Mk2 2.0 16v Syncro value??
Discussion
Pretty much as the title reads, I was in the middle of putting a new engine into my Syncro (from another mk2 I own) because its original 1.8 16v gti engine dropped a valve! When unfortunately I was injured as a passenger in an accident. I broke my back and leg (amongst other bones) and now will not be able to drive a car with its sporty ride for a good while!
So about the car.. Its a Black 5dr, RHD Syncro with 85,000 miles on the clock, G60 suspension all round, G60 front disks with mk3 VR6 callipers, excellent condition rainbow interior, short shift kit, PAS and big bumpers.
Condition wise it’s totally rust free and the chassis feels superb, rock solid with no play in the steering or drive chain (doesn't judder at all when going on and off the throttle just feels like it should) and the G60 suspension is excellent! Not as stiff as most aftermarket options but seems to take corners somehow even better.
The engine is out of a 1991 Gti 16v and has a 2.0 bottom end, polished and ported head, high lift cams, larger throttle body and a re-map by stealth racing with up rated fuel pressure regulator. I cannot determine the exact mileage on the engine but looking at the history (of which there is plenty) it appears to be about 25,000 miles ago that all the work was carried out. The engine was used every day to get me to work and driven consistently hard but never to excessive rpms all of the time I owned it. It feels fantastically torquey from very low rpm and performed faultlessly every time sounding smooth, keeping cool and running beautifully clean. The throttle response is also much better than a normal 16v which I put down to a combination of the larger throttle body and extra torque from the 2.0 capacity. The only fault I've had with it is that the new mapping doesn't seem to make allowance for the choke and so for about the first 60secs every morning or when starting from cold it runs too rich and idles badly.. but that should be sorted soon. Still starts with no smoke or any visible emissions even if left for 2 days.
My main gripe with the car is that at some time in its past someone with limited taste has removed the rear door handles, smoothed the boot and fitted a scoop and single windscreen wiper which is just an unthinkable sin on such a rare and well preserved car! I have now collected all the parts and panels required to put the car back to standard and they are sitting in the garage but the question is? How much is the car going to be worth and is it going to be worth me getting the new panels properly sprayed and fitted before selling the car? My initial thoughts were to ask about £2500 as it stands (with its horrible electric rear door and boot release) or £3500 put back to standard? Either way it will have a new set of belts and rollers on the engine and 12months MOT but no tax.
Although I must now sell the car I do have to say (for those who havn’t had the pleasure to experience a 4wd mk2) that I've been totally shocked and blown away by this little mk2’s abilities! I had a MK5 R32 which I bought from new before this car and I really never believed when driving it that many other cars, let alone any other golf could be mentioned in the same sentence when it came to the R32's amazing handling and sheer grip. My previous mk2’s have all been great fun to drive but not really in the same league as the mk5 and rubbish in the wet!
I bought this little car because I am a mk2 addict and had always dreamed of a RHD G60 but it really has taught me an important lesson about weight! The Syncro with the right, suspension (which it had) and engine (which it now has) would absolutely leave the R32 for dead on a bumpy twisty road! Where the big R32 under steers at low speed and drifts into big slides at high speeds the Syncro just turns in like a go cart and will not EVER let go of the road, even at seemingly absurd speeds! It's steering response and accuracy could put the Lotus Elise to shame! I just LOVE driving it and would have loved to surprise a few people by turning up at a tarmac rally. 1100kg and approx 180 N/A hp linked to one of the best chassis ever made and 4 wheel drive really can cover some ground! VW should have made the Mk2 GTi with 4WD as standard! No question.
Unfortunately I’m now going to have to get another soft and squidgy mk4 to get me to work!
p.s. Can't beat the sound of an R32 though!
So about the car.. Its a Black 5dr, RHD Syncro with 85,000 miles on the clock, G60 suspension all round, G60 front disks with mk3 VR6 callipers, excellent condition rainbow interior, short shift kit, PAS and big bumpers.
Condition wise it’s totally rust free and the chassis feels superb, rock solid with no play in the steering or drive chain (doesn't judder at all when going on and off the throttle just feels like it should) and the G60 suspension is excellent! Not as stiff as most aftermarket options but seems to take corners somehow even better.
The engine is out of a 1991 Gti 16v and has a 2.0 bottom end, polished and ported head, high lift cams, larger throttle body and a re-map by stealth racing with up rated fuel pressure regulator. I cannot determine the exact mileage on the engine but looking at the history (of which there is plenty) it appears to be about 25,000 miles ago that all the work was carried out. The engine was used every day to get me to work and driven consistently hard but never to excessive rpms all of the time I owned it. It feels fantastically torquey from very low rpm and performed faultlessly every time sounding smooth, keeping cool and running beautifully clean. The throttle response is also much better than a normal 16v which I put down to a combination of the larger throttle body and extra torque from the 2.0 capacity. The only fault I've had with it is that the new mapping doesn't seem to make allowance for the choke and so for about the first 60secs every morning or when starting from cold it runs too rich and idles badly.. but that should be sorted soon. Still starts with no smoke or any visible emissions even if left for 2 days.
My main gripe with the car is that at some time in its past someone with limited taste has removed the rear door handles, smoothed the boot and fitted a scoop and single windscreen wiper which is just an unthinkable sin on such a rare and well preserved car! I have now collected all the parts and panels required to put the car back to standard and they are sitting in the garage but the question is? How much is the car going to be worth and is it going to be worth me getting the new panels properly sprayed and fitted before selling the car? My initial thoughts were to ask about £2500 as it stands (with its horrible electric rear door and boot release) or £3500 put back to standard? Either way it will have a new set of belts and rollers on the engine and 12months MOT but no tax.
Although I must now sell the car I do have to say (for those who havn’t had the pleasure to experience a 4wd mk2) that I've been totally shocked and blown away by this little mk2’s abilities! I had a MK5 R32 which I bought from new before this car and I really never believed when driving it that many other cars, let alone any other golf could be mentioned in the same sentence when it came to the R32's amazing handling and sheer grip. My previous mk2’s have all been great fun to drive but not really in the same league as the mk5 and rubbish in the wet!
I bought this little car because I am a mk2 addict and had always dreamed of a RHD G60 but it really has taught me an important lesson about weight! The Syncro with the right, suspension (which it had) and engine (which it now has) would absolutely leave the R32 for dead on a bumpy twisty road! Where the big R32 under steers at low speed and drifts into big slides at high speeds the Syncro just turns in like a go cart and will not EVER let go of the road, even at seemingly absurd speeds! It's steering response and accuracy could put the Lotus Elise to shame! I just LOVE driving it and would have loved to surprise a few people by turning up at a tarmac rally. 1100kg and approx 180 N/A hp linked to one of the best chassis ever made and 4 wheel drive really can cover some ground! VW should have made the Mk2 GTi with 4WD as standard! No question.
Unfortunately I’m now going to have to get another soft and squidgy mk4 to get me to work!
p.s. Can't beat the sound of an R32 though!
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