Beautiful car - that's the car I lusted after when I was 17 & newly passed my driving test (no chance)! The Mk2 GTi is just one of "those" cars for me, although realistically, I'm not sure I'd have one now - too used to the convenience of a Mk 7.5 now.... I do know someone who has a stunning Mk2 GTi (although I've not had a look at it close up, it is detailed superbly). Reminds me a bit of my Dad's G plate Mk2 GL (he had to get an automatic), but he did have it fitted with the red trimmed twin headlight GTi grille. Looking forward to lots more MK2 content (& don't forget about Project Corrado either - quite the nice classic VW garage you have now 👌).
I own my golf mk2 type 19 with 1.8L 8v carburetor system with 3 gears auto gearbox no power steering no electric windows I own it for 15 years and still drive it daily can't tell how reliable and very sharp balanced on curbs until some drivers tell me they saw my rear wheel gets above the road thought it rolls over I just give them a big smile and tell them German design my friend now it's over 480k km original engine and geranox never been swapped ,no modification made I use best engine oil Castrol sae 20w50 and do proper maintenance. another big advantage is the durability especially on bad roads with speed bumps due to its high profile tyers and iron wheels which are very easy to balance Incase a wheel gets in a bad pothole . never driven a car like it and I do not care for people sayings when I drive in roads in winter with 20 cm water level the car drives normally while the modern cars will be 80% shuts down and stuck in the middle of the road and unable to start again they just watch me pass them and go away it make them angry (🤣🤣a 1500$ car goes without any problem and our modern car 10k+ $ needs to be towed to a workshop to fix with a ? $$$ bill is stupid) that's when those people recognize why I appreciate my humble mk2 that drives in every road conditions l but most important driver skills and dextricty I hope that explains some of mk2 amazing experience 👋👋
I had a 8v GTI in 1986 , small bumper and loved it, it was a demonstration car with Tresser, ( I think) tinted lights with matching tailgate panel and original Pirelli P wheels.
Ahh the famous tailblazer which was a Treser trade mark on Audis - must have done them for Mk2s. It was Hella that made the most well known one though. Pirelli wheels means a very early car up to around 1986 - initially they were standard on 3 door and 5 door but 3 door went steelies while 5 door kept the P slots.
Andrew Volkswizard. Thank you so much for this. I bought an '87 Mk2 GTI 8V in Graphite grey from the original purchaser in 1998. Could it have been about 1900 quid? Sounds like a bargain now. Can't quite remember. The longer I had it the more I appreciated it. My 3 year old son threw up on the back seat first time I took he and his mother out in it. The sun roof had a horrid rattle that went away if you whacked it with the flat of your hand. Sometimes. Sold it for an Impreza Turbo in 2005. Fast and practical, but nothing like the GTI. Back to Golfs with a Mk 7 Tsi 1.4 in Australia in 2013. Equivalent of £13K, brand new. How did that sell them that cheap? Great car and great engine, regularly doing 56mpg on smooth WA roads, and on a trip right across Australia. So then I bought a MK7 GTD when came to France hoping for more of the same only faster. Not so good on the faster bit, but everyday and long distance it is a premium golf. Regularly see the claimed 67mpg and its everything you need for comfort. The 'coupling kit' is icing on the cake. Then I bought an UP! GTI when you first reviewed them in 2018. Because of your reviews! Still got both, and love the UP! more than any of them. Put some SportMaxx RT2 205/17/40 on it (belatedly) in 2020. Now its only flaw is the crashing over sharp bumps. I know to avoid them. I do recommend the tyre change - not that I have tried pilot sports or goodyears. The Dunlops seem perfect, with little noise and superb turn in, grip, confidence etc. They transformed the car. Thanks for the chance to remember some history, and the early UP GTI reviews that made me contact my local dealer, and get one in 2018.
Thanks Gard. Thanks for the car story, very interesting to see an ex-Mk2 owner buying an Up! GTI, must get the 2 cars together for a comparison video as Mk2 is more of a rival than a Mk1 because it's a little bit modern and less classic compromised (e.g. PAS). I do need to get an Up! GTI and swap the tyres so your feedback is appreciated. I also plan to sort the crashing out over bumps which will be a little harder than swapping tyres. More sophisticated dampers should do it but I am prepared for a few attempts to crack the perfect forumla. VW were limited on budget with Up! GTI so shouldn't be too hard to better.
MK2 Big Bumper, my favourite Golf of all time and always will be, especially the 16v but even a clean 8v like this one would make me a very happy man.. You’ve got great taste my friend 😊
Fond memories! I used to love driving these in the 90's when we took them in against SAABs. That's also how I typically use trade plates until they either skate off the dash of fall off the rear screen!
Lovely! I engine swapped 2x Golf 2 Syncros in the early 90's, one with a 8v GTI engine (Same grey colour) and one with 16v GTI engine and the 8v was a definitely more torquey and a nicer match to my driving style.
I have a 1988 GTi limited edition 8 valve'1 in 10 million' small bumper in original spec.Colour is oak green/undamaged rainbow interior & period blaupunk auto reverse stereo.I am only the second owner,(Have full history)Fantastic to drive in the summer & beats the crap out of my modern accountant built car!-)
What a great car, but I would say that as I have exactly the same one, same colour, similar wheels and spec but mine has a sagging headliner I'll be following this project keenly. I looked at 10 others and this one was the most standard so bought it 8-9 years ago.
Great video Andrew, and great to see you back in a MK2. I returned to the fold 2 years ago with a 1990 oak green 16V. It’s in need of work but useable, and like yours, isn’t going anywhere now it’s in my garage! Hopefully run into you at C&M/other soon - it’s been a while since you had our A3 and Lupo!
Hello Clive, great to hear from you after all this time! I'm guessing you had a Mk2 before and have returned to the fold? Congrats on Oak green 16v, that's the pinnacle for many, fingers crossed it's a 3dr (but in that colour it doesn't really matter). I hope to return to C&M with the Mk2 soon so I'll keep an eye out for Mk2 meets but do tip me off just in case I miss anything(email address is the same as it's always been👍)
@@volkswizard of course it’s a 3dr…..nothing else would count would it? Have had many a MK2 in the past, starting in the late 90’s/early 00’s, with my last being a VR converted small bumper back in about 2006/07. Having then moved through the various ‘family’ cars, I had the unexpected opportunity to get a toy a couple of years ago. Will obviously keep you posted on anything at C&M, and also regularly go to the Wheels on Wednesday meets in Worcester during the summer months too. Will be great to catch up!
