Big bumper or small? (VW Golf Mk2)

[COcyclist]

Does your driver's side mirror fold in? I deleted the passenger side and use an interior convex mirror velcro-ed to the sill. I fold the driver's side mirror in on the highway with an inner and a small outside convex mirror but I can quickly swing the driver's side mirror out for city traffic.

[G2TDI]

Originally Posted by COcyclist

Does your driver's side mirror fold in? I deleted the passenger side and use an interior convex mirror velcro-ed to the sill. I fold the driver's side mirror in on the highway with an inner and a small outside convex mirror but I can quickly swing the driver's side mirror out for city traffic.

Yes it does but I'd prefer a permanent solution for both reason of aesthetics as well as safety. If I had the mirror at times then at other times not, I'd find myself glancing there only to not "having" it, which could create an issue.

A friend of mine was telling me to put cameras, and early on I was considering that but I removed that idea, but I forget why I think it was possible night glare issues?

[Mario_Marques]

Another vw! cool
I prefer the big bumper because it's closer to the ground and look very cool too(i like aeromods with style!).
Wheels, i like the vw teadrop model with shiny crom finish, they appear to be aero and have nice look.
I like this ones too:

Regards

[COcyclist]

Originally Posted by G2TDI

Yes it does but I'd prefer a permanent solution for both reason of aesthetics as well as safety. If I had the mirror at times then at other times not, I'd find myself glancing there only to not "having" it, which could create an issue.

I don't miss the passenger side mirror at all, except when parallel parking close to a curb. It is easy enough to do a head check on that side. I did notice that the New Beatle mirrors are significantly smaller that the Basset Hound ears on my Mk IV. I wonder if a handy guy like you could mod them to work on your Golf? Or there was a black project car on vortex? with some small mirrors.

I like the look of the black GTI.

[G2TDI]

Originally Posted by Mario_Marques

Another vw! cool
I prefer the big bumper because it's closer to the ground and look very cool too(i like aeromods with style!).
Wheels, i like the vw teadrop model with shiny crom finish, they appear to be aero and have nice look.

For a number of reasons, price & availability (mk3 better than mk2 right now!) and even more so things I learned on here that is CdA values (mk3 among the best) and just overall practicality and availability of TDI option here in NA, made me go for a Mk3 now. Unfortunately on this side of the Atlantic there never was any Golf Mk3 TDIs so I will be swapping one in from a Mk3 Jetta, I already bought both now for low 3 digit prices each

[G2TDI]

Originally Posted by COcyclist

I don't miss the passenger side mirror at all, except when parallel parking close to a curb. It is easy enough to do a head check on that side. I did notice that the New Beatle mirrors are significantly smaller that the Basset Hound ears on my Mk IV. I wonder if a handy guy like you could mod them to work on your Golf? Or there was a black project car on vortex? with some small mirrors.

I like the look of the black GTI.

Well I don't mind having NO mirror on the right side, what I was trying to say is I don't want to have a mirror I flip in as that could really create an issue (of safety) when I get used to relying on it and it's flipped in, sorry but from that aspect I seriously dislike the flipping of mirrors. I do have a TDI Beetle yes but while I don't mind The Beatles I surely don't own one, don't think you can nor do they have mirrors AFAIK

I will try to have ONE mirror (some small one) or do the camera option still trying to figure that out in my head...

[SvdM]

Ah almost another Mk2ey! I drive an '87 Jetta, 1600 carburettor.

I was just about to suggest the Mk3 (reading though all 6 pages) when you did yourself. I do remember it being more aerodynamically CdA-wise and that the Mk2 actually = the Mk4 in CdA values, but couldn't find the data.

Just for interest sake, I do also remember reading that the Mk2 bigbumper was in fact more aerodynamic than the smallbumper.

I guess you're stuck on the Golf, but technically sedans are usually more aerodynamic than their hatchback variants. Plus, I'll never trade the tonnes of bootspace for a hatch, but it's just personal choice.

