MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: Stevemartin911 on February 25, 2018, 06:34:43 am

Title: Convert lhd to rhd?
Post by: Stevemartin911 on February 25, 2018, 06:34:43 am

Hi guys, I have a lhd gti in Greece, very low miles no rust due to climate, nice mods incl full red leather, we are returning full time to the Uk, do I bring it with me and live with lhd or with all the gti's being broken now is it worth considering doing a conversion. One last consideration, prices look good in Greece but no money to spend so might end up selling down the river which would be difficult to accept.
Anybody ever done it with any make / model ?

Title: Re: Convert lhd to red ?
Post by: Stevemartin911 on February 25, 2018, 06:37:15 am

Sorry blame predictive text RHD !

Title: Re: Convert lhd to red ?
Post by: Christiank on February 25, 2018, 06:45:53 am

Engine, gearbox sits same way in all LHD/RHD cars.

What you would have to change is the dashboard, dials in cluster, steering...  not sure if the battery tray, ABS pump, brake pump in the engine room needs to be removed for this to work.


Some guy did it in Australia, but he did have a complete donor car since he did some other stuff to while he was at it. Try search mk6 dashboard in mk5 golf and then look for a forum where a guy from aussie did it - Maybe there's more info there on what needs to be done.  :jumpmove:

Title: Re: Convert lhd to rhd?
Post by: Andy on February 25, 2018, 11:47:29 am

Quote from: Stevemartin911 on February 25, 2018, 06:37:15 am

Sorry blame predictive text RHD !

sorted title out for you

Title: Re: Convert lhd to rhd?
Post by: m1keh on February 25, 2018, 04:34:36 pm

If you are going to do it buying a rear end crash written off donor car would probably be the best way to go. Would mean you had all the parts sat ready to go...

Or just live with it being a LHD in the UK...

Title: Re: Convert lhd to rhd?
Post by: unzippy on February 26, 2018, 03:19:29 am

Live with it.
I ran a LHD MK2 GTi G60 from Switzerland for 6 years in the UK, no issues.
Make sure it's quick enough for overtaking.

Title: Re: Convert lhd to rhd?
Post by: Stevemartin911 on February 26, 2018, 08:27:24 am

Thanks Andy.
Thanks all for your input, I have till oct to get a sale which is preferable but yes living with it as a LHD might be easier.
As for ' overtaking ' unzippy, I thought that was banned and you are considered at least as bad as a drunk driver these days !
Have a good day, hope the weather doesn't get too bad.

Title: Re: Convert lhd to rhd?
Post by: colesey on February 26, 2018, 01:27:03 pm

I have had a couple of LHD cars and the only complication was reaching over with tickets for car park barriers.

Title: Re: Convert lhd to rhd?
Post by: pudding on February 28, 2018, 03:24:36 pm

I'd sell the GTI in Greece and buy another one in the UK.  It think it will be a lot easier where the paperwork is concerned, and moving the brake servo over and the clutch/brake pedal hydraulics etc etc......nah, not worth the hassle imo, unless your example is in exceptional condition and you have a strong attachment to it.

It would be an interesting project though, if you have the time and space to do it!

Title: Re: Convert lhd to rhd?
Post by: Roczen on March 01, 2018, 10:23:09 am

I had a LHD BMW E36 and just lived with it. I then sold it and bought a RHD car. 
Doing a conversion seems quite an extreme solution. I'd choose one of the other options (live with it orsell it).

Sounds like a nice car, I'm sure you'll find another one in the UK, there are loads for sale.