1990 Volkswagen Golf Gti 8V 3 Dr

I bought this car in April 2020. I am the 6th owner in 31 years. It has done just over 106k miles and has a full service history to back this up.. I have spent a lot of time looking for good cars to own and I cannot stand misleading adverts. With that in mind I have listed as honestly as I can given my own personal use of it and work I have done. I am selling because property might be on the cards so reluctantly it's time to consider selling. Please read carefully before asking questions, TIA. 

ENGINE & MECHANICALS

FSH and will do oil change for new owner if wanted as although low miles since last change it's due another. The engine is really in good order. It's rarely a pretty sight under the bonnet of a MK Golf, this one is in very good original condition save for a bit of black plastic scuttle trim being sprayed black. The hoses are soft and are not split or perishing. There are no nasty DIY botches and it sounds and drives like a Golf should.

The Bosch battery is about a year old. The engine does not rattle at all on start-up, even if left for a longer period. Charging side is all fully functioning. Coolant side steady. Intermittent coolant level light but it's telling fibs! Had this on every Mk2 I've had. Can be down to a blue sensor on the stat housing apparently.

The brakes are fine, even distribution, no rattles or judder but the front lines were an advisory point, personally I'd ditch them in favour of braided steel (inexpensive effective solution) because standard brakes need all the help they can get! Rear lines replaced for MOT 3 months ago.

Gears have new bushings and a weighted shifter. Push down spring for reverse is fully functional, gears engage well. Again it's not modern, it has not got a dual mass flywheel with silky smooth drivetrain so unless you have experience of these may I suggest you familiarise yourself with the lack of refinement, braking, power, long distance comfort and so on! That said It's absolutely delightful, that distinctive old Golf smell, and the wonderful free revving little engine that is just bombproof if serviced properly. Handling is great, loves B roads and if driven properly is really engaging with huge feedback through the fingers, toes and backside! I love them, and one day maybe there will be a nice Leccy unit made for them!

WHEELS AND SUSPENSION. 

It was sat extremely low on JOM coilovers with BBS RM 3pc. Split Rims (15” x 6.5” + 1.5” lips/dishes fitted). They are stunning and I have kept them on, though in my opinion are too wide. I decided to buy a set of ½” lips/dishes to reduce the width to what I consider near factory but still keep the adjustable ride height. I have bought two already which I will include for asking price. The waffle plates are all there and nothing is damaged. I fitted new Uniroyal Rainsport tyres with “sharkskin” which still look rolled but were bought with the inch and a half reduced wheel width in mind. Very few miles have been covered with them. 

BODYWORK AND TRIM

The body is completely rust free with the exception of a couple tiny chips (less than 5mm) and a small bubble has appeared under the rear tailgate sticker/trim near the lock. It's a three decade old car so it has a number of minor blemishes and listing them will only serve to give a false impression, it genuinely does look as good as this listing states. I would say it has been resprayed at some point but it looks great. The slam panel and rear scuttle are original and straight with factory decals in place. 

The plastic is all good, a couple of digs in bumpers, mirrors are fine, arches have been cut but thankfully sealed by a complete philistine presumably. You can't see this without looking and arches are easy to sort. The main thing I wanted was the low miles, low owners, fsh, paperwork etc. I would just put G60 arches on and no more than that. They look fantastic against BBS split rims. It has G60/16V Hella rear light clusters, smoked side repeaters and front indicators. Originals I kept and will go with car.  

INTERIOR

The interior is fantastic original grey/blue contrasting trim in amazingly good condition. The seats are all sound and the foam and cloth are superb. The roof lining is great, sunroof is fully functioning and leak free, rear parcel shelf is uncut. Has a Sony CD/Radio head unit, original cassette storage in centre console. Carpets are good, black and grey mats are new and no water gets in. The windows are manual winders, central locking from driver door fully functioning, and has an aftermarket immobiliser fitted with spare fobs and instructions. The heater motor/fan doesn't work neither does the cigarette lighter. MFA works and although archaic works ok. Averaging about 44mpg on dual carriageway with light foot, down to 26mpg when giving it a blast which they DO need from time to time.

DRIVING

It starts every time without the machine gun rattle of worn hydraulic lifters. No smoke, idles perfectly, no exhaust blows, power assisted steering is good with no squeals or leaks, lumpy spots, creaks or groans. The immobiliser is reliable and has never played up, the steering is responsive and tight although once set to your chosen ride height and wheel choice an alignment will be required. Perfectly simple enough but just something to be aware of. I love the engine note on this car, the exhaust is a stainless copy of the factory one. The ride is firm, though considering it's on coilovers is not too firm. The shocks are not seized at all, I have raised the suspension last year and everything turns freely. A side effect of raising the ride height is the bushes are now squeaky on the rear. Doesn't bother me but it's best to mention everything I think of. 

So, a lovely honest, low mile, low owner MK2, not totally mint but it is truly beautiful and makes people you've never met nicer to you…..seriously! It has some tasteful expensive mods that do not detract from its originality, the sound is perfect for the car and hopefully a proper enthusiast will fall for it and it gets looked after this well for another 30 years! Thankyou for looking.