GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Golf mk4 gallery => Topic started by: FlashRedThree on 21 February 2013, 15:53
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Well it's a sad day for me logging in with a now completely inappropriate username. Unfortunately I have moved on from mk3 life and bought a mk4 GTI. All is not lost though, my brother has taken it off my hands so that it'll still be around and I can keep an eye on it.
The only criteria I had for buying a 4 was it had to be 3 door, not a 1.4/1.6, and black. The following vehicle is the best example I could find for the money. Sure I would have liked a turbo, but none were up to my standards.
Down to business, here it is: a tidy black 3 door that's only done 60k miles. One owner from new serviced and MOT'd at the same time each year (13 stamps and cam belt done at 40k). Pictures from the advert:
(http://i46.tinypic.com/2i7nwwo.png)
(http://i46.tinypic.com/281697d.png)
Looks like you'd expect a mk4 to look like.
First day I got it:
(http://i50.tinypic.com/bfnfkm.jpg)
Was impressed by it really. I miss my colour concept leathers quite badly though. Oh- it's a lot faster than the AEX too. But that's about all it's got going for it over my old 3. I'm not particularly in love with it if I'm honest, but I'm hoping once it's in a similar state of modification as the 3 that'll change. Having said that, modifying one of these appears to be significantly more expensive than older dubs! Gone are the days of 17 pound vr6 eBay splitters :cry:
First on the agenda was a little bit of interior tidying. So I bought some tailored floor mats as it had lost its originals. I fitted my Pioneer head unit to give those actually pretty good speakers a bit more beef. And as we all know, by nature of its design, the interior plastics are known to eat themselves after very little abuse. So some carbon wrapping happened on the centre console, and I completely replaced the drivers door switch bank grab handle thing with an OEM part.
(http://i47.tinypic.com/5mai5k.jpg)
Wielding a dangerous combination of scalpel and hairdryer:
(http://i47.tinypic.com/64dnr6.jpg)
In place with head unit:
(http://i50.tinypic.com/29qgoys.jpg)
Don't know whether to do the rest or just keep it conservative at that. I think I have the centre console where the flanking strips don't come away, which could cause problems.
New vs. Old
(http://i47.tinypic.com/xemwl1.jpg)
And on the car:
(http://i49.tinypic.com/mhpw9d.jpg)
So that got me enjoying the interior a little more. There are however some rather interesting electrical problems. The rear fog light sometimes comes on with the sidelights or even dipped beam, a wiggle of the switch usually fixes it so I think I need a replacement switch? Also, the drivers window only goes down using the one touch part of the switch, the partial depression makes it go up!
Next to come: external tinkering and decent external pictures.
Thank you for reading :nerd:
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I was greatly intrigued by this car when I first got it, due to me realising the fuel economy was incredibly bad. I was getting 22mpg out of it combined for the first week. But now after having done just over 500 miles in it, its sitting at an acceptable 35.8 mpg. This is in thanks mainly to me realising it doesn't need to be revved as hard as my old AEX to get moving/ accelerate!
Anyway, cream mirror replaced with black, and a GTI grill badge. At £26.08 from the local VW dealers, this was am eye-watering purchase.
(http://i50.tinypic.com/1azag.jpg)
And over to black:
(http://i46.tinypic.com/24loqq0.jpg)
Thanks to the nice weather the weekend just gone, I had chance to clay the car and machine polish it. Unfortunately due to low light levels I couldn't get much in the way of decent photographs, but have this one which also shows the results of a de-wipering procedure and addition of a Honda S2000 aerial:
(http://i46.tinypic.com/fmpbhg.jpg)
And now some shots to give you a better feel for the car's condition.
(http://i45.tinypic.com/zwhj77.jpg)
(http://i50.tinypic.com/1zycx95.jpg)
(http://i48.tinypic.com/2a7ebfb.jpg)
(http://i46.tinypic.com/2mos74o.jpg)
(http://i45.tinypic.com/a3ny8o.jpg)
(http://i48.tinypic.com/24bqdj4.jpg)
(http://i50.tinypic.com/33a5v2p.jpg)
And that's about it for now. I'm still figuring out the mk4 modifying scene, its a whole new ball game with all the bits you can get aside from the basics of wheels and lows.
