Golf GTi 16v Mk3 - the £400 special!
Discussion
I saw this Golf GTi advertised near me, and couldn't resist going for a look.
I've always wondered what one would be like to own for a while - an old boss had one nearly new years ago, and I remember it being very good on fuel (His was an 8v), but not a lot else.
This one has done nigh on 160k, but looks and feels OK - no holes on the drives seat!
Having had a look and a drive with the very friendly owner, £400 changed hands, and he even drove it back to my place for me.
Just a few pics for now, (excuse the quality, lens was smudged) and I'm off out in it in a minute for a little drive to Exeter and back (I'm in Plymouth) to see what sort of work might be needed in the future!
I've always wondered what one would be like to own for a while - an old boss had one nearly new years ago, and I remember it being very good on fuel (His was an 8v), but not a lot else.
This one has done nigh on 160k, but looks and feels OK - no holes on the drives seat!
Having had a look and a drive with the very friendly owner, £400 changed hands, and he even drove it back to my place for me.
Just a few pics for now, (excuse the quality, lens was smudged) and I'm off out in it in a minute for a little drive to Exeter and back (I'm in Plymouth) to see what sort of work might be needed in the future!
Edited by Rollcage on Tuesday 26th March 18:16
The o/s/r front wing is a little bit pinky, and so is the lower body colour section of the grille. I'll probably get a mate to repaint them, as the wing has some rust bubbles where the arch has rubbed.
Well, a more thorough test drive of near enough has recorded an OBC fuel consumption of 34.2 mpg, which considering it was a dual carriageway schlep I am more than happy with. Probably need to spend a bit on refreshing the suspension, as one of the rear shocks is kaput, but KYB gassers seem to about 25 each on the bay, and they are a make I trust, so I'll probably get all the shocks and springs renewed in the not too distant future.
Other than a gear linkage that is a bit vague at times, it's all good!
Well, a more thorough test drive of near enough has recorded an OBC fuel consumption of 34.2 mpg, which considering it was a dual carriageway schlep I am more than happy with. Probably need to spend a bit on refreshing the suspension, as one of the rear shocks is kaput, but KYB gassers seem to about 25 each on the bay, and they are a make I trust, so I'll probably get all the shocks and springs renewed in the not too distant future.
Other than a gear linkage that is a bit vague at times, it's all good!
I have been busy on eBay, and ordered a owners handbook set, as it hasn't got one, and I've seen a gear linkage replacement set for about £25 which seems like it would be worth trying to sort out the slightly vague gearshift. Shocks and springs are really cheap as well, especially compared to Subaru prices!
These Maxton shocks and springs seem very good value at £180 delivered.
These Maxton shocks and springs seem very good value at £180 delivered.
aka_kerrly said:
Remember that the Golf 16v has a cable change gearbox and not the rod type like a 8v - which the rebuild kits are often for as they work with mk2 golfs to.
Ah, cheers - I knew there were both varieties, but hadn't actually checked which it had yet!Spent five minutes this morning fixing a dodgy connection off the fan speed resistor block, and I now have a fan that works all the time, not just when it feels like it!
People that have seen the little red rocket have so far been duly impressed, especially when they learn it's done 160K!
Took it for an MOT today, just to see what it might need in the coming months - just need to change a track rod end, fit new wiper blades and strip and lubricate the front calipers, as their is a brake imbalance of 27%.
Couple of advisories for slightly corroded front to rear brake pipes, and exhaust weak in places.
All in all, very pleased with that for a near 160k car.
I know it needs shocks, and a wheel bearing, but not just yet, so it's all good so far.
Couple of advisories for slightly corroded front to rear brake pipes, and exhaust weak in places.
All in all, very pleased with that for a near 160k car.
I know it needs shocks, and a wheel bearing, but not just yet, so it's all good so far.
Sounds like a good purchase, I do love a mk3
A good upgrade for the shifter is to fit an O2J shifter tower from a mk4 Golf platform car and the shifter assembly, I'm doing it to my VR6 when I get home, I can give you some guidance if required
Your car has a base model grille fitted, GTI/VR6 have fully colour coded 2 slat grilles, worthwhile sourcing a replacement rather than painting
A good upgrade for the shifter is to fit an O2J shifter tower from a mk4 Golf platform car and the shifter assembly, I'm doing it to my VR6 when I get home, I can give you some guidance if required
Your car has a base model grille fitted, GTI/VR6 have fully colour coded 2 slat grilles, worthwhile sourcing a replacement rather than painting
Thanks for that info Martin - I'll keep my eyes open for a replacement grille. I'll get my mate spray it when he does the wing at some point/ I've ordered a 16v badge as well 
The shifter mech mod seems worthwhile, thanks for the heads-up. It'll be interesting to hear how you get on with it.
