Golf Mk2 GTi 16v
Discussion
Hi Everyone, just bought a 1990 'big bumper' 16v Golf GTi. I have been looking for the car in this (rare) spec for a long time and finally found a car that ticks all the boxes.. (right colour, right age, right wheels and as a bonus it has a period non private plate that matches my name (fate?). The question is, for around 10 grand, what should i be looking for.? I will change the cambelt and give it a good service, but is there anything else i need look for...?
AlandSoph said:
Hi Everyone, just bought a 1990 'big bumper' 16v Golf GTi. I have been looking for the car in this (rare) spec for a long time and finally found a car that ticks all the boxes.. (right colour, right age, right wheels and as a bonus it has a period non private plate that matches my name (fate?). The question is, for around 10 grand, what should i be looking for.? I will change the cambelt and give it a good service, but is there anything else i need look for...?
The 1990 Big Bumper 16v Golf GTI is a real icon and congratulations on your purchase. I particularly like the striped seats. Don’t forget to post some pictures. Big fan here too - never made it to the 16v myself, but I had a 5dr big bumper 8v in a fantastic colour - bright blue metallic. One of the best cars I ever owned. Brakes occasionally turned up for work but "they all do that sir" I think.
In addition to Epom's rust spot advice, also look behind the plastic wheel arch and sill trims and check all the drain channels are clear of dead leaves and crud,
In addition to Epom's rust spot advice, also look behind the plastic wheel arch and sill trims and check all the drain channels are clear of dead leaves and crud,
Dapster said:
Big fan here too - never made it to the 16v myself, but I had a 5dr big bumper 8v in a fantastic colour - bright blue metallic. One of the best cars I ever owned. Brakes occasionally turned up for work but "they all do that sir" I think.
In addition to Epom's rust spot advice, also look behind the plastic wheel arch and sill trims and check all the drain channels are clear of dead leaves and crud,
Thanks Dapster! I had an 8v version in 1992 and loved it. been looking for the same car for about 5 years found a Helios Blue (the right colour) big bumper (the right spec) with BBS alloys recently. almost scrolled on, but it was the right price and had my initials as the (original) plate... fate for sure. Anyhow going to look at it tomorrow..!In addition to Epom's rust spot advice, also look behind the plastic wheel arch and sill trims and check all the drain channels are clear of dead leaves and crud,
epom said:
Great buy, had two of these.
Usual rust around the windscreen rubber and the obligatory wet carpets in the footwell check (this will be inside the door card not being sealed correctly).
Enjoy it and lots of pics please.
Yes will check this thoroughly, but TBH my heart's already set. I want this car, and seeing the photos i want it more! Usual rust around the windscreen rubber and the obligatory wet carpets in the footwell check (this will be inside the door card not being sealed correctly).
Enjoy it and lots of pics please.
Dapster said:
Big fan here too - never made it to the 16v myself, but I had a 5dr big bumper 8v in a fantastic colour - bright blue metallic. One of the best cars I ever owned. Brakes occasionally turned up for work but "they all do that sir" I think.
In addition to Epom's rust spot advice, also look behind the plastic wheel arch and sill trims and check all the drain channels are clear of dead leaves and crud,
You just know the 16v was better In addition to Epom's rust spot advice, also look behind the plastic wheel arch and sill trims and check all the drain channels are clear of dead leaves and crud,
The amount of 8v'ers chasing me in the 90's was unreal !
TX.
Terminator X said:
You just know the 16v was better
The amount of 8v'ers chasing me in the 90's was unreal !
TX.
extremely exited about seeing/buying it tomorrow..! just feeling slightly daft about selling a 2018 Audi convertible with the rare 3.0 tdi engine with 286bhp for a 35 year old golf.... but fuggit.you only live once!The amount of 8v'ers chasing me in the 90's was unreal !
TX.
AlandSoph said:
Terminator X said:
You just know the 16v was better
The amount of 8v'ers chasing me in the 90's was unreal !
TX.
extremely exited about seeing/buying it tomorrow..! just feeling slightly daft about selling a 2018 Audi convertible with the rare 3.0 tdi engine with 286bhp for a 35 year old golf.... but fuggit.you only live once!The amount of 8v'ers chasing me in the 90's was unreal !
TX.
AlandSoph said:
extremely exited about seeing/buying it tomorrow..! just feeling slightly daft about selling a 2018 Audi convertible with the rare 3.0 tdi engine with 286bhp for a 35 year old golf.... but fuggit.you only live once!
You're right there. If it's what you want go for it! Looking forward to an update BTW.
Love a MK2 16v, had a few over the years
A factory big bumper car will be a late 1989 car, at this point VW switched from Helios blue which has a purple tint to it to Royal Blue which has a more green tint in it
I had a 1990 16v with a 2.0l swap and a tonne of trick bits painted in a mix of Helios and ruby for a purple flip...miss that one the most
The MK2 golf owners club group and clubgti are a fantastic bunch, there is an incredible amount of information out there
A factory big bumper car will be a late 1989 car, at this point VW switched from Helios blue which has a purple tint to it to Royal Blue which has a more green tint in it
I had a 1990 16v with a 2.0l swap and a tonne of trick bits painted in a mix of Helios and ruby for a purple flip...miss that one the most
The MK2 golf owners club group and clubgti are a fantastic bunch, there is an incredible amount of information out there
Thanks for all the replies! Whilst no expert, i had a 8v Gti on an 'H' plate that i swear was helios Blue... I went to see (and ended up buying) this car on Friday. It's not perfect (what 35 year old car is) but it's solid, in good spec, and drives well. I expect to do a service and cambelt change immediately (just in case) and yes, i will miss the Audi convertible and it's power, but to be honest i'm just not using it and so would rather have a 'classic' on the drive for the weekend trips to the pub that i used to use the Audi for, and forget the fear of the MMI going awol (it happened on an earlier car) for £5,000 with that cash, i could bring the GTi up to near concours!
Here's a link to the car.. https://www.lmtmotorcyclesltd.co.uk/used-volkswage... Incidentally, Louis at LMT is worth a day out! He's got a showroom full of awesome classic bikes and is next door to a dealer in classic US muscle cars.. I was tempted to ask about the mustang he had there, but my wife would kill me..!
AlandSoph said:
Here's a link to the car.. https://www.lmtmotorcyclesltd.co.uk/used-volkswage... Incidentally, Louis at LMT is worth a day out! He's got a showroom full of awesome classic bikes and is next door to a dealer in classic US muscle cars.. I was tempted to ask about the mustang he had there, but my wife would kill me..!
It looks a lovely example. All the little 16v touches just made the car super desirable back in the day. Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff