Author Topic: Just bought my first ever GTI!  (Read 4745 times)

Offline Mk2George

  • Here all the time
  • ****
  • Posts: 263
Re: Just bought my first ever GTI!
« Reply #20 on: 12 March 2009, 11:17 »
Dunno, I disagree with the above ... I'd rather make sure the body was sound and not all rotten before wasting any money on running gear.

Only real way to check all the bodywork is sound is to strip it back a la respray.

Id take the bodywork as a given as you wouldnt bother buying it in the first place if it was rotten no?? And I cant imagine needing to strip it all back to get a gist of what condition it is - a bit extreme methinks   :rolleyes:

OR

Are you saying the first thing you would do when you get your newly purchased Mk2 home is strip all the paint off and get it resprayed?
« Last Edit: 12 March 2009, 11:22 by Mk2George »

Offline simonfa

  • Not said much yet
  • **
  • Posts: 48
Re: Just bought my first ever GTI!
« Reply #21 on: 12 March 2009, 11:59 »
Guess im just going to have to cut down on beer and save save save

Yeah man, I know what you mean. I'd recommend the basic panel filter (green cotton or K&N), Exhaust, I like my magnex system, but it comes down to personal taste and budget. Another mod I'd recommend would be some grooved/drilled discs matched pads. 5.0 brake fluid and braided hoses are worth while additions. Then lower it approx 40mm/ front upper/lower strut brace and some decent tyres on and enjoy you're handiwork, that is..... until you get the urge for more power.... :grin:

When i bought the car it came with a full ST/ST Scorpion exhaust with a DTM back box (Would like to replace to original shape), the Tyres are Pirelli P6000 all round and have plenty of tread, the pads front and back have been changed within the last 2 months so may wait till they need doing again before i upgrade those along with the discs. Ive now had a quote from a friend at a garage who said he will fit the clutch for £100 for me if i supply the kit so thats being done wednesday, Stereo is coming today and will be looking to replace the speakers from originals to better ones next week but neet to figure out sizes so i can retain the original look behind the grills in place. Will be servicing it next week myself so will look into a panel filter like one named above, new oil filter, plugs (Is there any plugs out there that would be better than other?) and oil. Also would like to upgrade the bulbs in the front lights as they are pretty yellow'ish at the moment, especially the fogs.

Have slight blistering and bubbling rust around the 3rd unused front windscreen wiper grommit so will need to get in there dig it out and repair it, also a reasonable dent behind the drivers side wheel that needs to be pulled out, filled then taken to the spray shop. Other than that it really is in good nick.

damien.wrl

  • Guest
Re: Just bought my first ever GTI!
« Reply #22 on: 12 March 2009, 13:12 »
It looks nice you must be proud , the wheels dont look to bad , a lot of the staining could be removed with alloy wheel cleaner,patience and a toothbrush ... follow the instructions though they can be very caustic and do damage. If they are cleaner you can live with them and spend on the esentials until funds permitting you refurb.....Mark H
« Last Edit: 12 March 2009, 13:23 by damien.wrl »

Offline Neo Badness

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 2,780
  • Feet are for pedals
Re: Just bought my first ever GTI!
« Reply #23 on: 12 March 2009, 19:20 »
Sounds like you're headin in the right direction. NGK plugs are not bad in my experience. Bout 10.00 for 4, tops. 100.00 sounds ok for fitting a clutch Sachs are tried and tested.
As to bulbs I'd recommend a HID conversion as you're about 20.00 for decent bulbs and HID conversions are about 60.00 and last about a million times longer plus they're muuuch brighter, worthwhile if you're keeping the car.
as for binning 3rd wiper I found a decent sized steel washer welded in then filled over. Lasted 8yrs on my old 8v.

You don't own a Mk2, you support it.

