Scoobs_4ever

I could do with some help from the all knowing SN!!!

With a baby on the way I need to get shut of my car loan payments and get myself a 'decent' runaround.

My hearts kinda set on an original MK1 Golf Gti but the thing is I know no detail about these cars.

Is there a forum or do you guys have a good idea what to look out for and good places to buy from?

cheers
Andy

Paulo P

iTrader: (42)

You'll have to change your username

this site's helpful for info

and here's a forum mainly for golf gtis

There was a mark 1 with a 16 valve engine for sale here last week or so and they are little rockets The user selling it was Bainsy

Paul

Paulo P

iTrader: (42)

here's the mark 1 16 valve

allywrx

I currently have a Mk 1 Golf and have had it for a while now. I totally stripped it to a bare shell and stuck a Mk2 1.8 16v (kr) engine in it, all I can say is it is the most fun car I have ever owned.
I run twin 45 webers, kent cams, ported head, fully balanced engine etc. and it puts out around 170bhp. Mine is stripped out, but the standard car weighs about 750 kilo so power to weight is good
Also have spax suspension, polly bushes all round, eibach anti roll bars, mk2 brakes, etc. so handling is spot on too. (Is rather fun blowing the usual French tat )

Getting a good one can be tough and the good ones can command a fairly high price, especially if its a genuine "campaign" model (A reg only and 14" Pirelli P-slot alloys). Early ones were fitted with the 1.6 8v engine (110hp) and later ones fitted with 1.8 8v (112hp).
Parts are cheap generally but some things (such as trim or panels) are scarce and can be a tad costly, but a search around usally does the trick.

Things to look out for:
Avoid any car with an aftermarket glass sunroof like the plague as they usually rust and a new roof panel would be required, plus they look Sh1te .

Front inner wings prone to corrosion, check these thoroughly right up to below the windscreen, take a magnet to check for dodgy filler repairs.
Check where the clutch cable goes through the bulkhead, you will probably see an alloy plate covering a hole as Mk1's were prone to bursting the bulkhead at this point and the plate is a dealer repair. I repaired mine properley so might be worthwhile doing this also.

General structural bodywork like sills, floorpan, check thoroughly for rust also, especially around the rear axel mounts, jacking points, suspension turrets and round about the fuel pump (drivers side rear underneath car).

Check that fuel filler neck is not corroded or has been replaced. This can cause rust to sit in the fuel tank which will require removal and the rusty bits washed out, ask if this was done.

Generally just check condition of bushes, gear linkages, leaking suspension struts, top mounts, broken springs, wheel bearings, etc. as you would any car, all fairly cheap to replace if need be, but a hassle you could do without and a good indication if car has been looked after
Bakes were never the greatest on the RHD cars due to the servo being on the left and with a (flexy ) linkage bar connecting this to the pedal. I got an engineer to make me up a beefier one that doesn't flex, and fitted Mk 2 GTI brakes all round. It now stops on a sixpence.

Engine gearbox wise they are pretty tough, just check for:
Blue smoke out exhaust (burning oil usually due to valve stem seals but mabey piston rings).
Any oil in water or vice versa (suspect head gasket)
Check it runs smoothly, if it doesn't could be due to the rust in the tank fault (mentioned before) that clogs up the fuel system.

If you do get one then make sure and take it to a VW specialist (plenty about) and they will give it a full health check for you. As long as the chassis is solid and rust free, it should not break the bank to maintain, (unlike a scooby ) and will hold it's money till the cows come home.
Best bet is to get onto Club GTI or search the net or VW magazines for any more tips and cars.

Andrew Dixon

There are a few reputable specialist VW garages listed in this thread.

VolksDragon specialise in buying and selling Mk1s, and you could also try contacting GolfsGalore or VolksWizard.

Good luck.

Scoobs_4ever

cheers guys

jjones

is a mk2 stronger/safer? might be worth thinking about - those mk1s look a bit fragile.

kayeabl

Hi there,

I actually only use my Impreza on weekends but also run two Mk2 Golf GTis.
In my opinion the Mk2 is the best of the lot. One of mine is a 16v and its a quick little car.

Also I have an 8valve in which i commute to London daily. It is a 1991 car and does 200miles on £15 pounds worth of petrol, computer says between 39-43mpg all the time!!

Club Gti is very useful for info but the cars are very overpriced. If you decide you want a mk2 please e-mail me on gti16v@asher-kaye.com as i am pretty active in the Gti forum and i know of some good owner cars for sale.

Other thing. Brembo brakes for Mk2 Golf £50pair, Firehawk tyres £30each!!!
Janspeed stainless steel back system £150!! cheap as chips!!

Cheera

Kayeabl

Paulo P

iTrader: (42)

I don't really know the answer to this question but last year my Fiancee got sideswiped in her mark 2 16 valve and the car stood up very well to the impact and she got out totally un-injured the car didn't budge when it was hit either but the damage was pretty bad.

allywrx

A Mk2 is definately stronger and safer, but if you intend to crash buy a Volvo
A good, non rust ridden Mk1 is still much more solid than a 205 or an ax for instance, and can withstand a fair amount of punishment.

If you want a safe, reliable day to day run about, buy a Mk2.
If you want a more entertaining drive and something a bit rarer, buy a Mk1

Andrew Dixon

Worth noting that some late ('91-on) Mk2s have side impact bars too!

Scoobs_4ever

It looks like a Mk2 is on the cards now.

The wife's got involved now, and she like's the more 'solid looking appearance' of the MK2.

Oh well, just have to get a 16v now!

Allan

iTrader: (1)

My 1.6 8v from nearly 20 years ago, god I loved this car, had to sell when family came along. I actually saw this car about a year ago, still had the Zender body kit but different wheels. My choice would be a Mk 1, but I should think genuine cars are hard to find.
Allan

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Wouldnt recommend a MK1 for distance work, nowadays better as a second/fun car, have had 2 MK1 GTI's and 5 MK2 GTI's of various descriptions, the MK1 is definitely the ultimate if you are prepared to put up with it and spend time on it but the MK2 is a better proposition for day to day use, make sure you take you time and get a nice one, contrary to popular belief they do rust and performance can vary wildly from one car to another, my personal recommnedation are the POST 87 Digifant EFi equipped cars (MK2) or spend 4 grand on the best MK1 in the land, parts are cheap but it does mount up sorting out neglect.

Still might get another one day but somebody else can do all the work before it gets to me, they are still one of the most fun cars ever built, the 205 was nice but for my money its the Golf, ultimate being a standard ish looking MK1 on coilovers with a nicely tuned 8 valve 2 litre on Throttle bodies, somehow the Golf seems to suit the grunty 8 valve better than the more top endy 16 valve, had both but 8 valves have the edge for me, a little bit slower when really going for it but most of the time the 8 valve with its better low down torque is preferable.