GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk6 => Topic started by: NORTHERNER on 14 March 2012, 22:18
-
So... after 3 (enjoyable) years in my Mark 5 GTi I finally gave in to my need for a new car... after looking at Z4 Coupes, Scirocco's, Audi TT Mrk2, Caymans and S3's I stumbled across this spec of a GTI:
White
3 door
Xenons
Dynaudio Sound System
Sat Nav & CD changer
18 inch Monza's
Parking Sensors
ACC
Winter Pack
Fabric Seats
On an 09 plate with 29k on the clock from an independent dealer.... with full service history and a month and a bit of manufacturers warranty.... the list price was £15,995.... with a little bit of haggling I got that down to £15,500... looking on autotrader and pistonheads that seems a good price... plus parkers and some of the other valuation engines seem to suggest it is reasonable...so, armed with that I pulled the trigger! Pick up on Friday.
Only bad point for me is that the previous owner lowered the front suspension... looks a bit too low for me, so it is off to my local VW specialist to get put back to normal... anyone have a view on a fair price for fitting standard springs?
Cheers all
-
That is indeed a good spec, hope you enjoy it.
Afraid I have no idea on springs. :undecided:
-
Thanks :smiley: I did have "buyers remorse" after putting the deposit down and started get paranoid about the car and things I forgot to check :rolleyes: but am now just looking forward to picking it up!
Next choice will be do I leave the original monzas on... or, do I fit the Monza's that I had done in Satin Black on my Mark 5 (which I am now selling privately) onto the mark 6 and stick the polished finish on my Mark 5... decisions, decisions...
Also.... given my warranty runs out in a month or so, I am thinking of dropping the car into my local main dealer and getting them to do a full check-up.... thing is... I cant fathom out if that is something "standard" they can do.... anyone every had anything similar done?
-
Good plan that make sure you get the MOT done a day or two before the warranty expires...at a main dealer. Could save you a fortune!
-
Great News!
Excellent spec too and seems like you got a good deal...and personally I think you shud keep to the 18in Monza's it comes with....they look the dogs! Well I'm biased but they do.... :grin:
I'm sure your have many happy miles...
Good Luck and post pics when you get a chance :wink:
-
Congrats on buying the car. If it's just looks your after then you might want to think about lowering the back to match? If you're spending on springs why not improve the car at the same time rather than just forking out for standard.
-
Congrats, sounds good. Fair price for springs refitted IMO £100 + alignment from an indy VW specialist
I'm not sure about the main dealer checking it over....... they work on fault codes rather than finding problems that might not exist and I am sure they would charge you for their time. Get a VW specialist to have a look if you're really that bothered, or stick it in for MOT at the dealer before your warranty is up, as previously mentioned. There's always the RAC checks you can have done etc.
Keep the Monzas they look spot on. Check to make sure there's no signs of white worm/corrosion on them, if there is get them into the dealer for warranty replacement.
Download the latest maps for the sat nav and update.
Get the new LED rear lights fitted.
Just a few ideas :grin:
-
Good spec, hope you enjoy it, but please keep the Monza Shadows on; they're part of the cars character imo.
-
Thanks for the comments guys! Universal support for the shadows it is. Just a crying shame that the polished finish requires such effort to keep the dreaded white worm away... its annoying that the centre caps still get white worm... if cheapie brands can put centre caps on that look nice but dont corrode, why cant VW.
Still... only minor niggles!
Pick up day tomorrow. Just want those springs sorted now.
-
Congrats on buying the car. If it's just looks your after then you might want to think about lowering the back to match? If you're spending on springs why not improve the car at the same time rather than just forking out for standard.
The fronts are too low... if it had been only a slight drop I wouldn't have minded but the are almost rubbing on the arches... nasty IMHO and almost put me off the motor completely!
-
Congrats on buying the car. If it's just looks your after then you might want to think about lowering the back to match? If you're spending on springs why not improve the car at the same time rather than just forking out for standard.
The fronts are too low... if it had been only a slight drop I wouldn't have minded but the are almost rubbing on the arches... nasty IMHO and almost put me off the motor completely!
So they've only lowered the front and not the rear ?? very strange!
-
Yup... thats what it looks like... difference in drop between the front and back... the car drives nice enough, handled well, didnt jar too much over uneven road surfaces, wasnt skittish, didn't pull to any side when accelerating...etc i.e. it drove like you would expect a GTI to.... but the fronts are definitely lower than the rears... one thing i did notice however is that I didnt feel any real difference between sport, normal and comfort modes on the ACC... but that could just be down to the effect being really subtle... or the springs limiting the effect of the dampeners....
as you say though... quite strange.... the garage I bought it from where a bit clueless TBH but they did try to get the previous owner on the phone to speak to me but they only got his answer phone... they basically took the car as a part ex on an Audi RS4 Estate in february and had only really done minimum checks (i.e. paperwork, log book and history, HPI check)... but they seem pretty well established business, seem to have a good reputation...etc
Dont understand why someone would just do the fronts though... but there is nowt as queer as folk!
-
Surprising someone would spend £700 on ACC and then make it completely useless by lowering the car?? As you say, nout queer as folk! :huh:
-
Are you sure it's not something wrong with the ACC? Sounds like the front could have collapsed if they are that low and the back is fine. Definitely worth checking out though.
-
Surprising someone would spend £700 on ACC and then make it completely useless by lowering the car?? As you say, nout queer as folk! :huh:
Why would it be useless?
Mine is lowered on ACC and behaves just fine.
-
Are you sure it's not something wrong with the ACC? Sounds like the front could have collapsed if they are that low and the back is fine. Definitely worth checking out though.
ACC only affects the damping...so even if it fails, the ride height is dictated by the spring, so would be unaffected.
-
Surprising someone would spend £700 on ACC and then make it completely useless by lowering the car?? As you say, nout queer as folk! :huh:
Why would it be useless?
Mine is lowered on ACC and behaves just fine.
What are you lowered on mate?
-
Ess_three - thanks for that - would it be fair to say the effect of the ACC different settings is reduced with lower/stiffer springs? Tbh I didn't notice much difference between settings which I put down to it being lowered...but then again I have never compared with a stock gti! The last owner was obviously an enthusiast as they have fitted the gti seat inserts and the metal footrest cover... Plus there is an owners club/forum badge on the back so it would explain the tinkering!
-
What are you lowered on mate?
VW Racing lowering springs, lowers by 20-25mm.
-
Ess_three - thanks for that - would it be fair to say the effect of the ACC different settings is reduced with lower/stiffer springs? Tbh I didn't notice much difference between settings which I put down to it being lowered...but then again I have never compared with a stock gti!
No, the effect is not reduced in any way.
ACC should feel very different between the 3 modes...I find 'normal' is slighlty more compliant than a GTI on standard dampers, 'comfort' is far softer on potholed town roads but can be floaty at speed - say 60+ on the open road...and 'sport' is very hard and too much for all except the smoothest roads.
The steering also gets more aggressive in 'sport'.
Either way, standard or lowered springs, the effect of switching between the 3 modes should be very obvious.
-
I run mine on Sport all the time :lipsrsealed:
-
I run mine on Sport all the time :lipsrsealed:
Never put in sport mode but what does it actually do? Does it feel much better than in D
-
I run mine on Sport all the time :lipsrsealed:
Never put in sport mode but what does it actually do? Does it feel much better than in D
Depends how you drive & yes you can feel the difference especially when cornering at speed, not sure i would of paid for it though luckily it comes free on the Scirocco
-
Surprising someone would spend £700 on ACC and then make it completely useless by lowering the car?? As you say, nout queer as folk! :huh:
Why would it be useless?
Mine is lowered on ACC and behaves just fine.
Hmm, My bad! Just assumed that the shocks had been changed too...
I'll get my coat... :embarassed:
-
Depends how you drive & yes you can feel the difference especially when cornering at speed, not sure i would of paid for it though luckily it comes free on the Scirocco
The 'rocco valving seems a shade softer in 'sport' than the GTIs from what I remember.
Also, it'll be tyre profile dependant.
