VWwA Used Car Guides Golf GTI (Type 1G) 1990-1991

[phaeton]

1990-1991 Golf GTI

If you have owned or own one of the models above please state your experience with the Golf, negatives and positives

Also fill in the below blanks


example
Model: Golf GTI
Engine: 1.8 8V 77kW
Year: 1990
Any Problems ?: tyres fell off etc

[anarchycamp]

Model: Golf GTI
Engine: 1.8 8V 77kW
Year: 1991 (188,000kms)
Any Problems:
- Service History indicates power steering pump replaced twice, rack once and i think something is up with it again, lots of noise when under more stress (lower speed)
- Gearbox crunches from 1st to 2nd and has some serious transmission whine, has 188,000kms on it and will be replaced shortly though. (Don't sell that Recon Box Golf Loon!! )
- Rocker Cover Oil Leak - Gasket getting replaced this weekend

Positives:
- Engine still feels very solid and has more go in it than you expect for an engine rated @ 77kw at manufacturing time. Especially as you move up the rev range.
- Interior has held up fairly well.
- Handles like its on Rails, even with the dodgy tyres i have on at the moment.

(Is this the sort of thing your looking for?? My Service history is pretty good (with reciepts!) but has gaps in it recently, so this is what i know)

[gtimk5]

I had a 87 3 door GTi, black with a 2E motor fitted. The thing flew at the time and handled fantastically. I fitted Koni Sports and lower springs. I did a couplke of trackdays in it but my greatest moment was finishing 6th outright in "The Classic Challenge" in NW Tasmania. I loved that car. Problems were only 3 valve stem seals fitted when I first bought it and later I did the head gasket. Otherwise zilch in the way of worries with it.
It is now 86GTIs Golf.

[Satanstoenail]

1990-1991 Golf GTI

Model: Golf GTI
Engine: 1.8 8V 77kW
Year first rego: 1992
Kms: 235000
Any Problems?: Not many. Has been a super reliable car. Starts first time always. I've owned it since 2001 and done almost 100000kms in it and the only time it didn't get me where I wanted to go was when the clutch cable snapped on the way to work a couple of years ago.

Other probs I've had fixed over the years:
Gearbox linkages
leaking coolant
cv joints
General wear & tear, hoses replaced, cam belt, rocker cover gasket etc.

Positives:
Great fun car to drive, handles really well
Economical
Reliable
Hard wearing
Looks great (when clean )

Negatives:
Door handles hard to open (especially back doors)
Could do with a bit more power
Drivers seat badly designed, bolster wears out too quickly

[aliasmk2]

1990 mk2 gti report

this unit has done 280K & has a good service history
it goes like a steam train when on the open hwy especially up hills giving fuel usage of 6.8L per 100km on @100kph
has never leaked water & no rust what so ever
it has koni sport shocks & springs, therefor handle extra well
has the capacity to leave much higher powered cars up hills & on flats for dead
build quality is top of the range
interior stands up well except for the dash board
as far as I know it has the original wheel bearings & clutch ect
a good all round car
good value for your $$$ & is compatable for many upgrades

the power steeing pump & rack have been renewed
cam belt
very low power down low in 1st gear, so not good for traffic light GP's

it is very hard to knock this model except fot the low power off the mark

[moto]

Just returned from a holiday. 3000 kms in a two weeks. Average 7.5 litres per hundred included hundreds of kms in the bush sitting at 150-160. Nothing fell off. Zero oil consumption. Goes like stink again.

[RedMk2Gti]

I no longer own this :-

1990-1991 Golf GTI

Model: Golf GTI
Engine: 1.8 8V 77kW
Kms: 165000

Any Problems?: Plenty of oil leak, p/s rack, transmission, Heater not working, head gasket problem. Electric mirror not working, ex-owner didn't look after it -> paint work fade badly

Spent big $$ to fix :
Shift linkages
Almost everything in the cooling system.
2 front legs
Replace door handles
Replace p/s pump and hose
Replace cam belt
Regas air-cond

Positives:
Classic look - IMO best Golf
Excellent rust proof
Economical
Not exciting in power, but in handling

Negatives:
Could do with a bit more power

[Yoshi Boom]

Model: Golf GTI
Engine: 1.8 8V (I always thought it was 108kw but must be wrong)
Year first rego: 1992
Kms: 190,000
Any Problems?: I have had the car for almost 2 years . In this time the only problem I have had has been a leaking radiator hose, and small problem with the revs jumping about when stationary that was inexpensive to get fixed. Its reliable and always starts first go. I have a new cam shaft and cam gear in mine which I think makes the car always want to be going faster than 20kms, so it will jerk about a bit when going slow and giving the car a bit of petrol. Car is zippy, and on the highway, you will get up all hills at the speedlimit. In my opinion the mark 2 is the sexiest hatchback out there.

