I thought there would be lots of chat about how great the car is not how easy or hard the wheels might be to refurb Get the car, drive it, enjoy it. You don't think I wonder how painful a hip replacement will be. You go cycling and play tennis and whatever else and enjoy doing it!!!
Jim, actually completely agree, and wrote something similar to this on the VWROC forum recently in that it was a long time ago since worried about how pristine the car looks as you simply drive yourself nuts doing so
In the coming 3 years of present R I have had someone rear end me (light, split bumper but not plate behind it) a lady reverse into the rear door as I watched (new door) and most recently a young girl reversed back into me, splitting the number plate surround - and me? spent most of the time comforting the very apologetic folk who caused the damage stating its only metal etc
Add in a few door dink and my self inflicted kerb damage and the R has been under a bit of fire in its time with me
But, the accidents are a bit freaky to have so many in one cycle, and the door dink are unavoidable and the kerb rash less avoidable if you see the conditions have to park in
The car itself is well looked after, use the correct fuel, ran it in, drive it sometimes as it should be driven but definitely nothing silly and if look over the cosmetics whoever gets it next will be getting a really sound car thats had no mechanical issues in its time.
I would not be fixing the reifnitz everytime have a minor rubbing, but maybe yearly it be nice to give them a tidy up, and again not showroom, but likely only visible to close inspection.
My car gets a collonite pre-winter and does not get washed till spring aside from a jet wash if too mucky, based on fact after a couple of days on mucky winter roads it makes all the effort pointless
So agree, I have freed myself from worrying about the car as after a wash it still looks great to walk up to even with the described imperfections, and do just enjoy the getting in the cabin and driving the car most and R has never let me down in that department
Do understand other like to really look after their cars, detail etc, and do get and respect that, its just with so many other things have to get around in my days a more relaxed approach works best for me
If the car was to be a keeper, which the GTi TCR might, then likely at the 3 year mark I would pay for a full detail and restoration of any minor body work - till then, its going to be out there under fire in car parks and taking its war wounds