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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: danj3000 on 26 November 2008, 15:43

Title: Big or Small . . .
Post by: danj3000 on 26 November 2008, 15:43
I may potentially be getting given a 16v for spares or repairs. My intention would be to do it up and this is where my question comes in.

It is an F reg and as such should have small bumpers but it has got big bumpers on instead but minus the 90 spec side trim, and arches.
Do you think the car would hold a higher value if i picked up the necessary 90 spec trim to make it a fully fledged 90 spec car externally or should i find some small bumpers and revert it back to the original state.

My gut feeling is to stick it back on small bumpers but all i want to know at the end of the day is which is more likely to add more value?

Any suggestions from people will be much appreciated.  :smiley:
Title: Re: Big or Small . . .
Post by: Andy25 on 26 November 2008, 16:01
i had this deliberation with my small bumper but purely for asthetic reasons!

I think as its a F reg ,like my own, its pretty obvious its a small bumper big bumpered up!

Besides i think small bumpers are the  way forward!! its alot harder to find an original small bumper!!

your choice though kiddo!!

also if you do decide to get big bumper arches and side strips try and get the original VAG ones cos the repro's dont fit too good!!
Title: Re: Big or Small . . .
Post by: sharpie on 26 November 2008, 16:13
big bumpers ftw.
Title: Re: Big or Small . . .
Post by: rubjonny on 26 November 2008, 16:19
depends, cost up a set of the bb small arch trims compared to a pair of small bumpers!  There isnt really much between a big/small bumper car in terms of value, plus you could prob get good money sellign the big bumpers on.
Title: Re: Big or Small . . .
Post by: danj3000 on 26 November 2008, 16:25
That is more the way i'm probably heading rubjonny. Just have to see how cheaply i can pick up the various parts and go from there.
So you don't think it would be a negative thing if the F reg is not riding on its original bumpers?
Title: Re: Big or Small . . .
Post by: pro-biotic on 26 November 2008, 16:33
id be keeping it small bumpered at that age, nothing worse than seeing an E or F plate you know should have older trim IMO. looks shoddy.

ive just put an "E" reg chersihed plate on my 1991 mk2 and it looks odd being big bumper LOl, thinking about going back in time with the trim level.

Title: Re: Big or Small . . .
Post by: logeyboy on 26 November 2008, 16:37
My "F" reg came with big bumpers from the factory...

Although some scrote stole the front one  :angry:
Title: Re: Big or Small . . .
Post by: Khare on 26 November 2008, 16:50
My "F" reg came with big bumpers from the factory...

Although some scrote stole the front one  :angry:
yup. F is 1989, and the "90" spec upgrade actually came in august 1989. So it can still be an F reg but factory fitted with big bumpers.
Title: Re: Big or Small . . .
Post by: pro-biotic on 26 November 2008, 16:59
put your head underneath and check for a front valance!
Title: Re: Big or Small . . .
Post by: DarnPB on 26 November 2008, 17:51
TBH, unless you are looking to restore the car a concours original, I would leave on there what you bought it with. As RJ said, there will not be any difference in value to the car. As long as it looks presentable and you are happy with it, why change it or change it back? Only the purists out there will notice the change, and to be fair, these cars aint exactly classics.
Title: Re: Big or Small . . .
Post by: rubjonny on 27 November 2008, 09:46
I dont think its a problem to have it on big bumpers if it has all the original side strips, arches and sills to match, bigs with small bumper trims is a pet hate of mine.  But then again the person you sell it to may not care/know and spend extra for that beefy look  :grin:
Title: Re: Big or Small . . .
Post by: Horney on 27 November 2008, 09:48
bigs with small bumper trims is a pet hate of mine. 

