Hi there, theft advice, ideas on hardtop covering 4 cabrio?

Hi every1 just wanted to introduce myself.  Just bought a GTI cabrio in black on a whim and wondering whether I ve done the right thing.  I had a Mk1  1.1 that sustained me through university and my first job.   Though I didnt find it reliable as I constantly had carbrettor problems.  I spent lots of rent money on carbs and getting to understand the problem.  

This Black cabrio 1.8 GTi I ve just bought - its Fuel injected?  So does that mean I wont have Carb problems?Read in your forum thing earlier to check fuel lines/rust damaging the injection…what can I do?  (Can I hit my "lets start to wail woefully &  panic" button now? Or should I wait for bigger problems? )

Also I live in london!  Worried about  thefts and car damage any1 with any experiences they would like to share, mention, advise about?

I also need to source a good garage in London and a parts place. Want to check on cambelt/clutch and slightly wobbly seats for the car Ive just bought.  If I need to change the seats any1 wiith any ideas ? is it easy?

 Is any1 aware of a hardtop covering thing for a cabrio?  I d feel a lot better for ppl damaging the roof etc….I KNOW that it sounds like a NAFF idea but still I have a place to put the cover when I dont want to use it..  Other cabrio's have them, why not golfs? Any suggestions? I have off street parking, in a residents carpark, so it out in the open, but I might want to protect the carbrio's new roof from "cracking" and those sorts of things.  Any ideas how I can do that?

How much work have I got to put in? I do want to preserve the car.

Seats - if they feel loos at the base where they fit the runners then the plastic guides need replacing - dead easy job and parts available form VW

Never seen a Mk1 Golf cab hard top.  Get yerself a garage and never leave your stereo in.  When parking open the glove box to show that it is empty.

Take your fuel cap off and use a torch to inspect the inside of the filler neck (DO NOT USE A NAKED FLAME  8O )  If you see rust then worry - if you see shiny steel then relax.  Let us know what you have and we can advise on remedial action.

Oh - and Hi  

VW don't do a "Hard Top" but there wa an after market company that made one. It was in the magazines about 3 or 4 years ago.
Not the best looking thing, but did the job - Think it was called "Viper" or something???

I'll see if I can find anything on t'interweb…

Nope - Can't find anything.

Might be worth contacting the mags (Performance VW and TheGolf) to see if they remember carrying the feature and if they could put you in touch with the manufacturer?

Yeah, i remember a really naff Orange one in Golf Extreme with a hard top.

Looked nasty!

That's the one!!! You sure it was Golf Extreme???

I was until you said that, it must be though.

I'll try and remember to look over the weekend, but my memory sucks………

What was it i was looking for again??

 thanks for the replies… Crazyquiff and Al_mk1!!!  

Crazyquiff - U really are Crazy - but I think I like you already!!       The very idea of some1  using a naked flame to check out the fuel tank is an interesting if not very intruiging  notion.    !!

As I m very fond of my face (eyebrows and moustache included) and chest hairs, I think I lll be exploring that option when Im  less busy and seeking such amusements….   <- see Im crazy too!

Thank you. I feel very welcome.  The hard top idea - Orange!!! Ok so Ill bin that one!   Thanks for he advice on leaveing the glove box open.  Mine wont stay open so I ll use a little stick to keep it open….

Have just checked the fuel cap. Erm, there IS some rust!  Its a "smooth" bronze like brown colour down the hose pipe! There were tiny loose bits of metal by the mouth of the fuel cap, which might need to be cleaned away - Im trying make an informed judgement here; As the car is not spanking new, and the previous owner would have just filled it with petrol…So wants the next form of action?  

I ve just got a quote for getting the drive belt kt and a  "plastic adjustment" (so that the belt dosent slip off???) for ?220.  As I ve just confirmed from the previous owner that the belt hasnt been changed in 3 years!  Ok…

So he used to drive down from wales to london…so I bought the car thinking that, lots of motorway miles and it would be reliable.  It had done 90K odd when he bought it, the car now has 111K on it.. Assuming it has been changed before he bought it…Ah, I d just better get it  changed!!!

Any good vw specialist or vw interested garages around london any1 can recommend. Or good machanics with a vw intest?  I want to get the best care..if I can.