Thanks Jv,
So, After a string of bad luck with my two previous cars (a B5 V6 Passat had a cam belt go, writing the car off about 2 months after i bought it, then my replacement B5 1.8T was hit by a lorry within a few months of buying it) I decided to go for a golf GTi. I needed a daily drive so wanted a more modern car, and the Mk3 was the obvious choice as in my opinion it's the best looking Golf of the modern shapes. Of course it had to be a GTi.
After a few days of looking I stumbled across what seemed a rather tidy example with 12 months MOT and owned by an employee of VW. It was up for a good price, so I went to see the car. After a bit of haggling it was taxed and I bought it. HEre's a couple of pics of how it was when I bought it.
I immediately went on eBay to see if there were any small things I could get for the car until I can spend some decent money on the car. I bought a Vr6 splitter, clear front fogs/indicators and aero wipers. Also got a Wolfsburg number plate surround and black badges for the front and back, plus all new sparkplugs, oil filter and general service items.
So, a mate came over and gave me a hand giving the car a service. Apart from minor issue of oil in the spark plugs it is now running beautifully.
Incidentally who thought the oil filter in its current location was a good idea was a terrible human being. It is the most horrible, annoying, position ever.
Took the rear spoiler off as you can see in the photo's it was looking rather tired. Sprayed that stain black and used a bumper trim reviver on all the trim to bring that back to life (I say that, my girlfriend actually used the bumper reviver) Gave the car a quick polish and fitted the bits that had arrived.
Still waiting on the black badges, indicators and the number plate surround. I'll have some more money free up soon so will order a K&N panel filter and pressed number plates. I'll then fit all those and drill out the airbox. I plan to strip and clean the engine bay. I'm tempted to spray the rocker cover body colour when I'm in the process of cleaning it all up.
I've also got my eye out for an American spec front bumper to lose the number plate recess and the rear bumper needs a re-spray. Going to get a custom exhaust system too at some point, thinking a DTM style stainless steel system.
I'm also used to driving cars that have been dropped to the deck. In some random twist of fate I had to visit the car graveyard where my last B5 is being kept for the insurance to sort out. While there one of the lads that work there approached me and said he had some coilovers for a mk3 GTi, so gonna pick those up this week and attempt to fit them and drop the car. I'll get more pics up when all of this is done.
