MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Members Rides => Topic started by: RayRoocroft55 on September 08, 2021, 10:52:08 pm

Title: Shadow Blue MK5 GTI DSG - Premature Midlife Crisis
Post by: RayRoocroft55 on September 08, 2021, 10:52:08 pm
A bit of back story (Skip if not required, but think it may be relatable) - i've always been into cars since my very very early teens. Ive owned around 30 now in my 14 years of driving, ranging from a 1987 mini to toyota MR's, honda civic to ford focus, ford fiesta to seat ibiza, and many many more.

Since 2016 ive had a job that required me to do 100 miles per day, and came down to 'only' 80 miles per day when I moved homes. This meant I needed a motorway car, and I owned a VW Passat 1.6 BlueMotion with all the mod cons. It was a dream to drive and since I first stepped in it, I fell in love with VW.

Now, fast forward 5 years, a pandemic and a baby, and things have changed somewhat. I have less mileage (currently working from home, and when we return to office ill be doing less mileage), and with my endless pursuit of personalising things I couldnt wait to get my mitts into a new project.

Cue my new purchase - a Mk5 Golf GTI DSG in Shadow Blue with 89k miles on, fsh, and in good -> spiffing condition.

I've made a website - rayroocroft.uk - which outlines many of the intricacies of the project ive been through so far. No matter how small, I think its the start of a journey of learning every nook and cranny about this car, about taking it up through the stages and making it something my daughter may enjoy driving with me in the future! (She is 5 months old, but I have grand plans for her  :grin: )

Once i've figured out how to add images, ill get them sorted!


(https://i.postimg.cc/Pq1g08zx/230347609-4516676291733010-2169553914436986159-n.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)

(https://i.postimg.cc/NM4Wjqnv/230587717-4516676278399678-6025972015316480525-n.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)

(https://i.postimg.cc/rmcBTFQ9/231445648-4516676241733015-8375993061437447211-n.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)

(https://i.postimg.cc/Gtm6Bg08/IMG-1761.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/47jWq5xs)
Title: Re: Shadow Blue MK5 GTI DSG - Premature Midlife Crisis
Post by: mjmallia on September 09, 2021, 07:15:41 am
Welcome and a nice colour. I have a steel grey GTI and would have got shadow blue if my wife did not have one in that colour already   :happy2:

One thing that I have noticed on yours............are your handles plain black plastic or is it the photo, as they should be colour coded to the car.
Title: Re: Shadow Blue MK5 GTI DSG - Premature Midlife Crisis
Post by: RayRoocroft55 on September 09, 2021, 09:46:56 am
Welcome and a nice colour. I have a steel grey GTI and would have got shadow blue if my wife did not have one in that colour already   :happy2:

One thing that I have noticed on yours............are your handles plain black plastic or is it the photo, as they should be colour coded to the car.

haha nice so you have two of the best colours!  :wink:

Yes they are plain black plastic - did GTI's always come with colour coded handles? Ive looked for any info about them and nothing came up, but i do have the paint to colour code them and the front splitter at some point.
Title: Re: Shadow Blue MK5 GTI DSG - Premature Midlife Crisis
Post by: Golf_is_not_a_sport on September 09, 2021, 10:56:40 am
Looks clean!

Same/Similar boat as you, pandemic/wfh has made my 20k p/a mileage reduce to about 3k.. So, I sold up my 2020 Mazda 3, and came across a Golf GTI 2005, 85k Manual - Which i've relished the opportunity to get stuck in with a few bits of reconditioning and hopefully some mods!

I'll keep and eye on this thread to see what you get up to!
Title: Re: Shadow Blue MK5 GTI DSG - Premature Midlife Crisis
Post by: RayRoocroft55 on December 30, 2021, 11:33:45 am
Well, its been a while! Work got busy, baby got more baby-like and Christmas hit hard. Ive done very few modifications in total to the car so far, but its also due a few parts very, very soon!

