Buying an MK3

[93 Mk1]

Hello Ray
I've the Meisterr adjustable suspension in the mk2 , you are welcome to a test drive if you wish , nice and connected feel yet can be set for real comfort
Brian

Hi Brian..
Thanks for the offer., I've actually contacted Meisterr on pricing. Currently out of stock for 5-6 weeks. I've a bit of time to mull over it. Snapped a front drop link at the weekend, this car is really starting to throw some curve balls at me. If anyone has an old one in there shed and willing to sell. All mine are poly bushed so i want to get an old one and replace the bushes.

I know how you feel. I had a few unexpected glitches with mine recently too and I was actually thinking of selling at one point. Then I calmed down !!

[Real Rayzor]

Certainly testing my patience at the moment. Seem to be spending more time fixing it than driving it at the moment.

[Merlot man]

Hello Ray
I've the Meisterr adjustable suspension in the mk2 , you are welcome to a test drive if you wish , nice and connected feel yet can be set for real comfort
Brian

Is the Meister R setup worth the money in your opinion Brian ? I've read great things about those coilovers.

Hello mk1
Ya I think they are worth considering , I've brought the mk2 to France and Germany twice on this setup and no one complained in pcluding the wife !
Like Ray you are welcome to a test drive yourself
Brian

[bustedsofas]

Hi Ray,

I bought a Mk3 (moved form mk2.5), Christmas 2016 as my daily driver and never had an issue. I did replace the standard suspension with MeisterR ZetaCRDs and its still very very comfortable car. (see image how low it is)

What i've heard is that the Mk3 eats oil, but I keep an eye on it all the time anyhow (replace it every 5000 miles too) and also there is an issue with cracked coolant bottles. I've replaced mine as precaution.(The yellower (is yellower a word??) it gets means time to replace.

I've about 61000 miles on it (10000miles since i bought it).

[93 Mk1]

Out of curiosity, what made you change from the Mk2.5 to the Mk3 ? How do they compare ?

[bustedsofas]

Out of curiosity, what made you change from the Mk2.5 to the Mk3 ? How do they compare ?

I had garaged it for a 2 years before I sold it (arrival of a baby) bought a Mazda 6(sold after 6months) then a mini cooper s but sold that to go back to the MK2.5 as missed it so much.

I had put cheap coilovers on it (lesson learnt) and to be honest it was gonna cost a lot money for me to get it to where I wanted it to be.

I had the MK2.5 for eleven years and just needed a change too.

I saw the MK3 for sale nearby, did some research and went for it. Minute I drove it, I knew I was buying it.

MK3 is way more comfortable, even with the coilovers. Handling is excellent (although my memories of the MK2.5 are ruined by my crappy old setup). It's a 1.8 so a bit nippier than the MK2.5. (nowhere near as quick as the cooper s tho)

Biggest issue I have with it, is trying to get a subtle chin spoiler that's not priced out of this world, or is twice the price of the spoiler.

I love it, and plan to keep it for a while. Trade in against a MK4 at some stage! Or if the perfect MK1 came up.

Sent from my ANE-LX1 using Tapatalk

[93 Mk1]

Out of curiosity, what made you change from the Mk2.5 to the Mk3 ? How do they compare ?

I had garaged it for a 2 years before I sold it (arrival of a baby) bought a Mazda 6(sold after 6months) then a mini cooper s but sold that to go back to the MK2.5 as missed it so much.

I had put cheap coilovers on it (lesson learnt) and to be honest it was gonna cost a lot money for me to get it to where I wanted it to be.

I had the MK2.5 for eleven years and just needed a change too.

I saw the MK3 for sale nearby, did some research and went for it. Minute I drove it, I knew I was buying it.

MK3 is way more comfortable, even with the coilovers. Handling is excellent (although my memories of the MK2.5 are ruined by my crappy old setup). It's a 1.8 so a bit nippier than the MK2.5. (nowhere near as quick as the cooper s tho)

Biggest issue I have with it, is trying to get a subtle chin spoiler that's not priced out of this world, or is twice the price of the spoiler.

I love it, and plan to keep it for a while. Trade in against a MK4 at some stage! Or if the perfect MK1 came up.

Sent from my ANE-LX1 using Tapatalk

Very interesting perspective ! I like reading other owner's opinions of the various models. I was even considering changing to a later model myself (Mk2.5 or Mk3) recently. The rust issue with the Mk2/2.5 made me apprehensive though. I've been reading good things about the Mk3 though so far.

[Real Rayzor]

Thanks for giving your perspective bustedsofas.. I'm definitely gonna be on the lookout for the right car. In the meantime I think I'm gonna upgrade my suspension in the mk1 as she's a keeper. The plan will be to garage the mk1 eventually so she reaches the vintage year.

[notch000]

ive the meister coilovers on my Mk2 same as brians, I was sold after drviing brians car. Mine had the oriignal 15+ yr old billies. After fitting they were a major improvment comfort wise over the stand hard suspensions.

[mrges]

Ray - not sure if you are still interested in a MK3, but this months Modern Classics has an article on buying one (.....sorry for the crappy photos, but it's still readable!).

NC 1.jpg

NC 2.jpg

NC 3.jpg

The bit about checking the compressor is in the boot made me laugh. A few weeks after I traded mine in the dealer called to ask if I would drop in the Compressor. I told him it was left in the boot (it had never been removed since I got the car). He was less than amused - a replacement one was €70, and seems someone had came along and when looking round the car decided to help themselves to it!

[Real Rayzor]

Thanks Graham. I've shelved that idea now.. I'm happy again with the car.. my back is good again "for now" it flairs up every now and again and I think world is goin to end
Still I would like a more modern car but the new meisterr shocks have renewed my vigour for the mk1..

[mrges]

Thats good that your back has decided to behave itself!

Maybe you need a mk3 as well as the mk1 - to use should your back flare up again



BTW, have you any before and after shots of the car with the new shocks on?

[Real Rayzor]

I'll have to figure out how to post pics I've forgotten..