Wheeler Dealer😉🙂. You're getting quite a fleet , Andrew. Mrs C is very understanding 🙂 Loved my Mk 2 GTI. Not a big bumper car. Collected it in Birmingham in 1986 and drove it home to Newcastle. Was expecting Mars Red when I ordered it but that changed to Tornado Red by the time it arrived. Disappointed at first but quickly loved it. Sold it after 2 years from new to my brother in law as moving to a bigger house and we needed the money. Always wanted another but circumstances prevented it. Nearest was in 1992 when I just missed out on a fairly new blue one. I was gutted. Didn't like the Mk3 and domestic circumstances changed after that. At first that exhaust sounded good but might get tiring on longer run? In the short term could you get smoke tinted film applied to the rear lights whilst hoping for a more sensible priced pair to turn up?
Great video Andrew, it brought back lots of good memories. The Mark 2 Golf 8 valve is one of the best cars I have owned and driven. G133 RGF, a 3 door in Royal Blue Metallic with power steering. It was totally standard when I bought it from Wayside Bletchley in 1994. I soon found some BBS RAs, a pair of tinted rear light lenses, had a bee sting ariel fitted and removed the GTi badge on the front grill. One other purchase was some tinted windows with front and rear screens as it was hellish hot inside when the sun shone. The factory 8V suspension was changed to Koni shocks and Chassis Dynamics springs. Wayside fitted them and could not get the set up correct, so after several failed attempts, I was fortunate to discover AmD in Oddington where Mike Devine and Nathan Sammons (now a Director at APS), created one of the best handling Golf Mk2 in existence. It was superb, and the slightly lower ride height made it a real head turner. I had countless offers from admirers wanting to buy it. After notching up over 80K miles, I sadly sold the car to guy who took it back to Jamaica, and within days regretted selling it. I later learnt that he had repainted it red, and then promptly wrote it off within weeks. One of those very special cars that you wish you still had. I'd buy another one today without hesitation.
My first GTi was a 91J oak green digifant 8v. Loved that car. Sounded so good with K&N panel filter & the snorkel removed from the airbox. Eventually went to a 2L block pack C head & schrick cam with an AmD (Geoff Everett RIP remap). Made 155hp/153lbs.ft on Vince’s Rollers so about as strong as an 8v mk2 got! Best mod to compliment the Koni eibachs would be some beefier arb’s. Utterly transformed mine & dialled out all the understeer. Didn’t detract from ride quality & only enhanced the chassis. I’ve since moved on & my toy is a mint UK Integra R. As a daily I now have a Vegas yellow Audi S1. Reminds me of a mk2 GTi so much. Soon to be stage 1 tuned…😀
Nice car ..I had a J plate Oak green one and also a H plate Windsor blue I think it was which saved my bacon in a big crash (in 97 on the m40) as they are so solid.
Torquey fuel injected 8v mk2 GTI has to be peak fun at least until mk5 arrived - fabulous content Andrew as modern classic cars up in value as scarce particularly for a H reg it’s so clean and unmodified - looking forward to seeing more of it on the channel in ‘23 👏🎯👍🥳
Lovely looking car that and brings back a lot of memories having owned a few of these. Did it still have that MK2 Golf smell? The one that normally comes from the heater matrix.
Hey Mike, smell is a big thing with these cars and a I am pleased to report it is correct for a Mk2. There is no air freshener smell, no evidence of cigarettes or pets, so " Eau de Golf deux" is present and correct. I am also please to report the door closing sound just right too 😀😀
Really enjoyed this one! Brought back some really fond memories of the three Mk2 GTI 8vs I owned between 1995 and 2003. First was an F-plate in black, followed by two J-plates both with the full cloth interior. Have got to admit it's got me seriously looking in the classifieds now. Really looking forward to where this project goes. Hope you can keep up the great content into the New Year,
At 4:00 The first owner was Mr E. Wise? Kind of wondering if it was Mr E. Morecambe that sold it to him. By the way, 155-163 Balham Hill is now a furniture shop.
Thats a nice golf you have. Brings back some memories my first golf was a tornado red 91 G reg 1300 3 door which i sold for a 16 driver 3 door on a h plate it was metallic blue i think it was a pearl factory paint because in the sun light it looked green and purple. I had a mongoose manifold back system with bilsten gas shocks and eiback 35mm lowering springs with these rubber spring helpers which you could turn them around the spring for different ride hights on the rear i Miss that car but i did sell it for a mk1 gti which I swapped the standard 1600 engine for a mk3 2.0 gti 8v. They were the days.
Hi mate, nice Golf. I bought a low mileage 92 J plate run out 8v which had as standard BBS RA’s, Rainbow trim and smoked rear lights. I’m pretty certain the run out model 8v had 16v optional parts fitted as mine did.
Yes sorry, managed to not explain this very well. 92 model year'run out' 8v like yours have BBS RAs, rainbow and smoked rear lights. Every other big bumper 8v only has steel wheels or accessory wheels, all 14" unless retrofit/aftermarket. There are LOADS of 90 and 91 8v with BBS which are retrofit but because they look so good everyone assumes they are original. Some of those 92 model year cars will be registered in 1991 which is where it gets confusing as I didn't say wrong for 1991 model year, I said wrong for 1991. Probably best to do a video on all 3 big bumper model years. As 8v changed significantly every year, 1990 MY didn't have PAS but did have big bumpers!
The start up noise took me back. Miss my Mk2 GTI. So envious of your purchase. All the best with it and I know its in the best hands possible cause you'll do right by it and you'll let us see the journey.
I loved my 1989 8V… I bought it from VW Camberley a few months old ex demonstrator with an electric sunroof… the sunroof button was in the centre console between the electric window switches… never saw another 👍
Nice, I can tell you that sunroof was dealer fit, think I've seen one before. They did all sorts of weird things back then retrofitting power steering and a/c as well, often for customers in the London area.
Always good to get into a Mk2 GTI, although I'm more of a 16V fanboy 🙂What is your experience with rust on the Mk2's model years? I saw more late 90/91 models with rust issues...