So to date we have:

RamAir Oversized Intake
(https://i.postimg.cc/yYJXXRQk/IMG-1797.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CzgqwRVg)

PCV Delete
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZRTxrD2S/IMG-2022.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hJ5mnMKy)

CV Boot failure fixed
(https://i.postimg.cc/65ScDc2r/IMG-1897.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/56B8zwmy)

Replaced Cam Follower
(https://i.postimg.cc/nV301pnw/IMG-1904.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JtBNrwDb)

Personal Reg Added
(https://i.postimg.cc/br50fYJy/IMG-1894.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/n9v9vJBg)

Double Din Headunit w/Apple Car Play from AliExpress - £150 and comes with all the toys!
(https://i.postimg.cc/6q1myNHq/IMG-2184.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JHZq2SCC)

New Chrome interior switches
(https://i.postimg.cc/x8p5jysS/1-F62-D993-5-DFB-481-C-9-C93-2-D53-AA6-AF533.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/wRJL0J8W)

Dynamic Indicators
(https://i.postimg.cc/TYZjkPFQ/IMG-2026-ANIMATION.gif) (https://postimages.org/)

Carbon wrapped some interior pieces
(https://i.postimg.cc/P5wyhDYB/IMG-2043.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QFj1JH6b)

Front Grill Refresh - Noticed this was very grey and the red trim was very pink, so decided to get the PlastiKote out
(https://i.postimg.cc/tRvNxkzK/IMG-1858.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mhM9xQJj)
(https://i.postimg.cc/MG0Yf8s5/IMG-2050.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mcD9KKW1)
(https://i.postimg.cc/j5ZQv4YJ/IMG-2151.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/tZnx4PTX)

New cut out foglight surrounds
(https://i.postimg.cc/3NNjq03f/IMG-2128.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/gL96XJX3)


Funnily enough I did not realise the MOT was due 11th Jan and there are a number of items I need to get sorted, so this has been a bit of a shocker to the system right after Christmas!

- Replacement rear offside caliper
- Rear Discs & Pads
- Replacement Rear Trailing Arms
- Full Service

After the MOT hopefully goes through without a hitch, I do have a list of items to fit to the car which im super excited about, more so because it will refresh the car a little:

- New near-side wing
- New wing mirror covers
- GFB DV+
- Removing all wheels and cleaning/undersealing
- Paint Calipers
- DSG Service
- Timing Belt & Water Pump
- Boost and Oil Temp Gauges w/ New South Gauge Pod

Beyond this, money-dependent, I want to get a full exhaust system and map to bring out the best in the car. It may take some time and I do want to DIY as much as possible, so we shall see :)
Title: Re: Shadow Blue MK5 GTI DSG - Premature Midlife Crisis
Post by: Sam_786 on December 30, 2021, 04:24:20 pm
Nice work on the car so far, have you got a link to the head unit? Thanks.
Title: Re: Shadow Blue MK5 GTI DSG - Premature Midlife Crisis
Post by: RayRoocroft55 on December 30, 2021, 08:17:24 pm
Nice work on the car so far, have you got a link to the head unit? Thanks.

Sure thing buddy! https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001731579363.html?spm=a2g0o.9042311.0.0.3e9e4c4dnulEB9

Looks like its gone up in price since I bought it in September, but I do recommend it for the money.

Ive ordered a reverse camera as when you enter reverse it comes up with NO REVERSE CAMERA DETECTED and irks me so ill update the thread when i have that fitted too :)
Title: Re: Shadow Blue MK5 GTI DSG - Premature Midlife Crisis
Post by: Sam_786 on December 31, 2021, 01:57:11 am
Fantastic! I eagerly await your progress. Saying that, I think that has been tried and achieved by other(a) in this forum/YouTube so a quick search might help you.

Also, just had a look at the link as I was surprised to see it going for so cheap relative to the ones I have seen knocking about around the £250 mark but then noticed that yours is a Desay model if I’m not mistaken.  I think for my needs a noname unit will suit for future updates etc.

