The later ones are like a face lift, ie big bumpers, slight trim differences. I also live in Spain,(Madrid) and the choices here for cars are a little different from uk. Most Golf II's come with either air con, or PAS. Not both as there is physically no room. If you go looking for a car and find a choice of a couple of decent ones, remember that it is easier to remove air con than it is PAS if you don't want either. Older Golfs can be up graded if you want an on the road, on going project so I would choose the best condition Golf possible, and not go for age. Depending on where you live, the older cars have generally had a hard time as the Spanish do not give too much of a damn when it comes to parking etc. That why they are called bumpers, cos thats exactly what they do! Good luck.
(Oh BTW, you probably know this anyway but don't think about doing any engine swaps over here for a different spec, ie 8v to 16v or a VR6 transplant or similar. The Spanish will not allow it. And before carrying out any other mods, check very carefully that the ITV will accept it. Car may need to be re hormoligated to reflect the changed state on the paperwork! This includes even up grading your wheels!)
