SM_ATL
Ready to race!
My story starts about a year ago when I replaced my Audi A4 by a new S4. I loved it but soon started to feel a need for more power, better handling, etc. So I spent the next 8 months modding the car: engine tune, intake, exhaust, coil overs, etc. For those who would be interested, here's the link to my build thread on Audizine: B8 S4 Meteor Gray Project. Here's a pic of the car close to the completion of the project:
So, when I thought I had ended up where I wanted with the S4, I took a couple of test drives, just for the pleasure of benchmarking my final product with a couple of references on the market... and that's how I found myself behind the wheel of a Cayman R (and yes, i knew it was not comparable with a 4-door sedan!). I totally and immediately fell in love with the Cayman and soon had it in my driveway:
I also started a -more modest- build thread for this one: 2012 White Cayman R Project.
At this point, keeping the tuned S4 did not make much sense. So I returned it to stock, and sold it as well as most of the parts. Since I still wanted a car with 4 seats, that my son could use when he'll have his driver license and that would be funnier to drive than the family minivan for my wife or myself, I used the equity I had in the Audi to buy... a 2012 Candy White base GTI with the convenience package and sunroof :thumb up:
I definitely wanted to stay in the Volkswagen family (I owned a Vento and 2 Passat's when i lived in Europe and an EOS in the US, before the A4 and S4) and I have not been disappointed with the GTI :wub:
I was not going to leave it 100% stock, but I like to keep a somewhat understated approach and stay visually close to an OEM style. So here's what I have done so far.
Performance upgrade
APR Tune + Stage 2 intake
and the badge + stickers showing I am a BIG fan of what they do!
Drivetrain/Suspension
No picture here... but there's an APR rear sway bar under the car.
Lighting
Silverstar ZXE headlights and 'blue' city lights
Foglights used as DRL (using VAGCOM) and bulbs replaced by LEDs. This is purely aesthetic, but I did it since I have not used fog lights for the past 4 years on my other cars
LEDs for the license plate (+carbon fiber plate holder)
And finally, smoked side reflectors. I had originally ordered clear reflectors and received smoke instead. I tried them on and liked the contrast better and going well with the color theme of the car
Nothing like a good road companion
Like in my other cars, I have hardwired a Valentine V1 radar detector. It had done a great job before and saved me a lot of $$ so far. Maybe I'll go for a laser jammer later (I have a very good experience with the Blinder M27 on the Porsche).
Other visual stuff...
Got 40% tint for the windows and the essential GTI badge
There will be a FEW more things to come, but I have decided not to go too crazy on the GTI. It is already very fun stock and is even better with the tune + intake + sway bar. I will probably not go for coil overs or an aftermarket exhaust as I would like to preserve the comfort of the ride for now.
So, when I thought I had ended up where I wanted with the S4, I took a couple of test drives, just for the pleasure of benchmarking my final product with a couple of references on the market... and that's how I found myself behind the wheel of a Cayman R (and yes, i knew it was not comparable with a 4-door sedan!). I totally and immediately fell in love with the Cayman and soon had it in my driveway:
I also started a -more modest- build thread for this one: 2012 White Cayman R Project.
At this point, keeping the tuned S4 did not make much sense. So I returned it to stock, and sold it as well as most of the parts. Since I still wanted a car with 4 seats, that my son could use when he'll have his driver license and that would be funnier to drive than the family minivan for my wife or myself, I used the equity I had in the Audi to buy... a 2012 Candy White base GTI with the convenience package and sunroof :thumb up:
I definitely wanted to stay in the Volkswagen family (I owned a Vento and 2 Passat's when i lived in Europe and an EOS in the US, before the A4 and S4) and I have not been disappointed with the GTI :wub:
I was not going to leave it 100% stock, but I like to keep a somewhat understated approach and stay visually close to an OEM style. So here's what I have done so far.
Performance upgrade
APR Tune + Stage 2 intake
and the badge + stickers showing I am a BIG fan of what they do!
Drivetrain/Suspension
No picture here... but there's an APR rear sway bar under the car.
Lighting
Silverstar ZXE headlights and 'blue' city lights
Foglights used as DRL (using VAGCOM) and bulbs replaced by LEDs. This is purely aesthetic, but I did it since I have not used fog lights for the past 4 years on my other cars
LEDs for the license plate (+carbon fiber plate holder)
And finally, smoked side reflectors. I had originally ordered clear reflectors and received smoke instead. I tried them on and liked the contrast better and going well with the color theme of the car
Nothing like a good road companion
Like in my other cars, I have hardwired a Valentine V1 radar detector. It had done a great job before and saved me a lot of $$ so far. Maybe I'll go for a laser jammer later (I have a very good experience with the Blinder M27 on the Porsche).
Other visual stuff...
Got 40% tint for the windows and the essential GTI badge
There will be a FEW more things to come, but I have decided not to go too crazy on the GTI. It is already very fun stock and is even better with the tune + intake + sway bar. I will probably not go for coil overs or an aftermarket exhaust as I would like to preserve the comfort of the ride for now.
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