2010 Mk6 Golf R Newbie Help & Advice

[carlos50]

Hi guys,

newbie here, from the North East, I just purchased a Mk6 Golf R in white, love it so far, need to spend some time reading up about them, its my first ever Golf never mind Mk6 or R version. I wanted the Mk6 specifically, for me, the best looking one.

Its a low owners car, it does need a little TLC but I quite like the idea, hopefully not a mistake, can you guys help with some initial questions please,

1. It had a front splitter on prior to purchase, think it was damaged, the corners of the bumper aren't perfectly aligned now, does it need bumper off to correct it?

2. It has some rust spots here and there, worst 2 places are on the front sills below the wings, when I open the door I can see it, and its bleeding through to the outside, so very visible being a white car. Wings/arches are all ok, just random spotting after the sills, it seems to be picking up debris on the door sills when the doors are opened which has no doubt wetted and caused some of the issues. I'm hopeful i don't need sills off to sort with  rust converter, primer and top coat, given a decent amount of it is inside the wings, but popping to local bodyshop tomorrow to see what they say.

3. Drivers seat backrest bolster has gone with it being cloth, anyone know the part no for a replacement cover, local trimming shop wanted £450 for that and a new foam in the seat base bolster so may just replace.

4. It has an annoying rattle from behind the steering column, heard when there's vibration from braking or some roads where the surfaces are roughened approaching roundabouts etc. I did read an article where someone removed the knee dash trim and it was a loose bracket, hopefully that's all it is.

5. Where's the best place for parts generally on these, main dealer?

6. Car needs alignment, steering wheel isn't straight and feels like its driving off centre, hopefully an easy fix

7 The drivers door doesn't pop open when I pull the handle inside, I've got to nudge it with my arm to open, is that likely to be the wire cord that's stretched or just a dry latch?

8. I really wanted a car with park sensors, camera was a nice to have but sensors really good, anyway, it doesn't have them, what are the best retrofit options for OEM look and integration. I just purchased an RCD330 and hope to fit it soon, it already had an aftermarket unit in but was too aftermarket and not great radio reception so I'm looking forward to the more OEM design of the RCD model. It has a camera lead so that's a possibility too.

9. Any of you guys in the North East UK, where's best to get the car looked after?

10. Car has a Scorpion cat back exhaust, sounds nice without being mega, and withy cats still fitted is legal too, others I looked at were de-catted so avoided those, didn't want the risk.

Really loving the car so far, I normally spend more, much more, on cars, but after a few days with this I'm wondering why, this is a great car, and I'm imagining what it can be post TLC and some subtle updates.

Thanks
Carl

[Nino]

Welcome mate, and congrats on the Mk6 R great choice. I’m biased too, but I still think the Mk6 is the sweet spot visually, especially in white. Sounds like you’ve bought a solid one with honest needs rather than a ruined example, which is getting harder these days.

A few thoughts from your questions:

1: If the splitter was ripped off/damaged there’s a good chance the bumper tabs or guides have shifted slightly. Usually worth removing the bumper properly and reseating it rather than trying to force alignment externally. Hopefully just clips/guides and not broken tabs.

2: Very common area unfortunately. The front sill ends behind the wings trap moisture and debris. Definitely get the bodyshop to inspect behind the liners/wings before you start treating externally. If caught early you may get away with localised repair/converter/paint without major sill work. White shows everything but also tends to repair/blend well.

3: Seat bolster wear is almost standard Mk6 Golf ownership  You may find a good used OEM cover cheaper than retrimming. Or even a replacement seat. They are easy to swap out. Worth checking eBay, Facebook breaking groups and TPS/VW for part numbers. £450 sounds steep but not outrageous if they’re replacing foam too.

4: Steering column rattles are another common one. Knee trim off and checking brackets/clips is the first thing I’d do. Sometimes it’s the trim itself or even the steering column adjustment mechanism slightly loose.

5: Parts-wise:
- TPS if you have trade access
- VW dealer for clips/seals/small bits
- Awesome GTI
- AKS Tuning
- eBay/Facebook owners groups for used OEM parts

6: Alignment could genuinely just be alignment, especially if tyres/suspension have had work before. Get a proper 4-wheel alignment done somewhere decent rather than a quick tyre-shop tracking adjustment. But, just a thought, the Steering wheel make have been removed and not centred correctly and could be tied into the rattle your hearing, worth checking. The wheel has an allignment notch under the airbag.

7: Door issue could be either a sticky latch/mechanism or cable adjustment. I’d try lubricating the latch thoroughly first before assuming anything stretched/snapped.

8: OEM-style retrofit parking sensors are definitely doable but I wouldn't recommend it, its very involved to get it right and honestly, I hate sensors for two reasons. 1, I can drive and have done without them for years. 2, they often randomly beep when dirty. Reverse Camera is also very involved but much easier to retrofit. Since you’re fitting an RCD330 already you’re in a good place. But, before you fit it, I would recommend reading over my article around headunits here: https://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=290235.0

9: Hopefully some North East lads can recommend specialists. Worth finding a good VAG specialist rather than relying purely on dealers now these cars are older.

10: Scorpion cat-back with standard cats is probably the ideal setup on these to be honest. Nice noise without drone or MOT/emissions headaches. Good call avoiding decats.

Honestly sounds like you’ve bought the right kind of car not perfect, but not butchered either. A sorted Mk6 R still feels really special now and they respond brilliantly to a bit of TLC and OEM+ upgrades.

Get some photos up 👍

[Snoopy]

Most have been answered in the previous post so I won't repeat.

9: There's a few specialists in the north east
Ive never used any of them so cannot comment as ive done the work myself or anything else ive got Russel at 'The old motorhouse' Rothbury to do as he's experienced on most VWs and an an Audi/VW fan/owner and i have issue with letting others work on my cars.