Any opinions on the mk2 polo?

So the clipper will be back on the road for summer, I then sorn it and tuck it away in the garage and buy a different s**tbox every winter, fiesta last year bmw e46 this year. I can't help myself being drawn to a mk2 polo and swapping between this and the clipper for the easy maintenance and I really like the looks of them when done right! Has anyone owned one? Thought I'd see if anyone could advise, I imagine the 1.0 is gutless but are they any good? would really like a 1.3s or facelift gt and if carby do a weber conversion 4 branch manifold etc… Pic of my clipper because why not! ,

i had one, carb was a nightmare!!!

I've had LOADS!! (MK2 and MK3's which are essentially the same)

Brilliant little cars, but terrible at the same time.

No mod cons and not many options to add them, no electric windows, x3 speakers at a push (mk2), no brake servo (mk2).  

Even in the 1.3s for they were pretty gutless at 55bhp. They handle rubbish, brake rubbish. What they were though, reliable, very easy to maintain and loads of fun.

The MK3 GT is better, 75bhp and a revvy little thing, but looking back the brakes and handling was so poor.

Would I have one again? Only if they were cheap enough for a nice one (like £500 cheap). Getting one which isn't scene taxed or been ruined by a teenager will be hard. My money would be going on an honest MK2 8v.

volkswarren said

i had one, carb was a nightmare!!!

 do they have an auto choke pierburg? I've been through that drama on my mk1 already

MrP said

I've had LOADS!! (MK2 and MK3's which are essentially the same)

Brilliant little cars, but terrible at the same time.

No mod cons and not many options to add them, no electric windows, x3 speakers at a push (mk2), no brake servo (mk2).  

Even in the 1.3s for they were pretty gutless at 55bhp. They handle rubbish, brake rubbish. What they were though, reliable, very easy to maintain and loads of fun.

The MK3 GT is better, 75bhp and a revvy little thing, but looking back the brakes and handling was so poor.

Would I have one again? Only if they were cheap enough for a nice one (like £500 cheap). Getting one which isn't scene taxed or been ruined by a teenager will be hard. My money would be going on an honest MK2 8v.

 Cheers for the reply! The mods cons sector I require a heater and basic audio which I can do myself if not already installed without too much bother! If getting 1.3s can you squeeze anymore out of them with a well set up weber & manifold etc? I have the resources to tune a carb properly if needed a GT would be my number 1 choice am I right in saying the mk2f/mk3's had a servo? 

I had a 1.0C hatch, 1.3 formel E saloon and a 1.3S  Coupe all from new, In fact I sold the Coupe at 10 months old to get the MK1 I still have now. I really liked them very light to drive, performance from the 1.3 was okay. You would need to get rid of the big steering wheel most came with and add some 14 inch wheels.  Problem by now though is most will be very tired and feel like a bag of spanners.

Mk2's didn't have a brake servo as far as I can remember, and just looked at my bro use as I have nearly all of them from 82-87 and it doesn't mention one.  Think BR Motorsport did a conversion at the time adding one on.  No cross linkage like the Mk1 though, so pedal may have neede more effort but at least it wasn't so vague.

That's right, no MK2 had a servo. They had 3of 4x6 speakers (two on the parcel shelf supports and one in the dash). Very basic but has a heater! The MK3 (MK2F) was a little more refined but essentially the same car, came with a servo and 2of 10cm speakers in the dash.

Light little cars but no wishbones (only TCAs and an ARB) so steering and grip was terrible.

I had a Coupe S (1.3 carb, auto choke 55bhp) around 13 years ago and it was great, not sure about tuning potential though.

I've had around 4 MK3 (MK2F) GT's. 1.3 75bhp and can get them around 90bhp pretty easy. But in such a light car they are very nippy little things. Manifold, exhaust, chip etc. I had one where I tuned the fuelling and it spit flames on gear changes! It was stupid  

The MK3 GT is the one to go for, high compression engine, short ratio gearbox, steering damper and reinforced rear axle is what sets it apart.

