I have been a car fanatic since I was a kid and lapped up all auto mags I could
Talking about cars is my favorite pas-time and I have always run out of audience. This is the place where I found people like me!:happyanim: So what if I get to be the audience here most of the time
Lots of talking! Now, let's get down to the real thing. It's just been 10K miles with my Schatzi (German for 'darling'). Yeah, that's what my girlfriend named it :wub: I have ended up doing some significant mods to it and thought this was high time I started logging them.
I am never going to track my car.
Above might not be true for too long. I took my car to AutoX. Loved every bit of it
Track day isn't too far?
This is a daily-driver and my only car.
So, I have stayed away from lowering the stance and other suspension tweaks.
Underlined text above is no longer true! Yes, I gave in to the temptation! And boy, the car looks so much better without that fender gap! Read on for more details
Below is the classified list:
Exterior:
- CF front splitter (removed).
- OEM front-lip splitter (2/11/14) - removed.
- Vinyl wrap (1/20/14).
- 35% window tint (10/4/14).
- Klii Plaid rear-badge insert (4/30/14) - removed.
- Klii Color-matched (TR) rear-badge insert (8/27/18).
- Decals.
- VAGCOM key-fob window operation.
- Stage1+ badge (7/7/14).
- License plate frames (7/14/15).
- Depo LED R-tails (11/29/14).
- Ed's bi-xenon HID headlights (10/16/15) - removed.
- Spyder LED headlights with Morimoto H7 HIDs (4/08/18).
- Lamin-X protective film on headlights (4/08/18).
- deAutokey fog-lamp LED kit (10/23/15).
- Side-marker color match vinyl (3/21/15).
- MK7 GTI fender badge (8/26/16) - removed.
- MK7 GTI black fender-badge (3/19/19).
- ECS Tuning front splitter (6/04/17).
- USMillworks tow-hook license plate mount (6/04/17).
- Maxton Side Spoilers (1/26/2018).
- Ebay lug-nut and valve-stem caps (08/22/18).
- Badgeskins (08/26/18).
- Black rear-emblem (08/27/18).
- Black front-emblem (11/10/19).
- Maxton rear diffuser (11/10/19).
- Sequential mirror turn signals (11/10/19).
- Blind spot mirror attachments (04/10/14).
Interior:
- Plaid seat lever insert (8/16/14) - removed.
- Bold-sport "GTI" seat-lever inserts (3/12/19).
- Dashboard APR badge (7/7/14).
- VAGCOM: Seat-heater memory.
- RNS-315 (3/25/17) - removed.
- RCD-330plus (1/23/18).
- Newsouth Performance Boost Gauge (6/4/17).
- Bold-sport Auto Light switch (6/4/17).
- Double-Apex garage door opener (11/10/19).
Engine/Tranny/Brakes:
- APR Stage 1 (7/7/14).
- APR Stage 2 v2.1 (4/18/16).
- APR Stage 2 v2.4 (12/27/16) --> Read about this later in my thread.
- Carbonio Intake (7/7/14).
- Magnaflow CBE (4/16/14).
- USP Motorsports Catted Downpipe (4/16/16).
- S3 Intercooler - AWE tuning (4/16/16).
- Neuspeed Short Shifter (removed).
- 42DD Shifter Bushings (removed).
- Raceseng Topology Shift-knob (9/14/15).
- Dieselgeek Sigma 6 Shifter (11/13/14).
- Verdict Shifter Bracket Bushing (2/19/14).
- HSTuning RSR clutch kit (2/20/16).
- Stoptech Street Performance Brake pads (4/17/14), (3/25/17).
- Stoptech Slotted Rotors (3/25/17).
- Tyrolsport Brake Stiffening kit (4/16/14).
- USP Motorsports SS lines (4/19/16).
- eBay clutch stop (11/3/14).
- VAGCOM (XDS-2, BrakeAssist-2, emergency flashing brakes, cornering lights, gauge needle-sweep, ESC off).
- GFB DV+ (9/10/15).
- 034 Motorsports Billet Insert (06/28/16).
- NGK BKR7EIX spark plugs (06/28/16).
- R8 Ignition coils (06/28/16).
- OEM GTI Battery (10/25/16).
Suspension/Chassis/Wheels:
- Unibrace UB (2/12/14).
- Koni Orange struts (7/20/15).
- VWR lowering springs (4/24/15).
- Audi TT rear spring pads (4/29/15).
- Tyrolsport Stage1 hatch-brace (3/25/17).
- Michelin PSS (2/13/15): removed.
- Michelin PS4S (5/20/19) @34,025 miles.
- Gunmetal Neuspeed RSe12 (8/29/14).
A special mention for APR Stage 1:
I had my apprehensions about factory warranty, but the gains were too much to not have! By far, these have been the best 500 bucks I have spent in my life! Now, the car doesn't simply launch, it leaps ahead, at any gear! Pulls way harder at least till 90mph. Revs do not climb up as easily as stock, but commit yourself to it and it will go beyond 6k rpm. And when it does, it simply is in a different world! I am perplexed why didn't VW tune it this way from the factory! Nevertheless, I don't complain. They should leave some space to play with
I have thoroughly enjoyed my car till now and look forward to lots of happy miles with it
The experience of mod-ing has only added to the level of involvement and made it *my* GTI rather than just another VW GTI. All thanks to support from this forum. Looking forward to many more interesting discussions and experiences