Keep it standard or not quite standard?

Hi guys,

This is my (first) car. Its a Driver that I have been using as a daily for about six months and I love it.  

voila



It's in good condition inside and out, and apart from the wheels, steering wheel and immobiliser, as far as I know, it's standard. I changed the headlights back to the ones without the crosses in since the picture was taken. It's currently on about 67k miles and MOT'd for another 10 months, having passed the MOT first time. When my first years insurance comes to an end, claim free touch wood :wink: I am planning to give it a rest and some much earned TLC. The plan is to use it as a spoilt second car and take it out on sunny days and to shows.

I'm not thinking of an engine swap but what are your opinions on making it more useable? I love it as it is and enjoy driving it, don't get me wrong, but its not ideal driving down the motorway at 55mph! My ideas were along the lines of better brakes, 5 speed gearbox etc. On the other hand I also like the idea of getting it completely original, maybe because it wouldn't involve much work.

I would love to hear your opinions on this MAJOR DILEMA!!  :mrgreen:

Rich

Firstly as will probably be repeated by many, its your car so your decisions!!

But if I were you I would want to make the car more useable, and if that means a 5-speed then so be it. I am lucky as I will be keeping mine original, but then again its a 5-speed series 1 GTi. If you want to use the car and enjoy it then do what you have to.

Rich

Putting a five speeder in is probably one of the best mods you can do,quieter for a start and could possibly save a bit on fuel as well as engine wear.did this mod to my Dads old 1.3 CL and I just loved driving it even more then plus its not a problem to revert back if someone would want a totaly original one.

Mate great looking mk1. 5 speed for sure. keep the 4spd box and linkage in case someone in the future wants to put it back to original.
Engine swaps arent so easily reversable as for a big engine you change the mounts. But as for more drivable on todays roads maybe do the brakes? The mk2 16v servo and cylinder is popular (i got mine waiting to go on) and is reversable, so is the rear disc conversion if you wanted to go the whole hog. Better brakes and better gearing. Nobody can argue that doesnt make sense, even the purists.  

I was the same as you about 7 years ago! I got my mk1 driver as my first car and I still have it now! :mrgreen:

Over the years I got influenced by my friends who were decking their cars and blinging them up, and did a fair amount of it to mine because I thought mine looked crap next to theirs


I'm 24 now and one thing I've learnt is that you really can't beat a standard mk1 8) Even at standard ride height they just look perfect! (providing they have the original wheels) Really classy! I think once you start changing wheels you need to go the whole hog and lower it etc, for it to look good again, but it still won't compare to a standard one 8)


If you feel like you want to mod it, go for it and get it out of your system But try and keep the mods reversible so that you can go back to standard at a later date in case you turn out like me!


But definitely go for a 5 speed gearbox, that extra gear makes all the difference As caddyman said above, the servo and front brake change is a worthwhile one. I wouldn't say rear discs are worthwhile though, they do more harm than good as far as I can tell!