RichardHall said

I had a 1.0C hatch, 1.3 formel E saloon and a 1.3S  Coupe all from new, In fact I sold the Coupe at 10 months old to get the MK1 I still have now. I really liked them very light to drive, performance from the 1.3 was okay. You would need to get rid of the big steering wheel most came with and add some 14 inch wheels.  Problem by now though is most will be very tired and feel like a bag of spanners.

Mk2's didn't have a brake servo as far as I can remember, and just looked at my bro use as I have nearly all of them from 82-87 and it doesn't mention one.  Think BR Motorsport did a conversion at the time adding one on.  No cross linkage like the Mk1 though, so pedal may have neede more effort but at least it wasn't so vague.

 The saloons are so cool! To be fair without the cross linkage does probably help, was your 1.0ltr a carb engine? If so what was it like compared to the 1.3 was there a big difference in performance?

MrP said

That's right, no MK2 had a servo. They had 3of 4x6 speakers (two on the parcel shelf supports and one in the dash). Very basic but has a heater! The MK3 (MK2F) was a little more refined but essentially the same car, came with a servo and 2of 10cm speakers in the dash.

Light little cars but no wishbones (only TCAs and an ARB) so steering and grip was terrible.

I had a Coupe S (1.3 carb, auto choke 55bhp) around 13 years ago and it was great, not sure about tuning potential though.

I've had around 4 MK3 (MK2F) GT's. 1.3 75bhp and can get them around 90bhp pretty easy. But in such a light car they are very nippy little things. Manifold, exhaust, chip etc. I had one where I tuned the fuelling and it spit flames on gear changes! It was stupid  

The MK3 GT is the one to go for, high compression engine, short ratio gearbox, steering damper and reinforced rear axle is what sets it apart.

 That's some real useful info there thanks! So is the mk3 toilet bowl/single point injection like a rover mini sort of set up? 90bhp in a car that small sounds like a lot of fun my mk1 is around the 100bhp area and that's pretty quick I imagine a smaller block is a lot more rev happy than my 1.8 too

MK1CabbyWhite said

RichardHall said

I had a 1.0C hatch, 1.3 formel E saloon and a 1.3S  Coupe all from new, In fact I sold the Coupe at 10 months old to get the MK1 I still have now. I really liked them very light to drive, performance from the 1.3 was okay. You would need to get rid of the big steering wheel most came with and add some 14 inch wheels.  Problem by now though is most will be very tired and feel like a bag of spanners.

Mk2's didn't have a brake servo as far as I can remember, and just looked at my bro use as I have nearly all of them from 82-87 and it doesn't mention one.  Think BR Motorsport did a conversion at the time adding one on.  No cross linkage like the Mk1 though, so pedal may have neede more effort but at least it wasn't so vague.

 The saloons are so cool! To be fair without the cross linkage does probably help, was your 1.0ltr a carb engine? If so what was it like compared to the 1.3 was there a big difference in performance?

Yes all were carbs on Mk2s. the 1.0 was a bit gutless but I was doing a 400 mile a week commute with all of them. Overtaking was main problem.  best one was the 1.3 Formel E as it had a 3+e gearbox. you could reach nearly 60 in second and top speed was in 3rd as 4th was a real overdrive..  I had no problems with the carbs but bear in mind I had changed them all before they were 2 yrs old and had done 50k.

Trim was pretty sparse, didn't really improve much over the whole time.

C  was only a 1.0 40hp had a rear wiper about the only luxury item.
CL was rare, had a 1.0 but 50hp some check seat designs and added wheel trims
GL was 1.3 early ones 60hp, chrome trim, metallic paint and velour seats,

Later in 1985 there was a minor facelift, mainly impacting saloons which got black wheel arches, the dash in all looked same but better plastics.

C model stayed the same
CL dropped
C Formel e came with 1.3 55hp and a rear spolier
GL had four headlamps 1.3 55hp, full wheel covers

The Coupes came as standard 1.0 or a S with 1.3.  S added sports interior, wider wheels sports steering wheel. No engine or suspension upgrades though!

Limited editions were few I can remember

BOULEVARD Coupe all white or all light grey
FOX based on C with a few trim changes, name later to be used on entry model M3s.
RANGER hatch - based on GL but with sports seats, alloys 4 lamp grille - later replaced the GL As a main model.

RichardHall said

MK1CabbyWhite said

RichardHall said

I had a 1.0C hatch, 1.3 formel E saloon and a 1.3S  Coupe all from new, In fact I sold the Coupe at 10 months old to get the MK1 I still have now. I really liked them very light to drive, performance from the 1.3 was okay. You would need to get rid of the big steering wheel most came with and add some 14 inch wheels.  Problem by now though is most will be very tired and feel like a bag of spanners.

Mk2's didn't have a brake servo as far as I can remember, and just looked at my bro use as I have nearly all of them from 82-87 and it doesn't mention one.  Think BR Motorsport did a conversion at the time adding one on.  No cross linkage like the Mk1 though, so pedal may have neede more effort but at least it wasn't so vague.

 The saloons are so cool! To be fair without the cross linkage does probably help, was your 1.0ltr a carb engine? If so what was it like compared to the 1.3 was there a big difference in performance?

Yes all were carbs on Mk2s. the 1.0 was a bit gutless but I was doing a 400 mile a week commute with all of them. Overtaking was main problem.  best one was the 1.3 Formel E as it had a 3+e gearbox. you could reach nearly 60 in second and top speed was in 3rd as 4th was a real overdrive..  I had no problems with the carbs but bear in mind I had changed them all before they were 2 yrs old and had done 50k.

Trim was pretty sparse, didn't really improve much over the whole time.

C  was only a 1.0 40hp had a rear wiper about the only luxury item.
CL was rare, had a 1.0 but 50hp some check seat designs and added wheel trims
GL was 1.3 early ones 60hp, chrome trim, metallic paint and velour seats,

Later in 1985 there was a minor facelift, mainly impacting saloons which got black wheel arches, the dash in all looked same but better plastics.

C model stayed the same
CL dropped
C Formel e came with 1.3 55hp and a rear spolier
GL had four headlamps 1.3 55hp, full wheel covers

The Coupes came as standard 1.0 or a S with 1.3.  S added sports interior, wider wheels sports steering wheel. No engine or suspension upgrades though!

Limited editions were few I can remember

BOULEVARD Coupe all white or all light grey
FOX based on C with a few trim changes, name later to be used on entry model M3s.
RANGER hatch - based on GL but with sports seats, alloys 4 lamp grille - later replaced the GL As a main model.

I had a MK2 Parade Coupe. It was a 1.3s without the sports seats or rev counter - All the looks from the outside though!  

MK1CabbyWhite said

MrP said

That's right, no MK2 had a servo. They had 3of 4x6 speakers (two on the parcel shelf supports and one in the dash). Very basic but has a heater! The MK3 (MK2F) was a little more refined but essentially the same car, came with a servo and 2of 10cm speakers in the dash.

Light little cars but no wishbones (only TCAs and an ARB) so steering and grip was terrible.

I had a Coupe S (1.3 carb, auto choke 55bhp) around 13 years ago and it was great, not sure about tuning potential though.

I've had around 4 MK3 (MK2F) GT's. 1.3 75bhp and can get them around 90bhp pretty easy. But in such a light car they are very nippy little things. Manifold, exhaust, chip etc. I had one where I tuned the fuelling and it spit flames on gear changes! It was stupid  The MK3 GT is the one to go for, high compression engine, short ratio gearbox, steering damper and reinforced rear axle is what sets it apart.