On my 35 series tyres, it's pretty harsh unless the roads are smooth...but the way it turns in, and the way you can bring the rear end into play in sport, is a big change :grin:
-
Hmm, My bad! Just assumed that the shocks had been changed too...
I'll get my coat... :embarassed:
There are tests out there in the public domian where various suspension set-ups were tested both on the road and on the track...no surprises that a quality coilover system like the KW V3 gives the best track performance...with compromised road performance.
The same articles show that one of the best set-ups for road use is a quality set of moderately lowered, progressive wound springs, with ACC dampers.
Lengthy discssions with VW Racing confirm this...and they offer both set-ups.
So you can lower it and not ruin the ride, gain better handling and better looks whilst keeping ACC. :smiley:
-
Quick update from me... so, picked up the car on Friday and since then have had a wedding to attend that lasted a couple of days so only really had this morning to give the car a quick eye-balling.... one thing I have discovered is that these springs have been fitted: http://www.pi-suspension.co.uk/pi-spring-kit-sportpack-vw-golf-mk6-20tsi-gti-160ps-042009-lowers-front-by-25mmrear-by-20mm-80478-new_p1254341.htm (http://www.pi-suspension.co.uk/pi-spring-kit-sportpack-vw-golf-mk6-20tsi-gti-160ps-042009-lowers-front-by-25mmrear-by-20mm-80478-new_p1254341.htm)...
Also did some comparisons on ride height (quite rough and ready - basically placing a ruler on the wheel and then measuring from the top of the wheel arch to the ruler):
My standard mark 5 GTI: Front = 30mm, Rear = 40mm
My new mark 6 GTI with PI springs: Front = 10mm, Rear = 35mm.... doesn't seem correct to me! Guess the specialist will confirm.
Anyone heard of these PI guys before? I dont like the look so will be replacing them with something more OEM looking... I am thinking something that gives me about 20mm on the front and 25mm on the rear would be good... bit lower than OEM but doesn't slam the car, maintains decent ride quality but also improves over the standard stock suspension? Ess_three... do you rate the VW Racing Springs? From what you say it looks like you get a 25mm drop front and 20mm drop rear? What does that leave you with in clearance/ride height? 10mm front and 15mm rear?
-
Quick update from me... so, picked up the car on Friday and since then have had a wedding to attend that lasted a couple of days so only really had this morning to give the car a quick eye-balling.... one thing I have discovered is that these springs have been fitted: http://www.pi-suspension.co.uk/pi-spring-kit-sportpack-vw-golf-mk6-20tsi-gti-160ps-042009-lowers-front-by-25mmrear-by-20mm-80478-new_p1254341.htm (http://www.pi-suspension.co.uk/pi-spring-kit-sportpack-vw-golf-mk6-20tsi-gti-160ps-042009-lowers-front-by-25mmrear-by-20mm-80478-new_p1254341.htm)...
Anyone heard of these PI guys before?
Yup...they are cheap.
Why anyone would put the cheapest stuff they can get on a £30k car amazes me.
Ess_three... do you rate the VW Racing Springs? From what you say it looks like you get a 25mm drop front and 20mm drop rear? What does that leave you with in clearance/ride height? 10mm front and 15mm rear?
Yes I rate them highly.
Just like OEM for normal running but they do tighten up nicely if you push on.
As for the clearances...don't know. and I'm offshore just now so can't measure.
This is how it sits:
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z72/Ess_Three/Golf%20GTI%20Mk6/IMG_0199.jpg)
It sits pretty level though.
-
Thanks for that Ess_Three - looks good! Can't wait to replace these springs!
-
looker teeside have some VWR springs for sale for £150 as they got them for a new beetle and they don't fit so want rid of them. they're only a subtle drop and work with the standard struts.
http://www.vagcars.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=6690
i would have had them but I'm going to change the shocks while I'm on so going to get a matching kit.
-
looker teeside have some VWR springs for sale for £150 as they got them for a new beetle and they don't fit so want rid of them. they're only a subtle drop and work with the standard struts.
http://www.vagcars.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=6690
i would have had them but I'm going to change the shocks while I'm on so going to get a matching kit.