The shifter mech mod seems worthwhile, thanks for the heads-up. It'll be interesting to hear how you get on with it.
Rollcage said:
Thanks for that info Martin - I'll keep my eyes open for a replacement grille. I'll get my mate spray it when he does the wing at some point/ I've ordered a 16v badge as well
The shifter mech mod seems worthwhile, thanks for the heads-up. It'll be interesting to hear how you get on with it.
It is, having driven a car with the mod carried out the shift is far more precise and much less notchy, its one of the things I'm annoyed I didn't have ready when I done my engine swap. The shifter mech mod seems worthwhile, thanks for the heads-up. It'll be interesting to hear how you get on with it.
I will let you know how I get on fitting it all
St John Smythe said:
I've always liked the mk3 GTIs and think they should be worth more considering how much the mk2s go for.
This is the plan. I can't see how mine could be worth any less, so I don't mind spending some money on it to get it right! ( Not that it needs much, but you have to expect some jobs to do on a car with this age and mileage!)St John Smythe said:
I've always liked the mk3 GTIs and think they should be worth more considering how much the mk2s go for.
It won't be long before values start to rise, even sourcing run of the mill parts for them is now becoming more difficult and expensive than it was a few years ago. Spent some money on it today!
8 on a pair of track rod ends, (Thought it best to do both sides - my MOT place will re-set the tracking for 15) and 6 on a pair of wiper blades!
All now fitted, and I also took the callipers off and gave the pistons a clean and freed them off a bit. Neither is exactly in the best of health, so I guess a pair of new ones wouldn't be a bad idea at some stage in the future. Also noticed that the drivers side CV boot has been refitted at some point - grease everywhere, so that all got cleaned up. A plus point is that the discs and pads themselves don't look more than a couple of thousand miles old.
Just need to clean up a couple of the brake lines, and then it can be re-tested.
Also bought a cheap fault code reader for VWs off eBay, just in case.
8 on a pair of track rod ends, (Thought it best to do both sides - my MOT place will re-set the tracking for 15) and 6 on a pair of wiper blades!
All now fitted, and I also took the callipers off and gave the pistons a clean and freed them off a bit. Neither is exactly in the best of health, so I guess a pair of new ones wouldn't be a bad idea at some stage in the future. Also noticed that the drivers side CV boot has been refitted at some point - grease everywhere, so that all got cleaned up. A plus point is that the discs and pads themselves don't look more than a couple of thousand miles old.
Just need to clean up a couple of the brake lines, and then it can be re-tested.
Also bought a cheap fault code reader for VWs off eBay, just in case.
The Spruce goose said:
mark 2 16v 140 bhp 900ish kg
mark 3 16v 150 bhp 1100ish bhp
in comparison to modern cars weights f-all and it was the great leap forward.
they do look a good prospect and maybe the low price before the rise..
A great leap forward - that is quite the understatement!!mark 3 16v 150 bhp 1100ish bhp
in comparison to modern cars weights f-all and it was the great leap forward.
they do look a good prospect and maybe the low price before the rise..
I know a lot of ABF fans argue that with some tweeks it can nearly match a VR6 but 1100ish HP is enough to launch it to another planet
It's an expensive business, buying cheap cars.
So far, I reckon I could put the following on it -
Two driveshafts (The CV boots aren't great, shafts are only about £30 each anyway)
Two new front brake calipers (The ones on the car are pretty shot)
Shocks and springs all round (Bilstein shocks and Eibach springs in the watch list!)
May as well get new top mounts at the same time
Cambelt and tensioners (No idea when the belt was done)
Rocker cover gasket
New rear wheel bearings
Four decent tyres - Uniroyal Rainsport 2s being the current favourite.
First things on the list would be the bearings and shocks.
Just need to save some pennies now!
So far, I reckon I could put the following on it -
Two driveshafts (The CV boots aren't great, shafts are only about £30 each anyway)
Two new front brake calipers (The ones on the car are pretty shot)
Shocks and springs all round (Bilstein shocks and Eibach springs in the watch list!)
May as well get new top mounts at the same time
Cambelt and tensioners (No idea when the belt was done)
Rocker cover gasket
New rear wheel bearings
Four decent tyres - Uniroyal Rainsport 2s being the current favourite.
First things on the list would be the bearings and shocks.
Just need to save some pennies now!
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff