GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: Callum_K on 12 October 2012, 13:58
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Been on here a few months now and thought it best I finally get some pics of my car up! I bought my 8v GTI in August after 7 years of 6n Polo ownership. I know the 8V aren't the fastest of cars but it's plenty enough for me after coming off a 60 bhp Polo!
I bought the car from eBay, fairly standard and really only in need of some tlc. 135k but feels very tight! 10 months MOT and tax, some history, but all looked in good order apart from some rot around a rear window. The glass in question was a replacement so can only guess it was replaced and not sealed properly. Someone then tried to bodge it and it left a bit of a mess. Anyway I will let the pics do the talking of how it was when I got it.
(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c108/calistheman/IMAG0203.jpg)
(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c108/calistheman/IMAG0202.jpg)
(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c108/calistheman/IMAG0204.jpg)
The only bad points were a missing bit of sill trim which I picked up from VW, and the aforementioned rust. I booked the car in to Excel Bodyworks in Radstock who sorted it for a bargain price.
(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c108/calistheman/IMAG0002-5.jpg)
The finish is flawless! I had 2 completely rotten corners of the window, as well as a couple of fist sized dents, and another small patch of bubbling paint work. All done and done properly with new metal welded in, painted the whole rear quarter, colour match is spot on. All done for £300 inc VAT. Nice guys too, will definitely be returning if I need other bits doing!
(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c108/calistheman/IMAG0244_BURST001.jpg)
Put on a black grill and surround with black badge.
(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c108/calistheman/IMAG0245.jpg)
Then decided to quickly redo the red pinstriping, including the side strips.
(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c108/calistheman/IMAG0247.jpg)
(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c108/calistheman/IMAG0246.jpg)
Unfortunately my passenger window regulator broke so had to replace that. Next mods were some AutoArt copies of Hella twin lights, and a K&N panel filter.
(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c108/calistheman/IMAG0259.jpg)
Which is where I'm up to today. I have a Remus exhaust to fit at the weekend, as well as change the oil, new rotor arm and a distributor cap. If the weather holds out it will get its first polish and going to treat the black trim with AutoFinesse Revive, which is an awesome product by the way. Any comments and suggestions welcome!
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let me know how the Remus exhaust sounds, im wanting 1 too, and hw much its costing you... im after a deep tone sound at low revs between 1-3 revs... + i want it louddd
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Nice car, reminds me a little of my Dragon Green Golf a few years back, it is a fantastic colour and the bodyshop work looks spot on! got to say im not entirely sold on the red tape though. As for the power i've found the 8v to grow on me and especially with the cat back exhaust it seems/deceives me to think that it has a lot more pace in the 2.5-4k rev range.
Adam
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Took advantage of the good weather today, and treated the car to a thorough clean, polish, wax, and treated the black trim. Also got my exhaust fitted. It's actually quieter than stock but I only have the backbox.
Here is the fruit of my labour!
(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c108/calistheman/IMAG0296.jpg)
(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c108/calistheman/IMAG0297.jpg)
(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c108/calistheman/IMAG0299.jpg)
(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c108/calistheman/IMAG0300.jpg)
(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c108/calistheman/IMAG0301.jpg)
(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c108/calistheman/IMAG0304_BURST002.jpg)
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Needs a good wack with a lowering stick!
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Yep that will be done in the coming weeks...not going crazy though as I want it to remain practical, and I have some big speedbumps to navigate on my daily commute. I have some 20mm lowering springs, and have also just ordered some FK lowering spring caps to lower the front a bit more, and sort out the reverse rake it has as standard!
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20mm lowering springs will make very little difference to how it is sitting at the moment.
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Not massively but should tighten up the sloppy handling none the less.
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Had my fill of silly lows with my Polo, got sick of scraping everywhere and cracking sumps lol. The spring caps should give another 10-15 mm at front as well. It's mainly to improve the handling rather than for "stance". Not to say I don't love really low cars, just don't like to drive them myself!
Also, the springs were 20 quid brand new including delivery from Germany on eBay, bargain!
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Are the springs 100% for a GTI as most lowering springs are 30mm drop.
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They are these ones
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=320999542719
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Not opening properly for some unknown reason.
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It says 93 to 97 but the changed the front spring sizes so you may need to check the size of the new springs before ordering you lowering caps.
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The springs are definitely the later ones with the smaller diameter top. FK do two spring caps, up to 07/93 and after 08/93, so will order the latter.
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The springs are definitely the later ones with the smaller diameter top. FK do two spring caps, up to 07/93 and after 08/93, so will order the latter.
Are you thinking of replacing the shocks as well, might be worth thinking about.
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Are you thinking of replacing the shocks as well, might be worth thinking about.