The only negative in mine is the a/c doesn't produce enough air. The highest setting doesn't blow out enough, so the car will take 20+ mins to get cool, or you just put the windows down.

[Oneofthegreats]

Model: Golf
Engine: 1.8 8V
Year: 1988
Any Problems ?:

Only a couple of minor prob's which were one waterpump, replaced all the cambelt side seal's, gear shift ball repair & one clutch.

Not too bad for over 220K.

Just starting to have some very minor rust issue's which will be repaired very soon.

[aussieg60]

Model:Golf GTI
Engine: was a 1.8 8V 77kW Engine Code RV, Now PG 118KW G60
Year: Built 1990, 1st registration 1992
KM: 110,000

I have my MK2 GTI since new, purchased in 1992 to date.

What I have experienced over the life of it so far:
- When new, under side of passenger trim was originally ripped
- Gearbox oil started leaking after 2nd year making LHS wheel very oily
- Oil leaking slightly all around rock cover
- Reverse and 1st gear would sometimes be impossible to shift into
- Headlining, passenger side handle grip cracking
- Annoying creaks and rattles developed from LHS rear quater
- After a warm engine it used to idle rough and nearly stall until revved up and idle would become stable (common ISV problem)
- Rear door handle lever snapped
- Once stainless exhaust was fitted (Cat back) a squeak developed during gear changes from movement, exhaust manifold to downpipe coupling
- Replaced ecu chip, become more responsive low down
- Paint seems to chip really easily
- A/C cooling never lasts over 2 years after R12 to R134 refrigerant change over

Good points:
- When I first got it, it handled like a cart but gradually softened over time.
- Always drives straight.
- Always starts on first turn of key.
- Excellent fuel economy, managed 650-700km full tank trip
- Haven’t had any heating issues yet with a leaky core
- Power was noticeably better on cold mornings
- Always pulled well low down in rev range (due to rechip)
- Never had any probs with power steering, like the sound.
- All original glass and lights, not yet replaced.
- No body rust apart from minor rust migrating from inner rubber door seal joins (contain a steel clip) which is clipped to the inner door openings to body
- IMO, very well built.
- Wide range of VAG engines can possibly be made to fit to liking

[86gti]

I had a 87 3 door GTi, black with a 2E motor fitted. The thing flew at the time and handled fantastically. I fitted Koni Sports and lower springs. I did a couplke of trackdays in it but my greatest moment was finishing 6th outright in "The Classic Challenge" in NW Tasmania. I loved that car. Problems were only 3 valve stem seals fitted when I first bought it and later I did the head gasket. Otherwise zilch in the way of worries with it.
It is now 86GTIs Golf.

Only problem ive had was a main fuel pump.and new clutch cant really be stated as problems tho..just things that were getting tired.. other than that its the best thing since sliced bread! Will be getting some TLC and some new parts in the next few months...stay tuned...
and as Andrew said
87 3 door GTI
2E 2.0 running K-jetronic
Konis all round...
i love it i love it i love it

[phaeton]

Anyone else with more feedback please post

[Spyda]

Model: Golf GTI
Engine: 1.8 8V 77kW
Year: 1990
Problems: Many problems, one thing after another. I guess you cant expect to much from an 18yr old car. As stated above they just need TLC and a big bank account. Another problem is the power, not enough off it.

On the possitive side, its a great looking car, it handles great, you will hardley ever have to do a 3 point turn, its unique and most engine prity much bolt straight in.

I wouldnt have anything els.

[jayjay]

do i post my experiences? private import 87'?

[GOLFBALLS]

1990 GTI (Aussie deliv)
ENG: RV 1.8 8v 77kw
GEARBOX: AUG
5 door, white.

+ Great looking car, takes a hammering, good fuel economy, doesn't get hot even when its low on water in 35+ degree heat, great chassis balance and general handling even in stock trim, and my control arm bushes and mounts have only just started to pack it in now after 19 years!! reliable as they come, can take it camping on battered corrigated roads no problem, and fit sooo much stuff in the back with the seats folded, and my passengers always comment on how comfy the seats are! Oh yea, and 20vt's fit nice n easy

- Apart from some plain dumb previous owner "repairs" to the body and interior, and the lazy so called vw specialist who used to work on it doing some pathetic attempts at maintenance, the main issues i've had that are factory related are weak park brake setup, seat bolsters, interiors dont handle the Aussie climate very well and parts become brittle (unless you always garage it), availability of factory trim parts is no more, gear linkages, rear parcel shelf is fragile, weak A/C fan system, not enough power from engine, water leak under expansion tank, wobbly front seats, poor headlights, exterior door handle mechanisms always break, MFA displays are often buggered. Oh yea, me too with the PAS pump. It's getting noisier every day!