him driving a newish gold and then the next mk2..
heres my current g60:
is that left hand drive?
just thought i saw it for sale some where..
well there is not a blame on it yet. but it looks like the claim is likely to go 50/50.
the other thing that may happen is my dad may insure it and then i go fully comp on my fiesta so i can drive it third party. My dad will probably drive it more then me but its just my small project car.
out of interest
i found this
http://www.clubgti.com/forum/showthread.php?t=167853
which is very close to where i live. its abit pricey but with a "garage full of spares and original parts" it may be worth it.. I could probably get the price down a bit
it is at least worth a viewing.
the other thing that may happen is my dad may insure it and then i go fully comp on my fiesta so i can drive it third party. My dad will probably drive it more then me but its just my small project car.
out of interest
i found this
http://www.clubgti.com/forum/showthread.php?t=167853
which is very close to where i live. its abit pricey but with a "garage full of spares and original parts" it may be worth it.. I could probably get the price down a bit
it is at least worth a viewing.
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- Uxbridge
I said that, £2000 later and I'm still not happy with my civic lol
ah yes.. i have looked at those... I am mainly interested in the big bumper versions.
the one i have linked to has the full old interior as well as new racing seats which is pretty good because i can sell the racing seats and and get the old ones stitched in leather.
i just need to find out what engine size it is and then i shall go and view it
That one you linked looks poo i think, but i like standard looks. I had a 16v as my first car and it was pretty good fun. If you look around you can find a nice standard one for fairly cheap especially if it needs a little work on the engine or whatever. I love the feel of the mk2 once its sorted, very solid feeling.
First modification should be a good set of shocks and springs or coilovers. I had a cheapy set of HK coilovers which were £400, they were crashy but it handled nicely.
Also they arn't big on torque so i'd stay clear of putting some big bore exhaust on it. I spent £600 on a milltek 4 branch and back exhaust and it felt slower for it and also felt like my ear drums were going to explode. But the guy who bought it from me took it to stealth and had it tuned up for £100. Made 166bhp which is really good.
So if you get one spend money on handling first as this is their strong point.
Heres my one:
First modification should be a good set of shocks and springs or coilovers. I had a cheapy set of HK coilovers which were £400, they were crashy but it handled nicely.
Also they arn't big on torque so i'd stay clear of putting some big bore exhaust on it. I spent £600 on a milltek 4 branch and back exhaust and it felt slower for it and also felt like my ear drums were going to explode. But the guy who bought it from me took it to stealth and had it tuned up for £100. Made 166bhp which is really good.
So if you get one spend money on handling first as this is their strong point.
Heres my one:
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I was 19 when i passed, so a little older. I went with bell for insurance. Wasn't cheap though, i think your third party plan is the best idea.
I just think though if you want to work with something, start off with something that hasnt been touched already. Its so much better! Rather than spending time fixing other peoples bodges you can start fresh. There are plenty around as well! If you pick one up for £800 which is easily possible and then spend the rest on brand new parts not ones that have already been on a car for a while.
I just think though if you want to work with something, start off with something that hasnt been touched already. Its so much better! Rather than spending time fixing other peoples bodges you can start fresh. There are plenty around as well! If you pick one up for £800 which is easily possible and then spend the rest on brand new parts not ones that have already been on a car for a while.