I am not familiar with the Mk3 underside, but I do suspect some similarities. I'll be keen to see what you come up with. Shaven front definitely a plus aero wise and it just looks better. Back bumpers might scoop air, but if you plan a rear undertray, that won't matter. I saw on my Mk2 that the rear muffler could be raised closer to the body somewhat and I am sure you could get a clean rear undertray with the Mk3 with just the diesel downward style exhaust end poking a hole through there.

As far as the mirrors go, you might want to consider the Mk3 (Mk3.5?) Cabriolet mirror for the driver's side. It's a neater looking unit and possibly more aero than the orig Mk3 units. It'll go well with the shaven front.

[G2TDI]

Originally Posted by SvdM

Ah almost another Mk2ey! I drive an '87 Jetta, 1600 carburettor.

I was just about to suggest the Mk3 (reading though all 6 pages) when you did yourself. I do remember it being more aerodynamically CdA-wise and that the Mk2 actually = the Mk4 in CdA values, but couldn't find the data.

Just for interest sake, I do also remember reading that the Mk2 bigbumper was in fact more aerodynamic than the smallbumper.

I guess you're stuck on the Golf, but technically sedans are usually more aerodynamic than their hatchback variants. Plus, I'll never trade the tonnes of bootspace for a hatch, but it's just personal choice.

I am not familiar with the Mk3 underside, but I do suspect some similarities. I'll be keen to see what you come up with. Shaven front definitely a plus aero wise and it just looks better. Back bumpers might scoop air, but if you plan a rear undertray, that won't matter. I saw on my Mk2 that the rear muffler could be raised closer to the body somewhat and I am sure you could get a clean rear undertray with the Mk3 with just the diesel downward style exhaust end poking a hole through there.

As far as the mirrors go, you might want to consider the Mk3 (Mk3.5?) Cabriolet mirror for the driver's side. It's a neater looking unit and possibly more aero than the orig Mk3 units. It'll go well with the shaven front.

My VW life started with a Mk1 Jetta and I have since had Mk2 and now have my 2nd Mk3 Jetta. Yes I know they in general have better aero qualities, but yes I am set on a Golf right now, just because they are more versatile and LIGHTER and just more valuable too here.

While the bootspace as you call the trunk is huge on the Jetta (some 550-600 liters) I can in general use the Golf's cargo space more efficiently due to the way they are designed. Not to mention in this case remove stuff more easily the shelf (well this car didn't even have one) is not very easy to remove on the Jetta not for loading nor now for weight loss purposes

Yeah the Mk3 shares the same wheelbase to the mm as the Mk2 (I know cause I had some other project in mind years ago when the Mk3 and then MK3.5 (cabrio) was new and I had a special Mk2 ) so yes underside is very similar.

Yes I plan on putting plastic coverings under the car, I still have my factory cover from the 1997 Golf 1.9TD I had (I am glad I was lazy in re-installing it now! ) and I might do something about the rear muffler too as you pointed out.

As for the Mk3.5 mirror I know which one you are talking about but I do not believe it would impact the numbers as much as that mirror does for looks! Meaning it looks a lot newer and nicer but it still is a BIG piece of area out there. Having seen how much it really impacts (for instance I have been asking questions here from this member with cameras http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...s-2969-36.html ) I really am giving cameras a second though!

I really love the clean smooth look too like this

[COcyclist]

You can swap the muffler for a straight pipe for more weight savings and an even flatter underbody for the bellypan. With the TDI, the turbo and cat quiet the exhaust nicely. I did it on my car and it is not loud. You may notice a nice whirring noise if you stand by the tailpipe at shutdown.

[G2TDI]

Originally Posted by COcyclist

You can swap the muffler for a straight pipe for more weight savings and an even flatter underbody for the bellypan. With the TDI, the turbo and cat quiet the exhaust nicely. I did it on my car and it is not loud. You may notice a nice whirring noise if you stand by the tailpipe at shutdown.

Interesting idea