Edition 30 powered by RBS

[RBS]

It’s not a MK5 GTI but it is the daddy of the Edition 30😁

[Shoduchi]

It’s not a MK5 GTI but it is the daddy of the Edition 30😁

Grandad, since there's the Edition 25 before ours.

Good luck with the purchase!

[RBS]

@ Shoduchi:😅 yes you’re right!! Grandaddy!!

[RBS]

And yes… I drove all the way back from Madrid to Antwerp.
A 1600 km trip😁 with no hik ups!! All went smooth & easy❤️
Just turn the ignition on and drive😍👍🏻 Waisted a 30€ flight ticket back to Belgium! With NO regrets
The 20 Years was purchased by an ealderly dame in 1996 in the Madrid VW garage.
Was always maintained and serviced there till 2017!!! The last 5 years She took it to an local garage shop which did an excellent job in maintaining the originality of the GTI!!!
I saw pictures and movies of the 20 Years which her grandson took and was sold!!
But when seeing it in real life… MY JAWS DROPPED!!!! 🤩🤩
This GTI 16V “20 Years” is like new!!! It had covered 89.400 km in it’s 26 Years and when I opened the door… the original VW smell came to me😍❤️
The interior is like new!! Only 1 minor thing: the rooflining is starting to get a bit loose… but I was thinking if this is all…
Then Alberto opened the boot, all the doors and it was immaculate!!😍
Piece the resistance was for last… the bonnet popped open and🙈
All of the bolts, connectors, leads… the whole enchilada looked like new!!!
I didn’t even argued over the asking price!!
Now the best bit comes…. Driving!!! The clutch, shifter, suspension and wheel ALL
felt like new!!!!😳😳😳😕❤️❤️❤️❤️
After explaining to Alberto and the family that I could not wait to take it to Belgium and then to Croatia… they agreed to let me drive the GTI back with the original numberplates and insurance until I get it all sorted in Croatia!!!❤️❤️❤️👍🏻
I’ve made friends for life in Madrid….🤩
Now some first pic’s and driving from Madrid to Antwerp😍

[RBS]

First look at the kms


Some first driving impression



Then the road trip started😍







First pitstop and a little check up.. NO drop of oil lost🤩










And finally safe home❤️ After eating some little bugs👍🏻

[LC5F]

Wow that is mint  - I used to have a MK3 16v - ABF engine is good fun
A dry environment will suit those RX2 BBS wheels they love to corrode here in the UK.
I seem to recall the only issues I had with mine was idle control being problematic and the ABS sensors burning the solder in the ABS unit.

[RBS]

@LC5F, thanks for the info mate

Tonight I’ll take some closer look pics👍🏻

[RBS]

Here are some “dirty” mug shots 😅




















Here’s one just before going back home to Antwerp 😁

[RBS]

As for the radio… it ‘ll be replaced by the original Gamma one
I’ve got other stuff on my mind now… preparing to go to Croatia 🇭🇷 on Friday 🤩

[LC5F]

Interesting, the UK anniversary had standard GTI seats, but with a "GTI" fabric in the centre panel, yours are the uprated Recaro's - much better support, used in UK Colour concept cars, but leather
The usual anni fabric is:

[pudding]

Cars last so well in your climate 

Those Recaro seats look amazing    Not the red, grey and black chequer board ones, the others 

[RBS]

Thanks guys :happy2
@LC5F: you’re right about the fabric and the seats…
If I can remember the 8V had this “GTI” fabric in the standard sport seats and the 16V had the Recaro seats here in Europe… but correct me if I’m wrong😅
There is also a difference between countries… example Germany had the red striping all around the GTI where in Italy AND Spain only the front and rear bumper got the red striping… also interiorwise there are differences… the German version got standard all electric windows (front and rear) and back headrests, the only real options were sunroof and climatronic.
Now I know from mine that it was ordered and bought in Madrid and it didn’t come as standard with rear electric windows and back headrests (not that I mind)😁 and I also don’t have a sunroof and climatronic… just manual airconditioning (works just as fine) I had a comfortable ride to Croatia 🇭🇷 ❤️👍🏻
I’ll open a new topic about the GTI “20 Years” with the underside inspection also👍🏻
Afterall it’s a mk5 GTI forum 😇🙈

[LC5F]

Thanks guys :happy2
@LC5F: you’re right about the fabric and the seats…
If I can remember the 8V had this “GTI” fabric in the standard sport seats and the 16V had the Recaro seats here in Europe… but correct me if I’m wrong😅
There is also a difference between countries… example Germany had the red striping all around the GTI where in Italy AND Spain only the front and rear bumper got the red striping… also interiorwise there are differences… the German version got standard all electric windows (front and rear) and back headrests, the only real options were sunroof and climatronic.
Now I know from mine that it was ordered and bought in Madrid and it didn’t come as standard with rear electric windows and back headrests (not that I mind)😁 and I also don’t have a sunroof and climatronic… just manual airconditioning (works just as fine) I had a comfortable ride to Croatia 🇭🇷 ❤️👍🏻
I’ll open a new topic about the GTI “20 Years” with the underside inspection also👍🏻
Afterall it’s a mk5 GTI forum 😇🙈

UK always seemed to be slightly different spec to the continent we missed out on a lot of specials, but to be fair we got a few of our own.

If you want to add the missing items-
The OEM pinstripe is regular stick on type, just stuck on-top of normal rub strip.

Rear headrests can be retrofitted, they do improve comfort for rear passengers - its been a while... seem to recall you get the head rests, the guides and seat internals with screws all from 9N polo -the UK cars commonly had back headrests. the internal metal frame of the Mk3 has the screw holes already pre-drilled - all you need is fabric from Gti front headrests and you have the entire kit.

My 16v used to be my daily, it happily did 76 miles each day commuting.
But it did end up like a roller skate on coilovers - just missing the Hella twin head lights here:

[RBS]

@LC5F thanks 

But first... whaaw what a nice Mk3 I love the color!  was that blue  a standard color in the UK? 
As for the parts for the 20 Years, they are on the way Next weekend I'm getting some extra set of BBS RS 722 and get them refurbished in original color and polish Maybe on the way back home I'll stop by a 20 Years shop / collector who has many other stuff for the GTI😉
Maybe I'll find a back seat with headrests too
I'll put some pic's on when I receive all the other parts too

[RBS]

AND...

I must carry on with my ED 30 too😉 the 20 Years has set me off corse