Rust is a good question, I don't think those later cars are any better or worse than the early ones. I think after 30 years how the car has been used and where it's lived have a greater impact on corrosion. Having said that, with big bumpers, the lower front panel wasn't fitted which left a greater opportunity for crap to build up on inside of front wings so you might be onto something. I sold relatively few small bumper cars but as with 90-92 some were rock solid, other were so bad they were scrapped.
actually I m an 8V fan and 15 years and still going like hell my 4 eyed red machine catches the eyes of people while I drive pass them nothing modified it's genuine and no bbs wheels about rust it's easy to to control just park it under a tree if no garage with roof if any rust bump seen (if you are an mk2 driver you know the places those appear) get it to car body workshop and it will be fixed easly . my car is very well condition and I can't wait for spring to do the season maintenance get it a very big clean and make it shine like a star 👋👋
Day to day, the 8v was always a nicer car to drive. The 16v is geared really well. It has like a power band between 4-6k revs, change at 6k and the next gear picked up at the 4k and just kept pushing on.
I still have our family mk1 that was purchased new in 1981. It needs a lot more restoration than that one, but it's cool to have these sort of '1 owner' cars. That' a great looking mk2!
@@volkswizard There is a spring in the lock which pulls back the lock. Mine broke as well after 32 years. Bought a new OEM set (lock + hinge) at private parts on instagram.
So this is your new toy and what a lovely example you have purchased by the looks of it. What sort of plans have you got for her? Put her back to OE standard or just keep her going and well maintained. I’ve always liked the mk2- now goes of to the used classifieds in search one 😂
Good luck finding a decent one Darren and so many billed as "original" are anything but. Plans are to make as original as possible, stereo and exhaust are the main culprits, get some paintwork done, tidy engine bay change all fluids and project with cavity wax etc. Alan has done a good job of maintaining it to OE standard with Stealth racing so it's far from terrible to start of with. Unlike Corrado it's not 2 massive jobs (paint and engine rebuild) so there is a lot I can my teeth into. The water pipe replacement has reminded me how easy these things are to work on!
Hi Andrew, hope all is well 👍👍 this is brilliant for the channel and for you in general, the mk2 gti is easily my favourite car, and they clearly hold fond memories for you too. Im really looking forward to this series of videos, and i hope to learn a bit more from yourself as a result about preserving these mk2's myself too. Ive owned my current pearl grey 16v for 12 years now. The very best of luck with yours and all the best for the upcoming new year too! 🙏👍
It certainly sounded healthy when you revved it through the gears, Andrew. 👍 Good luck to you, I enjoy these 'historic' Golf vids, learn about the legend.
i wish you had bought the house and premises but i expect your new home will keep you busy hope you team up with another mechanic its the safe option.😊
Recently sold my 8v which I converted to 20v for 15k. Had it 7 years, totally refurbished everything, rewired it and had some small rust items sorted. They are such wonderful cars, i learned all my repair and maintenance on that car and I sorely miss it. It's with its new owner is very much enjoying it
Nice to see a mk2 on the channel 😁 i have a 2.0 8v and a 16v, agree with the need to thrash the valver, but that doesn't bother me as thats part of the enjoyment, a scremaing NA over a back road is perfect 👍
Great content Andrew. Have fond memories of my Jade Green 16v, as you said you really had to ring its neck to make it come alive. Looking back the G plate small bumper 8v I had in grey was much more versatile and fun on UK roads This one’s a cracker!
Love the mk2. Learnt in a Driver, but always wanted a GTI in (predictable), Oak Green or in BBM, but was too young to afford, then did the whole wasted 90s ‘dreaming of putting a VR6 in a mk2’, now too late to afford a clean original! Will follow this story closely!
Thanks J! Hmmm who doesn't love a Mk2 is a good question, they have been loved by nearly everyone throughout their 40 years. Crazy. It really is a classic car as it's always been popular. There are some Austin Rover cars that are becoming collectable but they were an automotive joke when new and so badly made, anything surviving deserves to be cherished but is in a different league to something like a Mk2 Golf GTI which has always been an iconic car.
Very nice to see Andrew, so glad you managed to find a minter. My brother had one in the same colour in 8V to. Beautiful car. Look forward to seeing this project. Best wishes for 2023. 😀😀😀
That looks lovely! Have a 89 BB tornado red 8v, and I love it to bits has a few engine mods but it is just a joy to drive never knew that about the steering wheel mine is rounded and I don't have power steering I was told i had the wrong steering wheel so thanks for clearing that up!.. look forward to seeing some more!
Great video Andrew. The Golf still looks sound with hopefully not too much work as opposed to your previous project. Looking forward to seeing it at Bicester in the summer? No pressure then! HNY for 23.
This reminds mind me of my drive home after buying my ‘91 GTI 8v that I’ve wanted for for 14 years! Two previous owners originally purchased at the dealer I worked at.
I sold my mk2 golf gti about 20 years ago and like yourself would like to buy it back,it was same year as yours H reg 16v metallic black 5 door, best car I ever owned,if you have any idea's of tracing it I would appreciate it,
Andrew such a great video I bet you were over the moon to get that car back it’s been well cared for and looks solid looking forward to see it come back to its best happy new year to you and Kate see you next year!
Loved this video. Reminded me of my Bright Blue metallic mk 2 Golf GTI. So raw to drive! As I am alittle older now, the UP GTI sits on the driveway but still great fun.
Nice pick up and great to have these relationships with your customers to buy back nearly 20 years later :) Are any videos on the rest of your fleet or you keep that private? I don't know what you have but I'd guess you still have a MK5 and a clubsport of some kind :)
It is nice to keep in touch with customers, social media has helped. The others cars are 981 Boxster GTS, C7 RS6 Avant, Mk3 Leon Cupra, VW Corrado VR6 and my wife's Mk2 TT 2.0 TFSI quattro. There are videos on all of them on the channel, the TT video (a buying guide) I was encouraged to make by 'er indoors and it's done quite well, better than the Corrado, Porsche and even Leon videos!
I had an 87 8v Gti. Sold it in 97. Best car I ever owned. Wish I still owned it… enjoy my golf r…but still love the shape, torque and simplicity of the mk 2.
