Mk2 Golf GTis

[Zippee]

Looking at potentially reliving my youth and getting a mk2 Gti again. I had 2 when I was younger - an E reg small bumper 8v and a G plate big bumper 8v. Trouble is this was 18 odd years ago and I can't remember much about them.
Looking in the classifieds there are what appear to be good, unmolested examples from 3k plus eg/ http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C620482http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C612942 & http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C615518
but what do I need to look out for? Are the 8vs still the ones to have over the 16s? Ideally I want a 4 door big bumper as I prefer the looks. Are they still good for mileage? From what I do remember the steering racks are a weak point as well as the gearbox synchros - do I remember rightly?
Any other weak points? Seat bolsters are also notorious for wear.
Any good sites to look for them as well? Ideally unmolested original rather than lowered chavmobiles.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Zippee said:

an E reg small bumper 8v

No help at all I know...but I loved mine too!

[kdb5501]

This months classic car and sportscar have a buying guide and market guide for the mk2 golf GTI

[Zippee]

kdb5501 said:

This months classic car and sportscar have a buying guide and market guide for the mk2 golf GTI

Thanks - I'll pick a copy up.

2SB - mine was a black 4 door and I loved it. No PaS, windy windows etc. One of the sweetest handling hatches of the time (I also owned 16v mk2 Astra GTE (F plate) and a 1.6 Pug 205gti (J plate))

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Zippee said:

kdb5501 said:

This months classic car and sportscar have a buying guide and market guide for the mk2 golf GTI

Thanks - I'll pick a copy up.

2SB - mine was a black 4 door and I loved it. No PaS, windy windows etc. One of the sweetest handling hatches of the time (I also owned 16v mk2 Astra GTE (F plate) and a 1.6 Pug 205gti (J plate))

No PAS..but the first car I had with leccy windows (and leccy retracting aerial!)

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Zippee said:

kdb5501 said:

This months classic car and sportscar have a buying guide and market guide for the mk2 golf GTI

Thanks - I'll pick a copy up.

2SB - mine was a black 4 door and I loved it. No PaS, windy windows etc. One of the sweetest handling hatches of the time (I also owned 16v mk2 Astra GTE (F plate) and a 1.6 Pug 205gti (J plate))

I had a later blackun'

[N Dentressangle]

From memory:

2nd gear synchro gets tired
Seat bolster / trim issues
Rust, probably everywhere these days
Seized rear brake calipers = crap handbrake
Leaky sunroofs
Horrible Barry mods
Dash electrics can be dubious
MFA probably won't work
Heater matrix / cooling system / head gasket are all getting on now
Baggy, knocking suspension
Ageing, old fashioned fuel injection systems - K Jetronic then Digifant
No PAS on pre 90 cars = heavy steering
Heavy brakes with little feel

It'll feel noisy and uncomfortable compared to a modern car. 5th is relatively low, when you're used to turbo diesels, especially in the 16v.

There's probably more, but that's what I remember from my time with them in the mid 90s, if it's any help.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

N Dentressangle said:

From memory:

2nd gear synchro gets tired
Seat bolster / trim issues
Rust, probably everywhere these days
Seized rear brake calipers = crap handbrake
Leaky sunroofs
Horrible Barry mods
Dash electrics can be dubious
MFA probably won't work
Heater matrix / cooling system / head gasket are all getting on now
Baggy, knocking suspension
Ageing, old fashioned fuel injection systems - K Jetronic then Digifant
No PAS on pre 90 cars = heavy steering
Heavy brakes with little feel

It'll feel noisy and uncomfortable compared to a modern car. 5th is relatively low, when you're used to turbo diesels, especially in the 16v.

There's probably more, but that's what I remember from my time with them in the mid 90s, if it's any help.

You're a big fan by the sound of it

[80's Classic]

Yep, look out for rust, dodgy back brakes and heater matrix. Mines the 5 door.

[stuttgartmetal]

Best left in your memory.
Great cars 15years ago

3grand buys an a4 cab 3 litre now
Get one.

[Legacywr]

The fact that they may be a relic now has no relevance, just look at Mk1 Escorts, and air cooled Porsche!

I had 2 16V, one of which I had modified to 2 litre.

I always wanted a GTI Engineering Golf, and, I still would have one!

[Chunkychucky]

stuttgartmetal said:

3grand buys an a4 cab 3 litre now
Get one.

Couldn't pay me 3 grand to be seen in one of those pieces of st

OP understand where you're coming from, learnt to drive in a 1990 5 door 8 valve, can understand the appeal of getting another. Always remember a run to Donington Park in '99, glued to a E28 M535's back bumper at somewhere north of 1.15 leptons, loved that Golf

[N Dentressangle]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

You're a big fan by the sound of it

I actually loved the thing! It was an ace car, and the first 'fast' car I'd ever owned, but it was definitely pre-loved by the time I had it. Paula Hamilton would have happily traded in my GTI.

I think my list is mostly generic old car stuff, really, with a few Golf quirks thrown in. I've spent the evening putting the fuel tank back in my 1970 Land Rover, and need a shower, so old clunkers obviously bring out my inner masochist.

