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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: the_stink on 09 November 2010, 12:36

Title: What would you do first?
Post by: the_stink on 09 November 2010, 12:36
So its just to see what you guy s think, mines just hit 150k on the clock and apart from the odd cold morning have had no problems at all with the car, well once i replaced the starter motor that is haha

Just thinking about what to do first? do i sort out the bodywork and get it looking how i want or look at a rebuild of the engine give it a bit more poke?

at what point on the other hand would you say the engine would need a rebuild?
Title: Re: What would you do first?
Post by: jeremybarker on 09 November 2010, 13:04
I'm considering exactly the same question for next year, do you spend 2-3k putting the body right with a total repaint? I know my car will need two sills, a rear quater panel to sort the filler cap/wheel arch and another rear arch on the other side.

On the engine side do you put a G60/VR6 in.

I think for me it'll be the bodywork first depends how bad yours is at least you'll know you'll have a structurally sound car and it'll look the nuts, if the engine were to expire, 8v's and 16v's are cheap enough to just do a straight swap.

What i wouldn't want to happen is for the body to get so bad it becomes uneconomical to sort out and you're left with a nice engine and the thought of finding another car to put it in.

Body first
Engine second
Interior third
Title: Re: What would you do first?
Post by: the_stink on 09 November 2010, 13:15
I'm considering exactly the same question for next year, do you spend 2-3k putting the body right with a total repaint? I know my car will need two sills, a rear quater panel to sort the filler cap/wheel arch and another rear arch on the other side.

On the engine side do you put a G60/VR6 in.

I think for me it'll be the bodywork first depends how bad yours is at least you'll know you'll have a structurally sound car and it'll look the nuts, if the engine were to expire, 8v's and 16v's are cheap enough to just do a straight swap.

What i wouldn't want to happen is for the body to get so bad it becomes uneconomical to sort out and you're left with a nice engine and the thought of finding another car to put it in.

Body first
Engine second
Interior third


yeah the body work isn't to bad need to replace the front passenger wing or see if a body shop can sort out the dent on the front corner that aside few little bits of surface rust, got a new rear bumper and a standard tail gate to go on

managed to find a replacement PAS pump today for £20 so thats another thing i need to replace :P
Title: Re: What would you do first?
Post by: tony_ack on 09 November 2010, 13:17
I agree that the bodywork, engine, interior order makes more sense when you think about it, but practically the interior is going to be a lot cheaper to put right than the bodywork, and you can do it yourself. It's also something you can do bit by bit over a long period of time.

If your engine is at 150k, is clean, has no problems and still feels strong, I wouldn't bother messing with it unless you want to put something bigger in. I've often seen 150k quoted as the point that a valver needs a rebuild, but I have seen some on 200k+ on the original engine, and mine is at 170k with no problems.

It also my be worth getting it rolling roaded to see how much it is putting out at the moment - if it is close to, or exceeds the factory figures then it becomes a lot harder to justify an engine rebuild.
Title: Re: What would you do first?
Post by: Horney on 09 November 2010, 13:18
If it's not smoking or rattling leave the engine weel alone and get the body sorted first. once that's done you can drop an ABF in there.

nick
Title: Re: What would you do first?
Post by: X4MGS on 09 November 2010, 13:18
Been there seen that & done that!!!

If you dont have any Engine issues I would do it this way;

Body - Cos you look at it every time you go to it!
Alloys - As above!!
Interior - Cos you use it every time you use the car!
Engine - Cos you can't see it - Fix it if it goes wrong & Keep on top of the servicing!!

This is how I have done mine!!
Title: Re: What would you do first?
Post by: A7 UFO on 09 November 2010, 13:20
If it's not smoking or rattling leave the engine weel alone and get the body sorted first. once that's done you can drop an ABF in there.

nick
that's exactly what I was going to say.  There's no point in a rebuild when you can fit a far stronger engine in there for less money.
Title: Re: What would you do first?
Post by: the_stink on 09 November 2010, 13:27

Body - Cos you look at it every time you go to it! -
Alloys - As above!!
Interior - Cos you use it every time you use the car!
Engine - Cos you can't see it - Fix it if it goes wrong & Keep on top of the servicing!!