 That's some real useful info there thanks! So is the mk3 toilet bowl/single point injection like a rover mini sort of set up? 90bhp in a car that small sounds like a lot of fun my mk1 is around the 100bhp area and that's pretty quick I imagine a smaller block is a lot more rev happy than my 1.8 too

The MK3's all had injection engines. They did 1.0 and 1.3 SPi's, I think around 45/55bhp. Similar to the mini set up (looked like a carb sat on the inlet).

They did a 1.3 MPi (engine code NZ) which was still 55bhp, a very similar set up to the GT engine (code 3F) with 75bhp. The differences were the GT had the lower ratio box, higher compression, different cam, different dizzy (the NZ was vacuum advance I believe where as the 3F used an ECU) and different inlet (narrow runners - identical to the G40). Do NOT be fooled into buying a 'GT' which is actually a NZ - different beasts completely and a lot of the NZ boys fitted the 3F ECU and dizzy to sell it as a GT for the premium. Also don't be fooled with the inlet either. Everyone bummed the G40 so fitted the inlets thinking they were better - they weren't (narrower inlet tracks shifted the power band down the rev range - The GT was all about high revving fun).

I actually googled MK3 Polo GT and two of my old cars are on the top line of images (owner after me!) H979DTY  and J667GHN (DTY was the one which split flames!)

DTY was my favourite car I've ever owned. Bullet Proof. Quick (for what it was). Cool. Loads of character. It was tatty as hell but as a result I just didn't care about it which made me fall for it even more (didn't have to worry about it getting damaged etc). But they were different times, I was young and care free then. If I owned it now it'd be a different story, I expect more from cars and want a little more comfort and toys. Or would it…. Damn it, I want one again!  

I've had about 20 mk2s and about 10 mk3s (mk2 face lift) including 5 g40s most of which I broke to keep our daily ones on the road I Absolutely loved them. Earlier the better I hated the hydrolic head engines I preferred the mechanical head revved better the 1300 go pretty well for 55'bhp I also preferred the 4 speed. Everyone moans about the pierburg carbs but if there set up properly and have the heat tube from manifold to airbox there no problem at all. Me and my wife had 1 each both early hk engine with pierburgs and 4 speeds they were the most reliable cars I've had I did 66k in 6 years in mine and only broke down once in winter when the heat pipe from manifold to airbox had split causing carb to freeze couple of minutes she fired straight back up best car I've owned.only modification I did to aid reliability was I converted them both to electronic ignition using a lter polo ignition amp and a seat Ibiza system porsche distributor .they have no servo so brakes take a little getting used to you have to push the pedal.front suspension isn't the best but with good lower arms and anti roll bar bushes they are good fun

Luke

MrP said

MK1CabbyWhite said

MrP said

That's right, no MK2 had a servo. They had 3of 4x6 speakers (two on the parcel shelf supports and one in the dash). Very basic but has a heater! The MK3 (MK2F) was a little more refined but essentially the same car, came with a servo and 2of 10cm speakers in the dash.

Light little cars but no wishbones (only TCAs and an ARB) so steering and grip was terrible.

I had a Coupe S (1.3 carb, auto choke 55bhp) around 13 years ago and it was great, not sure about tuning potential though.

I've had around 4 MK3 (MK2F) GT's. 1.3 75bhp and can get them around 90bhp pretty easy. But in such a light car they are very nippy little things. Manifold, exhaust, chip etc. I had one where I tuned the fuelling and it spit flames on gear changes! It was stupid  The MK3 GT is the one to go for, high compression engine, short ratio gearbox, steering damper and reinforced rear axle is what sets it apart.

 That's some real useful info there thanks! So is the mk3 toilet bowl/single point injection like a rover mini sort of set up? 90bhp in a car that small sounds like a lot of fun my mk1 is around the 100bhp area and that's pretty quick I imagine a smaller block is a lot more rev happy than my 1.8 too

The MK3's all had injection engines. They did 1.0 and 1.3 SPi's, I think around 45/55bhp. Similar to the mini set up (looked like a carb sat on the inlet).