You must be really chuffed! Looks to be in great condition. I wish I could buy back my 91 3 door 16v. I had it when it was 10 months old. Cracking car. J226TPJ is anyone knows where it is now 😢
Thanks Julian! I've had a block on paying more for cars today than I did in the past but I'd rather pay a few £k more today for a Mk2 after 18 years than a similar premium for a Golf R after 2 years which will vanish next year. I now factor in the cost of storage and the car has cost Alan a fair chunk over those 18 years, cheaper than me storing it, to buy it now at a premium. Amazing it hasn't decayed much in that time and while Alan has added mileage, it's not much more than it needs to be kept in good running order, just leaving it standing would kill it.
Andrew, when they were new I tried to trade in an Alfa Romeo Alfasud for the GTI but received a terrible trade in offer; I ended up with an Escort XR3i instead, solid enough but not as dynamic. Since then I've always hankered after the GTI so all the best with yours.
Great purchase Andrew and more good content! This got me thinking about my old Mk2 1.3C, C405 FBA. I couldn't afford anything fast back then (late 80s). One red go-faster stripe and set of BBS lookalikes later and voila! GTI wannabe!! ✌
That's a very nice clean Late Mk2. Pearl Grey Paint, one of my favourite colours. Very overlooked compared to Oak Green. One of the only things I didn't like was boring (IMO) steering wheels (much preferred the 4 button early ones) As a fellow V Dubber, and former South Londoner I remember that Balham VW dealership very well 😊. Great video. Look forward to more content on this.
Cool that you remember the Balham dealership Gordon, was it one of those small family dealerships? Presumably it's territory got mopped up by Dovercourt Battersea, now part of the Lookers chain.
What a classic...classic design,love the wheels. I quite like that exhaust. Looking forward to the videos on this one.. another one I've added to my wish list.. enjoy Andrew👍
Thanks Rasher. I'm in 2 minds about the exhaust, it's from Trackslag which is a reputable firm. I'll try and get it to sit higher before I discount it. Need to do more miles and see if it really annoys me.
Great video lovely example of a 8v I used to have a 89 av then a 89 16v back in 98. Hopefully early next year I will be looking to purchase another and would be very interested in a guide to buying one.
Thanks Kurt. Buying guide might be a very long video but it needs to be done. I think if most people knew what they were buying with modern classics they wouldn't buy them, there is so much tat out there with big price tags from dealers that haven't been around for long and don't plan to be. That was why I was keen to buy a car I knew the history of. Which did you prefer 8v or 16v?
@@volkswizard was a long time ago possibly the 16v was a 89 on avo adjustables and full magnex system my 8v I had 1st was a 89 jamex suspension mongoose stainless and momo arrow 16inch alloys. I got side swiped into a dyke and was written of thats how I ended up with the 16v
Thanks David, yes indeed it is straight and original, surprisingly so. It's funny because I often wonder what happened to all the Mk2s I sold, unless it's me not recognising the reg numbers. Mike Brewer is a legend and in some small part was behind me getting into selling cars with his Deals On Wheels programme.
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Had a MK2 early in my days - very lovely torquey k jet Tronic mechanical injection. Drove the 16v - never felt a lot faster and was less smoother.
Beautiful car - that's the car I lusted after when I was 17 & newly passed my driving test (no chance)! The Mk2 GTi is just one of "those" cars for me, although realistically, I'm not sure I'd have one now - too used to the convenience of a Mk 7.5 now.... I do know someone who has a stunning Mk2 GTi (although I've not had a look at it close up, it is detailed superbly).
Reminds me a bit of my Dad's G plate Mk2 GL (he had to get an automatic), but he did have it fitted with the red trimmed twin headlight GTi grille.
Looking forward to lots more MK2 content (& don't forget about Project Corrado either - quite the nice classic VW garage you have now 👌).
I own my golf mk2 type 19
with 1.8L 8v carburetor system
with 3 gears auto gearbox
no power steering no electric windows
I own it for 15 years and still drive it daily can't tell how reliable and very sharp balanced on curbs until some drivers tell me they saw my rear wheel gets above the road thought it rolls over I just give them a big smile and tell them German design my friend
now it's over 480k km original engine and geranox never been swapped ,no modification made
I use best engine oil Castrol sae 20w50 and do proper maintenance.
another big advantage is the durability especially on bad roads with speed bumps due to its high profile tyers and iron wheels which are very easy to balance Incase a wheel gets in a bad pothole .
never driven a car like it and I do not care for people sayings
when I drive in roads in winter with 20 cm water level the car drives normally while the modern cars will be 80% shuts down and stuck in the middle of the road and unable to start again they just watch me pass them and go away it make them angry
(🤣🤣a 1500$ car goes without any problem and our modern car 10k+ $
needs to be towed to a workshop to fix with a ? $$$ bill is stupid)
that's when those people recognize why I appreciate my humble mk2
that drives in every road conditions l
but most important driver skills and dextricty I hope that explains some
of mk2 amazing experience
👋👋
I had a 8v GTI in 1986 , small bumper and loved it, it was a demonstration car with Tresser, ( I think) tinted lights with matching tailgate panel and original Pirelli P wheels.
Ahh the famous tailblazer which was a Treser trade mark on Audis - must have done them for Mk2s. It was Hella that made the most well known one though. Pirelli wheels means a very early car up to around 1986 - initially they were standard on 3 door and 5 door but 3 door went steelies while 5 door kept the P slots.
Andrew Volkswizard. Thank you so much for this.
I bought an '87 Mk2 GTI 8V in Graphite grey from the original purchaser in 1998. Could it have been about 1900 quid? Sounds like a bargain now. Can't quite remember. The longer I had it the more I appreciated it. My 3 year old son threw up on the back seat first time I took he and his mother out in it. The sun roof had a horrid rattle that went away if you whacked it with the flat of your hand. Sometimes. Sold it for an Impreza Turbo in 2005. Fast and practical, but nothing like the GTI. Back to Golfs with a Mk 7 Tsi 1.4 in Australia in 2013. Equivalent of £13K, brand new. How did that sell them that cheap? Great car and great engine, regularly doing 56mpg on smooth WA roads, and on a trip right across Australia. So then I bought a MK7 GTD when came to France hoping for more of the same only faster. Not so good on the faster bit, but everyday and long distance it is a premium golf. Regularly see the claimed 67mpg and its everything you need for comfort. The 'coupling kit' is icing on the cake.
