1991 Volkswagen Scirocco Scala review from UK and Ireland

Top hose burst, Air valve connecting wire broke.

I got this car from the original owner with a full dealer service history and in (visually) showroom condition for a good price (£1650). At the time of buying I noted it had a very harsh ride and dangerous brakes, so much for the dealer service history (crap brakes are normal on unmodified Sciroccos and Mk1 Golfs by the way...).

I fitted new Sachs shocks (with new mounting rubbers which you MUST fit when changing shocks and dealers and 'specalists' rarely do), new wishbone and anti-roll bar bushes and had the suspension set up by a trustworthy machanic using simple mechanical gauges - never trust a muppet with Megabucks worth of laser alignment gear, not if you want a car that handles.

This vastly improved things, restoring precision and stability. I then fitted ATE grooved and vented discs (these are only slightly more expensive than standard), Ferrodo pads and changed the fluid. Result was the best braking VW I have yet driven, though the grooved discs are a little noisy.

Finally, after a lot of research I fitted the standard 6x14 wheels with 185/60/14 Bridgstone Potenza RE720 tyres. Amazing! Brilliant grip, quiet, hard wearing - and without a doubt the best wet grip I have ever experienced.

Other than the minor failures mentioned above and the tyre/brake/suspension work I have needed to do nothing except routine maintenance to the car - a marked contrast to my previous Mk2 Golf which was almost the most unreliable car I ever owned (Almost? Well, I do have an Alfa 164 3.0 too...).

It is econommical (31+mpg town/38+mpg on a run), handles nicely, accelerates well.

It's also a pig to get in and out of, poorly ventilated (no A/C), uncomfortable (harsh ride), woefully under-equipped (no electric windows, A/C, 'lights on' warning, sunroof, power steering, ABS - remember this is a sports coupe made in 1991, compare it to a Toyota Celica or Nissan 200SX!).