They did a 1.3 MPi (engine code NZ) which was still 55bhp, a very similar set up to the GT engine (code 3F) with 75bhp. The differences were the GT had the lower ratio box, higher compression, different cam, different dizzy (the NZ was vacuum advance I believe where as the 3F used an ECU) and different inlet (narrow runners - identical to the G40). Do NOT be fooled into buying a 'GT' which is actually a NZ - different beasts completely and a lot of the NZ boys fitted the 3F ECU and dizzy to sell it as a GT for the premium. Also don't be fooled with the inlet either. Everyone bummed the G40 so fitted the inlets thinking they were better - they weren't (narrower inlet tracks shifted the power band down the rev range - The GT was all about high revving fun).

I actually googled MK3 Polo GT and two of my old cars are on the top line of images (owner after me!) H979DTY  and J667GHN (DTY was the one which split flames!)

DTY was my favourite car I've ever owned. Bullet Proof. Quick (for what it was). Cool. Loads of character. It was tatty as hell but as a result I just didn't care about it which made me fall for it even more (didn't have to worry about it getting damaged etc). But they were different times, I was young and care free then. If I owned it now it'd be a different story, I expect more from cars and want a little more comfort and toys. Or would it…. Damn it, I want one again!  

 God this is making me want to buy one! Is the injection reliable? I've spent many thousands of man hours on my mk1 this would ideally be a lower maintenance car with a few tasteful mods!

Luke s said

I've had about 20 mk2s and about 10 mk3s (mk2 face lift) including 5 g40s most of which I broke to keep our daily ones on the road I Absolutely loved them. Earlier the better I hated the hydrolic head engines I preferred the mechanical head revved better the 1300 go pretty well for 55'bhp I also preferred the 4 speed. Everyone moans about the pierburg carbs but if there set up properly and have the heat tube from manifold to airbox there no problem at all. Me and my wife had 1 each both early hk engine with pierburgs and 4 speeds they were the most reliable cars I've had I did 66k in 6 years in mine and only broke down once in winter when the heat pipe from manifold to airbox had split causing carb to freeze couple of minutes she fired straight back up best car I've owned.only modification I did to aid reliability was I converted them both to electronic ignition using a lter polo ignition amp and a seat Ibiza system porsche distributor .they have no servo so brakes take a little getting used to you have to push the pedal.front suspension isn't the best but with good lower arms and anti roll bar bushes they are good fun

Luke

 A person in the know then! G40's look like so much fun I like the sound of the 1.3s and being a bmw tech I work on a fair share of M power engines with solid lifters so I don't mind shims and all that jazz, what are these old things like on fuel? My 1.8 golf isn't too bad mid 30's mpg I average and about 45mpg on the motorways

The early mech head engines are basicly the same as the golf mk1 1300 engines just a few less horses if you swap the cam for the hh golf 1 it will give you a few more horses. Fuel wise 5 speed is obviously going to be better motorway but in mine I used to achieve high 30s my wife got in the 40s in hers

G40s are very good fun but are high maintenence and a bit of a disease you have 1 it messes you around you fix it get rid coz you want a less hassle car and a couple of months later you end up buying another

Luke

I'm  selling  this  one,  68k,  loads of service history  , Mot  until  July    Great  runner,  very  clean.  £850 

Never owned one but my brother had a mk2 1.3 in gold as his first car back in the day…. loved it. With a complete lack of mechanical sympathy he drove it like he stole it and it out lived his youthful hijinks. 

mk1jim said

I'm  selling  this  one,  68k,  loads of service history  , Mot  until  July    Great  runner,  very  clean.  £850 

 That's a clean one! Where are you based? I can only buy one now if I can insure it on my current policy otherwise it'll be later in the year could you please private message me the reg so I can get a quote? Thanks

I'm in  Chesterfield Derbyshire,  
I added it to  my  mk1 policy,   cost  £3 for the  polo.   Then  £20  administration fee  😆