Mk 1 Golf Gti - What to look out for?

JCDUB

I'm toying with the idea of buying a Mk 1 Golf Gti, and was wondering what to look out for when buying? I thought the good people in here might be able to give me a few tips.

I know rust can be an issue, but is there anything else to look out for bodywise?

Also, anything under the hood I should be looking for? I'm assuming a Mk 1 Gti will have been ragged a bit, the nature of a hot hatch and all.

What sort of mileage are they capable of if looked after? Also, I'm presuming MPG in the low twenty's??

bbsrs

JCDUB wrote: »

I'm toying with the idea of buying a Mk 1 Golf Gti, and was wondering what to look out for when buying? I thought the good people in here might be able to give me a few tips.

I know rust can be an issue, but is there anything else to look out for bodywise?

Also, anything under the hood I should be looking for? I'm assuming a Mk 1 Gti will have been ragged a bit, the nature of a hot hatch and all.

What sort of mileage are they capable of if looked after? Also, I'm presuming MPG in the low twenty's??

Have a read of this
http://www.vwgolfmk1.org.uk/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=1

piston

Check the sills, wheel arches, bulk head area, underneath the windscreen rubber and the door bottoms for rust. Last of the line cars were better protected against rust from what I've seen. An odd body related fault in the Mk1 Golf is that the clutch cable mounting can crack the bulkhead and even pull through the bulkhead. If the clutch feels very odd, have a look at this but it's not difficult to sort out. On the one I had, the throttle pedal mounting also broke away from the bulkhead when the spot welds gave up the ghost, but again, an easy fix. The handbrake lever ratchet can play up but it's perfectly possible to take it apart, grease it and put it back together again. Grease the window winders before they break.

I won't comment on the GTI engine as I have only ever owned diesel Mk1/2 Golfs and know nothing about petrol ones but the gearbox doesn't like abuse, check for bearing whine, weak synchromesh on 2nd and 3rd and also for leaks from the driveshafts and water getting in around the speedometer cable mounting. The only real suspension issue is the strut top mountings which are often short lived. There are poor quality lower ball joints out there which have a pathetic life span but quality ball joints last for years. Ensure the front shocks have their covers and bump stops in place. Rear wheel bearings are a weak spot but they are cheap and easy to replace. They do not need to be very tight, that's a sure way to wreck them.

Corroded electrical connections can be a problem and they fitted the fuse box in an extremely stupid place and access to it usually involves lying upside in the passenger footwell. If you do have fuse baord issues with an earlier Mk1 Golf, it's best to replace the board with one from a later Golf which takes the spade type fuses. Headlamps are a pathetic yellow glow as they never seem to get full power but can be transformed by installing two relays (one for dip, one for main beam) powered by the existing headlamp wiring with a power feed from the battery. Your dip switch will also last longer by doing this. Upgrade to halogen bulbs if your car doesn't already have them.

A Mk1 Golf, properly cared for is a fine car, very reliable and vastly superior to drive to many later similar sized cars like the FWD Escort and Opel Kadett.

JCDUB

Thanks piston, that's some really comprehensive information! Much appreciated. I think I'll just print off your post when I'm going to view any of them!

mk1esc

you could also do a google for the wheeler dealer series were they buy one...a few good tips for what parts should be on the body etc n were to look for rot etc....:D....wouldnt mind one of them myself....

one word of advice

BUY THE BEST ONE YOUR MONEY CAN STRETCH TOO AND ORIGINAL AS POSSIBLE (if thats what your after)

shawnee

How much are you prepared to spend on one of these ? Are you going to buy one that needs work or one that's ready to rock. Obviously that will dictate where to start !

JCDUB

shawnee wrote: »

How much are you prepared to spend on one of these ? Are you going to buy one that needs work or one that's ready to rock. Obviously that will dictate where to start !

Ready to rock if at all possible, I'm not that mechanically inclined :rolleyes:

I've been looking around and 3k should get me something decent, especially in the UK, although I'd prefer not to have the hassle of going over, viewing, VRT etc.

Im not looking for concourse condition, but a decent original would fit the bill nicely.

shawnee

Would have cost a lot more than that a few years back but today you could pick up a pretty decent usable car for that money and if you do it would be well worth it. Look out for one that has some restoration done and receipts pictures of same would be nice. None of the classics are selling very fast at the moment which leaves you with time to make up your mind.

dealgan

I have a 1983 Mk1 Golf GTI 1.8 Campaign in Diamond Silver that could do with a new home.

Have sent a PM, if its of any interest.

JCDUB

Lads, any opinions on this?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2879999

Or this?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3059872

Both look good, prefer the colour of the second one but mileage is a bit high. Interior on both are good and they both have a fair bit of history, especially the second one, has a good bit of documentary evidence.

Any opinions on a rag top as opposed to a tin top?
Personally I'd have no preference as I don't think we get enough weather for a rag top. Both the roofs in the ads seem alright?

JCDUB

dealgan wrote: »

I have a 1983 Mk1 Golf GTI 1.8 Campaign in Diamond Silver that could do with a new home.

Have sent a PM, if its of any interest.

Reply sent, I'll be in touch soon.

Capri

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Golf/GTI-MK1/201210207208529/advert?channel=CARS :eek:


or

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Golf/gti-mk2/201151206204344/advert?channel=CARS