Offline Ben Lessani

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 3,873
  • The poor mans MK2 Haynes author
Re: Just bought my first ever GTI!
« Reply #24 on: 12 March 2009, 19:56 »
Lol - decent bulbs aren't £20 - you just have to know where to look *cough* *cough* *wholesalers*

On eBay, you can pickup HID kits for about £15 on auction nowadays

Offline Wayne

  • Sir Postalot
  • *
  • Posts: 32,051
Re: Just bought my first ever GTI!
« Reply #25 on: 12 March 2009, 20:18 »
Welcome to the site.

Offline Neo Badness

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 2,780
  • Feet are for pedals
Re: Just bought my first ever GTI!
« Reply #26 on: 13 March 2009, 18:33 »
Lol - decent bulbs aren't £20 - you just have to know where to look *cough* *cough* *wholesalers*

On eBay, you can pickup HID kits for about £15 on auction nowadays

Wholesalers, indeed, but from Halfrauds you are looking @ 15.00/£20.00

£15!? for HIDs? Will they not burn your car to the ground? :smiley:


You don't own a Mk2, you support it.

Offline Ben Lessani

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 3,873
  • The poor mans MK2 Haynes author
Re: Just bought my first ever GTI!
« Reply #27 on: 13 March 2009, 19:58 »
There's a good chance, but at least the rozzers won't be able to book you for having them illegally.

They're the same sets that sell more expensive, its just that a lot of sellers auction them and because there's so many, they sell cheap.

Offline edpryce

  • GTI forum regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 205
Re: Just bought my first ever GTI!
« Reply #28 on: 13 March 2009, 20:04 »


edpryce, what you driving? i will keep an eye out.



3dr black gti 8v on p slots. got a bbs kit on it which might make it more memorable but i spend a lot of my time in sheffield.


Offline gstar-dubworld

  • GTI forum regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 242
  • Here comes the piano man - his a peaceful man..
Re: Just bought my first ever GTI!
« Reply #29 on: 14 March 2009, 11:26 »
Welcome first and foremost.. & a very nice straight looking car congratulations on your purchase..

Some of the basics many have covered already, so I will try and baseline some of the other item, while having the clutch done, I'd recommend changing the diff/gearbox oil, get the break hoses visually inspected especially the ones at the back, suspension wise there is a lot out on the market to suit all budgets, I've tried a few and settled for the Weitec GT Kit (Good value for money), uprate the top front mounts at the same, exhaust again tried many and a genuine standard item seems to be just as good as any in terms of flow, the remainder is down to the look/noise you require which will lead you to after market brands, brakes if/when they need doing then pagid fast road pads with either brembo/zimmerman rotors all work well together.

If your brake lines ever do need replacing then like already mentioned on the thread go for a set of goodridge stainless lines, it will improve the pedal feel no end, also some decent brakefluid to suit. Beyond that a good service Bosch WX78 plugs work well, if/when replacing any belts then either Bosch or VAG, if the cambelt needs doing then VAG do a kit, I have that part number if you ever require it, when doing the cambelt it's always worth doing the camshaft/auxilary shaft seals too, next will be all of the suspension bushes in time, if sticking to OEM then for the front wishbones I usually just get OEM items with the bushes already pressed in saves time, drop link bushes are usually the next suspect, followed by lower ball joints at which point alignment work a must after installation, MK2's have a little bit adjustment on the front for camber, thereafter the next item on the list could be your gear linkage, maybe a little play, sloppy or difficult to engage some gears, get a refurb kit and replace the lot including the rod linkage in the bay leading upto the gear box itself, we replaced mine with some metal ball joint item when we first acquired the car back in late 04 and still going strong today.

Tyres P6000's won't really go much wrong there, many use Toyo T1R's, I prefer Perreli P7's nice progressive grip and not a bad looking groove either, from here on in you then have a solid base that your comfortable with to then progress further should you wish to from a power prospective.

Anyway a little insight there to my journey to date, happy motoring you won't regret your purchase, there is something about a MK2 that will always put a smile on your face.

PS. Speaker F = 5 1/4 & R = 6x4's in standard OEM locations.