Noob

[n80krr]

Hi all, I'm in the process of getting a Mk3 gti. Just got some question to ask all you in the know. I've been through various forum postings and guides on what to avoid but sometimes you just can't avoid everything. Looking to spend around £1000, I know I'm gonna be getting a high mileage motor.
Is there a lot of difference between the 8v and 16v?
How difficult/expensive are things like cam belt, rear axle bushes and wheels bearings? I've seen a couple of rust bags which i won't touch but also seen some others that could possibly have potential but don't know enough about these little beauties.

[VR6-Joe]

Hi all, I'm in the process of getting a Mk3 gti. Just got some question to ask all you in the know. I've been through various forum postings and guides on what to avoid but sometimes you just can't avoid everything. Looking to spend around £1000, I know I'm gonna be getting a high mileage motor.
Is there a lot of difference between the 8v and 16v?
How difficult/expensive are things like cam belt, rear axle bushes and wheels bearings? I've seen a couple of rust bags which i won't touch but also seen some others that could possibly have potential but don't know enough about these little beauties.

8 valves and 35bhp

The 16v also has cable shift gears and hydraulic clutch so a better base for a VR6 conversion

[Christo77]

Hehe..nice one Joe.. and you've got even more in your vr    Damn lol
Anyway hi n80krr, without going along another 16/8v debate, do some more searches on the site and scan through the pages, you'll soon see a good few 16 vs 8v topics..
The items you mention are really just normal service jobs, not too different from one to the other.. with the 16 maybe a tad more involved on the cam belt replacement but still manageable.  Rear axle bushes probably a garage job but a fairly common thing to get done.
Could say a lot more but i think you'll ge a better idea of what you want by reading as mentioned above..
Take your time, don't rush into a purchase unless you instictively feel it's right..

Christo

[Adam]

Hehe..nice one Joe.. and you've got even more in your vr    Damn lol

 

[Wayne]

Buy a 8v, it will have had a easier life.

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=78701.0

[VR6_Wherry]

Hehe..nice one Joe.. and you've got even more in your vr    Damn lol

 

Unfortunatel Joes VR is runing pretty rough at the moment he says...

[VR6-Joe]

Yeah slight misfire and lacks the power it should have. Have bought some new NGK spark plugs though and would like to get rid of my induction kit

[MotorPsycho]

Buy a 8v, it will have had a easier life.

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=78701.0

wouldn't agree with that at all but anyway, I bought my 16v for £950, 117000 miles but runs spot on quiet smooth no smoke and returns 37-43mpg but when you want it to be it's hella quick

no rust but does have lacquer peel on the nearside doors

look carefully and you can find a nice example for not too much money, in shirt I'd go 16v, not much difference in price, more power, newer more refined engine, better mpg, same insurance bracket

[Wayne]

Buy a 8v, it will have had a easier life.

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=78701.0

wouldn't agree with that at all but anyway, I bought my 16v for £950, 117000 miles but runs spot on quiet smooth no smoke and returns 37-43mpg but when you want it to be it's hella quick

no rust but does have lacquer peel on the nearside doors

look carefully and you can find a nice example for not too much money, in shirt I'd go 16v, not much difference in price, more power, newer more refined engine, better mpg, same insurance bracket

All the 16v's I found had been ragged / lived a very hard life.

[DubSociety]

lol I swear joes VR is a 1.4 or am I dreaming ... read it somewhere im sure. Forgive me if im wrong m8, even if it isn't, its the rudest lookin MK3 ive seen along with kells!