Highlights
- 1.8-litre turbocharged Audi S3 APY 5V engine sourced from a car with 90,000 miles, producing approximately 300bhp
- MOT valid until 1st July 2027, no advisories
- In current ownership since 2021
- The vendor states the bodywork and paintwork are in very good condition
- Dry-stored and well maintained; service book stamped until 2020
The Appeal
The Mk2 Volkswagen Golf remains one of the most revered platforms in the modified car world, prized for its lightweight construction, communicative handling, and near-limitless tuning potential. Well-executed builds with quality components are increasingly sought after, and this 1990 example in Royal Blue is a compelling proposition.
Fitted with an Audi S3 APY 1.8-litre turbocharged engine producing approximately 300bhp, with the internals built to support up to 400bhp, this Golf has been thoughtfully assembled with reliability in mind.
The vendor notes that the installation was designed to look as factory-correct as possible. Supporting modifications include a Golf Mk4 gearbox with Corrado gearshift mechanism, G60 brakes with 280mm discs, KW suspension that has been tracked and aligned, and B-Star BBS RA replica wheels. With switchable boost modes and forged internals, it is a seriously capable machine.
The vendor notes that the installation was designed to look as factory-correct as possible. Supporting modifications include a Golf Mk4 gearbox with Corrado gearshift mechanism, G60 brakes with 280mm discs, KW suspension that has been tracked and aligned, and B-Star BBS RA replica wheels. With switchable boost modes and forged internals, it is a seriously capable machine.
Seller's comments regarding the conversion
"The car/engine runs an MBE ecu and software. The ‘low’ map is around standard S3 APY so expect around 210-220 given it has no restrictions like the standard car. The ‘High’ map is around 300bhp. The low map drives very much like a tuned 2.0 16v, it has a very linear power delivery and doesn’t feel like a turbo car. The High map definitely wakes the turbo up and you can feel the boost surge in. It’s very responsive and pulls very well.
We could have pushed the bhp much higher but here’s some of the reasons we didn’t. The intercooler is quite small on purpose, this is to allow the car to retain the factory look, if we removed the spot lights and added a single light grille then we could have added a taller intercooler. I really wanted the car to look as standard as possible. To avoid exhaust drone and to improve the fit we used a 2.5” exhaust, this offers much better clearance around the rear beam. A 3” would be recommended if going over 300bhp for flow. The car uses a period style Jetex 2.5” stainless steel exhaust.
Let’s be fair. 300bhp in a car which weighs 980kg is pretty brisk, any more and it really is wasted and becomes a bit of a beast spoiling the nature and handling of a MK2 Golf. The whole point of the conversion was to give the Golf modern hot hatch performance with its original look undisturbed. It doesn’t have modern features like ABS and traction control so it is a lovely drivers car."
We could have pushed the bhp much higher but here’s some of the reasons we didn’t. The intercooler is quite small on purpose, this is to allow the car to retain the factory look, if we removed the spot lights and added a single light grille then we could have added a taller intercooler. I really wanted the car to look as standard as possible. To avoid exhaust drone and to improve the fit we used a 2.5” exhaust, this offers much better clearance around the rear beam. A 3” would be recommended if going over 300bhp for flow. The car uses a period style Jetex 2.5” stainless steel exhaust.
Let’s be fair. 300bhp in a car which weighs 980kg is pretty brisk, any more and it really is wasted and becomes a bit of a beast spoiling the nature and handling of a MK2 Golf. The whole point of the conversion was to give the Golf modern hot hatch performance with its original look undisturbed. It doesn’t have modern features like ABS and traction control so it is a lovely drivers car."
Key Information
- Mileage: 111,024 miles (unwarranted)
- Country of registration: United Kingdom
- Technical inspection status: MOT expired in April 2025
- Technical specs: 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol (Audi S3 APY), five-speed manual gearbox
- Paperwork: owner’s manuals, V5C, service book
- Vendor states that it has 7 former keepers. 2 of those were the same. 1 family change of ownership from husband to wife. And early in its life a clerical error caused an additional owner when a company moved address. This is supported by documents in the history. It has an interesting history file with a nice hand written note from one former keeper detailing aspects of the car within his ownership. It’s due for MOT test on Friday 3rd of July and any if there are advisories these will be rectified before sale.
Service book:
04/20 - 105,257 miles - Chris Cross Motors
02/18 - 99,844 miles - B J Autos
11/16 - 97,900 miles - Independent Service Centre
12/15 - 96,002 miles - Independent Service Centre
09/14 - 92,618 miles - GEFCO UK
01/12 - 89,270 miles - Powerhouse London (Cambelt)
11/10 - 82,130 miles - Powerhouse London
11/00 - 74,125 miles - Capital Cars
07/98 - 64,076 miles - Capital Cars
07/96 - 55,270 miles - Whites Wimbledon
07/95 - 47,070 miles - Whites Wimbledon
07/94 - 39,524 miles - GTI Specialists
02/94 - 35,442 miles - Waterside Ltd
03/93 - 23,209 miles - Waterside Ltd
04/92 - 19,239 miles - Normand Continental
03/90 - Delivery service - Kensworth Garage VW
Unrecorded - Unrecorded - Normand Continental
The Detail
- Royal Blue paintwork with red pinstripes
- 16-inch B-Star BBS RA replica wheels
- Grey fabric interior with checkered seat inserts
- 1.8-litre turbocharged Audi S3 APY 5V engine sourced from a car with 90,000 miles, producing approximately 300bhp
- Engine built to support 400bhp with forged rods and pistons
- Switchable boost modes (low/high) via K04 turbo
- Corrado gearshift mechanism, Golf Mk4 gearbox, and G60 flywheel
- Seat Ibiza master cylinder and G60 16v servo
- RamAir air filter
- G60 brakes and hubs with 280mm discs
- B-Star BBS RA replica wheels (made in Italy)
- KW suspension, tracked and aligned
- Alpine CD-stereo fitted
- Engine bay recently tidied and repainted
- Small rust repairs carried out on each arch
- Minor dents noted, which the vendor suggests could be addressed with paintless dent removal
- Suede headliner with slight sag noted
- Dashboard reported to be uncracked
- Driver's seat reported to be in good condition with no bolster wear
- The vendor states the interior is in very good condition
- Heater matrix and foam gaskets replaced in June 2026
- Vehicle has been dry-stored, we are told
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