Snap
Title: Re: Big or Small . . .
Post by: richard s on 27 November 2008, 20:26
somebody had a post like this up not long ago i think they had fitted big to a small bumper car and someone mentioned about fitting 90spec front arches as they are longer then someone put a picture up of big bumper with wrong arch and arch finished at top of splitter and it didnt look right
ive never looked before but once i saw that picture i had to check mine
Title: Re: Big or Small . . .
Post by: danj3000 on 27 November 2008, 21:39
Well i'm picking the car up this friday so will have another look then. I think the way forward ideally is to revert to small bumpers but then there is a bit of me that wants to get the whole 90 spec treatment as my daily is a small bumper. Decision, decisions . . .
Title: Re: Big or Small . . .
Post by: marky123 on 27 November 2008, 22:55
small i reckon, tiz the way forward.
Title: Re: Big or Small . . .
Post by: dubsport on 29 November 2008, 16:48
this might help you decide ..

my old 1.6 driver, i put big bumpers on it (i didnt get what people meant about 90 spec arches till i got my gti)

(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j283/nhoyglun/pic2.jpg)

my gti ...

(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j283/nhoyglun/DSCF06322.jpg)
Title: Re: Big or Small . . .
Post by: danj3000 on 29 November 2008, 20:19
Towed the car back today and it would appear the front bumper is held on with chewing gum!  :laugh:
So i reckon small bumpers are the way for this one.
Title: Re: Big or Small . . .
Post by: cняis on 29 November 2008, 20:27
Towed the car back today and it would appear the front bumper is held on with chewing gum!  :laugh:
So i reckon small bumpers are the way for this one.


sounds good, any idea how much you'll be asking for it once done up?
Title: Re: Big or Small . . .
Post by: JC on 29 November 2008, 20:32
i would love a small bumpered GTI, but i love the look of the front fog lights on my Big bumpered GTI  :cool: :cool:

so i bought a small bumpered MkII CL aswell  :grin:
Title: Re: Big or Small . . .
Post by: danj3000 on 29 November 2008, 21:07
Towed the car back today and it would appear the front bumper is held on with chewing gum!  :laugh:
So i reckon small bumpers are the way for this one.


sounds good, any idea how much you'll be asking for it once done up?

It needs a fair bit of time spent on it getting it upto scratch but i intend to get it back to being pretty much stock. When i get it all sorted it should be worth around £1200-£1500 i would have thought - probably going take me a few months to get it completed!
In your favourite colour red too Chris!

I'll post up some pics once i've taken some  :tongue:
Title: Re: Big or Small . . .
Post by: cняis on 29 November 2008, 21:20
Towed the car back today and it would appear the front bumper is held on with chewing gum!  :laugh:
So i reckon small bumpers are the way for this one.


sounds good, any idea how much you'll be asking for it once done up?

It needs a fair bit of time spent on it getting it upto scratch but i intend to get it back to being pretty much stock. When i get it all sorted it should be worth around £1200-£1500 i would have thought - probably going take me a few months to get it completed!
In your favourite colour red too Chris!

I'll post up some pics once i've taken some  :tongue:

dont you mean pink?  :wink: :grin:

my roof and bonnet were done 2 months ago... t-cut, 2 layers of colour match then autoglym high definition waxed. wax has lasted extremely well but its starting to oxidise again very slowly  :angry:
Title: Re: Big or Small . . .
Post by: sidecarphil on 29 November 2008, 21:22
if your getting rid of the big bumpers does it have front fog's ??

if so would you sell the foglamps and brackets ??? PLEASE :) :)
Title: Re: Big or Small . . .
Post by: danj3000 on 29 November 2008, 21:32

dont you mean pink?  :wink: :grin:


The paintwork is in remarkably good nick, just a couple of panels are going to need a bit of elbow grease to make perfect.

if your getting rid of the big bumpers does it have front fog's ??

if so would you sell the foglamps and brackets ??? PLEASE :) :)

Yeah i'd be game for selling those - i assume you mean the brackets for the foglights? I'll post some photos up of them when i get a chance tomorrow.

Title: Re: Big or Small . . .
Post by: Jay on 29 November 2008, 21:43
Can't you get them in the Netherlands? :huh:
Title: Re: Big or Small . . .
Post by: danj3000 on 02 December 2008, 19:21
Sadly after much stripping of the 16v the chassis is pretty rotten throughout  :sad:, so unfortunately i'm going to break it instead.
The silver lining is that my 8v will now get its electric windows and central locking so good times there.