This is how I have done mine!!

Yeah the engine as far as i can tell is fine just needs a service really!

Body - shouldnt need to much work, but bodyshop needs to have a proper nose around
Alloys - Replaced the knackered RA's recently with fully refurbed ones
Interior - just the door cars really and rear cards that need doing better -  would like some recaro front  really
Title: Re: What would you do first?
Post by: A7 UFO on 09 November 2010, 14:18
would like some recaro front  really
I've seen mk3 or mk4 recaros in mk2s.  If you or somebody you know is handy making up a sub frame, it would be a hell of a lot cheaper than mk2 recaros.
Title: Re: What would you do first?
Post by: clipperjay on 09 November 2010, 15:53
I've allways done it Engine, body, then interior very last. WHY?

The engine work always ends up with some sort of bolt damage or tools being dropped and what not, so I tend to do mechanical and repairs first as you don't know what you might find under those hidden areas!
Once engine is good and have loads of time and money I would have a bare rolling shell, if the body needed some serious welding, filler and sanding etc. The last time mine went in for complete respray so much dust due to wet and drying it was everywhere!
Finally the interior goes in after new paint, new engine. Final touches should be interior to go in.
I find the easiest jobs should be done last, as I would prioritse in that order. Plus alloys refurb in between finshed paint and interior.

   
Title: Re: What would you do first?
Post by: Sam on 09 November 2010, 16:13
I voted interior cos i quite like yours and want it to turn up in classifieds   :grin:
Title: Re: What would you do first?
Post by: dan_apps on 09 November 2010, 18:38
bodywork for me, as really its the most important, rust sorting, undersealing, bushing, powder coating of things like the rear axle is the way i would go.
Title: Re: What would you do first?
Post by: spankier on 17 November 2010, 20:26
BRAKES!
then make sure its straight and strong, worry about cosmetics as and when you can afford them and thrash te engine till its dead and pop something else in, theres so much choice for not such a lot of money youd be mad to spend bucks on a rebuild unless you are building a full on race spec badboy and then you can expect race spec engine life- i.e hours rather than indefinite.
Title: Re: What would you do first?
Post by: OakeyDoak16v on 18 November 2010, 00:25
Sort out the tail gate and bumper mate and the dent on the front wing. How bad is the dent? Can it be sorted with a bit of PDR? A full re-spray's gonna cost loads, it depends if you think your car is a keeper or not.
The engines on these cars are diamonds if looked after so i wouldn't even worry about the mileage as long as it's had a good life before you had it. Keep it serviced, and as said when you have the dollar stick a vr in it or such like for sh1ts and giggles. :cool:
Title: Re: What would you do first?
Post by: Agreeable Slick on 18 November 2010, 08:17
You wouldn't get on a roller coaster knowing the running chassis was a bit ropey, even if it's engine was fine.

Treat your car the same.

Title: Re: What would you do first?
Post by: Diamond Hell on 18 November 2010, 12:07
You wouldn't get on a roller coaster knowing the running chassis was a bit ropey, even if it's engine was fine.

This.  Get bushes sorted, boyo.  Then the rest of the mechanicals, then move on to the cosmetic nonsense.

You will whine a lot less if your bloody car works properly.
Title: Re: What would you do first?
Post by: the_stink on 18 November 2010, 14:29
You will whine a lot less if your bloody car works properly.

this much is true lol  :grin:

Ive got a tailgate and new rear bumper sat in my room waiting to go on as for the dent on the front wing need to get it looked at really but that pannel defo needs a respray as all teh paint at the front is cracked have used a touch up stick as a temp mesure to stop rust etc