Thanks for the heads up! £150 sounds cheap... any idea of teh RRp for these... cant find prices online..
-
vwr prices are expensive so i bet they're about £200-£250
-
same springs but cheaper
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Eibach-Sportline-Lowering-Springs-VW-Golf-VI-2-0-TSI-GTI-DSG-2-0-TDI-GTD-09-/220918601700?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item336fc657e4#ht_6116wt_1219
-
same springs but cheaper
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Eibach-Sportline-Lowering-Springs-VW-Golf-VI-2-0-TSI-GTI-DSG-2-0-TDI-GTD-09-/220918601700?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item336fc657e4#ht_6116wt_1219
Have you got any pics of a MK6 GTI lowered on them? Thanks
-
vwr prices are expensive so i bet they're about £200-£250
They are...
But when you ask for springs and the man asks:
3dr or 5dr?
Manual or DSG?
Sunroof or not?
You know you are getting a proper set of springs, properly designed for the weight of the car.
-
same springs but cheaper
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Eibach-Sportline-Lowering-Springs-VW-Golf-VI-2-0-TSI-GTI-DSG-2-0-TDI-GTD-09-/220918601700?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item336fc657e4#ht_6116wt_1219
My VWR springs weren't Eibach.
I seem to recall either H&R or KW...but certainly not Eibach.
I can't believe it makes an awful lot of difference...although in the past (on other cars) I have found H&Rs to be progressive wound and slightly more compliant than the Eibach versions.
-
aren't all the VWR springs the same part number for the mk5/6? VWRPA004. maybe they do have different sets for DSG/non DSG cars but a lot of proper companies do now.
the VW brand DG springs are made by eibach and have options for DSG or non-DSG cars.
-
Thanks for the replies guys... i think I am going to do a bit more research into spring options... I might even start a new thread if one hasnt been created already...
-
Thanks for the replies guys... i think I am going to do a bit more research into spring options... I might even start a new thread if one hasnt been created already...
I would suggest VWR, H&R, Eibach as the first choices...I doubt you will be unhappy with any of those when used with ACC or standard dampers.
-
Thanks Ess_three.... I seem to have narrowed it down to three options at the moment and posted these on an existing "lowering springs" thread... which then hopefully will be useful for other forum users. Thanks for all your input.
Cheers
Gary
-
Quick update:
1. I can notice the difference between the three modes... dont know how I failed to notice it on the test drive... it is actually quite marked!
2. The car is going to the dealers for a full check up, service, early MOT and fitting the VWR springs for a much more reasonable price... nearly £300 cheaper than the first dealer quote! I think it helped that I had a long history with them!
All in all... I am loving the Mark 6 - fingers crossed it continues to deliver... one final point... hopw the hell would I confirm whether it has been re-mapped... it seems to have a bags more acceleration than my mark 5.... it wasnt declared by the selling dealer that it was mapped, but given the little "enthusiast" touches (e.g. the lowered suspension, GTi inserts in seat, plus foot rest and the "R" aluminimum badge on the boot) I am beginning to think the tinkering is perhaps more than I first suspected... I will take it to my independent after the check up and see if they can check the ECU... would that work?
-
Get on the rollers! That will tell you....
-
Doh!! Good point!! :grin:
Get on the rollers! That will tell you....
-
Get on the rollers! That will tell you....
Doh!! Good point!! :grin:
:wink:
-
So when do we get to see the mystery mobile? :huh:
-
Exactly!
Andy why did the previous owner put an R badge on the back! Really hate it when people do that.. Unless he was going for the first GTI-R...
-
So when do we get to see the mystery mobile? :huh:
As soon as the suspension is sorted :)
-
Exactly!
Andy why did the previous owner put an R badge on the back! Really hate it when people do that.. Unless he was going for the first GTI-R...
Sorry... It's not an r badge, as in from a golf r... Its something different... I will upload a photo :)
-
ooohhhh, it might be that his name was ralf.....or its rabbit badge from the US of A....
Photo, photo, photo!