I expect I will at some point, or may even get a decent set of coilovers. For the moment however I'm being cheap and it will just be the springs, with only a 20mm drop hopefully it shouldn't ride to bad on the standard shocks.
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I expect I will at some point, or may even get a decent set of coilovers. For the moment however I'm being cheap and it will just be the springs, with only a 20mm drop hopefully it shouldn't ride to bad on the standard shocks.
It will be crap on the standard shocks they are underdamped at the best of times, save a little more and fit a new set of gas shocks will be worth it in the long run.
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Defo, they really are sh!te.
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Lol okay, may rethink that then. They were only £20 so it's not really a big deal if I don't use them. Will do some research into decent coilies or a spring/shock combo. Ideally no more than £300.
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NB. The standard issue oil filled struts are dire, not your new springs as we don't know their origin. :wink:
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NB. The standard issue oil filled struts are dire, not your new springs as we don't know their origin. :wink:
Yeah I know that's what you meant, but if I stump up the cash for some decent shocks I may as well get a set with matching springs.
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Demon Tweeks are doing the Weitec Ultra GT kit with 30mm springs for £256. So very tempting....
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Ive got Weitec ultra GT struts on mine, i did have the matching spring kit as well but changed them as they were the wrong spring rate for my 16v and rode to stiff with the nose in the air. Get the correct ones with a 30mm drop and you should be fine. I now have Eibach sportline 40mm springs with Weitec struts and its not a bad combination tbh.
Remember to factor in the cost of new top mounts all round as well.
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They list the same kit for the 16v and 8v. Can always drop the front end on lowering spring plates anyway. My other options after a quick look were an AP 40/30 kit @ £242 or an Apex 30/30 kit @ £273.
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I took a gamble on a new unfitted Weitec kit on eBay but they turned out they were for a Cabrio and TDI hence the wrong frknt spring rate. But at £80 + £20 courier i cant complain.
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Hi, just wondered what you used to black your bumpers/plastic trim ?
I've tried just about everything mentioned.. less a paint job.
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I took a gamble on a new unfitted Weitec kit on eBay but they turned out they were for a Cabrio and TDI hence the wrong frknt spring rate. But at £80 + £20 courier i cant complain.
Sorry I misunderstood you, thought you had put some springs for a 16V on an 8V and they were too stiff. Just me being dumb.
Hi, just wondered what you used to black your bumpers/plastic trim ?
I've tried just about everything mentioned.. less a paint job.
I used Auto Finesse Revive. Goes really far and bits I had done a while back have lasted pretty well. Give your plastics a good clean first with isopropanol (IPA).
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Ok thanks, not heard of that one but might give it a whirl, as with all the wipe on/brush on products i've tried some are better than others/easier to apply than others but the effect never really lasts more than 10 days - 2 weeks.
Looks good though as is.
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i bought a SPAX PSX kit for my 8v which also went on my VR6 there were no issues at all, nor any difference in feel between the two.
If i were you i would go for coilovers, 60mm was still too high for me! :grin:
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i bought a SPAX PSX kit for my 8v which also went on my VR6 there were no issues at all, nor any difference in feel between the two.
If i were you i would go for coilovers, 60mm was still too high for me! :grin:
How practical was 60 mm down, could you still get over speed bumps with no issues?
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Its the front splitter scraping on everything slightly inclined that annoys me the most, speed bumps are fine if you go slow over them at that height.
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Think I will get the 30mm Weitec kit and some FK spring seats for the front, scraping my nice new splitter will annoy me!
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i bought a SPAX PSX kit for my 8v which also went on my VR6 there were no issues at all, nor any difference in feel between the two.
If i were you i would go for coilovers, 60mm was still too high for me! :grin:
How practical was 60 mm down, could you still get over speed bumps with no issues?
I had it proper on the floor! the front needed to come up and the back down.
Here is an old pic:
(http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/ss334/wherry112/04092010155.jpg)
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Looks a little too low for me.
FK are doing 75% off their Power High Tec shocks, which means for £80 I can get a full set of rebound adjustable shocks! So may opt for those and springs of my choice...
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Looks a little too low for me.
FK are doing 75% off their Power High Tec shocks, which means for £80 I can get a full set of rebound adjustable shocks! So may opt for those and springs of my choice...
Remember i have a VR6 engine in there and not an 8v, so it will be higher for you.
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Remember i have a VR6 engine in there and not an 8v, so it will be higher for you.
Ah yes of course I bet that brings it down a bit. Going to order the FK shocks later, undecided on springs. Thinking H&R 40mm kit as I can get this for £107 delivered. So will work out at less than £200 all in for shocks and springs :grin: