MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Modifications & Technical Area => Cosmetic/Interior Modifications => Topic started by: smokey on January 14, 2012, 02:46:50 pm

Title: Updating front bumper GT TDI 2004
Post by: smokey on January 14, 2012, 02:46:50 pm: Hiya Guys

I've seen a few posts on bumper upgrades and i would like to change the bumper on my car to the newer GT one.
As my car is an actual GT i don't see this as pretending my car is something its not!

I know if i bought a OEM GTI bumper it would not fit properly unless i get the rquired supporting bracket for it. Is this the case with the newer GT ones too?

i've seen some 3rd part ones which say will fit without any modification has anyone got any experience with doing this?

Thanks
Title: Re: Updating front bumper GT TDI 2004
Post by: martinbickley on January 14, 2012, 08:47:26 pm: As far as i'm aware the newer GT and GTi bumpers are the same, the only difference is the Grills.

I'm in the process of updating mine at the moment and have decided instead of changing the carrier/slam panel to cut away a small part of the bumper to make it fit.

I'm doing this as it will be easier to go back to standard when I sell the car.

I'm not exactly sure which bits need to be cut as i'm still waiting to get my bumper sprayed. Think its a bit of trial and error but i'm gonna use this as a guide: -

http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/t/410565.aspx?PageIndex=2

If your going to go with the proper way then there is loads of info here about doing it: -

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=67969.0

Hope this helps.

Martin
Title: Re: Updating front bumper GT TDI 2004
Post by: Phil Miller on January 14, 2012, 08:56:33 pm: I've done and I've do a how to guide for it, will post a link up when I'm on the laptop
Title: Re: Updating front bumper GT TDI 2004
Post by: smokey on January 18, 2012, 12:37:06 am: That would be great if you could.

I'm either thinking get a 3rd party bumper which fits to the current slam panel or cut the bumper.

But Phil if you could post your guide that would be great!
Title: Re: Updating front bumper GT TDI 2004
Post by: apples12 on January 18, 2012, 07:57:21 am: smokey if i was you stay away from the third party bumpers, you'd be much much better off getting an original bumper and cutting it, not much cutting involved tbh, you can pickup the bumper skins quite cheap on ebay if you keep an eye out and dont mind travelling a bit/waiting for the right ones to pop up, usually for less than 50 quid

its definitely a mod worth doing!

:happy2:
Title: Re: Updating front bumper GT TDI 2004
Post by: G-Lader on January 18, 2012, 08:02:22 am: I'm sure the threaded section where your towing eye threads in is different from early to late models.
So if you fit a late bumper to an early front panel / bumper bar and you need to be towed you'll be fecked as the tow point on the late bumper will thread into fresh air!!!

I changed the front on my wife's Golf and it's not too difficult, just a bit time consuming.
Makes a huge difference though, well worth doing it right IMHO.
Title: Re: Updating front bumper GT TDI 2004
Post by: Phil Miller on January 18, 2012, 11:10:04 pm: Quote from: smokey on January 18, 2012, 12:37:06 am
That would be great if you could.

I'm either thinking get a 3rd party bumper which fits to the current slam panel or cut the bumper.

But Phil if you could post your guide that would be great!

Here is a link to my thread on another site http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?103751-GTI-Front-bumper
everything you need is in there bud, cant copy and past the pics aswell and TBH the pics help to explain it all, also my tow eye is useable aswell mate
Title: Re: Updating front bumper GT TDI 2004
Post by: martinbickley on February 05, 2012, 11:22:01 pm: Phil,

Thanks for the post.

Am I correct that the only parts which need cutting are the ones I've marked below? (Apologies for the poor marking)

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg836.imageshack.us%2Fimg836%2F8157%2Fdsc08166modded.jpg&hash=6261311656cb4d28c92978674a3807e94c2dc76c)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg638.imageshack.us%2Fimg638%2F5981%2Fdsc08168modded.jpg&hash=5d2aa6577352235e44ff8f8d72ac78b799a8bb24)

Thanks

Martin
Title: Re: Updating front bumper GT TDI 2004
Post by: Phil Miller on February 06, 2012, 12:33:36 am: Quote from: martinbickley on February 05, 2012, 11:22:01 pm
Phil,

Thanks for the post.

Am I correct that the only parts which need cutting are the ones I've marked below? (Apologies for the poor marking)

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg836.imageshack.us%2Fimg836%2F8157%2Fdsc08166modded.jpg&hash=6261311656cb4d28c92978674a3807e94c2dc76c)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg638.imageshack.us%2Fimg638%2F5981%2Fdsc08168modded.jpg&hash=5d2aa6577352235e44ff8f8d72ac78b799a8bb24)

Thanks

Martin

hi Martin
thats the only parts that need cutting, the way i done it was to offer it up and then cut a little at a time and offer it up again, that way you dont cut to much away, it sounds alot harder than it is TBH, if you want any more pics im sure ive got some somewhere i will post them up if you want mate?
Title: Re: Updating front bumper GT TDI 2004
Post by: martinbickley on February 06, 2012, 10:15:35 am: Quote from: Phil Miller on February 06, 2012, 12:33:36 am
hi Martin
thats the only parts that need cutting, the way i done it was to offer it up and then cut a little at a time and offer it up again, that way you dont cut to much away, it sounds alot harder than it is TBH, if you want any more pics im sure ive got some somewhere i will post them up if you want mate?

If you have some more detailed pictures that would be great.

Am I correct that you need to cut part of the GT grill as well?

Thanks

Martin
Title: Re: Updating front bumper GT TDI 2004
Post by: smokey on February 06, 2012, 11:43:01 am: This cutting route does look simple enough to do, just to check though will i be able to acess the front tow point though?

I keep reading that its an issure?!

Thanks
Title: Re: Updating front bumper GT TDI 2004
Post by: Phil Miller on February 06, 2012, 07:42:10 pm: Quote from: smokey on February 06, 2012, 11:43:01 am
This cutting route does look simple enough to do, just to check though will i be able to acess the front tow point though?

I keep reading that its an issure?!

Thanks

My tow eye lines up find mate, no worries on that :happy2:
Title: Re: Updating front bumper GT TDI 2004
Post by: Phil Miller on February 06, 2012, 07:43:23 pm: Quote from: martinbickley on February 06, 2012, 10:15:35 am
Quote from: Phil Miller on February 06, 2012, 12:33:36 am
hi Martin
thats the only parts that need cutting, the way i done it was to offer it up and then cut a little at a time and offer it up again, that way you dont cut to much away, it sounds alot harder than it is TBH, if you want any more pics im sure ive got some somewhere i will post them up if you want mate?

If you have some more detailed pictures that would be great.

Am I correct that you need to cut part of the GT grill as well?

Thanks

Martin

Hi Martin i fitted the GTI grill and it fitted spot on, i didnt have to cut it at all mate

will have a look for some more pics and post them up on here mate :happy2:
Title: Re: Updating front bumper GT TDI 2004
Post by: martinbickley on February 12, 2012, 12:50:46 am: Quote from: Phil Miller on February 06, 2012, 07:43:23 pm

Hi Martin i fitted the GTI grill and it fitted spot on, i didnt have to cut it at all mate

will have a look for some more pics and post them up on here mate :happy2:

Phil,

Did you manage to find any more pictures?

Thanks

Martin
Title: Re: Updating front bumper GT TDI 2004
Post by: Rhino on February 14, 2012, 08:56:18 pm: i bought this bumper about 4 years ago for my car, never knew ya had to cut a bit out?
mines never fitted properly since day 1!
wish i knew that before.
not worth cutting it now cos i crashed into a lump of ice last xmas and smashed the bottom of the bumper off
Title: Re: Updating front bumper GT TDI 2004
Post by: Phil Miller on February 14, 2012, 10:26:20 pm: Quote from: martinbickley on February 12, 2012, 12:50:46 am
Quote from: Phil Miller on February 06, 2012, 07:43:23 pm

Hi Martin i fitted the GTI grill and it fitted spot on, i didnt have to cut it at all mate

will have a look for some more pics and post them up on here mate :happy2:

Phil,

Did you manage to find any more pictures?

Thanks

Martin

Hi martin ive been through my photobucket and cant find them, i must have them on a memory card somewhere, will keep looking
Title: Re: Updating front bumper GT TDI 2004
Post by: martinbickley on February 23, 2012, 09:19:20 am: Phil,

Not sure if you can help but i'm having real trouble lining up the top part of the bumper.

I've cut the following bits away but the bumper will not easilty screw into the top of the panel and this means the grill won't fit easily.

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg99.imageshack.us%2Fimg99%2F5981%2Fdsc08168modded.jpg&hash=e60493da2054deb7bb166a0fc23e80a2057dff00)

Can you let me know if you had trouble with this?

Thanks

Martin