-
The R badge on an "R" is different to the R badge on a R32. Failing that... in fact no I don't want to think about it... a Honda Type R "R"?
If you think it's been mapped, get it on some rollers. The good news is that, unless it's someone like REVO who lock the ECU's, your dealer should be able to wipe the ECU. Given what you've said about the dodgy front suspension and the R badges, I'd personally take the car back to standard and consider a fresh remap of my own researching and choosing rather than just running with a blind map I know nothing about.
Although, let me also say that if the car is remapped and the dealer did not tell you, you've got grounds against them to return the car. This may be worth bearing in mind if you're not entirely satisfied with the car (either in general or this specific GTI).
-
The R badge on an "R" is different to the R badge on a R32. Failing that... in fact no I don't want to think about it... a Honda Type R "R"?
If you think it's been mapped, get it on some rollers. The good news is that, unless it's someone like REVO who lock the ECU's, your dealer should be able to wipe the ECU. Given what you've said about the dodgy front suspension and the R badges, I'd personally take the car back to standard and consider a fresh remap of my own researching and choosing rather than just running with a blind map I know nothing about.
Although, let me also say that if the car is remapped and the dealer did not tell you, you've got grounds against them to return the car. This may be worth bearing in mind if you're not entirely satisfied with the car (either in general or this specific GTI).
Thats the plan Penguin... the car is at the dealers on Monday getting a thorough once over (fresh service, inspection and early MOT) and a new set of VWR springs fitted (the only reason I bought it despite the dodgy suspension was its excellent condition, FSH, options/spec AND the fact that it still had some manufacturers warranty).... I did a bit of a risk-reward balancing act in my head and hence made the purchase decision based on these factors... at the moment I am still very happy with the car, the money being spent on it equates to the money I knocked off the price from the dealer... the car drives well, everything works as it should and its doing excellent MPG to boot... I just have this sneaky suspicion its been re-mapped as the power delivery sometimes is a bit too impressive... unless 10 BHP really is that transformational. I have written to the previous owner and asked a few questions aswell... hopefully that will shed some light.... rest assured if it has been mapped I will be asking the dealer WTF they were doing by not declaring this... but it could be that the previous owner didnt tell them... I know the owner before the last one had it from new and it was a company car... so I am guessing that last owner would have been responsible for the mods!!
-
ooohhhh, it might be that his name was ralf.....or its rabbit badge from the US of A....
Photo, photo, photo!
This is the badge: http://www.yourbadges.com/catalog/images/vwracingblack1.jpg (http://www.yourbadges.com/catalog/images/vwracingblack1.jpg)
-
ooohhhh, it might be that his name was ralf.....or its rabbit badge from the US of A....
Photo, photo, photo!
This is the badge: http://www.yourbadges.com/catalog/images/vwracingblack1.jpg (http://www.yourbadges.com/catalog/images/vwracingblack1.jpg)
Oh dear.... :lipsrsealed:
-
If it feels a lot quicker than a mk5 it's been mapped id say. I have the same 'issue' with mine. It's really noticeable on the motorway when overtaking. Don't what map it is and was also tempted to tell the dealer when I get it serviced. But not sure I want them to have an excuse for any future potential issues that might arise. I figure there's a good chance they'll put the latest standard software on it anyway by way of potential updates.. Can a tuner not put it back to standard too or does it have to be a main dealer?
-
ooohhhh, it might be that his name was ralf.....or its rabbit badge from the US of A....
Photo, photo, photo!
This is the badge: http://www.yourbadges.com/catalog/images/vwracingblack1.jpg (http://www.yourbadges.com/catalog/images/vwracingblack1.jpg)
Indeed!
Oh dear.... :lipsrsealed:
-
Hair dryer + Nectar card = happy bunny.
-
Quick update:
- VWR Springs now fitted, car serviced and inspected top to bottom by dealer - all ok.
- Confirmation that car has been re-mapped - stage 1 Revo by AMD Tuning in Essex... paperwork should be on its way to me - thats a comfort
- Car is still doing 37MPG on my usual route (noted that this drops to about 35MPG when the climate control is on)
- Dodgy badge still fitted (see if you can spot it)
- Still need to sell my Mark 5!
