1.8t ABT GTI - is it a genuine ABT conversion? (edited with images now)

[jvoelcker]

Hi All,

I have been offered a 2000 1.8 turbo GTI which is badged ABT and appears to have a full ABT body kit right down to the door lock buttons and floor mats along with the Recaro leather seats and 18rims.

The engine has been heavily breathed upon and goes like stink.  It is a little laggy, but has been off the road for nearly a couple of years so I suspect will go better after a full service, new discs all round, etc.

My apprentice, who regularly worships at the VW altar, thinks it may be a full original ABT conversion, although he says they are very rare.

What should I be looking for to establish if it is a full ABT conversion?

If it is, what sort of value would it have?

Any pointers would be appreciated.

[barrym381]

A mk4 that's not an r32 or low mileage anniversary won't be worth much the abt bodykit looked sh!t so not many people wanted them and they should have about 220bhp hardly mind blowing when a standard aum will map to more these days so don't promote the apprentice yet 


After seeing the pictures it's worth about 700-800 quid

[jvoelcker]

OK.  fair enough.

It's quite fun to drive so have bought it anyway.

I need to go through the paperwork to see how much info there is there although most seems to cover basic servicing, but was there such a thing as an ABT conversion?

[barrym381]

OK.  fair enough.

It's quite fun to drive so have bought it anyway.

I need to go through the paperwork to see how much info there is there although most seems to cover basic servicing, but was there such a thing as an ABT conversion?

Abt are a tuning company for vag stuff someone's swapped the wheels on your car to r32 wheels though

[jvoelcker]

OK, so it is likely to be ABT tuned and body kitted?

Are they likely to keep records of these conversions?

[barrym381]

OK, so it is likely to be ABT tuned and body kitted?

Are they likely to keep records of these conversions?

If it was them that done it probably but don't get your knickers wet thinking it's worth more if they do there's a reason they never sold many

[jvoelcker]

don't get your knickers wet thinking it's worth more if they do there's a reason they never sold many

You must be confusing me with someone else, I don't wear knickers!

I am just trying to learn a bit more about what I have here and the likely original spec.

I have detailed service documentation, all surprisingly local, with only one ABT reference for a replacement front bumper/skirt.

One thing I have noticed is an upgraded intercooler and know the manufacturer well so will try to get some history from them.

[barrym381]

don't get your knickers wet thinking it's worth more if they do there's a reason they never sold many

You must be confusing me with someone else, I don't wear knickers!

I am just trying to learn a bit more about what I have here and the likely original spec.

I have detailed service documentation, all surprisingly local, with only one ABT reference for a replacement front bumper/skirt.

One thing I have noticed is an upgraded intercooler and know the manufacturer well so will try to get some history from them.

Where is the intercooler located and the interior was a factory option that any mk4 could have same as the tuning bits they could be ordered from new

[jvoelcker]

OK, interesting about the Recaro leather seats - I am used to dealing with Land Cruisers where everything is on it as standard from the factory, makes it a lot easier.

The intercooler is a front mount behind the bumper going down to the bottom of the air dam and am guessing it goes up as high up as the top of the number plate, which is a little pointless.

I don't know what intercooler it may have had on it originally, but I am pretty certain that the one on it now is made by Allisport - they are one of the leading UK intercooler specialists and are based locally.  They tend to use more efficient cores and I am guessing it may be bigger than original.

[barrym381]

OK, interesting about the Recaro leather seats - I am used to dealing with Land Cruisers where everything is on it as standard from the factory, makes it a lot easier.

The intercooler is a front mount behind the bumper going down to the bottom of the air dam and am guessing it goes up as high up as the top of the number plate, which is a little pointless.

I don't know what intercooler it may have had on it originally, but I am pretty certain that the one on it now is made by Allisport - they are one of the leading UK intercooler specialists and are based locally.  They tend to use more efficient cores and I am guessing it may be bigger than original.

The original intercooler sat in the drivers wheel arch so it's been uprated at some point