Speaking of which, I'm hoping to get something like 3sdm 0.01s or BBS CH's or something to that style, and currently debating between coilovers, or shocks and springs.
If anyone has any suggestions, I would love to hear them.
Once again, thanks for reading.
Matt
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Looks tidy, shame about the engine though :tongue:
Do you think you could do me a favour and measure the s2000 aerial for me? I'm running a Polo one at the moment and it's slightly too long, the s2000 one looks a bit shorter.
As for lowering, remember that the MK4 arb goes over the driveshaft. When you lower it much more than 40mm the arb will rub on the driveshaft :angry:
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Looks tidy, shame about the engine though :tongue:
Do you think you could do me a favour and measure the s2000 aerial for me? I'm running a Polo one at the moment and it's slightly too long, the s2000 one looks a bit shorter.
It is a shame indeed, but is the story of my car ownership. Seem to always compromise on spec to get the quality!
S2000 aerial weighs in at a welterweight 7cm, and will result in chronic loss of reception. Even radio 1 struggles - thank goodness for iPods.
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Mk3 was nicer... :sad:
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Mk3 was nicer... :sad:
I completely agree.
But don't worry, I live with my brother, so it will still be on my drive. I will keep posting updates on it in the associated thread.
And when it comes time to get rid of it, I will simply have it back! Provided he doesn't crash it (touchwood).
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I really wish i could get a feel for the mk4 but i just can't, the R32 is a great looking car but all the others just look lumpy and heavy to me, i guess this is how mk2 owners feel about mk3's.
3SDM's would work well, CH's have been done to death.
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I really wish i could get a feel for the mk4 but i just can't, the R32 is a great looking car but all the others just look lumpy and heavy to me, i guess this is how mk2 owners feel about mk3's.
3SDM's would work well, CH's have been done to death.
You say that about CH's, but find me half a dozen cars are running CH's now :whistle:
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I'll get back to you..
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I'll get back to you..
Mine doesn't count :grin:
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Looks a really tidy car, a few mods will soon get it looking better.
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I have a turbo for sale dude. ;) haha
Mk4 photoshoot next tho dude! Hurry up and get some lows and alloys!
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Having now owned this car for over a month, I have to say I just can't seem to mesh with it like I did the old mk3.
But I'm gonna push on regardless it seems.
Recently took the standard alloys off and cleaned them inside and out with wonder wheels, cleaned up the calipers and painted them silver, and took arch liners out and jet washed all the crap out (worth doing - see pic) :
(http://i48.tinypic.com/30kzo0m.jpg)
(http://i49.tinypic.com/4vsb3d.jpg)
(http://i45.tinypic.com/2h7q7es.jpg)
And an obligatory clean before going to Ultimate Dubs.
(http://i49.tinypic.com/j7867o.jpg)
Hopefully have some good updates this weekend.
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Anybody know how to replace this exterior window seal, and what I need to ask for at the dealers?
Cheers
(http://i45.tinypic.com/w0omj4.jpg)
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So carried out some changes to the car, nothing particularly lairy or original but tried and tested stuff. Went on a trip to pick these up on 4/4/13. Specs are 18x8j et35's;
(http://i45.tinypic.com/2ij13qt.jpg)
Fuelling up for the trip (averaged 46 mpg!)
