Hi, i'm new. Going to own an MK1 soon (hopefully)

Hey all,

My names Puneet, and am only 19!  ops:  Going to own an mk1 soon! well, hopefully anyway.

It's a 1.1 5door, A-reg.

If anyone has any comments or ideas on what to look out for when i do go to inspect the car, kindly do let me know.

I'm picking the car up for ?100.  

Hi Puneet, welcome to the forum!

The big things to look for are rust, rust and more rust! In particular, check the rear wheel arches, under the car near the wheel arches, the fuel filler neck (take off the fuel cap), inside the spare wheel well and the inner wings (inside the engine bay). If these areas are rusty you'll either have a far about of ??? to spend, or will be living on borrowed time.

On the 1100 engine, take off the air filter cover (big black frying pan looking device on top of the engine, about 6 clips around it) and have a look inside, if there is any oil slooshing about in there around the air filter, (or it looks freshly wiped out) the engine is going to be pretty tired out. though replacement engines are pretty easy to source and fit. Look in the oil cap for signs of 'mayonnaise' this is oil+water mixed and means the head gasket is possibly gone.

1100 may have a manual or automatic choke, I prefer the manual as it gives easier starting.

Other than that, general condition is much more important than mileage and obviously the normal car checks (straight running, brakes, V5 etc).

Also have a look at our GTI buyers guide for more clues, most of it applies to the smaller engined Golfs!

Best of luck!

Cheers,

Drew.

Hi Drew, thanks for the warm welcome!  

Heres the car i'm purchasing, this is the actual car itself:-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4502492117

Kindly do let me know what you think. Photos are a bit vague, but the overall condition from the shell looks reasonable! I bet the creepy crawlies will really be hiding beneath the shell.

All ideas and comments are welcome on the car. I've asked the seller a few questions, he should be getting back to me later on today.

Problem is, that the seller really doesn't like responding/replying to his emails, else-wise, i might have a bargain at hand.

Also, could you kindly let me know if the car in the photos appears to be a Formula or a normal C? Whats the diff. between them?

To be honest you can't tell much from the pictures, though there looks like rust starting around the rear badges (not oncommon - plan for a new rear hatch!). You'll have to have a look to be sure. It does look pretty straight to me, but never trust an ebay pic!

As for the 'Formel E' it was basically a 'lean burn' varient of the 1100 engine, with a very long 4th gear, designed for economy. Best avoided to be honest as the long gear robs the car of what little performance it has, and the lean burn engine is not as easy to keep running as the standard 1100.

Cheers,

Drew.

If it is an 1100 and 5 door it will be a Formel E version. Normal 1100 Golf Cs were only 3 doors and other 5 doors were 1300, 1500 and diesels. The Formel E was the economy version with high compression engine (use high octane petrol like Shell Optimax, and tune it for that), a high geared 4th gear for cruising on the Mway, a device that cut the engine when idling at traffic lights and an economy gauge just like the GTI. Most cars have had the cut out device disabled. Looks like a bargain with the alloys and the other stuff the seller says he is throwing in with the deal.

I'm really not sure what variant the one i'm looking at is. Might be a Formel E, or it might be a C. I'm really not fussed, since i think i've got a bargain.

one quick question. You mentioned that i'd be looking at a new rear hatch because of that little bit of rust?

Is that true? I mean, i'm sure theirs ways of treating rust and using polly fill. And then sanding it down?

Or is that not a good idea?

I'm thinking of ditching it if i'll have to change the hatch (new hatch), simply because of one little rust spot/bubble.

It depends really. Mk1 rear hatches are notorious for rotting from the inside out.

If you're lucky you might just have a few scabs around the pin holes for the badges. If you're not then the rear hatch might be full of iron oxide crumbs…  :?

Cheers,

Drew.

Welcome to the form!

The Formel E had
- high compression 1.1 GG engine
- 3 + E gearbox (tall 4th)
- fuel economy gauge with change up indicator
- windscreen pillar black plastic mouldings
- 2 piece deep spoiler (same as GTi)
- Formel E badge on the back

Otherwise it was the same as the Golf C.

Can't tell how good the car is from those pics, though it looks strange as the sides of the car are grey at the bottom?

