Mk3 GTI new owner help

[GolfGL]

Hi all, just returning to the vw fold after 4 years out with my leon cupra r 225


I had this delivered today to help free up some cash for a house purchase

Now its near mint with 51,000 miles on the clock for a 17yr old vehicle that is stunning just it has a few niggles id like to sort before its put in to daily drive duties




Gearchange like stiring porridge - specifically 1st gear!
MFA LCD display that is losing its digits
headlining dropping by windscreen
Seat backs wiggle a little bit
drivers door lock is a bit stiff
Passenger electric window is slow and stopped half way up on the first attempt to use it

Any help would be greatly appreciated
Adam

[thai-wronghorse]

Looks really clean, nice low mileage to.  8v I presume?

In regards of the Cupra R...I'm thinking about getting one later this year, what's your opinions on them mate?

[Dogbot]

Looks lovely!!
In my biased opinion THE BEST colour for a mk3 as its not very common on the roads, I've seen 2 others in my area an not very many on the show fields in this colour,

[FlashRedThree]

I was actually considering buying this a few days ago lol, glad its gone to someone on here be interested to keep an eye on!

[GolfGL]

Best bit was i got the chap down to £800, there is a receipt for £2500 just last year but the guy wanted a quick sale. even if there is something major wrong il buy a rusted donor. i think it will be sound once the issues are sorted as i have never seen a car with such detailed vw history and 14mots!

As for the cupra r i absoloutely loved it, such a nice complete fast car. it never needed too much care other than a service every year which i did myself but i only covered 4000m a year. Look out for common faults and pay for condition is my only real advice. With an AMD remap that made overtaking a breeze and dumped all the torque where you wanted. The little golf lacks the power but as long as it stops starts and goes will keep me happy for the next year.

Adam

[thai-wronghorse]

Perfect, I'd kinda already made my mind up on getting one but its always good to get some more positive feedback.

[Bandit127]

Gearchange like stiring porridge - specifically 1st gear!
MFA LCD display that is losing its digits
headlining dropping by windscreen
Seat backs wiggle a little bit
drivers door lock is a bit stiff
Passenger electric window is slow and stopped half way up on the first attempt to use it

Any help would be greatly appreciated
Adam

Assuming it's a valver (8V) - check the symptoms in this post on the gear change.
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=230936.0 If it is 16V then it is likely that the cable(s) need adjusting.

If you are handy with a soldering iron and solder sucker you could buy some doner clocks from a scrappy and swap the lcd display out for the MFA. Otherwise swap the clocks. There is a way to adjust the mileage for a clock swap but I have yet to find out exactly how. I know (or think I do) that VAG-COM can't do it.

Best of luck with your new GTi. I wouldn't be too precious about putting it in to daily use as it stands. It has been serviced and using it is the best way to keep it reliable - which it very likely will be. You can improve and tweak as you go.

My 2 week old ('98 8V with 90k on the clock) just did a 500 mile trip from Southampton to Wigan and back without missing a beat and averaging 42 mpg...

[GolfGL]

Cheers for the link i just ordered one off ebay so hope this will solve my only real issue as i need first gear lol and the rest being minor faults.
Adam

[mrsaunders]

My screens swaped straight over, its just a line of metal contacts no solder required

[GolfGL]

Mrsaunders are you talking about the clocks? So if i found a replacement set its a doddle to swap over just the mfa display without replacing the mileage clock/how did you break them down?

I whipped one out in a breakers yard, not bad within 5 mins although its easy to destroy a car in the process when its not yours but the clocks didnt look too easy to break down other than getting the cover off.

Adam