Thanks anyway though!
Title: Re: Shadow Blue MK5 GTI DSG - Premature Midlife Crisis
Post by: Golf_is_not_a_sport on December 31, 2021, 09:17:30 am
Plasticote on the front grill is excellent, and so, i'm off to buy some plasticote this weekend.
Title: Re: Shadow Blue MK5 GTI DSG - Premature Midlife Crisis
Post by: RayRoocroft55 on December 31, 2021, 02:12:14 pm
Plasticote on the front grill is excellent, and so, i'm off to buy some plasticote this weekend.

my thinking was that although its not the most durable of products, its durable and easy enough to use, and very easy to re-apply instead of faded paint work. ive done the entire of the front end plastics and they look so much better for it!
Title: Re: Shadow Blue MK5 GTI DSG - Premature Midlife Crisis
Post by: RayRoocroft55 on January 06, 2022, 09:37:36 pm
OK, so...... yeah..... I went a bit mental......

With the MOT due, I needed certain parts to be fixed - rear brake caliper, therefore new discs and pads, new tyre, and a few other things. I decided to start scouring ebay and..... well......

- Rear View Camera
- Mirror Ground Lights
- Eibach Springs & Bilstein Shocks
- Drop Links
- Front & Rear Strut Top Mounts
- Front & Rear Shock Dust Covers
- Turbo Muffler Delete
- Dogbone Polybush Insert & Bolts
- 11mm Spacers Front & Rear
- 3" Gravity Performance Cat Back
- 3" Gravity Performance Downpipe w/200 cell sports cat
- Gravity Performance Intercooler & Hard Piping
- Powerflex Anti-Lift Kit
- NGK R8 Coil Packs
- Autotech HPFP Internals

yeah...... to say ive gone a bit wild is an understatement haha! Basically i'm aiming for stage 2 or 2+ and will be putting these parts on as and when possible, leading up to a map.

Ive decided to go for a full custom map and dsg map at West Yorkshire Tuning which are relatively local (50 minutes) and have quite a good reputation.

Also in good news, instead of replacing one tyre, i got a great deal on some new wheels and therefore will be punching new rubber on all four wheels - here are the wheels on the previous owners' car.

Exciting times!

(https://i.postimg.cc/VLT55qmQ/Whats-App-Image-2022-01-02-at-20-14-03.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XpfnzyrQ)

(https://i.postimg.cc/FKXRVhYT/Whats-App-Image-2022-01-02-at-20-21-34.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ZWj4TtFN)
Title: Re: Shadow Blue MK5 GTI DSG - Premature Midlife Crisis
Post by: Golf_is_not_a_sport on January 07, 2022, 08:22:31 am
Love it, can't wait to see the transformation.. You're doing all of this over the weekend right? Not to keep us all waiting..?
Title: Re: Shadow Blue MK5 GTI DSG - Premature Midlife Crisis
Post by: pudding on January 07, 2022, 05:47:51 pm
Those dynamic indicators are quite funky!  Shame the fronts and rears can't do that  :grin:

As for plasticote, I sprayed my grilles with it years ago and it's held up well  :happy2:
Title: Re: Shadow Blue MK5 GTI DSG - Premature Midlife Crisis
Post by: akbarirfan on January 07, 2022, 08:13:56 pm
Love it, can't wait to see the transformation.. You're doing all of this over the weekend right? Not to keep us all waiting..?

Even in the snow!
Title: Re: Shadow Blue MK5 GTI DSG - Premature Midlife Crisis
Post by: RayRoocroft55 on January 07, 2022, 10:10:36 pm
Love it, can't wait to see the transformation.. You're doing all of this over the weekend right? Not to keep us all waiting..?

haha i wish buddy! I have a number of things going on this weekend including a full service, new rear trailing arms, and a few goodies if I have time before the MOT ;)

Those dynamic indicators are quite funky!  Shame the fronts and rears can't do that  :grin:

As for plasticote, I sprayed my grilles with it years ago and it's held up well  :happy2:

Yeah im pleasently surprised by the plastikote finish and longevity so far - i'm tempted to top it up now and again but i did three coats and there are no signs of it changing!

speaking of change, i got some polish pads for my drill to essentially make it an orbital polisher. I intended to do the lights as they were disgusting and yellow. Every guide told me I needed a polisher, but then my drill packed in! So I thought sod it, i've got t-cut and ive got elbow grease, so gave it a go.