Then I bought an UP! GTI when you first reviewed them in 2018. Because of your reviews! Still got both, and love the UP! more than any of them. Put some SportMaxx RT2 205/17/40 on it (belatedly) in 2020. Now its only flaw is the crashing over sharp bumps. I know to avoid them. I do recommend the tyre change - not that I have tried pilot sports or goodyears. The Dunlops seem perfect, with little noise and superb turn in, grip, confidence etc. They transformed the car.
Thanks for the chance to remember some history, and the early UP GTI reviews that made me contact my local dealer, and get one in 2018.
Thanks Gard. Thanks for the car story, very interesting to see an ex-Mk2 owner buying an Up! GTI, must get the 2 cars together for a comparison video as Mk2 is more of a rival than a Mk1 because it's a little bit modern and less classic compromised (e.g. PAS).
I do need to get an Up! GTI and swap the tyres so your feedback is appreciated. I also plan to sort the crashing out over bumps which will be a little harder than swapping tyres. More sophisticated dampers should do it but I am prepared for a few attempts to crack the perfect forumla. VW were limited on budget with Up! GTI so shouldn't be too hard to better.
MK2 Big Bumper, my favourite Golf of all time and always will be, especially the 16v but even a clean 8v like this one would make me a very happy man.. You’ve got great taste my friend 😊
Thanks! Going by your handle, so have you 😁
Had one of these in the 90s absolutely brilliant. Still to this day its the car I kept the longest
Fond memories! I used to love driving these in the 90's when we took them in against SAABs. That's also how I typically use trade plates until they either skate off the dash of fall off the rear screen!
Lovely! I engine swapped 2x Golf 2 Syncros in the early 90's, one with a 8v GTI engine (Same grey colour) and one with 16v GTI engine and the 8v was a definitely more torquey and a nicer match to my driving style.
I have a 1988 GTi limited edition 8 valve'1 in 10 million' small bumper in original spec.Colour is oak green/undamaged rainbow interior & period blaupunk auto reverse stereo.I am only the second owner,(Have full history)Fantastic to drive in the summer & beats the crap out of my modern accountant built car!-)
What a great car, but I would say that as I have exactly the same one, same colour, similar wheels and spec but mine has a sagging headliner I'll be following this project keenly. I looked at 10 others and this one was the most standard so bought it 8-9 years ago.
Great video Andrew, and great to see you back in a MK2. I returned to the fold 2 years ago with a 1990 oak green 16V. It’s in need of work but useable, and like yours, isn’t going anywhere now it’s in my garage!
Hopefully run into you at C&M/other soon - it’s been a while since you had our A3 and Lupo!
Hello Clive, great to hear from you after all this time! I'm guessing you had a Mk2 before and have returned to the fold? Congrats on Oak green 16v, that's the pinnacle for many, fingers crossed it's a 3dr (but in that colour it doesn't really matter). I hope to return to C&M with the Mk2 soon so I'll keep an eye out for Mk2 meets but do tip me off just in case I miss anything(email address is the same as it's always been👍)
@@volkswizard of course it’s a 3dr…..nothing else would count would it? Have had many a MK2 in the past, starting in the late 90’s/early 00’s, with my last being a VR converted small bumper back in about 2006/07. Having then moved through the various ‘family’ cars, I had the unexpected opportunity to get a toy a couple of years ago.
Will obviously keep you posted on anything at C&M, and also regularly go to the Wheels on Wednesday meets in Worcester during the summer months too. Will be great to catch up!
It's coming home, it's coming home, the Mk2 GTI is coming home.
More likely I'll take a Mk2 'home' than England football team will bring a trophy home 😁
@@volkswizard don't forget England cricket team. Lol
Love the MK2! Have had a Mk3 GL, 4 GTI and 2 R32's, 5 GTI, 6 GT and now on a Mk7 GTD. But, have always wanted a Mk2 GTi, one day!
As a 3 dr 16v 91 owner it will be interesting to see what you cover in future episodes.
Thanks Stuart, need to get a plan but driving it is priority as well as fixing bits so stay tuned
I have a 91 4 door 16v in white
Beautiful car still
Wheeler Dealer😉🙂. You're getting quite a fleet , Andrew. Mrs C is very understanding 🙂
Loved my Mk 2 GTI. Not a big bumper car. Collected it in Birmingham in 1986 and drove it home to Newcastle. Was expecting Mars Red when I ordered it but that changed to Tornado Red by the time it arrived. Disappointed at first but quickly loved it. Sold it after 2 years from new to my brother in law as moving to a bigger house and we needed the money. Always wanted another but circumstances prevented it. Nearest was in 1992 when I just missed out on a fairly new blue one. I was gutted. Didn't like the Mk3 and domestic circumstances changed after that.
At first that exhaust sounded good but might get tiring on longer run? In the short term could you get smoke tinted film applied to the rear lights whilst hoping for a more sensible priced pair to turn up?
Great video Andrew, it brought back lots of good memories. The Mark 2 Golf 8 valve is one of the best cars I have owned and driven. G133 RGF, a 3 door in Royal Blue Metallic with power steering. It was totally standard when I bought it from Wayside Bletchley in 1994. I soon found some BBS RAs, a pair of tinted rear light lenses, had a bee sting ariel fitted and removed the GTi badge on the front grill. One other purchase was some tinted windows with front and rear screens as it was hellish hot inside when the sun shone. The factory 8V suspension was changed to Koni shocks and Chassis Dynamics springs. Wayside fitted them and could not get the set up correct, so after several failed attempts, I was fortunate to discover AmD in Oddington where Mike Devine and Nathan Sammons (now a Director at APS), created one of the best handling Golf Mk2 in existence. It was superb, and the slightly lower ride height made it a real head turner. I had countless offers from admirers wanting to buy it. After notching up over 80K miles, I sadly sold the car to guy who took it back to Jamaica, and within days regretted selling it. I later learnt that he had repainted it red, and then promptly wrote it off within weeks. One of those very special cars that you wish you still had. I'd buy another one today without hesitation.
My first GTi was a 91J oak green digifant 8v. Loved that car. Sounded so good with K&N panel filter & the snorkel removed from the airbox.
