The Ultimate Hot Hatch | MK2 VW Golf GTI - Homemade Clubsport

The MK2 VW Golf GTI is no doubt an automotive icon, and is really a founder of the whole hot hatch genre.

In this episode we chat with James about his 1989 MK2 Golf GTI and also take it out on the road to see what it's all about. James has owned the car for nearly 15 years and has struck a balance between usability and also capability. By creating a "Clubsport" type spec, this particular example takes some of the best elements from both a track variant and road going variant.

It is a beautifully kept car with lots of intricate details and hopefully this film helps to capture some of that, as well as the enthusiasm that binds the car community together.

Subscribe for more videos!

Big thanks to James for bringing his car down for this video, hugely appreciate it. Please subscribe to him here:

Check us out on Instagram for more of our content!

Music from Epidemic Sound:

VW Golf, Golf GTI, MK2 Golf, MK2 Golf GTI

[FootToPedal]

Hope you enjoyed the video!


Apologies for the poor audio when I'm speaking, we had a mic issue which will be resolved for the next video!

[markjordan]

I owned a 1986 Mk2 8v Golf GTI in black back in 92. My girlfriend at the time (now wife) went out & purchased 16v Mk2 - both great cars & set us on a road of always having at least 1 GTI in the garage. We now run a Mk5 & Mk7.5 - but very happy memories of our 2 Mk2’s which started us off. Terrific video - liked & subscribed.

[rafaminus]

Wow!! My father had a mk2 Gti and I bought a Mk2 Gti 16v. Now I have my mk7 Gti. A legend. Thanks my friend. Enjoy your Gti !!🎉🎉🎉

[Jims_racing]

Thanks guys! Great to meet two like-minded people! You’ve done a cracking job with some amazing footage. (Its just me talking that lets it down!) see you on the next one! 👍🏼

[BoudicaJ]

She's beautiful. I have had a Mkii GTD since 2008 and I'll never have another car, we bonded for life the second I saw her little nose peeking around the corner.

[shovons]

Great car, thanks for the report. Videos on affordable classics like this are right up my street! 👍

More to the point, what a brilliantly produced film! I love the whole aesthetic. The camera work, the retro colour grading, 80's synth music, and even the font style! All subtle, without being cheesy. Creates such a chilled, cool vibe to the piece. I'm sure you been told many times before, the production values on your videos is immense. With just the two of you working on it too! One would have assumed a whole team was involved. You deserve so many more subscribers, and I guess that is only a matter of time.

Please keep at it and I'm sure your team work will bear fruit! All my best for the future! 👊

[konaWH]

Owner knows what he wants and how to execute. Love the small number) bumper looks and great choice of wheels. Great eye for details.

[melvyncox]

I had a 1990 Mkll 8 valve GTi, for 15 years, full Bilstein set up and anti roll bars.Lovely!Wish l'd kept it, but had to go at the time.Own a rare Audi A2 now, again with Bilsteins, and enjoy it!Mkll GTis still rule though❤️👍

[SinsAscendant]

I thoroughly enjoyed watching this. The overall videography was top notch!
I've followed the car for a long time, definitely deserved a feature!

[Discopuss]

I had a MK1 GTI in the late 80s early 90s and it really was a phenomenal product. Quick, comfortable, practical and tons of fun! Great memories! And definitely where I got my taste for speed!

[yoson]

So glad you looked at this car! Also a little birdie told me that this video will hit the algorithm

[bigirch]

Great video, and seen first hand what this car can do, copes MK2 is one of a kind and the engineering is second to none, all done by cope as well, will be subscribing and having a watch of more of your fantastic
Peace

[angry]

The Mk2 has always been the best of the bunch (better all round than the Mk1 but obviously no first). The rest don’t do it for me. I have had about 7 Mk2’s and indeed my brother owns my old small bumper 3 door.
That sounds and seems to go well for an 8v Digifant. Lovely car, I’m thinking it has a 272 degree cam.

[GTFour]

Great video. Have followed James’ golf channel for years. As he says; it’s a misnomer the 8v makes more torque, the 16v makes more torque entire way through the rev range. Subsequently has more area under the curve. They rev fair bit higher too. I test drove quite a few of each before I bought my 16v, the revs are addictive! Fell in love so had to pay the 16v premium, was worth it though. 😊

[chrismc]

The 8v is a great road engine when worked. With a 2L block you’ll see off a stock 16v- however the 16v is better on track & especially breathed on. A good valver is just better. More revs, more top end.

The 16v feels weaker because it struggles with gas speed in the head at lower rpm- however the reality is it’ll match an 8v- & then exceed it at the top end

[dj_paultuk]

Thats a Digifant1 car. BBR used to do a chip for those that took power up to 125bhp. Had one in mine.

[rickydub]

Cracking vid on a cracking mk2 👌 followed the build thread and track vids over the years 😎 2.0 8v & 16v mk2 owner myself 🙂

[callytheblueparakeet]

Great watch, beautiful cinematography as always. Struggled to hear you a little Ollie but judging from your comments it sounds like you had a technical issue. Keep up the good work 👍

This vehicle is as clean as a whistle.

[martinmoran]

You questioned about the 8v feeling torquey. I had an 8v gti many years ago and the gearbox failed. I ended up replacing it with a 16v transmission and it just never felt the same. In a way it ruined it and just wasn't as fun working through the gears - felt less torque and sluggish. I never compared the ratio charts though.