Hey everyone, need some help on this Mk3 8v GTi I may buy

[teamspb]

Hi everyone,

I may be able to get my hands on a cheap 8v Gti and was looking for some pointers if possible...im getting it dirt cheap but a few things about the vehicle;

Its been parked up for around 5 years so needs some attention but having covered only 55k from new, having a new exhaust, 2 new tyres etc all before being taken off the road, it makes it a worthwhile buy in my eyes

I was hoping you could help me out with the following;

- The side sill has rust on it under the black plastic kit, are these panels still available or do I need to fabricate something of my own?

- The car is having difficulties getting into first gear...the owners says the clutch has gone but the car goes into the rest of the gears fine...do you think its a linkage problem or could the clutch me gone (I know its a hard question to answer but I havent been able to drive the car yet to check myself if the clutch slips etc)

- The sunroof is leaking a bit of water, again, is this a matter of adjustment or could there be a more serious matter at hand?

- If I want to change the 8v brakes to 16v/VR6 setup, what is it that I require?

Thank you for any help....would like to get my Mk3 ownership to a great start!

[boneybradley]

Most body panels are available.  I sell outer full sills for £25 each delivered
The gearbox could be the linkage as it's reverse and 5th that fail. Also clutches start at £60 so it's not really expensive if that has gone
Sunroof is tricky but I would check the seal myself
Brakes depend on year as from mid 95 the 8v gained the 288 ate set up as per vr6.  If it's earlier uou can easily change from 280 mm with only a few parts

[teamspb]

Thank you for the quick reply!

The one im looking at is a 1992 model...so has the smaller brakes on it...

Do you have a pic of the sills you sell? I may just buy both and replace them...do you know if its a hard job? Ill need the plastic kit to as its in bad shape at the moment...

Im also considering changing the gearbox to one with a hydro clutch, do you know what bits I will need?

[boneybradley]

The sills I sell are insurance approved and come as a complete outer panel, The old sill needs cutting out and replacement welding in



the plastic skirts may only need the outer plastic cover replacing (they have a metal strip that runs along them and corrodes, luckily replacements are all plastic)



Regards the gearbox, There isn't a hydraulic box available for the 8v but you can fully overhaul the linkages and fit a good cable to improve the clutch action/feel.

And for the brakes, 280mm lucas is the o.e spec and changing to 288's is carriers, calipers, discs, pads and hoses but an easy conversion to do. (you can also go 312mm if you run 16" rims, that uses the same carriers, calipers,pads and hoses as the 288 and you just need the discs and a couple of washers)

[teamspb]

Your a star! Do you have the sills in stock? Do you also do the plastic covers or know where I can get them from?

Can I keep my stock hubs or do I need to change them if converting to bigger and calipers?

[matty james]

mk3 gti 8v gear boxes are prone to breaking . so be  careful, but as its only done 55k maybe it aint the gear box.

[Foreveryoungaus16v]

Depending on bad the rust is you may not need complete new sills to be welded on. I am getting my rust treated and as it is not that bad it is being cut out with new piece welded in. Far cheaper then getting a whole sill welded and painted. Get a few quotes from local body shops first. Oh, and keep all the trim off!

[boneybradley]

Your a star! Do you have the sills in stock? Do you also do the plastic covers or know where I can get them from?

Can I keep my stock hubs or do I need to change them if converting to bigger and calipers?

I have a pair of 5 door sills in stock and 3 door are available next day to me (delivery is usually 2-3 days from order)

The plastic inserts are only available new from vw and are £46 each from myself (p&p on the inserts is £11 per parcel extra due to size! There's only a few items I sell that my normal courier won't collect and the strips is 1 of them!)

All 5 stud mk3's share the same hubs so whether 288 or 312 you can use the originals

And I agree with the last post, you may not need the full sill fitting, I would still get the full sill panel and use which part you need (The front/jacking point is a weak spot). Although I don't agree with removing the plastics, mine has all it's original plastics fitted and is rust free under them (you may be lucky?)

[teamspb]

Im hoping its something small like the linkage or cable etc...if the box needs changing then ill just do a 16v gearbox conversion I suppose and convert it to hydraulic clutch once I figure out what parts I actually need lol

If the car is with me for a year or so, ill be building a 16vT for it so I want to future proof myself with whatever I do with it

[VW BUSH]

You will need the pedal box off a valver and fab it into the car.
Late 8v had the brackets ready to go, what year is it?
You don't need hydro unless you are going for power, which would be an engine and box change anyway.
I'd save the money until then.

Patches on the sills is only a temp fix imo, also budget for some floor/inner sill work to join the new outer sill section.

Sun roof can be a real pita, check the drains first a search on here will throw up loads of information.

Rust is your main enemy, it's been sitting and you know about the sills.
I'm betting you have a few bungs rotted out and others, so check thoroughly before you take on Mk3 
Every thing else is easy and cheap.