looking at getting one of these, opinions, things to look out for etc.

 

I had one 17 years ago. I remember having to have the hydraulic valve lifters replaced, so it,s worth checking on any future purchase. Steve.

 

good fun car, in an old school way. better than the 8v, despite many views to the contrary (better brakes and suspension, much more BHP and more torque). I've had both and would go for the 16v again.
tappets do get noisy, but I've never had them replaced.
Not sure if all the 16s had power steering, but it's tough without. 1st - 2nd synchro can be dodgy, and the stopper between 1st and revers can wear down, which resulted in me racing away from the lights backwards shortly after buying one.
Never had many problems though, dead basic and easy to service.

 

Bloke at work has a mint one of these. Think it's done about 13k and that's it.

 

no PAS was an option until about 1989 then became standard, the synchro issue (worse when cold) can be "fixed" by using a fully synthetic Gearbox oil

get the BB version btw

 

Yup the big bumper version looks the bees knees loved these in the Oak Green, also preferred the 16v over the 8v, the 8 was said to give better low down power but it wasnt a good engine really, a little underpowered even then for a car of that size, and the mk3's really suffered (and the corrado's) though they had the 2ltr and not the 1.8.
16v is a rev tastic unit, dont think you will go far wrong with a decent, well pampered one

Tony

 

Defo get one with power steering, I had a D reg one on 17" alloys and parking was a nightmare.

 

I have had six Mk1 and Mk2 Golf's, I loved both engines for different reasons, nowadays you dont have to choose as there are so many out there with conversions, the ABF conversion is a 2.0 and gives about 170 bhp with mild fettling so the 8 valve/16 valve argument is moot. A standard on eof each if you are used to modern power might feel a bit slow, even though they arent really slow by any standards.

Also there are 20 Valve turbo conversions which is what I am after, VR6 conversions, VR6 Turbo/Supercharger, G60 Supercharged. A Remapped BAM (TT) engined Mk2 will cause all but supercars some embarassment, 300 bhp and similar torque in somethign that weighs a tonne, in the dry, with sticky tyres and a decent lsd, it will put it down well enough as well.

Many differ markedly from factory spec, they handled nicely on standard (new) factory stuff but on coilovers, poly bushed with aftermarket anti roll bars they are epic, even in modern company. Done/setup badly they can be a bit unpredictable, beware the Dub scene **** draggers with no travel, not ideal for fast road use, unless you like pogoing into hedges, 40 mil drop is plenty.

Avoid five doors, they look crap and the shells are wobbly even compared to the 3 door which itself is no paragon of rigidity, especially after a minimum of twenty years.

Body panels are still cheap but check under plastic trims, round the screen and basically everywhere on a 20 year old car as they can be very rusty, the pre 88 ones were better built.

My advice would to be a pre-modified one off an enthusiast that has already got all the hard work done.

They drive really well, I prefer them without PAS as I like the feedback (though the PAS is pretty good) and liek the earthy feel it gives, plus it means the missus doesnt want to drive it

I would say drive a few as they can vary wildly, I have had 8 valves that felt quicker than the sixteen valve I had and others that struggled to burn off a 1.6 L Escrote.

brakes as standard are pretty poo and tend to fade, the G60 brakes are a worthwhile update.

look at the Corrado as well, cheaper in some instances than a Golf MK2 and the pretty much the same car underneath.

 

Amazed this hasn't sold quickly:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2110705.htm

 

I had a camshaft oil seal go, which then leaks into the dizzy and causes it to cut out. A reconditioned one and then the timing set correctly made it go like a scalded cat in comparison. I think this is why some 16vs seem sluggish, in that the timing advance needs to be just right. Easy todo yourself with a strobe timing light.

 

http://www.volkswizard.co.uk/

How to sell a car.

 

I had a mk2 8v that had been in the family since new. I stuck big bumpers on it and tidied up the bodywork but it still had wing mirrors almost in the boot!

Looked after it very well indeed but I have definitely driven better handling cars and the thief magnetism of them became tiresome.

Good cars but I reckon they are a wee bit overrated.