[aka_kerrly]

I've had several Mk2 GTIs a mix of; 85 8v kjet, 86 16v, 87 digi 8v, 89 GTI 16v x3, 90 GTI 16v.At present I'm rebuilding a 89 16v small bumper model which has been quite the weldathon.

Depending on your preference for small or big bumpers , 8 or 16v at this stage of their life it is better to buy the best shell you can rather as engine & interior swaps are reasonably straight forward. Personally Id go for a late spec CE2 wiring loom (1989>) small or big bumper 16v.

It's also safe to say that the vast majority of mk2 parts are quite easy to get hold off and there is an enormous second hand parts market to.

The biggest area concern is rust, the sills, the back inner arches, the front chassis legs, the subframe mounts are the key areas to examine. Generally speaking if you can see rust bubbles around the edges of the plastic arch/sill trims then there WILL be more substantial rust to deal with underneath.

[stuttgartmetal]

Chunkychucky said:

stuttgartmetal said:

3grand buys an a4 cab 3 litre now
Get one.

Couldn't pay me 3 grand to be seen in one of those pieces of st

OP understand where you're coming from, learnt to drive in a 1990 5 door 8 valve, can understand the appeal of getting another. Always remember a run to Donington Park in '99, glued to a E28 M535's back bumper at somewhere north of 1.15 leptons, loved that Golf

99 eh?
15 odd years ago
Yup, good cars then


I had a black 3 door Scott's of Sloane Square 16valve about then.

As I said
Best left behind, and buying something new

[aka_kerrly]

stuttgartmetal said:

As I said
Best left behind, and buying something new

Surely it all depends on if you get a good one or not.

I've driven dozens of mk2s and there is definitely an enormous gulf between a car that has 80% 100K/10 year old + parts and one that has new/refurbished suspension/brakes/steering.

There are plenty of simple upgrades that can make a mk2 feel more acceptable by modern standards, better sound insulation, PAS, 280mm front brakes & larger MC, mk3 shifter rod, upgraded headlight wiring loom etc etc.

[Shezbo]

stuttgartmetal said:

Best left in your memory.
Great cars 15years ago

3grand buys an a4 cab 3 litre now
Get one.

I think you are missing the (Classic car) point here, suggesting A4 Cab or more modern car?

The OP wants to revive old memories and if a GTI (Mk2 Escort, 1950's Alvis) is the car that does that - a modern car is not a viable option...

You are not (as a rule) buying a classic car to compete with a modern car as a direct driving experience, it is an emotional purchase and enjoying the experience of like minded other GTI and old car owners?

I had a GTI Mk2 - took my (now deceased) wife out in it for our first date, I cannot imagine what my emotions would be if I saw that car again....

[80's Classic]

If you're looking to use one as a daily driver, then as one comment says, buy an A3 or an A4. It would be much better.

But you're not are you...

The cars are between 25 and 30 years old so of course they probably aren't perfect. But they don't require a computer to fix so you can do it yourself or find a local specialist. There's loads of support on the net too. Personally I have small monthly slush fund - last year I spent it all, this year I'm currently well below.

I love my Mk2. It was my Mum and Dad's and it was their daily driver then. The lack of power steering makes parking bit of a chore - but it saves going to the gym, but when you're out on the open road it's fine. The brakes are 'interesting', but you just learn to anticipate things differently. The noise even with a standard exhaust is lovely.

Oh, and if you give it the beans you shouldn't find yourself in licence losing territory.

You get loads of 'I used to have one of those' or 'that's nice, mate' comments. I've never had that with any of my other cars.

Plus the way prices are currently going buy the best you can and you will probably at least get your money back if you don't like it and sell.

Enjoy.

[MASimmo]

I'm a MK2 Golf GTI fan but then I would say that, I've owned mine for about 11 years (only 2 previous owners):





It's not been on the road for about 3 years what with one thing and another but last month I took it here for the start of an under body restoration: (Scroll down the page a touch to see all the work so far, front end getting done next year)

https://www.facebook.com/SouthwaysAutomotive

It's now much nicer to drive and can't wait to get the front done, it will feel new! There are some dogs out there and some that have just been over modified but they are just good fun to drive. Not sure I'd want it as a daily, I've something more modern for that. Drove to work today in it and people were looking and smiling. Two weekends ago I went out for a drive and stopped for a coffee on Portsdown Hill, had people I've never seen before chatting about how they haven't seen one in ages or the ones they had seen have all been ruined.

I'd echo what aka_kerrly has said about rust, also check around the fuel filler and the windscreen wipers!

Yes there are faster cars, more comfortable cars and cars with a lot more toys but go for a drive around some decent roads and they just make you smile.

Mark

[Dapster]

I had a big bumper 5dr 8v '90 (H) from between about '93 and '98. I absolutely loved it. It was a 1 owner car and well specced - PAS, elec windows x 4, VW teardrops, sunroof, elec ariel. I sold it with 120k on the clock when my first company car arrived and it was pretty much bullet proof whilst I had it.

I love the proportions of the 5 door and mine was bright blue metallic - it looked fantastic. This wasn't mine but you get the picture.



I'd love another now but I don't have the space or funds to do one up frankly, but a 5 door G60 would be in my dream garage.