Eventually went to a 2L block pack C head & schrick cam with an AmD (Geoff Everett RIP remap). Made 155hp/153lbs.ft on Vince’s Rollers so about as strong as an 8v mk2 got! Best mod to compliment the Koni eibachs would be some beefier arb’s. Utterly transformed mine & dialled out all the understeer. Didn’t detract from ride quality & only enhanced the chassis.
I’ve since moved on & my toy is a mint UK Integra R.
As a daily I now have a Vegas yellow Audi S1. Reminds me of a mk2 GTi so much. Soon to be stage 1 tuned…😀
Nice car ..I had a J plate Oak green one and also a H plate Windsor blue I think it was which saved my bacon in a big crash (in 97 on the m40) as they are so solid.
Torquey fuel injected 8v mk2 GTI has to be peak fun at least until mk5 arrived - fabulous content Andrew as modern classic cars up in value as scarce particularly for a H reg it’s so clean and unmodified - looking forward to seeing more of it on the channel in ‘23 👏🎯👍🥳
It really was, I had a 268 cam in mine with exhaust. She was so much fun...
Lovely looking car that and brings back a lot of memories having owned a few of these. Did it still have that MK2 Golf smell? The one that normally comes from the heater matrix.
Hey Mike, smell is a big thing with these cars and a I am pleased to report it is correct for a Mk2. There is no air freshener smell, no evidence of cigarettes or pets, so " Eau de Golf deux" is present and correct. I am also please to report the door closing sound just right too 😀😀
@@volkswizard eau de golf….that’s classic. You can’t beat a good MK2 8v Andrew….well, maybe with a decent MK1 possibly….😁
Really enjoyed this one! Brought back some really fond memories of the three Mk2 GTI 8vs I owned between 1995 and 2003. First was an F-plate in black, followed by two J-plates both with the full cloth interior. Have got to admit it's got me seriously looking in the classifieds now. Really looking forward to where this project goes. Hope you can keep up the great content into the New Year,
At 4:00 The first owner was Mr E. Wise? Kind of wondering if it was Mr E. Morecambe that sold it to him. By the way, 155-163 Balham Hill is now a furniture shop.
Thats a nice golf you have. Brings back some memories my first golf was a tornado red 91 G reg 1300 3 door which i sold for a 16 driver 3 door on a h plate it was metallic blue i think it was a pearl factory paint because in the sun light it looked green and purple. I had a mongoose manifold back system with bilsten gas shocks and eiback 35mm lowering springs with these rubber spring helpers which you could turn them around the spring for different ride hights on the rear i Miss that car but i did sell it for a mk1 gti which I swapped the standard 1600 engine for a mk3 2.0 gti 8v. They were the days.
Hi mate, nice Golf. I bought a low mileage 92 J plate run out 8v which had as standard BBS RA’s, Rainbow trim and smoked rear lights. I’m pretty certain the run out model 8v had 16v optional parts fitted as mine did.
Yes sorry, managed to not explain this very well. 92 model year'run out' 8v like yours have BBS RAs, rainbow and smoked rear lights. Every other big bumper 8v only has steel wheels or accessory wheels, all 14" unless retrofit/aftermarket. There are LOADS of 90 and 91 8v with BBS which are retrofit but because they look so good everyone assumes they are original. Some of those 92 model year cars will be registered in 1991 which is where it gets confusing as I didn't say wrong for 1991 model year, I said wrong for 1991. Probably best to do a video on all 3 big bumper model years. As 8v changed significantly every year, 1990 MY didn't have PAS but did have big bumpers!
The start up noise took me back. Miss my Mk2 GTI. So envious of your purchase. All the best with it and I know its in the best hands possible cause you'll do right by it and you'll let us see the journey.
I gave access to a 1992 Montana Green 8V, but after test driving it it seems so damn slow???
I loved my 1989 8V… I bought it from VW Camberley a few months old ex demonstrator with an electric sunroof… the sunroof button was in the centre console between the electric window switches… never saw another 👍
Nice, I can tell you that sunroof was dealer fit, think I've seen one before. They did all sorts of weird things back then retrofitting power steering and a/c as well, often for customers in the London area.
Will it be okay with the E10 fuel? Read that it isn't good for modern classics.
Love the mark 2 gti my mark 2 gti 16v was the best car I ever had
Love your mk2 golf Gti
Just something about the look sound smell of these cars that in my opinion are the best golf Gti made :)
Great find! I remember you buying my super rare black Vento VR6. Shame it's not still around
Always good to get into a Mk2 GTI, although I'm more of a 16V fanboy 🙂What is your experience with rust on the Mk2's model years? I saw more late 90/91 models with rust issues...
Rust is a good question, I don't think those later cars are any better or worse than the early ones. I think after 30 years how the car has been used and where it's lived have a greater impact on corrosion. Having said that, with big bumpers, the lower front panel wasn't fitted which left a greater opportunity for crap to build up on inside of front wings so you might be onto something. I sold relatively few small bumper cars but as with 90-92 some were rock solid, other were so bad they were scrapped.
actually I m an 8V fan
and 15 years and still going like hell
my 4 eyed red machine catches the eyes of people while I drive pass them nothing modified it's genuine and no bbs wheels
about rust it's easy to to control just park it under a tree if no garage with roof if any rust bump seen (if you are an mk2 driver you know the places those appear)
get it to car body workshop and it will be fixed easly .
my car is very well condition and I can't wait for spring to do the season maintenance get it a very big clean and make it shine like a star 👋👋
Day to day, the 8v was always a nicer car to drive. The 16v is geared really well. It has like a power band between 4-6k revs, change at 6k and the next gear picked up at the 4k and just kept pushing on.
16v is a way better car to drive
Does this gen or any for that matter come with ABS?
Brought back memories, loved my 8V. Good luck with it and look forward to the buying guide as it’s the only older car I would own.
I still have our family mk1 that was purchased new in 1981. It needs a lot more restoration than that one, but it's cool to have these sort of '1 owner' cars. That' a great looking mk2!
The Bonnet issue is the tiny Spring :)
Thanks, is that in the bonnet latch itself?
5:50 Ahhh, takes me back to the good old days, up to Halfords for a Kenwood stereo and removing the factory unit with those metal pins 😂
@@volkswizard There is a spring in the lock which pulls back the lock. Mine broke as well after 32 years. Bought a new OEM set (lock + hinge) at private parts on instagram.
