Central Locking, Alarms, Electric Windows - Worth It?

I currently have a Laser Line Thatcham Cat1 Immobiliser in my car, is it worth getting an alarm & how easy are they to fit?

I also 100% definately want Remote Central Locking, how easy is it to install, can i still use my original keys and how badly are remote central locking kits affected by rain/wet/cold weather - my door seals on driver and passenger main window allow water in - although it doesnt come in the car.

I'm not too fussed about an alarm as I have an immobilser, just want to know the advantages and if it's worth installing it.

Also whats it will electric windows? I think it's a nice touch, but i do NOT want a loud electric winding mechanism as i've seen in a few MK1s - or should i just stay away from this?

:dontknow:  not sure myself but interested in peoples response on central locking (be it remote or with the key.. just be nice not to forget to unlock the passenger door for the girlfriend) and electric windows


although I was thinking of trying to modify a corrado electric window setup that I've got spare :dontknow: can it be made to fit?

Electric windows - love it.  Makes life a lot easier for me - none of that rampant window winding in a cramped position whilst wearing the skin off your elbow.

Central locking works a treat for me to.  Can't use the key on my doorlocks so the key fob does it all.  But as soon as I start the car the doors lock and the interior light goes off.  Opposite happens when I turn off the engine.  The pain is if I need to open the door whilst the engine is running, I've got to reach round and pull up the pin.  I'm 6ft 3 so it can be a struggle.


I think it all boils down to laziness.  Sorry, I can't give a better explanation than that.

Danny

Danny how noisy are your electric windows?

Noticeable when idling but not when driving.  They do judder a bit but thats because the seals need replacing.  

Put it this way - they're no noisier than the electric windows on my mk4.

I have leccy windows in my cab and have just replaced the mechanisms with ones from GSF made by Autolift. They just about fit! The motors stick up a little too far! Apart from that they work fine and allow just enough adjustment to get the windows to fit the rubber seals properly. Another bad point was I had hacksaw two of the bolts down on them as they were way too long! They are more like the original manual window mechs on a cab (scissor type). They wont fit a hatchback. The operation is smooth, fast and no juddering.

The mechs I had in before were electric-life. These seemed like better kit but the tracks on these were worn out from age. On the drivers door the protective tubes had come off the track causing the track to collect dirt inside the door and wear out faster. The Bosch motors were still ok though. Just struggled to move the knackered tracks. I think these will fit a hatchback too. The windows juddered with this kit fitted.

The car has central locking on the doors but not the boot which would work, but its wired up to the cobra alarm which doesnt work or is disabled and I dont know the code to enable it! The central locking is made by MES, a universal kit. Whoever fitted it didn't do the neatest job, I am certain though that it wouldn't have been able to be fitted without drilling and maybe chopping.

I'm pretty sure it was only the Rivage that had leccy windows as standard. Maybe it was an option on the Sportline, but most I've seen had manual windows from new. The genuine EWs on cabrios wont fit hatchbacks. The mechs are the scissor type but different to the manual ones.

I have a brand new genuine drivers side motor if anyone's interested, plus the old electric life kit that could maybe be fixed or used for spares.

Here's an old post of mine showing what the kits are like. You can see the central locking solenoids too…
http://www.vwgolfmk1.o…c&t=7751&highlight=window

Ross said

I'm pretty sure it was only the Rivage that had leccy windows as standard. Maybe it was an option on the Sportline, but most I've seen had manual windows from new

I've got electric hood and windows on my GTi which I believe are original but its not a Rivage or Sportline

It could be, like I said I'm not totally sure if it was only the Rivage that had them as standard.  :dontknow:

My Sportline's look standard and I thought they were when I first got the car. I think a good way of telling is if the doorcards have a plastic blank in them or not where the winder would have been. The Rivage's I seen havent had these.

The guy that had the car before me fitted electric windows to my car (Campaign) and they've worked the whole time I have had the car - 10+ years! The switch on the passenger side is a little worn, but the driver side is fine.

I had central locking on my 1600 GTI (X reg) and that was OK, but given the choice would go for the electric windows…

As for an alarm - don't bother - nobody gives a monkeys when they go off - much better to have a decent immobiliser - again the guy who had car before me had imobiliser fitted and alarm - alarm is kapput now, though the immobiliser is going strong!!

Cheers!

alarm and centrel ocking all the way,

lazyness thats all it is

simon

Fitted a Microscan 400 alarm with microwave duel sensors. Ideal for the cabrio.Two microwave bubbles one for inside the car and one outside the car. Any one walks near it it bleeps.soon as it detects an arm going past the window frame it sounds off.  Also added the remote locking too.

The locking motors were a pain to get right but once adjusted it works well with the golf doors. My car came with eleccy windows orginal OEM i think cause the window motors and mechs look well old. But the electrics were modified.

The alarm with central locking just makes life easy.