First time owner - maintenance advice

Hello all,

I’m bringing home my first GTI, an MK1, 8v, starts and supposedly drives, though it has a brake issue that needs resolved first.

I’m picking up a service manual on the way down, so I know that will help.

what I’d like to know is if there’s anything in particular that I should be aware of. I’ve worked on cars before, but before I start draining and unplugging things, I thought I’d defer to the experts

currently planning:
-battery
-air filter
-oil/filter change
-coolant flush
-plugs/wires/distributor
…that’s all I can think of at the moment

 

Plus fuel filter, brake fluid change, full check over of all mechanical items, I'd also check over all the underside of the car, brake and fuel lines and for the fuel filler pipe in the right hand wheel arch for corrosion as it typically corrodes badly and trashes your fuel injection system, hope this helps.

 

How about the brakes?
They seem to be necessary at some point

 

Auxiliary belt(s) , thermostat, inner heater matrix flaps, blue temp sender if ce2 Digifant,.

 

Pffft. They only slow you down!

 

Thanks for the input! I appreciate the help in building my checklist.

 

Does anyone have any suspension recommendations? I’d like to get back to stock-ish height. I just don’t want to be bottoming out. Maybe this is better asked in a different part of the forum…

 

You might have done this already but it isn't listed:
Check/replace the timing belt.
Check the age of the tyres.

 

I meant that under all mechanical items, perhaps I should have typed brakes, suspension, steering, transmission, engine including timing belt althoughat least it wont damagethe engineas its a clearanceone it will just leave you stranded, cooling system, wash wipe system, lights, horn oh and tyres.

 

-30mm Eibachs and Bilstein B6 or B8.

 

Thanks again everyone! Picked up the Rabbit yesterday and started getting her cleaned up. Tomorrow, filters and fluids! oh...and brakes