Mk3 Design

[rayray086]

Hi everyone,

Just been looking into the Mk3 design history; I was curious after Golf Loon pointed out to me that the older Mk3 models had rectangular side indicators, whereas the newer Mk3 models had oval side indicators.

Are there any other subtle design and mechanical differences between the older and newer Mk3 models? What ARE the model designations for the older and newer Mk3 anyway?

Also, I realised some overseas models have their side indicators on the bumper, not the side panel like ours (well, mine at least). Are there other differences between their Mk3 and ours?

And, on the topic of side indicators, can those with rectangular side indicators replace them with the oval side indicators?

I just find this quite interesting, and being a proud owner of a Golf, I thought I should know more about it

Ray.

[golf3]

In Australia, we received the "euro" spec editions, although sometimes going through the vw parts catalogue, my car was thrown together with left overs...

The US market received their own models, with the side indicator on the front bumper, and none on the quarter panel, they also received a more emissions specific motor, the 2.0L ABA...

Although, the European market had a lot more options with TDI's, 1.4, 1.6L, 16v's...etc...

In Australia, we got 5 engine codes; 2E, AGG, ADY, AAA, the TDI one, whatever it is... (I think thats it)

The TDI and the VR6 had "plus" suspension with 5 lug hubs and bigger brakes. But from the 9/94, there was a suspension change, with different springs and shocks...

Side indicators changed to look a little more modern, but I prefer the square ones as they follow the boxier shapes, compared to the oval ones suiting a rounder mk4 better...

Extra things like side skirts and darker tail lights on the newer mk3 2.0L kept the model popular... And, in the early models, there were no rear speakers, they "grills" were actually solid, and have no holes...And I have a blue interior which means i need to order new ones from Germany, which i will do for DOVW....

One of the coolest things i ever saw in a mk3 was a set of blaupunkt door trim additions that were labeled "bass booster" or something. They replaced the little pockets in the doors to provide a better sound from the door speakers...

[syncro]

US models were made in Mexico for the entire Golf 3 production run as far as I know. That's why they are different.

[rayray086]

That's great info guys, thanks.

It's odd with the rear speaker issue... I have the grille that covers the enclosure, but there's no speaker nor wires connecting from the headunit. Oh well, I guess that means when we do want to fit in rear speakers, we can just put them into the holes that have been already cut out of the trim.

[golfvr6]

US models have different bumpers - different crash regulations - so thats why you see them chopping their 'euro' front spoilers to makem fit; they also have requirements for side marker lights in the bumpers, thus no guard blinkers

as for other golf mk3 variations.... from what i can remember :
- pre-96 models have the black top bumpers and black door trim; post 96 have colour coding
- pre-96 - have spoiler with integrated brake light; post 96 have separate spoiler and interior brake light
- post 96 - vr6's lost the wheel arches
- i *think* pre 96 gl's have side skirts whilst post 96 do not
- rectangle to oval indicators changed in 96
- there were a batch of 200? colour concepts vr6 with the 5 spoke BBS wheels
- just about the only options on the original vr6 were sun roof, 'sports' recaros and leather
- some really early vr6's even came with front fog lights and/ or euro lip spoiler
- cl's dont have the skirts

[SOHC]

thanks for the infos guys. what I kinda hate the the original tail lights, very orange side indicators, very boring grill... but everything else i loved it pretty much. btw i seen haven't seen Mk3s around with the real glove box, not because we have airbag, but I seen a lot back in other country with airbag and glovebox?

[Bug_racer]

I'll try and correct a few assumptions :

Colour concepts had heated seats as well as trim differences
Im yet to see a mk3 with factory sunroof
The tdi engine code is 1z
Tdi is all over the place halfway between cl and gl in terms of spec , they were only 4 stud
Only VR6 and mk 3.5 cabriolets had tinted tail lights
No mk3 that I know of came with factory foglights
Euro lip spoiler was only 94 model and is NLA if anyone asks
Vr6 had 8 speakers I think gl and cl had 4 ?

[golf3]

I assumed the TDI had 5 spoke, from what i can remember they have the 02A trans with 4 cylinder bell housing..

[rayray086]

That's so weird. I've got myself a 1996 GL model, and from the comments made here, it looks like I've got bits from both pre-96 models and post-96 models.

I've got the black bumper and side plastic trims, spoiler with integrated brake light, passenger-side airbag w/o glovebox, front component speakers (tweeters in dash, woofers in door), rectangular side indicators, but standard Enkei 14" alloys (I think they're standard/factory options?), but contrary to what golfvr6 had down, I had no side skirts

[Tim]

VW are like that.
They build cars with whatever bits they have laying about at the time i think.
Ive never seen a 96 with rectangular indicators tho. Is 96 your build date or your compliance/rego date? not a bad thing tho. I think the rectangular ones are 10000000x better anyways

[bombsquad21]

My 97, has oval indictors of course...i like them better cause i'm fitting mk4 clear ones. I fitted vr6 tails too, my bumper tops are body coloured and my side skirts are black. My third brake light is inside behind the glass and there are fog light wires but nothing to plug them in to. Also the warning chimes are a lot less annoying than the ones in my brothers 95 GL. I've got rear head rests too, he doesnt.. Heres a (poor mobile phone quality) pic of my car..

[Golf Loon]

I think post 96 GLs have the sideskirts, whilst pre do not. I have a 97 GL with skirts.

I think the TDI engine code is 1Y. They are strange. They say GL, yet have wind up windows, CL trim and no extras. They do have a cable shift gearbox and a hydraulic clutch. They cost more than a VR6 when they were new, i think the trim was to keep prices down.

Colour concepts did have heated seats and nice recaros that have colour concept written on them. The seats actually fold forward, even on the 5 door! They had different sidetrims and 6 spoke BBS wheels. I reckon the normal VR6 mags look hotter though.

You could change the front guards ray ray to fit oval indicators, but its not worth the effort.

[DubSteve]

Compared to my 94 vr6 my new 95 vr6 is heaps better but I don't see any changes really.

[moto]

Speaking VR6s - I dont know about other models ..
Around 1994 there were changes to the air intake bits, ignition electronics and brake disk sizes. On the cusp of 95 & 96 there was a change to a different ABS and different throttle body. Anything else?

[rayray086]

I think post 96 GLs have the sideskirts, whilst pre do not. I have a 97 GL with skirts.

That's really strange, as the bottom of the side of my car isn't smooth in the way that you think a car without side skirts would like (does that make sense?)
Here's a pic anyway:

You could change the front guards ray ray to fit oval indicators, but its not worth the effort.

Yeah that's a bit of a bother to do. Thanks for the info.