Cheers
Rajan

Hi Rajan,

Yeh, you've got me thinking now. I only really just noticed the grey bits across the bottom of the door. I reckon it's plastic covering of some sort to cover up the body to prevent rust building up. He does say he lives in near the beach, so maybe it had it specially done to preserve the body?

Thanks Early 1800. It sounds really good. I'm really after economy rather than anything else at this moment in time. Would you/anyone happen to have economical figures/quotes of the car to hand?

I.E. Urban MPG, Motorway MPG & Combined MPG?

Looks like i've really found a pot of gold. I won't know till i go and see it, but this car suits every single one of my needs. Especially with it being a formel E.    Less money on petrol, lasts longer.

Not quite sure though yet, rajan has said "- Formel E badge on the back ", the photos don't appear to have the badge.

Anyway, the person isn't replying to my emails or phone calls, so i'm starting to get a bit worried.

If anyone would happen to know of a formel e 1.1 5 door going for about the same price, please do let me know.

P.S. - The Formel E isn't an Auto is it? I really don't understand 3+E, sounds like an Auto to me! I'm guessing it only has 3 Gears, plus the economical which is something like auto  :?:  *Confused*

Don't set your heart on a Formel E if this car does not work out. While the fuel consumption might be slightly better (around 40 mpg), you will save more money finding a solid Mk1 with no body rot and sound mechanicals. That is hard enough to find these days!

Edit: 3+E was VW's terminology for the 4-speed manual but 4th gear was longer than the other gearboxes. "E" stood for economy. 3+E was fitted to the Formel E and diesels. Incidentally the Formel E was available for the Mk2 too!

Cheers
Rajan

Personally don't like the MK2's!

I Prefer the MK1's! MK2's look like frogs, or something rather over-grown!

Only prefer MK1's, MK3's and newer!

Bearing in mind i'm a uni student, i think that a formel e would work out better for me.

Btw, i found an article a few mins. back about their also being an upgrade VW released, it was the 4+e, upgrade from the 3+e!

Sounds fun! Wonder where i could source one from? I'd be even more luckier if the MK1 i'm looking at has it all. I really cant wait, but he's not replying to my emails/phone calls. I just called him again, got through to his voicemail (2nd time).  

The Mk1 Formel E only had the 3+E gearbox. 4+E was only fitted to Mk2s I'm afraid. To cost of sourcing and fitting the 4+E gearbox would cancel out any potential fuel saving.

Well I've never heard the Mk2 described as a frog before  

Good luck with this one, but trust me find a good solid shell and long MOT first.

Rajan

Cheers m8! Thanks for the little aspiration.

I reckon this one isn't that bad in condition. I'll only be able to report back afta i've had a look at it personally.

Thanks for all your replies.  

Just curious, but i was wondering if anyone is from either around the Birmingham area or Arsenal (london) area?

Just thinking that it'd be great if someone experienced could come along with me to check out the vehicle in question?

Note:- Received a reply from the seller today, the car sounds excellent. I wont really know till i check it out personally though. The car has alot of paper work regarding servicing, if not most, it has ALL paperwork.  

Kapur,

Remember that an ebay bid is legally bimding unless the pictures or description are inaccurate.

Well, everyone. I'm going to see/pick up the car on monday.

Would be great if someone could kindly hop along?

I'm leaving from New street at about 11:30.

Off to Euston i THINK, not sure yet. But the car is in Arsenal.

Can't wait, really excited. I'm going to print off the buying an mk1 section. Many many thanks to this site. It's awesome!  

Hi Welcome to the site.

It looks like a bargain to me. I sometimes buy salvage vehicles and a heavily dented Mk 1 GX fetched ?140 !!

You should be OK with this, although rust is the main enemy.

I reckon the alloys will be nearly worth what you are paying for the whole car.

Good luck with it. See you on the main forum.

Hi Adolf, thanks for your post.

I'm kind of stuck. Anyone got any idea of how i can get this car from Arsenal to Birmingham?

I'm looking for some temporary insurance to cover me just for a day, as i don't need a proper policy yet.

I'm looking to buy the car, and get it fit and up for it's MOT, and it'll be ready just before i turn 21. I'm 19 now. I'm buying it since my insurance is way too much even on a 1.4!

Would anyone in here happen to be the main policy holder of a fully comprehensive? Because your allowed to drive other cars and your covered 3rd party only.

So, if anyone would be willing to drive it from Arsenal to Birmingham with me?