Author Topic: Time to spend some money on my GTi!!  (Read 5815 times)

Offline douglas

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Time to spend some money on my GTi!!
« on: 07 October 2017, 12:02 »
Hi all,

I have an O2 GTi and after a recent visit to the garage for a diagnosis of what ails it, turns out it's in better nick than I thought.  A misfire in cylinder 2 and a water leak at the thermostat housing are the only significant issues.  That being the case Ive decided to put aside a few hundred pounds per month to spend on the car as I now intend on it becoming a second, 'weekend' car for us rather than selling it which was my original intention.

My question to you all is this:  What would your advice be in terms of where to start 'wasting' money as my Wife would have it on my old Jalopy?!

* It's bodywork has a few bumps and scrapes but nothing major.
* It has a slooooow oil leak and needs topped up with about 500ml every 6-8 weeks.
* I'd like to look at a Leather, heated interior - currently it has neither.  Is this a good or bad idea?
* I don't want to molest the bodywork, I'm keen to keep it as close to original as possible, however, what about   taking the original alloys and wrapping/refurbishing etc them?
*The car has nothing like the power it would have had when it left the factory 15 years ago - where should I start looking in terms of how I might bring some of those horses back?!
* I fancy having the engine bay smartened up - clean it, paint it, alternative parts, what do you think?


Answers to any and all of these questions would be gratefully received as well as thoughts on whether or not it would be better paying a specialist/professional or taking it on myself - Im not a trained mechanic but I am a former Engineer and that along with Youtube Videos gives me a small amount of ability!  I should also say that I am near Glasgow, in case you have any suggestions in terms of specialists/suppliers

Cheers

Offline barrym381

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Re: Time to spend some money on my GTi!!
« Reply #1 on: 07 October 2017, 12:51 »
Is the car a 2.0 or 1.8 turbo  :smiley:

Offline douglas

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Re: Time to spend some money on my GTi!!
« Reply #2 on: 07 October 2017, 12:54 »
2.0 - shoulda mentioned that!

Offline barrym381

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Re: Time to spend some money on my GTi!!
« Reply #3 on: 07 October 2017, 12:57 »
If it was me I would sell your car and buy a 1.8t if your after a bit more power  :smiley: you can buy one with full heated leather for 5-600 quid these days

Offline douglas

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Re: Time to spend some money on my GTi!!
« Reply #4 on: 07 October 2017, 13:01 »
Ah I see.  I was just thinking that their might be a relatively easy way to replace some worn out bits and bobs in my engine - a 1.8T though?  I hadn't thought of that as an option.  The only problem with that is sentimental attachment to my current car!!

I should also add that as I know my own car, faults and all, for entirely unsentimental reasons it makes more sense to me to stick with my own... better the devil you know and all that  :evil:
« Last Edit: 07 October 2017, 13:08 by douglas »

Offline barrym381

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Re: Time to spend some money on my GTi!!
« Reply #5 on: 07 October 2017, 13:08 »
The 1.8t comes with a bit more power as standard and I can help you with a bit more power if required with the 1.8t the 2.0 is a bit harder to get more power but if your attached to the car bodywork is not a problem neither is fitting leather seats but to buy these parts you could buy another car for a few quid more


https://www.gumtree.com/p/volkswagen/vw-gti-turbo-20v/1269298686

Offline douglas

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Re: Time to spend some money on my GTi!!
« Reply #6 on: 07 October 2017, 13:11 »
The 1.8t comes with a bit more power as standard and I can help you with a bit more power if required with the 1.8t the 2.0 is a bit harder to get more power but if your attached to the car bodywork is not a problem neither is fitting leather seats but to buy these parts you could buy another car for a few quid more


https://www.gumtree.com/p/volkswagen/vw-gti-turbo-20v/1269298686

Crikey that is tempting!  Dammit, more questions than answers now!  Ok, time to persuade my wife that £800 on a 17 odd year old car is actually a great idea!!

Offline barrym381

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Re: Time to spend some money on my GTi!!
« Reply #7 on: 07 October 2017, 13:15 »
The 1.8t comes with a bit more power as standard and I can help you with a bit more power if required with the 1.8t the 2.0 is a bit harder to get more power but if your attached to the car bodywork is not a problem neither is fitting leather seats but to buy these parts you could buy another car for a few quid more


https://www.gumtree.com/p/volkswagen/vw-gti-turbo-20v/1269298686

Crikey that is tempting!  Dammit, more questions than answers now!  Ok, time to persuade my wife that £800 on a 17 odd year old car is actually a great idea!!
Ah but you can sell your own car and it's not that much to change to a car with the extras your after  :smiley: and there is plenty of 1.8t golfs for that money or less

Offline douglas

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Re: Time to spend some money on my GTi!!
« Reply #8 on: 07 October 2017, 13:19 »
Yeah, I'm showing her your post as soon as she's home!!  I will of course update on how negotiations go!  Thanks again

Offline barrym381

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Re: Time to spend some money on my GTi!!
« Reply #9 on: 07 October 2017, 13:21 »
Yeah, I'm showing her your post as soon as she's home!!  I will of course update on how negotiations go!  Thanks again
I would offer that guy 600 then see how negotiations go  :smiley: