8v/16v

[beni]

hello iam new so sorry if this is posted in the wrong place
i thinking about geting a mk3 gti but not sure wot  1 to get out of the 8v or 16v can any 1 advise on the pros n cons of these cheers 

[RYoungMK1GTI]

8vs are terrible you could run faster,  so go for the 16v or get a mk1

[beni]

wots the spec like on the 16vz are they fast etc?

[jte]

16vs are a bit faster than 8v, bit more expensive to insure and use a bit more fuel.

rough performance figures - 0-60  16v 8 seconds, 8v 10 seconds

BHP 8v 115, 16v 150.

[wag,en,volks]

I have had both and it depends what your looking for the 16v is faster ,
but if insurance is an issue then the 8v is a perfectly good car that will do everything you want and still look good with little effort,
(and then save up and get a vr6 )

[MrF16vmk3]

I drove both before deciding on the 16v. The 8v is probably easier to live with but if you have any hooliganistic tendencies or intend spending any money on making it go faster get a 16. Mine showed me an indicated 145mph when it was totally standard (gps said 139mph). After putting an exhaust and panel filter on it is no faster for top speed, but gets there a lot quicker. Depending on your budget go for as late a model as you can as the later ones (16v anyway, not sure about the 8's) had vr6 front brakes (288mm) and with ebc greenstuff pads fitted you've got the brakes to match the performance. Hope this helps, good look looking for the perfect car for you.

[Bazzer]

Yeah all good comments so far bar the really 'helpful' one...

Specwise, you can see a lot of differences in the models. For instance I drove an N plate 8v GTI that had cloth seats, no aircon or sunroof. But the top line models (like my Colour Concept) have got all the toys (heated leather, a\c, tilt and slide glass sunroof, abs, airbag etc...). I think you could spec them up when you bought them so there's not exactly a 'standard' spec. Drive some and let us know what you think of them!

I think the 8v is perfect for A and B road blasts now and again. But lets face it you probably spend most of your time sat in traffic anyway!

[mowgli]

Personally, I agree with the most of the above.  I've had 4 Mk3 8v's and only on one or two occasions wished I had more power, but I don't go ragging it away from traffic lights and prefer to use the greater low down torque from the 8v's engine.

The last one I had was one of the very last ('98 R reg - South African made) and it had aircon and solitude alloys as found on the VR6.  Lovely car, probably should of kept it to be honest.  40 mpg possible on a run, 34 - 35 as an average is the norm, corners pretty well but not as good as a 306 xsi/gti6 (had both of those too so know which is better), very easy to maintain, aircon is very nice but do we really need it in this climate? (looks outside and frowns.

There is one special edition that springs to mind and thats the anniversary, personally I find it a bit loud inside but whatever floats your boat.  The flip side is having a ltd edition of the car that started the GTi craze all those years ago when many of the contributors to this site were still swimming around in their dads' bags.

Its got the right badge front, back and rear right hand corner so whatever you get you won't go far wrong.

Whichever it is, look at the condition, compare it to the miles, check and re-check the service history, HPI it, buy it if its OK and enjoy iy!!  They really are excellent all rounders.

[Len]

That old torque chestnut again!!!

Yes it does come in a bit earlier but go check the figures please!!!

As most of the comments have been sensible I will give my honest opinion!

It really comes down to what you want mate. If you want the best with all the toys then its a NO CONTEST!
16v everytime!

But if your on a budget and insurance is an issue then settle for second best and buy an 8v.

[mowgli]

If you spend MOST of your time above 3500 - 4000 rpm the valver is the one to go for, if not, then give the 8v a try