3 t-cuts and a polish done and the results are  :laugh:

(https://i.postimg.cc/hvJZP5NN/230347609-4516676291733010-2169553914436986159-n.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)

(https://i.postimg.cc/gjfSwKWj/IMG-4183.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/fSfjpmkQ)
Title: Re: Shadow Blue MK5 GTI DSG - Premature Midlife Crisis
Post by: pudding on January 08, 2022, 12:42:38 pm
Great job, especially with just T-cut and a tin of elbow grease  :happy2:  Need to do mine as well at some point.  Summer job I think!
Title: Re: Shadow Blue MK5 GTI DSG - Premature Midlife Crisis
Post by: jorjmkv on January 08, 2022, 07:07:05 pm
Well, its been a while! Work got busy, baby got more baby-like and Christmas hit hard. Ive done very few modifications in total to the car so far, but its also due a few parts very, very soon!

So to date we have:

RamAir Oversized Intake
(https://i.postimg.cc/yYJXXRQk/IMG-1797.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CzgqwRVg)

PCV Delete
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZRTxrD2S/IMG-2022.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hJ5mnMKy)

CV Boot failure fixed
(https://i.postimg.cc/65ScDc2r/IMG-1897.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/56B8zwmy)

Replaced Cam Follower
(https://i.postimg.cc/nV301pnw/IMG-1904.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JtBNrwDb)

Personal Reg Added
(https://i.postimg.cc/br50fYJy/IMG-1894.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/n9v9vJBg)

Double Din Headunit w/Apple Car Play from AliExpress - £150 and comes with all the toys!
(https://i.postimg.cc/6q1myNHq/IMG-2184.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JHZq2SCC)

New Chrome interior switches
(https://i.postimg.cc/x8p5jysS/1-F62-D993-5-DFB-481-C-9-C93-2-D53-AA6-AF533.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/wRJL0J8W)

Dynamic Indicators
(https://i.postimg.cc/TYZjkPFQ/IMG-2026-ANIMATION.gif) (https://postimages.org/)

Carbon wrapped some interior pieces
(https://i.postimg.cc/P5wyhDYB/IMG-2043.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QFj1JH6b)

Front Grill Refresh - Noticed this was very grey and the red trim was very pink, so decided to get the PlastiKote out
(https://i.postimg.cc/tRvNxkzK/IMG-1858.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mhM9xQJj)
(https://i.postimg.cc/MG0Yf8s5/IMG-2050.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mcD9KKW1)
(https://i.postimg.cc/j5ZQv4YJ/IMG-2151.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/tZnx4PTX)

New cut out foglight surrounds
(https://i.postimg.cc/3NNjq03f/IMG-2128.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/gL96XJX3)


Funnily enough I did not realise the MOT was due 11th Jan and there are a number of items I need to get sorted, so this has been a bit of a shocker to the system right after Christmas!

- Replacement rear offside caliper
- Rear Discs & Pads
- Replacement Rear Trailing Arms
- Full Service

After the MOT hopefully goes through without a hitch, I do have a list of items to fit to the car which im super excited about, more so because it will refresh the car a little:

- New near-side wing
- New wing mirror covers
- GFB DV+
- Removing all wheels and cleaning/undersealing
- Paint Calipers
- DSG Service
- Timing Belt & Water Pump
- Boost and Oil Temp Gauges w/ New South Gauge Pod

Beyond this, money-dependent, I want to get a full exhaust system and map to bring out the best in the car. It may take some time and I do want to DIY as much as possible, so we shall see :)
Looking very nice! what’s this plastikote you’re on about? Is there any prep involved? Also would you recommend? Getting bored of forever trying to keep the plastic grills looking fresh
Title: Re: Shadow Blue MK5 GTI DSG - Premature Midlife Crisis
Post by: RayRoocroft55 on January 09, 2022, 05:05:07 pm
Looking very nice! what’s this plastikote you’re on about? Is there any prep involved? Also would you recommend? Getting bored of forever trying to keep the plastic grills looking fresh

Plastikote is basically a spray thats more like rubber. you can prep surfaces with a plastikote primer if it needs it for bonding such as glossy surfaces, but for the plastic grilles that have quite an etched surface I just sprayed 3 coats on and it bonded perfectly. I left it at least 8 hours between coats so it was fully dry (I believe it says dry in 2-4hrs) but just wanted to make sure it bonded.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well, yesterday was supposed to be rear trailing arms, a new caliper, new rear discs and pads, a service, and multiple mods, but oh BOY did the car fight!

it's apparent that the car has been parked over a wet surface such as grass that has corroded the rear far more than the front of the underside of the car. Ive seen this before on a fiesta I owned where the owners parked on grass and with the underneath in constant contact it had corroded significantly.

so, first things first, I added new LED sidelights from eBay yesterday. today, I turned up at my cousin's house on the drive and noticed smoke coming from the front of the car!! opening the bonnet, smoke poured from the front right light and noticed it was the sidelight bulb!

(https://i.postimg.cc/PrxdWtnj/IMG-4210.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/nMy8ZfLR)

(https://i.postimg.cc/QxyhSRjW/IMG-4211.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9rZ6QgRW)

Thankfully we caught it in time - i can't imagine an electrical fire would be the best thing to have on a car!

So we cracked on, removing the rear caliper first and the pads basically disintegrated away when we removed the assembly. the caliper was definitely binding, to the point the disc had turned blue.

(https://i.postimg.cc/RCcGRgDR/IMG-4212.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rzwSyNc0)

Unfortunately just after this we tried applying the brake pipe to the new caliper and realised the threading in the new caliper was completely cross threaded and unusable! At this point I was ready to have a small panic as the caliper was £125, with no access to another, and with a completely borked old caliper 50 miles away from home.

(https://i.postimg.cc/PxbZmR5v/IMG-4214.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CB1z0JDw)

Many hours later and by torchlight, we managed to fabricate our own brake pipe and clear the old caliper of rust and other build up, temporarily at least freeing up the caliper!

(https://i.postimg.cc/Jzb14V6X/IMG-4219.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/dhVM4XKQ)

This process took around 3-4 hours, so by this time we are talking around 5pm and the car had been fighting the entire time - bolts seized, things not coming apart that should, etc. We had to now change the rear trailing arms and oh boy - 3 hours later we had them changed, but again not without the wind, rain, hail and the car all against us! They DEFINITELY needed doing though - here is one example of the absolutely shredded bush I had:

(https://i.postimg.cc/BvnQh7p1/IMG-4217.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jDBb2XGs)

Thanks to the top work of my cousin, 12.40pm turned into 8.20pm but more importantly the rear brake and 2 trailing arms that were definitely going to fail the MOT were changed. We didnt get around to all the mods I brought with me (DV+, Cat back exhaust, anti lift kit being a few) but most important things were done.
Title: Re: Shadow Blue MK5 GTI DSG - Premature Midlife Crisis
Post by: RayRoocroft55 on January 10, 2022, 02:10:35 pm
R8 coil packs arrived  :party:

(https://i.postimg.cc/YSxHb1P0/IMG-4268.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bGdWv2pf)

I attempted to fit my new cat back exhaust to my car - unfortunately i never realised just how much my driveway has an arch, therefore the clearance when jacking up the car in the centre is minimal :( looks like ill have to wait!

I am on with wrapping interior parts with cf gloss wrap. Originally had them matte but they blended in too well.... if thats possible. Wanted something that popped a little more in the interior. Tricky business and time consuming but I think the end product (along with a few other goodies) will set off the aged interior well.

(https://i.postimg.cc/W1CnCKQf/IMG-4192.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/k2NKtjMx)

(https://i.postimg.cc/zGgWbfc0/IMG-4196.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rDqz7qcr)

(https://i.postimg.cc/rp24Sk6c/IMG-4199.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/18M4Qb5Y)
Title: Re: Shadow Blue MK5 GTI DSG - Premature Midlife Crisis
Post by: mjmallia on January 10, 2022, 04:00:40 pm
Getting heat into the wrap is the secret.

