61
Messages
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Messages - marcosgt
62
Suspension & Steering / Re: On a roll
Have heard stories of sub frame bolts shearing due to corrosion/old age on regular basis?
Not unduly worried about ‘having a go myself’ (Wife is a risk assessor by employment though) but you only live once, but can imagine the grief in worse case scenario etc. Care to give odds on my 32 year old bolts behaving.
63
Suspension & Steering / On a roll
All evidence indicates my GTi (1989) has original items fitted, so long overdue replacement.
$64,000 question is “will I have to remove the front 4 subframe bolts to facilitate this activity”?
Any advices gratefully received.
64
New Members Say Hi! / Re: Hello! / Current prices?
Bit like you, got urge to revisit my past life (ran a red Mk2 GTI in 88 and loved it) when I came across local car for sale, via old German car specialist. She had 83k on the clock and 2 prior owners, advertised as original pristine condition and an ‘investable’ proposition.
Up to this point I had been seeing similar spec cars for sale broadly in the £10 - £18k range, although clearly 3 doors carry a premium?
At the end of the day my heart ruled my head, given first impressions from classified photos and fond memories of my former VW Golf experience. I part exchanged a BMW M3 for it, realising an overall purchase price of £15,250. By way of valuation comparison, said dealer had a clean 154k Mk1 GTI for sale at £17,500 which I know they sold immediately after I bought mine.
Wife not overly impressed but she knows I have regularly moved on several ‘classic’ vehicles during our marriage at a modest mark up each time. At least she can drive this one, unlike my M3 SMG which scared her to death.
Like most things in the world, you need to firmly focus on your financial ‘capacity’ i.e. what you can comfortably risk to spend/invest and potentially lose in part at least if the car of your choice becomes a money drain for whatever reason. From everything I have read about these cars their residuals do seem to be holding up well in the current market which seems to be meeting the ‘Dads car’ trend much vaunted in the everyday classic car literature. Have only covered 1200 miles since January purchase (fitted s/s exhaust system and had to get starter motor replaced) so already testing my capacity. Great fun to drive and hardly an outing goes by without other road users, not all VW owners, flashing me in my moving museum.
Hope this helps in some way.
65
Mk2 Parts for Sale & Breaking / Golf GTI 8V (1984-1992) exhaust front pipe.
This part (brand new)and pre-cat, comes with new genuine VW heat shield and correct manifold gasket.
Total outlay over £200, but happy to pass on for £95 to fellow enthusiast.
Buyer to collect please.
Am situated in S.Gloucestershire (Thornbury). Tel/text: 07557871984
Marcosgt.
66
I.C.E & Electrical / Re: Starter replacement or not?
Not autobox, but on balance feel purchase of suitable replacement starter is best route. Will see what VW Heritage have in stock etc.
Hopefully later units will have addressed radiated heat issues at manufacture?
67
I.C.E & Electrical / Starter replacement or not?
To date, have tried being more robust with ignition key and have fitted a hard start kit.
Thinking solenoid gremlins as starter now 30 years old? However, now find that VW manufactured a dedicated starter motor heat shield ( no longer available) for my car, at least for N.American market. My car does not currently have one to block heat from radiator.
So friends, do I splash out for a new starter or pursue less expensive heat soak theory?
As ever, any advices gratefully received.
68
Engine & Gearbox / Re: Exhaust upgrade
69
New Members Say Hi! / Re: Old member re-registered!
I traded in an E46 M3 and don’t (yet) regret this life changing event as this car delivers fun fun fun without needing regular feeding at petrol station and relieving me of stress waiting for the next ‘big item’ to need replacing at Dick Lovett!
Give us a flash if in the area?
70
Engine & Gearbox / Cam upgrade
The car already has a free flow air filter and a recent exhaust (Klarious?) fitted, which sounds like a performance item? standard manifold in place.
Has anyone out there gone down this route and was it worth while? Don't want to radically change the cars character so to speak but would like to achieve a bit more 'zip in the middle'.
71
Engine & Gearbox / Re: Exhaust upgrade
Thanks for resounding 'Trackslag' feedback. Just heard the Mk2 soundtrack with their 2.25" (performance) system fitted, just what I'm looking for.
Would you recommend leaving OEM cast manifold along with front pipe in situ' then? Thinking a 4 into 1 s/s unit (say Milltek) would enhance engine gas flow and compliment larger bore of said Trackslag system?
In any event, I assume any competent exhaust fitter will be able to manufacture a conversion pipe to enable different bore specs to be married up?
72
Engine & Gearbox / Exhaust upgrade
My current mish-mash exhaust for GTI 8V (1989) appears to be coming to the end of its serviceable life.
Has anyone got positive/negative experiences of complete (manifold to back box) upgrades or should I stick to OEM components if I can afford same? More zip would be welcome but efficiency is what I am really looking for.
73
Engine & Gearbox / Engine mountings
At purchase, my 84k miler GTi 8 V (digi) came with a renewed front engine mount (rubber?).
I seem to remember reading somewhere that all three mounts (front/rear engine and tranny) should be replaced every 5 years/ 50,000 miles or so?
I expect the dealer didn't fancy expending 2.5 hours labour dealing with the rear elements, and to be fair, the engine does not seem to be jumping up and down excessively at tickover, or clunking with gear changes.
So, do I really need to invest a further £230 odd pounds of my retirement kitty and replace back mounts? I am aware that if in the future I 'upgrade' manifold arrangement then I risk cracking stainless steel item if mounts are too far gone.
As ever, any advices gratefully received.
74
Technical / ECU chip
Has anyone had a positive experience from remapping/chip changing ECU for these cars? Was cost proportionate to gains etc?
75
New Members Say Hi! / Re: logging in
Thanks for marcos research, not much cop at IT/media stuff. Good to know my kit car from hell is still doing the rounds!