So this is your new toy and what a lovely example you have purchased by the looks of it. What sort of plans have you got for her? Put her back to OE standard or just keep her going and well maintained. I’ve always liked the mk2- now goes of to the used classifieds in search one 😂
Good luck finding a decent one Darren and so many billed as "original" are anything but. Plans are to make as original as possible, stereo and exhaust are the main culprits, get some paintwork done, tidy engine bay change all fluids and project with cavity wax etc. Alan has done a good job of maintaining it to OE standard with Stealth racing so it's far from terrible to start of with. Unlike Corrado it's not 2 massive jobs (paint and engine rebuild) so there is a lot I can my teeth into. The water pipe replacement has reminded me how easy these things are to work on!
Hi Andrew, hope all is well 👍👍 this is brilliant for the channel and for you in general, the mk2 gti is easily my favourite car, and they clearly hold fond memories for you too.
Im really looking forward to this series of videos, and i hope to learn a bit more from yourself as a result about preserving these mk2's myself too. Ive owned my current pearl grey 16v for 12 years now. The very best of luck with yours and all the best for the upcoming new year too! 🙏👍
It certainly sounded healthy when you revved it through the gears, Andrew. 👍
Good luck to you, I enjoy these 'historic' Golf vids, learn about the legend.
i wish you had bought the house and premises but i expect your new home will keep you busy hope you team up with another mechanic its the safe option.😊
Recently sold my 8v which I converted to 20v for 15k. Had it 7 years, totally refurbished everything, rewired it and had some small rust items sorted. They are such wonderful cars, i learned all my repair and maintenance on that car and I sorely miss it. It's with its new owner is very much enjoying it
Nice to see a mk2 on the channel 😁 i have a 2.0 8v and a 16v, agree with the need to thrash the valver, but that doesn't bother me as thats part of the enjoyment, a scremaing NA over a back road is perfect 👍
Great content Andrew. Have fond memories of my Jade Green 16v, as you said you really had to ring its neck to make it come alive. Looking back the G plate small bumper 8v I had in grey was much more versatile and fun on UK roads
This one’s a cracker!
Love the mk2. Learnt in a Driver, but always wanted a GTI in (predictable), Oak Green or in BBM, but was too young to afford, then did the whole wasted 90s ‘dreaming of putting a VR6 in a mk2’, now too late to afford a clean original! Will follow this story closely!
Omg. That's awesome, I've been looking for my 92 mk2 gti to buy back , I had in high-school from 1995-1997. No luck 😪
Bad luck, keep looking!
Looked like it had no anti freeze lol
Lovely car. Good choice. Who doesn't love a Mk 11.
Thanks J! Hmmm who doesn't love a Mk2 is a good question, they have been loved by nearly everyone throughout their 40 years. Crazy. It really is a classic car as it's always been popular. There are some Austin Rover cars that are becoming collectable but they were an automotive joke when new and so badly made, anything surviving deserves to be cherished but is in a different league to something like a Mk2 Golf GTI which has always been an iconic car.
@@volkswizard Supply and demand- many like them and not many good examples left- we all know what that means ££££.
Lovely car!! Have a mk1 GTI Engineering 8v and it’s such a throw back to analog driving!
I enjoyed your video, brought back memories of mine a 1986 8v in Jade Green, I had 4 more Golf's since. Good luck with your new 'old' car🙂👍
Very nice to see Andrew, so glad you managed to find a minter. My brother had one in the same colour in 8V to. Beautiful car. Look forward to seeing this project. Best wishes for 2023. 😀😀😀
That looks lovely! Have a 89 BB tornado red 8v, and I love it to bits has a few engine mods but it is just a joy to drive never knew that about the steering wheel mine is rounded and I don't have power steering I was told i had the wrong steering wheel so thanks for clearing that up!.. look forward to seeing some more!
Must feel to buy your old car back after all these years and it's actually in good condition
Yes, very lucky😎
Great video Andrew. The Golf still looks sound with hopefully not too much work as opposed to your previous project. Looking forward to seeing it at Bicester in the summer? No pressure then!
HNY for 23.
Love the Mark 2 golf, timeless 👌
Have a 91' Oak Green 16v but had an 8V many years ago and would agree about the drive ability being better in the 8V
Oh how much would I love another mk2!! don’t think I could live without the dsg nowadays, brilliant video as always 👍🏻
Thanks Neil! I hop betweem DSG and manual a lot and it's not that bad (as long as it's a sweet shifting manual of course!)
@@volkswizard I do the same driving a hgv most days, just think I’m getting lazy nowadays!
This reminds mind me of my drive home after buying my ‘91 GTI 8v that I’ve wanted for for 14 years! Two previous owners originally purchased at the dealer I worked at.
I sold my mk2 golf gti about 20 years ago and like yourself would like to buy it back,it was same year as yours H reg 16v metallic black 5 door, best car I ever owned,if you have any idea's of tracing it I would appreciate it,
Andrew such a great video I bet you were over the moon to get that car back it’s been well cared for and looks solid looking forward to see it come back to its best happy new year to you and Kate see you next year!
Really nice car, I always loved the 8v GTI's as they are so drivable :)
Loved this video. Reminded me of my Bright Blue metallic mk 2 Golf GTI. So raw to drive! As I am alittle older now, the UP GTI sits on the driveway but still great fun.
Nice car, probably low on brake fluid for the dash warning light
Nice pick up and great to have these relationships with your customers to buy back nearly 20 years later :) Are any videos on the rest of your fleet or you keep that private? I don't know what you have but I'd guess you still have a MK5 and a clubsport of some kind :)
It is nice to keep in touch with customers, social media has helped. The others cars are 981 Boxster GTS, C7 RS6 Avant, Mk3 Leon Cupra, VW Corrado VR6 and my wife's Mk2 TT 2.0 TFSI quattro. There are videos on all of them on the channel, the TT video (a buying guide) I was encouraged to make by 'er indoors and it's done quite well, better than the Corrado, Porsche and even Leon videos!
My first ever car was a mk2 gti 1990, I have lots of fond memories. That said these days I appreciate a rwd chassis more.
