Brakes?

[scottishpedro]

Hi all,

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/772997.htm

Thinking of getting myself a Mk2 GTI as a 2nd car.  Went to look at one nearby tonight which was in nice condition inside and out.  Started fine, drove really nicely, until I came to the first corner.  The brakes hardly worked, even under high pressure.  My friend thinks this could be a servo problem?  any thoughts?  If so is this an easy fix?

The only other issues were a poor service history and the blowers werent working, this was the first time they hadnt worked.

Any thoughts on the above?

Thanks

Pedro.

[OakeyDoak16v]

Leave it there. I would never buy a car with no brakes. Looks a bit tatty for £900 tbh. You can get far better examples for that sort of money at the moment.

[Mew]

Looks a bit tatty for £900 tbh. You can get far better examples for that sort of money at the moment.

ditto

[oakgreengolf]

theres better cars out there for £900

[Conker]

I'm pretty sure big bumpers didn't come in till '89, so it looks like its had a conversion. This always puts me off for some reason, don't know why.

Dodgy brakes wouldn't put me off (so long as it was safe enough to drive home!!) as its one of the simplest systems on a car i.e. the problem will probably be limited to servo, master cylinder, lines, callipers, discs or pads, and its probably only one of those items (I would put my money on the master cylinder).

[scottishpedro]

Got an update from the seller saying he's had the heater look at and seems like the motor thas gone, he says he'll supply a new motor and lower the price.  Already was looking at 800-850 so maybe getting cheaper.  Re the brakes, he thinks i'm used to driving the 350z with brembos which is why it feels so different.  To me it hardly stopped, but then again last night was the first time I drove a car without power steering and I could harly turn the thing?!

Thoughts?

[Blazing Storm]

If the discs and pads are badly worn the brakes would feel crap. Having had new discs and pads fitted to mine ages ago it made a huge difference and stops very well. BUT for the money I don't think it's worth it. High mileage for a start and in the current climate there's much better out there. Who knows what else needs doing to it and is there rust in hidden places? The back arches always seem to rust badly for a start.