I gloss blacked mine with a red pin stripe to carry the GTI theme.....as well as the grab handles

(https://i.postimg.cc/yYWP8M8p/20210709-114754.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/6pnC7tJc/20210709-114749.jpg)
Title: Re: Shadow Blue MK5 GTI DSG - Premature Midlife Crisis
Post by: RayRoocroft55 on January 10, 2022, 04:14:26 pm
Getting heat into the wrap is the secret.

I gloss blacked mine with a red pin stripe to carry the GTI theme.....as well as the grab handles

That looks fantastic buddy, did you do that yourself? It takes a lot of patience thats for sure! Although the finish on mine isn't going to be perfect, i'm glad i've given this a go myself.

Now to figure out how the hell to get the dsg surround out!  :grin:
Title: Re: Shadow Blue MK5 GTI DSG - Premature Midlife Crisis
Post by: mjmallia on January 11, 2022, 09:08:17 am
Yes did it myself......time, patience and a decent hairdryer (don't tell the wife)

Once you get it evenly hot, it will stretch nicely.
Title: Re: Shadow Blue MK5 GTI DSG - Premature Midlife Crisis
Post by: RayRoocroft55 on January 11, 2022, 11:39:27 pm
Yes did it myself......time, patience and a decent hairdryer (don't tell the wife)

Once you get it evenly hot, it will stretch nicely.

Well, the finish (although not perfect) was actually much better with a hairdryer than without :grin:

(https://i.postimg.cc/KzFc7Lnv/IMG-4292.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/GB71d47Z)

(https://i.postimg.cc/DZgvxZgQ/IMG-4300.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YGvB9tTj)

Next i think i need to figure out a black interior haha
Title: Re: Shadow Blue MK5 GTI DSG - Premature Midlife Crisis
Post by: RayRoocroft55 on January 11, 2022, 11:43:31 pm
Today I decided to fit the cat back exhaust prior to the MOT due tomorrow morning. Although the fitment wasn't perfect (We have blowing from several clamps - sigh), it actually sounds pretty darn good.

I dont have any after pictures right now, purely because everything was purely for testing after fitment and ive got to have the garage sort the alignment, but here are some in-progress pics:

(https://i.postimg.cc/g28PMjcw/IMG-4297.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/HrYKnpyH)

(https://i.postimg.cc/Y9qKqx6g/IMG-4298.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/3y6btmbJ)

(https://i.postimg.cc/MGYJSLQq/IMG-4299.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7CbW1m9W)
Title: Re: Shadow Blue MK5 GTI DSG - Premature Midlife Crisis
Post by: RBS on January 22, 2022, 11:56:52 am
Nice work :happy2:
Love the blue color😍
Title: Re: Shadow Blue MK5 GTI DSG - Premature Midlife Crisis
Post by: RayRoocroft55 on February 01, 2022, 09:22:55 pm
OK so, I realise I haven't updated this thread in a while and there have been some pretty big changes!  :jumpmove:

So when I last left off we were fitting the cat back exhaust ready for the MOT. Although I would recommend the Gravity Performance exhaust based on the quality of the components individually, placing them together without a ramp was an absolute pain in the a*s. Instead of the straight swap from standard to new, it took a couple hours longer to get everything aligned, but also to sort any blowing that was occurring due to an imperfect exhaust system. Alignment of the tips was also an issue, both in the fact that they both went over to the left side of the vehicle (the hangars dont have stoppers so they free roam) but also that the tips point in toward each other when the clamps are fully tightened. Ive since had this sorted by use of........... DIY solutions lol.

(https://i.postimg.cc/N03Mp4gB/IMG-4379.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XZg4v9Gz)
(https://i.postimg.cc/LXjs71Xf/IMG-4380.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/zbX5H3TX)
(https://i.postimg.cc/D0FzKwJN/IMG-4446.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/G87RFrjP)

The MOT came and I failed on three things - Rear number plate (knew this), upper rear brake light (didnt know this) and broken rear coil spring. Earlier in the thread I think I mentioned I had a full suspension setup of B4 bilstein shocks and 20mm drop eibach springs to fit, so the garage did this and sorted the other parts. Cue a fully awesome MOT passed car!

