buying a mk2, Advice?

[Benny T]

Hi guys, i've got a mk3 gti but im looking to buy a mk2 gti too. I'm interested in one local to me but it's a bit of a high miler and just want some advice. It's a done 170k and have been told it needs somin doin to the gear linkages, are these easy to fix? Has anyone had or got a high miler? also what else should i look for when looking it over?

Any help much appreciated

Benny

[Steve_B]

Take a look at this:

http://www.matey-matey.com/golf_buying_guide.shtml

There's a guide to gear linkages in the maintenance section as well 

[Conker]

A recent post:  http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=89882.0

Yet more Mk3'ers coming over to the dark side. 

[bungy]

Doing the gear linkage in the engine bay is not to much trouble, the other bit at the gearstick end as per matey matey requires you to drop the exhaust. If possible make sure it is the linkage and not the syncro being rubbish on the box. Gears on mine are always crunchy when cold but when warm are alright.

Mines an 87 on 182k, only big jobs have been rear brake overall because failed handbrake and expensive bits like starter motor and alternator.

[Benny T]

Doing the gear linkage in the engine bay is not to much trouble, the other bit at the gearstick end as per matey matey requires you to drop the exhaust. If possible make sure it is the linkage and not the syncro being rubbish on the box. Gears on mine are always crunchy when cold but when warm are alright.

Mines an 87 on 182k, only big jobs have been rear brake overall because failed handbrake and expensive bits like starter motor and alternator.

Ok thanks, how can i check fo it being the syncro? Does yours still pull well having done 182k? hes asking for £800 for it with the the gear linkage need doing and also a wheel bearing, but aparently the body work is mint. 9months mot and alloys with good tyres, I know it's only a really rough guide but from the sounds of it do you think it's worth that?

[Mook]

Replacing all the bushes in the gear linkage will take you about an hour and a half, mostly because it's such a fiddly job to do and you've got to be under the car to do a lot of it.

Other stuff to think about for a high miler (170K isn't that much for a 20 odd year old car!) is pretty much every bush on the car (front wishbones, top strut mounts etc.) and the brake calipers - they get covered in crud and seize or only work on one side of the disk.

[nealey]

Ive got a 170k 92 mk2 and my main bit of advice is to buy a mk2 on the condition of the body and not the mechanicals!

A good complete history is obviously a bonus

A mk2 isnt really hard or complicated to work on and second hand bits are cheap and easy to get hold of, if the car seems right to you then buy it!!

[bungy]

Yeah she still pulls fine, i do a lot of miles and with regular servicing she is fine.
With regard the syncro i not really sure, but play in the linkage is evident from if the stick moves a lot when in gear or is very sloppy to find gears and if the stick can be moved up and down (apart from to get reverse).