I had an 87 8v Gti. Sold it in 97. Best car I ever owned. Wish I still owned it… enjoy my golf r…but still love the shape, torque and simplicity of the mk 2.
that's a lovely car! look forward to seeing it in the metal 🎉🎉 I had a F reg one (crashed it 3 times, young and silly), H reg one - didn't crash it.
Hopefully Scramble in January, just got to find somewhere to keep all those parts so I can empty car.
You must be really chuffed! Looks to be in great condition.
I wish I could buy back my 91 3 door 16v. I had it when it was 10 months old. Cracking car. J226TPJ is anyone knows where it is now 😢
MOT Expired 14 May 2021. SORN issued
Nice... I remember when you started out with Volkswizard on Mk2s... always a nice selection back in the day!
Fair play I bet it was more than it sold for 18 years ago! Lovely car enjoy
Thanks Julian! I've had a block on paying more for cars today than I did in the past but I'd rather pay a few £k more today for a Mk2 after 18 years than a similar premium for a Golf R after 2 years which will vanish next year. I now factor in the cost of storage and the car has cost Alan a fair chunk over those 18 years, cheaper than me storing it, to buy it now at a premium. Amazing it hasn't decayed much in that time and while Alan has added mileage, it's not much more than it needs to be kept in good running order, just leaving it standing would kill it.
Andrew, when they were new I tried to trade in an Alfa Romeo Alfasud for the GTI but received a terrible trade in offer; I ended up with an Escort XR3i instead, solid enough but not as dynamic. Since then I've always hankered after the GTI so all the best with yours.
I had this same motor in my 89 Golf GT in the states. Digifant. It was a good Runner.
Great purchase Andrew and more good content! This got me thinking about my old Mk2 1.3C, C405 FBA. I couldn't afford anything fast back then (late 80s). One red go-faster stripe and set of BBS lookalikes later and voila! GTI wannabe!! ✌
That's a very nice clean Late Mk2. Pearl Grey Paint, one of my favourite colours. Very overlooked compared to Oak Green.
One of the only things I didn't like was boring (IMO) steering wheels (much preferred the 4 button early ones)
As a fellow V Dubber, and former South Londoner I remember that Balham VW dealership very well 😊.
Great video. Look forward to more content on this.
Cool that you remember the Balham dealership Gordon, was it one of those small family dealerships? Presumably it's territory got mopped up by Dovercourt Battersea, now part of the Lookers chain.
Nice. I’ve owned two red mk2 8v years ago, so much fun to drive. 3rd gear is fun. I live in Australia now, can’t find any for sale here.
What a classic...classic design,love the wheels. I quite like that exhaust. Looking forward to the videos on this one.. another one I've added to my wish list.. enjoy Andrew👍
Thanks Rasher. I'm in 2 minds about the exhaust, it's from Trackslag which is a reputable firm. I'll try and get it to sit higher before I discount it. Need to do more miles and see if it really annoys me.
Lovely modern classic , my dad borrowed his bosses mk2 16v and took me out for a ride I was maybe 9 or 10 it was the coolest car and felt so fast
16v was pretty damn fast when worked and unlike it's competition, it was pretty solid too, a great car
God,can’t believe the prices of these now 😮had about 6 of these back in the late 80s early 90s,my best one even had power mirrors 😮very rare
Great cars I had one of the first mk 2 s Pirelli wheels seem to remember it was a 84 reg in diamond silver.
How much was it?
Too much :)
Superb original content! Look forward to seeing what you do to this, had an 8v in same colour and a couple of 16v’s
Thanks, glad a multi-Mk2 owner enjoyed it!
Great video lovely example of a 8v I used to have a 89 av then a 89 16v back in 98. Hopefully early next year I will be looking to purchase another and would be very interested in a guide to buying one.
Thanks Kurt. Buying guide might be a very long video but it needs to be done. I think if most people knew what they were buying with modern classics they wouldn't buy them, there is so much tat out there with big price tags from dealers that haven't been around for long and don't plan to be. That was why I was keen to buy a car I knew the history of. Which did you prefer 8v or 16v?
@@volkswizard was a long time ago possibly the 16v was a 89 on avo adjustables and full magnex system my 8v I had 1st was a 89 jamex suspension mongoose stainless and momo arrow 16inch alloys. I got side swiped into a dyke and was written of thats how I ended up with the 16v
Was this car owned by Ludlow Thompson in London? Because I think it was the car they gave me.
Still a amazing car
Hi Andrew, another interesting & enjoyable video. Your golf looks very straight and original. I liked your reference to Mr Brewer!
Thanks David, yes indeed it is straight and original, surprisingly so. It's funny because I often wonder what happened to all the Mk2s I sold, unless it's me not recognising the reg numbers. Mike Brewer is a legend and in some small part was behind me getting into selling cars with his Deals On Wheels programme.
@@volkswizard I think Mike Brewer might struggle to get into one of those small cars these days....
And he liked the way it got down the road 😂
Hlo how to get this car in India?
16:00 Another piece of information that I didnt know, thank you!
Golden era of German cars
Beautiful car, and the condition is amazing! 🤗
Thanks Ian, it's not bad but probably looks better than it actually is (which is good as it gives me some work to do!).
its okay but NOTHING compare to are british Ostin Maxi.
Will u be adding electric air con?
Lithium battery?
LED light upgrades?
err no :)
@@volkswizard 🤷♀️
Got my 90 16v three door tucked away - restored it and then bought it back three years later from last owner
The brake light on the dashboard could be the fluid level low
Lovely MK2 and did I hear correctly 120k miles wow now that’s low mileage
This dude is a wheeler dealer
Definitely a keeper car now.
Absolute beauty of a car, really cool to think you owned this car nearly 20 years ago and you’ve got it back
Congratulations Andrew 🎉🎉🎉 it’s very very nice 😍👍
Lovely car Andrew, I had a volkswagen golf driver with diamond silver metallic paint similar looks to your GTI
Driver was cool car, silver very rare back then, about 5 years before it became fashionable :)
By the look of Alan he must have been aged 12 when he bought it off you! Great addition. I ❤️ GTI.
You are right, Alan is very youthful looking! Maybe Mk2 Golf ownership is the key to Peter Pan style eternal youth?
@@volkswizard It certainly wont age you as much as a Corrado when the sunroof stops working and you cant get no parts. .