The lowered suspension was exactly what I wanted - a lowered car but retaining the ride of the golf, without becoming too crashy or wallowy. granted, i do have to avoid more potholes and steep slopes (My daughters nursery happens to be on the worst gradient ever) but I love the stance.

(https://i.postimg.cc/4xhRBTnH/IMG-4378.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/cvZzL2Rd)
(https://i.postimg.cc/wB88rbsf/IMG-4445.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PC4RpyyY)
(https://i.postimg.cc/TPVMvqVR/IMG4448.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Y4Cy1FDV)
(https://i.postimg.cc/MTzk6M51/IMG-4449.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/1g77MzLz)

So it was at this point my cousin texts me mentioning that his partner has a set of alloy wheels for sale. I have a slow puncture and will need a tyre either way, but the temptation to go aftermarket wheels was far too great. I purchased the wheels and got new tyres placed on (Bridgestone Turanza's) and I purchased a set of spacers.

When fitting the wheels, two things were realised. One, we needed spiggot rings as the hub diamater was 57.1mm instead of the 73.1mm accepted by the wheels. Two, the wheel spacers I just spent £160 on with extended bolts would no longer fit - FUUUUUUU!!!

Well, when we fitted the wheels with the spiggot rings, we realised they naturally sit 9mm further out than stock, and therefore I didnt even need the spacers. Win! Im so pleased with the wheels, they set off the FFB (Fun Family Bus) so well.

(https://i.postimg.cc/tRh5dvXR/IMG-4526.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YjCYM3GT)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Hsdt60xw/IMG-4527.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WtYr3k0z)
(https://i.postimg.cc/HkL9gpbj/IMG-4531.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/BXdK5fYG)
(https://i.postimg.cc/QdnkNRqm/IMG-4533.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PCY82V9v)
(https://i.postimg.cc/BQpBk8Ld/IMG-4536.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vc1n6Zvz)
(https://i.postimg.cc/s2QPMw6r/IMG-4538.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xkQN7yVx)

Since the fitment of the wheels, I had a chap round to do a carbon clean of the engine. Apparently this cleans out deposits in the intake and helps fuel economy and performance. Whilst at it, he did offer to put a stage 1 map on, and for the price I couldn't argue, but it appears it may have done more harm than good.

(https://i.postimg.cc/5yxFS33j/IMG-4641.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sQNXV5bR)
(https://i.postimg.cc/5ynQ7C7g/IMG-4645.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/MffGXv8f)

During shifts above 3.8/4k, being a DSG this was pretty much instant and the power delivery continued through, but there is a 0.5/1 second delay where it hesitates and goes "should I go full throttle? yes I should" then carries on. Bearing in mind my foot is fully down the entire time and the paddle is flicked, this sudden hesitation is unsettling. Thankfully, the chap is coming to revert the map, as I believe it is an issue with the map and not the car.

So we arrive to today, where I have a huge amount of parts to fit to the car which I won't list here to spoil the fun, but here is a quick fit of the carbon fiber rear spoiler to compliment the mirrors and door inserts I have coming  :party:

(https://i.postimg.cc/SRzHV6xF/IMG-4639.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9wCxQq9J)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Dy1wwsdM/IMG-4640.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CzLgvR2G)

Car without the spoiler for the time being - everything will be fit at the same time :)

(https://i.postimg.cc/sfk2zKSW/IMG-4654.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mhS4NYmZ)
Title: Re: Shadow Blue MK5 GTI DSG - Premature Midlife Crisis
Post by: GilesWoodward59 on February 01, 2022, 10:55:53 pm
Amazing what a different set of wheels can do to the appearance of a car. Enjoying the write ups!
Title: Re: Shadow Blue MK5 GTI DSG - Premature Midlife Crisis
Post by: fakie1977 on February 02, 2022, 01:18:41 pm
Nice to see another Shadow Blue out there. People tend to either love the colour or hate it but I love mine. Love your new wheels but I have tried to keep mine as original as I can and still have my 18 Monza II. When it was time to refurb them I stuck with the original colour too.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220202/e7bd77bffec363a0937e945b5ef327e9.jpg)

I have since upgraded my front and rear brakes to the R32 set up so I have blue calipers now though.


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