All in all Mark 6 ownership experience is good, despite the niggles which were mainly caused by me being a numpty and buying a car that didnt have as transparent a history as I thought... still, all good now. Couple of crappy iPad2 photos... awful quality but my proper camera had no charge and it was an impromtu couple of shots:
(http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/1121/photosey.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/268/photosey.jpg/)
(http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/2926/photo2nv.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/545/photo2nv.jpg/)
Some more cosmetic and functional mods on the cards:
Trivial:
ED30 gear knob
S3 short shifter
Front and back mud flaps
Less Trivial (both 3-6 months away though)
Brake Upgrade
Exhaust Upgrade
-
First and foremost you could beef up the look of your rear by fitting LED tails, they are a great mod and look really good.
Your car looks nice but sits too low for me, mind speed bumps lol
-
Good idea with the LED tails... as for the drop... only 20mm front and back... it looks lower because the crappy iPad camera doesnt differentiate between the tyre wall and the black gap!
-
Good to finally see it!
Looking good!
-
Looks good..like the white.... :smiley:
-
White is also the fastest couler :grin:
-
Now this is a fast car..... :grin:
(http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd501/pmur01/DSC01506.jpg)
-
have to say that I am really warming to the ED35 alloys! Lovely.
-
have to say that I am really warming to the ED35 alloys! Lovely.
+ 1 very nice indeed.
Those wheels are not to disimilar to the BBS wheels they are now offering on the 2012 SEAT Leon FR+ Supercopa's!
http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/280468/seat_leon_fr_supercopa.html
-
Now this is a fast car..... :grin:
(http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd501/pmur01/DSC01506.jpg)
looks good! :cool:
-
Good idea with the LED tails... as for the drop... only 20mm front and back... it looks lower because the crappy iPad camera doesnt differentiate between the tyre wall and the black gap!
I think the drop is great, looks spot on :cool: any more and it would be too far :lipsrsealed:
-
Quick update:
- VWR Springs now fitted, car serviced and inspected top to bottom by dealer - all ok.
- Confirmation that car has been re-mapped - stage 1 Revo by AMD Tuning in Essex... paperwork should be on its way to me - thats a comfort
- Car is still doing 37MPG on my usual route (noted that this drops to about 35MPG when the climate control is on)
- Dodgy badge still fitted (see if you can spot it)
- Still need to sell my Mark 5!
All in all Mark 6 ownership experience is good, despite the niggles which were mainly caused by me being a numpty and buying a car that didnt have as transparent a history as I thought... still, all good now. Couple of crappy iPad2 photos... awful quality but my proper camera had no charge and it was an impromtu couple of shots:
(http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/1121/photosey.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/268/photosey.jpg/)
(http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/2926/photo2nv.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/545/photo2nv.jpg/)
Some more cosmetic and functional mods on the cards:
Trivial:
ED30 gear knob
S3 short shifter
Front and back mud flaps
Less Trivial (both 3-6 months away though)
Brake Upgrade
Exhaust Upgrade
can you remember the part number for your springs? did you get specific ones for manual o DSG gearbox
I've been trying to find eibach springs for non DSG GTI and there is a lot of confusion over part numbers so might just go for these VWR ones. they sit very nice.
-
mkviken - this is the part number: VWRPA004. I went for 20mm drop front and back... the front can be set to 25mm drop if wanted.
have to say they have really improved the ride quality over the PI Springs fitted by the previous owner... coupled with Sport mode on the ACC the car goes through corners very nicely with little body roll... felt a bit like the time I took a works cooper S out (although the GTI is more "grown up"... i.e. less "crashy")
-
That's the only part number I can find too for GTI so not sure if they do as many variants as people say?
The KW springs are-20mm and axle load of 1060kg which ties in with a manual GTI and think theyre more or less the same springs as VWR
I'm getting bilstein b8 shocks but I find the eibach sportlines are too low and some says the pro kit fits but some say they won't so may buy KW/VWR springs separate. Can't get a definitive answer regarding pro kit for manual GTI.
-
Looks nice