Tell me about Polos

[keithyboy]

My wife and kids want a dog. I wouldn't actually mind a dog myself but I ain't telling them that for the moment as i'm seeking management clearance for a project Polo. I'm thinking the old round-headlamp one or the slightly later rectangular headlamp job like in the pics below.

What I want to know is:

1. If I get one I want it majorly low, not some namby pamby 40mm drop. What's the best way of achieving this?

2. If I end up with a 1 litre one, what other VW engines drop in reasonably easily?

Oh and if anyone's got one going begging..........

[Raoul Duke]

Round-light would be a Mk2, rectangular would be a Mk2f (or Mk3 on most forums) - virtually the same car mechanically I believe.

They take short-block engines, so anything bigger than a 1.4 and you'll have major sump-clearance issues...and that's without suspension mods. Of course, if you're skilled/confident enough to start chopping the front end about, you have a wider choice.

Lowering kits up to 80mm are available; you can lose an extra 15mm off the front with caps, plus you can of course just take an angle-grinder to the springs. he ride will be exceptionally unforgiving, but they can be made to handle extremely well.

Head over to www.polo3.co.uk for info.

[bennyboo]

About polo's? They're a mint with a hole...

I crack myself up sometimes...

[timsands]

parts and support is ten a penny.

brilliant cars, easy to fix and parts nice and cheap.

loweing kits are about 130 for dampers and springs.

rears are easy, fronts a bake

gt conversion is usually a good start, a comfy 100bhp if done well

[Team Blitz]

Apr 19, 2009 23:56:38 GMT @timsands said:

parts nice and cheap

Except, evidently, for wings, which are poor quality wobbly children's play pony defecation according to the earlier R-R-posting lad who was searching out the means for making his own from GRP.

[keithyboy]

Apr 19, 2009 23:56:38 GMT @timsands said:

parts and support is ten a penny.

brilliant cars, easy to fix and parts nice and cheap.

loweing kits are about 130 for dampers and springs.

rears are easy, fronts a bake

gt conversion is usually a good start, a comfy 100bhp if done well

Cheers to all for the replies. Are the front struts the same sort of arrangement as on a MKII Golf?

[scaryoldcortina]

^^ yes, and no to the strut question! Yes, its a mac strut very similar to the golf one but no, not the same.Plus, the polo is on arms with a track control bar where the golf has lower wishbones and an ARB

[timsands]

best mod in the world for a polo in a lower strut brace. doesnt need to be anything snazzy. mine is a straight piece of inch box attached to each strut

[retrowagen1234]

ah the wings I need are for a mk1 . the mk2 is a totally different beast and wings are still avaiable at not very much


id go for the mk2... youd be happier with it in the long run.. they seem to drive better some how. and they do realy take well to lowering... say 3 coils out of the front will see the tyre nearly level with the arch on 165 65 13's 2 out of the back will see the same but due to the flat archs on the rear of a bready <(mk2 standard hatch not coupe) you get more of a rake look without having to completely deck it.. if you can find one get a 1100 1093cc I believe? as they go stupidly well... and are some economical its scary! youd be supprised how much the 1300 drinks .


look out for rust at the bottom of the filler neck where it joins the tank (tanks are 60quid but annoying to change) and rust on that edge of the sill also as spilt petrol gets caught in the gap and causes it to rust inside out.... making it look sound but feel very flimsey and eventually fall off ... edges of the rear valance also go quite bad ... any knocks on a test drive make the antiroll bar rubbers the first thing to check... they wear out quick

[retrowagen1234]

oh and you can get coilovers (read the current retrocars mag (mk1 polo) ) but i contacted gaz and they wud be 600 quid to make

[steveo3002]

realise the round headlamp version has no brake servo , they do stop okay if the brakes are in order , but it feels a bit poo after driving a servo'd car and theres not much scope for fitting one without expense or lots of welding to fit the later bulkhead

square lamp mk3 has the servo as standard

[Adam]

I've tried both the mk2 and mk3(2f) brakes and as long as you fit the later (post 87?) calipers and half decent pads / fluid the mk2 ones are actually nicer I would say.

I suppose it depends what you're used to but you will get used to it and I don't think it's a reason to reject the mk2!

[retrowagen1234]

Apr 20, 2009 10:10:35 GMT Adam said:

I've tried both the mk2 and mk3(2f) brakes and as long as you fit the later (post 87?) calipers and half decent pads / fluid the mk2 ones are actually nicer I would say.

I suppose it depends what you're used to but you will get used to it and I don't think it's a reason to reject the mk2!

exactly... its only a light car too so you don't even have to push hard to make it stop

[steveo3002]

Apr 20, 2009 10:10:35 GMT Adam said:

I've tried both the mk2 and mk3(2f) brakes and as long as you fit the later (post 87?) calipers and half decent pads / fluid the mk2 ones are actually nicer I would say.

I suppose it depends what you're used to but you will get used to it and I don't think it's a reason to reject the mk2!

nah didnt mean it was a reason to reject it...just be aware the brakes might suprise some people

i run a mk2 myself , and think its a great little car cheap for bits too

[herald948]

My parents have run Mk2s for the past 15 years. They currently have 3, one each and an MOT'd and SORN'd spare.

Theirs have been simple and inexpensive to fix when they go wrong. Gearboxes have been a little fragile (bearings and gears), plus I believe they had an engine with a blocked oil pickup. Also they've had the fuel tank corrosion issue more than once. Otherwise very good little cars, if slightly unexciting.

[hotboxdeluxe]

I've had 6 - 4 Mk2's and 2 Mk3's - and I reckon they're a fantastic little brick. Not particularly exciting as previously mentioned, but it's to be expected...it is a watercooled VW after all ;D Solid, strong, and easy to fix, what else do you need

Think of it as like a Mk1 golf without the outrageous tax

[Gilesy]

Keith, just do! tinyurl.com/d4ys96
It's to replace the Mini, she's got to let you ;D Drop it on the factory steels, get the bootlid vinyl'd in black, red & yellow and go on the hunt for a good MkIV (6N) Polo 1400 mpi motor with a 5-cog box Then an air filter, exhaust and schrick cam etc etc.
If a dog is in order, get a breadvan. I want my old polo back...

[keithyboy]

Apr 20, 2009 14:36:34 GMT Gilesy said:

Keith, just do! tinyurl.com/d4ys96
It's to replace the Mini, she's got to let you ;D Drop it on the factory steels, get the bootlid vinyl'd in black, red & yellow and go on the hunt for a good MkIV (6N) Polo 1400 mpi motor with a 5-cog box Then an air filter, exhaust and schrick cam etc etc.
If a dog is in order, get a breadvan. I want my old polo back...

The Mini went last year to fund the purchase of the Alfa. The oldest car I've got is my wife's volvo. However, the VOC refer to it as a classic so I can still wear my flat cap with pride.

I have this vision of a satin black breadvan lowered on MKII Golf Driver rims with a wavy chequered roof. I can then take my kids to school in it and confuse the hell out of the Picasso drivers.

[moomin]

If I was you I won't let the wife or the kids get in a polo as they lack in the brakes deptartment some what. Other than that they are awesome and always look awesome no matter how much you try and ruin them with stickers and roofracks

[gotwood]

Apr 20, 2009 9:54:35 GMT steveo3002 said:

square lamp mk3 has the servo as standard

Which is a pain in the backside if you lower the car more than 90mm as the steering arms rub on the bottom of the servo I've moved my servo up slightly but it's hard to get a mk3 really low unless the servo is swapped for a remote one or binned altogether !
That said , I've had two mk2 breadvans but I prefer my mk3 coupe ( even with the stickers and roofrack ! )