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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: Camboose on 21 March 2006, 16:08

Title: My new Golf mk3 16v
Post by: Camboose on 21 March 2006, 16:08
Just bought a N reg 16v golf in Dragon green. VR6 alloys. No rust. 111000 with FSH for 1200 quid. Bargain I thought!! I want to lower it though as the handling could be better. Any advice on this? Also i want to get a nice looking exhaust that is not too loud. Would this increase performace?

The car also has a K&N panel filter fitted. Is it worth replacing this for a better K&N kit.

My first Golf and i love it. My previous car was a saxo VTR, which kept on falling to bits. 

Any advice would be appreciated!
Title: Re: My new Golf mk3 16v
Post by: A7 UFO on 21 March 2006, 16:20
Head work, remap, exhaust and air filter and a slightly lumpier cam will see you upto somewhere between 185-195bhp.

I'd fit coilovers for the suspension (budget £400 for FKs) and ARBS.  VR6 288mm brakes would be an easy upgrade.

That will keep you going, stopping and turning more than well enough.
Title: Re: My new Golf mk3 16v
Post by: Camboose on 21 March 2006, 16:44
How would I do the VR6 brakes and how much do you think it would cost? Not too bothered about it being amazing hangling, was just thinking about changing the springs. 

Do you think that that was the right money to pay for the car?
Title: Re: My new Golf mk3 16v
Post by: A7 UFO on 21 March 2006, 17:00
The brakes can be picked up from scrappys fairly easily - with braided hoses and uprated brake fluid it'll give a nice feel.  You can get lowering springs that will make the car lower for around £50 but the shocks may be a bit soggy considering they have covered 111k miles and it'll give quite a harsh ride.

As for the price of the car...I have no idea.  Its worth however much you wanted to pay to buy it.
Title: Re: My new Golf mk3 16v
Post by: sellers on 21 March 2006, 17:04
that was dirt cheap mate, im lookin out for one, and cant find anything decent for under 1800
Title: Re: My new Golf mk3 16v
Post by: Camboose on 21 March 2006, 17:09
How much do you think it would cost to upgrade to VR6 brakes? Can i just change the discs? I might try changing the springs and if the ride is really bad change the shocks as well. Where would I get the springs from? Cheers for the help!!!

I thought it was cheap too, only problem is the rear nearside electric window doesn't work! 
Title: Re: My new Golf mk3 16v
Post by: monkeyalan on 21 March 2006, 17:25
Eibach springs are the best. Also the most expensive. Excellent ride quality with standard shocks.
Milltek apparently make a good , not too noisy exhaust, again pretty pricey.
Keep the k & n panel filter but fit it with some 70mm ducting instead of the tiny stock airfeed.
exhaust and k&n should make a noticeable difference if not mind blowing. 
Title: Re: My new Golf mk3 16v
Post by: carl on 21 March 2006, 20:22
all mk3 16vs have the same brakes as the vr6 so no need to change.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y177/carljames/PICT0419.jpg)
Title: Re: My new Golf mk3 16v
Post by: A7 UFO on 22 March 2006, 09:01
all mk3 16vs have the same brakes as the vr6 so no need to change.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y177/carljames/PICT0419.jpg)
I stand corrected.
Title: Re: My new Golf mk3 16v
Post by: GLC GTI on 22 March 2006, 10:46
I've just got a 16ver too (well nearly 2 weeks now), and I love it! I am also looking to lower my car and just dont know what to do, save a bit more for some coilovers?? FK highsport? £350? Easy to fit or do I have to drag my brother away from his RS 1600i escort (ford vs VW with us)!
Title: Re: My new Golf mk3 16v
Post by: Camboose on 22 March 2006, 12:49
Are you sure they have the same brakes? I thought the 16v were 280mm and the VR6 were 288mm. Is it worth getting braided hoses and vented discs? Will that make a lot of difference?
Title: Re: My new Golf mk3 16v
Post by: carl on 22 March 2006, 17:10
yes im sure you have 288mm brakes same as vr6,
they come as standard on the later 16vs,
they come as standard also on later 8vs,
if your brakes are working right there is no need to uprate them
unless you drive very fast all the time, if they are good enough for
a vr6 they are good enough for a 16v,save you money for your suspention.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y177/carljames/PICT0419.jpg)
Title: Re: My new Golf mk3 16v
Post by: Camboose on 23 March 2006, 21:20
I'm looking to buy some lowering springs. Any ideas where to get them from? where is the best place? Any highly recommended makes/types? I'm not after amazing ones, just good springs that will improve handling and reduce roll (and make the car look better!!) Cheers
Title: Re: My new Golf mk3 16v
Post by: monkeyalan on 23 March 2006, 21:33
eibach every time. expensive but well worth the extra in the long term.
Title: Re: My new Golf mk3 16v
Post by: carl on 23 March 2006, 21:42
yes has he said above eibach are best but if your lowering it
dont go any lower than 40mm with standard shocks
or the ride will knock your teeth out.
if you can go for ajustable coilovers.
try www .venomotorsport.com they are good price.
Title: Re: My new Golf mk3 16v
Post by: Camboose on 23 March 2006, 21:55
Pro or sportline? Is there any difference? Are they easy to fit yourself? My Dad is a pretty competant home mechanic, or is it worth getting a mechanic to do it. Cheers for the advice!!
Title: Re: My new Golf mk3 16v
Post by: carl on 23 March 2006, 22:17
the pro are best,
also if you going to fit them yourself its easy enough but make sure you look
how they come off ,so that you put the spacers and nuts back in the right order,
and dont forget when you undo the front bolts on shocker you will have to have the camber set as its ajustable with these bolts ,it costs about £60 if you can find somewhere that will do it.

(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y177/carljames/PICT0427.jpg)
Title: Re: My new Golf mk3 16v
Post by: Len on 24 March 2006, 20:57
Cheapest place I ever found to buy springs and in fact most performance gear is - Larkspeed.

www.larkspeed.com will get ya there. Much cheaper than demon Tweeks.
Title: Re: My new Golf mk3 16v
Post by: Camboose on 30 March 2006, 15:15
Hi again. I'm not 21 until May 4th, I can't find an insurance company who will insure me until I'm 21. I want to under my dad as a named driver as he also wants to drive the golf. Do I have to wait until I'm 21 before I can drive it. Does anyone know of any insurance companies who will insure me? Cheers.
Title: Re: My new Golf mk3 16v
Post by: Greg on 04 April 2006, 15:24
You're gonna pay significantly less to be a named driver on your dad's policy, i'd do that for a couple of years. It means you don't build up no claims though, so you have to calculate whats most cost effective.

Suspension wise, you have to decide what you really want & can afford. You have 3 options:

1. Lowering Springs - If you put a set of springs on your existing dampers you will finish them off fairly quickly. By putting lower stiffer springs on tired old dampers you make them work even harder and they generally give up the ghost pretty quick, especially the fronts.

2. Spring & Damper Kit - subtle lowering and improved ride over the standard setup. Firm enought to make it more fun, but also not so firm that driving to the shops is annoying.

3. Coilover kit - Coilovers are designed for track cars, and the ride is very hard. Some people like them on the road, but i don't personally - they can make the car too bumpy as our roads have too many potholes, dips, cracks etc. for coilovers to work properly on.
BUT if low-ness is the most important thing, over 60mm anyway, then coilovers are your only option.

i have a 97 mk3 16v and i've just put on a koni sport kit (£350 delivered from awesomeGTi) - 40mm drop, and adjustable dampers. I fitted it myself. I took photo's so i might do a suspension DIY write-up.