GolfGTIforum.co.uk

Model specific boards => Golf mk1 => Topic started by: campaigner on 27 August 2010, 00:27

Title: Buying advice?
Post by: campaigner on 27 August 2010, 00:27
Hi,

I'm interested in buying a Mk1 Campaign, the guy seems to be very open with issues with the car, I just wanted peoples opinions on these issues really. Would a day with an auto electrician sort this car out?

So what's wrong, electrical issues really.

1. Reversing lights don't work.
2. Front fog lights dont work.
3. Windscreen washer doesn't work - Owner can hear a relay click, but no power gets to the connector. (Motor will work directly off battery, so must be wiring issue)
4. Rear wiper & washer dont work
5. Rear heated window doesn't work
6. Flashing oil pressure light in dash - Engine has good oil pressure, so must be electrical, according to current owner. He has changed both sensors, but still flashes.

Other issues
-Sunroof needs height adjusting as it scrapes very slightly when slid open
-small crack on outside of driver-side headlight glass

Apart from the above the car ticks all the boxes. I know nothing about the mechanics of these machines, so any advice would be brilliant.

Thanks.


Title: Re: Buying advice?
Post by: raferackstraw on 27 August 2010, 09:55
electrical issues maybe be down to a wet fuse box, they can be picked up off ebay. lift the bonnet and have a look in the scuttle tray to see if its full of leaves and crap, this can block drainage holes causing water to leak on to back of fuse board. could also be the stalk switches on the column.

i would check oil pressure yourself and make sure dipstick is reading correctly [ my mates had slipped down and when draining sump found less than 1 litre of oil in engine  :shocked: ]

also check fuel filler neck for holes and excessive rust.
if the body is in good condition with no holes in sills and rear axle mounting points are ok then maybe worth a punt.

have a look here
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?board=41.0 (http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?board=41.0)
just be aware that you need to be hands on with them or have very deep pockets
Title: Re: Buying advice?
Post by: SoundillusioN on 27 August 2010, 11:08
As said, if you're quite hands on witg things like this then it sounds like a good car... if you have to pay someone to fix your leccy problems then yesm deep pockets required... mk1's electrics are quite straight forward once you get stuck in and for the bits that aren't ther's always heklp on here.. .thats how i ended up rewiring mine!?  :smiley:
Title: Re: Buying advice?
Post by: campaigner on 27 August 2010, 11:37
Thanks for the replies.

I'm not sure now to be honest, I've never done anything with electrics before and I also don't have deep pockets to get someone else to fix it.

I'll need to think on this. I think the current owner has been driving the car as is for the past few years with it's problems, I could just do the same!
Title: Re: Buying advice?
Post by: SoundillusioN on 27 August 2010, 12:11
Thanks for the replies.

I'm not sure now to be honest, I've never done anything with electrics before and I also don't have deep pockets to get someone else to fix it.

I'll need to think on this. I think the current owner has been driving the car as is for the past few years with it's problems, I could just do the same!
You'd only want to do it for so long and would you really be happy driving it knowing it has issues with no intention to fix them?)....

If there is an ongoing problem that is the cause of these electricical problems like adamp fusebox like raferackstraw says then they could get worse???.....if the cars is totally solid and the price is right, dont be put off but if you have no clue whatsoever in how to put the car right or maintain it or afford to get someone else to do it then it might not be the car for you????
Title: Re: Buying advice?
Post by: campaigner on 27 August 2010, 13:47
The car does seem very solid and original. I've had old VWs before, Beetles, didn't know anything about them either before I bought them but learned a lot while I had them. I'm not afraid to get stuck in, I just need basic step by step instructions!


I'll call into my auto electrician and see what he thinks. If he can give me a very rough idea of costs, at least then I'll be more informed of what I'm in for
Title: Re: Buying advice?
Post by: raferackstraw on 27 August 2010, 17:34
look mate if you had hands on wiv a beetle then the golf isnt that hard, just about most things can be done with a good tool kit. the electric issues are not bad, but you should get them sorted asap, otherwise they will get worse and may even cause a fire!

there is loads of help here just ask the question and usually they are answered within 24hrs or your pointed in the right direction.

whats your location? put it in your profile you may have help nearby.

how much is he asking? and do you think its worth it?

if you dont get this one bide your time and keep looking eventually the right one will come along

a budget of 2500-3000 will get you a good example
Title: Re: Buying advice?
Post by: gibby on 27 August 2010, 22:59
Either windscreen washer has just broken or the previous owner knows the MOT man well, cos that is the only issue that I can see that would fail the MOT, but it would fail on that.

On the whole they do sound like fairly trivial issues though and most will be easy to fix. Some of them could just be blown fuses, or breaks in the wires. The lamps could be fuses or bulbs, so worth checking the bulbs too. If it ticks all the boxes and is the right price then you could always fix it over time.

It will also be worth checking out the mk1 org site as that's got some good info on there too. Link here --> http://www.vwgolfmk1.org.uk/

Good luck and let us know how you get on.
Title: Re: Buying advice?
Post by: campaigner on 29 August 2010, 23:35
Thanks for all the help on this. I'm in Dublin, Ireland, so I'd doubt many people on here live near me!

Just another question, if there has been a patch job on one of the sills, i.e. the rust has been cut out and new metal welded in, is this a bad sign? I'm told there is no rust anywhere else.
Title: Re: Buying advice?
Post by: raferackstraw on 30 August 2010, 00:32
no not really as long as its been done proper
Title: Re: Buying advice?
Post by: campaigner on 30 August 2010, 18:57
Ok, I'm not gonna go for that car, looking for something needing a little less work.

There isn't too many nice GTIs for sale in Ireland at the moment, doesn't seem to be much of a scene here.

The search continues!

Title: Re: Buying advice?
Post by: raferackstraw on 30 August 2010, 21:11
buy one from here then drive it back, thats what my mate in macroom did, left it on the english plates and doesnt bother with nct etc just insures it
Title: Re: Buying advice?
Post by: campaigner on 30 August 2010, 21:33
buy one from here then drive it back, thats what my mate in macroom did, left it on the english plates and doesnt bother with nct etc just insures it

Sure, have been looking in the UK too. Don't think I'd risk driving it here on the UK plates for too long, they're clamping down on it a bit. Would cost an extra €1000 to register it here on top of purchase price though!

Title: Re: Buying advice?
Post by: campaigner on 31 August 2010, 23:10
This looks ok.

Any opinions? It does say it was a Cat C!

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2017165.htm
Title: Re: Buying advice?
Post by: SoundillusioN on 31 August 2010, 23:50
Seems OK, maybe a little pricey for a cat C... you need to find out what made it a cat C
Title: Re: Buying advice?
Post by: wayne5981 on 01 September 2010, 05:48
you can get a get a decent one for this price, dont buy a Cat c, if you come to sell it, it will be worth less and harder to get rid of, wait the right one will come up
Title: Re: Buying advice?
Post by: SoundillusioN on 01 September 2010, 10:33
you can get a get a decent one for this price, dont buy a Cat c, if you come to sell it, it will be worth less and harder to get rid of, wait the right one will come up
Especiallu when you buy this for 1800 quid!

Black GTI, leathers, 12 months MOT!!!

Clicky (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Volkswagen-GOLF-GTI-MK1-LEATHER-12-MOTHS-MOT-/160464408000?pt=Automobiles_UK)
Title: Re: Buying advice?
Post by: gibby on 01 September 2010, 14:02
I agree that's too pricey for a Cat C. There's mk1s around for around that money.

Have you had a look at the mk1 org site ? If not, go to the forum on http://www.vwgolfmk1.org.uk/ and have a look in the for sale section. Nothing else but mk1s. If I was looking on there I'd be looking at someone with quite a few posts that's now selling.
Title: Re: Buying advice?
Post by: campaigner on 01 September 2010, 17:01
Thanks for the help on this.

I'll rule out the Cat C car so.

The black one looks well, but I'll hold out for a while and see what else comes along.

Yes, have been on MK1 org site, have emailed a few that I'd be interested in but they seem to be sold.

What I'm after is a clean, relatively standard car, that's not red, and if possible a campaign! Not too much to ask really! Oh, and the closer to a ferry port the better.
Title: Re: Buying advice?
Post by: campaigner on 02 September 2010, 21:25
Are there any major differences between the 1.6 and 1.8?

This one looks ok?

http://www.vwgolfmk1.org.uk/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=591120#591120
Title: Re: Buying advice?
Post by: raferackstraw on 02 September 2010, 21:46
1.6 gtis are rarer now. 1.6s are more free revving than a 1.8 and if its a 4 speed are quicker to 62mph

ring him and ask a few questions, especially ask him if it 4 or 5 speed.

it does look in good condition tho  :wink:

i had a 4speed 1.6 altho it had the smaller bumpers than that one, and my god did it go!  :wink:
Title: Re: Buying advice?
Post by: gibby on 03 September 2010, 11:50
Exactly as stated above. The 1.6s were the earlier GTIs as far as I remember. If you're after rarer then 1.6 is the way to go.

Weren't all the 1.6s 4 speed ? :undecided:

Is there any pics on that advert ? I didn't see any.
Title: Re: Buying advice?
Post by: SoundillusioN on 03 September 2010, 13:24
Exactly as stated above. The 1.6s were the earlier GTIs as far as I remember. If you're after rarer then 1.6 is the way to go.

Weren't all the 1.6s 4 speed ? :undecided:

Is there any pics on that advert ? I didn't see any.
yeah there are...  here's a couple

(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs065.snc3/13319_431038005129_509380129_5451170_7043826_n.jpg)

(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs376.snc3/24069_412034720129_509380129_5111740_5150017_n.jpg)

(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs524.snc3/29834_435921350129_509380129_5570870_5627324_n.jpg)
Title: Re: Buying advice?
Post by: gibby on 03 September 2010, 14:38
Thanks. I can't even see the above pics as works internet Police block some pics, so that explains why I couldn't see them earlier ! :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Buying advice?
Post by: campaigner on 03 September 2010, 16:50
This 1.6 is a 5 speed.

I think it looks really well, I'm waiting on more detailed photos. But he says there's no rust and everything works as it should.

Don't suppose any of you guys live near Preston? To take a quick look over it!
Title: Re: Buying advice?
Post by: campaigner on 05 September 2010, 14:41
Gonna have a look at this tomorrow. He says there's no rust, 150k miles, been parked up for a couple of years though. He has the Pirelli wheels too, which I prefer.




(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa244/jacaalis/071-2.jpg)
Title: Re: Buying advice?
Post by: Snoopy on 05 September 2010, 15:03
Did there not use to be some road tax thing in Ireland about engine CC and that was the reason the pre 1982 1600cc GTI was far more popular than the later 1800cc ones? (im showing my age now :embarassed: )
Title: Re: Buying advice?
Post by: campaigner on 05 September 2010, 15:21
Did there not use to be some road tax thing in Ireland about engine CC and that was the reason the pre 1982 1600cc GTI was far more popular than the later 1800cc ones? (im showing my age now :embarassed: )

I'm not sure to be honest, the 1800cc is €551 tax per year and the 1600cc is €445 tax per year. But when a car hits 30 years old the tax becomes €48 per year no matter what size engine it is.
Title: Re: Buying advice?
Post by: SoundillusioN on 05 September 2010, 16:20
Did there not use to be some road tax thing in Ireland about engine CC and that was the reason the pre 1982 1600cc GTI was far more popular than the later 1800cc ones? (im showing my age now :embarassed: )

I'm not sure to be honest, the 1800cc is €551 tax per year and the 1600cc is €445 tax per year. But when a car hits 30 years old the tax becomes €48 per year no matter what size engine it is.
48 euros a year damn... i'm jelous, mine will be 28 soon and they changed the laws here!...  :angry:
Title: Re: Buying advice?
Post by: gibby on 07 September 2010, 08:38
Never mind 48 euros, what about the 445 & 551 euro prices ! :shocked:

As for the pic above, looks tidy enough, I don't like single wiper conversion though. 
Title: Re: Buying advice?
Post by: SoundillusioN on 07 September 2010, 21:58
Never mind 48 euros, what about the 445 & 551 euro prices ! :shocked:

As for the pic above, looks tidy enough, I don't like single wiper conversion though. 
True but at least for the mk1s that would come to an end very soon!