I just hit 50,000 miles yesterday and it got me thinking — if I could go back in time and redo all my mods, which one would I do first?
1. Tires - get whatever max summer tires you can afford but man oh man the Michelin Pilot SuperSports are godly.
2. XDS setting 2 - this blew me away and I can't imagine going back to stock. It really helps the car rotate in and it's a simple 2 minute mod if you have VCDS.
3. APR stage 1 with APR/Carbonio intake - APR AU already proved that the intake is the best on the market netting +17HP and the carbon fiber helps with shielding heat from the engine bay.
4. front and rear sway bars - faster turn-in, increased agility, more predictable understeer, heavier steering. I cannot stress this enough - GET BOTH BARS. For reference I have H&R 24mm front (medium), 26mm rear (stiffest).
5. Whiteline Anti-Lift Kit - makes the car track much more straighter and keeps the wheel pinned to the pavement for better traction in all but extreme launch situations.
4. Unibrace XB - stiffer chassis makes for better chassis.
5. Unibrace UB - increases stability in braking by creating less dive (and lift during accel.)
6. APR stage 2 with downpipe and cat-back - at this point more power can be more fully appreciated.
I wish I can put a mechanical LSD on this list and it may deserve the #1 spot, but I haven't had the fortune of driving a GTI with it and spending $2500 at this stage on the car is not as practical as before.
Also, I feel certain mods may not offer the benefits they claim. Changes in a car's feel/behavior may not necessarily equate to positive changes. Things like mounts and bushings just make the car rattle (especially with the A/C on) and uncomfortable. Try those polyurethane products at your own discretion.
1. Tires - get whatever max summer tires you can afford but man oh man the Michelin Pilot SuperSports are godly.
2. XDS setting 2 - this blew me away and I can't imagine going back to stock. It really helps the car rotate in and it's a simple 2 minute mod if you have VCDS.
3. APR stage 1 with APR/Carbonio intake - APR AU already proved that the intake is the best on the market netting +17HP and the carbon fiber helps with shielding heat from the engine bay.
4. front and rear sway bars - faster turn-in, increased agility, more predictable understeer, heavier steering. I cannot stress this enough - GET BOTH BARS. For reference I have H&R 24mm front (medium), 26mm rear (stiffest).
5. Whiteline Anti-Lift Kit - makes the car track much more straighter and keeps the wheel pinned to the pavement for better traction in all but extreme launch situations.
4. Unibrace XB - stiffer chassis makes for better chassis.
5. Unibrace UB - increases stability in braking by creating less dive (and lift during accel.)
6. APR stage 2 with downpipe and cat-back - at this point more power can be more fully appreciated.
I wish I can put a mechanical LSD on this list and it may deserve the #1 spot, but I haven't had the fortune of driving a GTI with it and spending $2500 at this stage on the car is not as practical as before.
Also, I feel certain mods may not offer the benefits they claim. Changes in a car's feel/behavior may not necessarily equate to positive changes. Things like mounts and bushings just make the car rattle (especially with the A/C on) and uncomfortable. Try those polyurethane products at your own discretion.