Re: coolant temp needle reading??
Reply #3 –
Yes temp gauge should be in the middle. Mine was only registering a quarter of the way so I changed the "black sensor" in the plastic multi pipe connector on the engine block and that sorted it.
Rust is your biggest concern. Look out for where rust has taken hold especially where it is creaping under the underseal and of course the plastic trim on GTIs does a good job of hiding rust / trapping crud which then starts the rot. Good luck.