(http://i50.tinypic.com/1zqvcle.jpg)
Waited til the weekend then cast my equipment upon the drive:
(http://i48.tinypic.com/30upklz.jpg)
Test fit pre coils; put a donk on it:
(http://i48.tinypic.com/2n16k4p.jpg)
Work in progress:
(http://i45.tinypic.com/33kuedc.jpg)
Gave it a bath, be cleansed ye filth;(http://i45.tinypic.com/15i2mn5.jpg)
Washed/polished/sealed:
(http://i48.tinypic.com/a3z5md.jpg)
Results. Also added deep press plates and proper rear LED number plate lights (replacement units with about 20 smd led's in each):
(http://i46.tinypic.com/v6tcg6.jpg)
(http://i48.tinypic.com/2805x89.jpg)
(http://i45.tinypic.com/28kr4vc.jpg)
(http://i47.tinypic.com/2qknln7.jpg)
(http://i49.tinypic.com/k3vv54.jpg)
(http://i48.tinypic.com/x5zyo.jpg)
(http://i49.tinypic.com/2mocwuc.jpg)
Ride height is under constant review as the suspension settles; back is wound all the way down but fronts I'm doing in stages to try and avoid ARB beef.
Still to come; spacers, sharan badge.
I also have an r32 rep spoiler that I'm considering. But am not sure.
All ideas considered, thanks.
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Looks smart! :cool:
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looks loads better.
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Thanks guys, it's getting easier on the eye that's for sure!
Now with added sharan badge:
(http://i39.tinypic.com/33cpsi1.jpg)
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On the way into a 12 hour night shift last night my alternator light comes on.
Couldn't stop was going to be late, all seemed fine, arrived at work belts all fine. Took it to the F1 auto centre nearby soon as I got off work, turns out alternator has had it, putting out something like 9 amps static.
70A alternator with labour and renewed drive belts £230.
I'm going for a maccy's breakfast now.
If anyone would like to give their opinion on this price please feel free, I'd like to know if this sounds fair!
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That is expencive TBH, I would of:
Buy second have alternator for about 10p (they don't often fail so theres plenty around)
New belts for £10
Fit yourself in about 30mins
Then go to the Winchester for a nice cold pint (plus £200 extra in your pocket).
Sorted :cool:
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That is expencive TBH, I would of:
Buy second have alternator for about 10p (they don't often fail so theres plenty around)
New belts for £10
Fit yourself in about 30mins
Then go to the Winchester for a nice cold pint (plus £200 extra in your pocket).
Sorted :cool:
Thanks Mart. It was worse initially, wanted £254 to begin with but then changed his mind when he saw my face drain of colour. It wasn't even a genuine VW part, got an ECP unit. If I wasn't on nights it would have been a different story, but as it stood all my lifelines were at work and I just wanted my bed, and I didn't want to run out of puff on the 10 miles home and be stranded :angry: bit of an over the barrel situation really!
On a more positive note, the car seems to run smoother and has a much quieter idle now so some good has come of it. And it's saved me having to polish my alternator. Here's some pics.
(http://i39.tinypic.com/11jokmq.jpg)
(http://i39.tinypic.com/9pw3fk.jpg)
(http://i42.tinypic.com/301fx45.jpg)
A breakdown of the cost was-
Labour £20
Alternator £151
Belt £10
And then some nice VAT.
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Bank holiday basking - Now with 5mm front spacers and 15mm rears-
(http://i43.tinypic.com/j783gz.jpg)
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Expencive, but in the plus side your wheels look nice :wink:
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My last bill for a 1.8T alternator was 272.45 but that did have a late night call out charge on it so yeah I'd say fairly expensive mate.
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Thanks for the input gents. Moving on from the alternator fiasco, here's some more pics from over the bank holiday:
(http://i42.tinypic.com/2wpqhbq.jpg)
(http://i41.tinypic.com/eld34.jpg)
(http://i39.tinypic.com/2zdx6rt.jpg)
(http://i44.tinypic.com/awdrn5.jpg)
(http://i41.tinypic.com/32zswvq.jpg)
(http://i42.tinypic.com/11ig8yr.jpg)
(http://i39.tinypic.com/1e8cpf.jpg)
(http://i44.tinypic.com/23vddkx.jpg)
Hope you like. I think next plans are probably a V6 splitter and anni rear valance with cut out to make way for a single exit 2.5" (maybe 3" depending on what tip looks right when offered up to the cutout) exhaust.
I'm already getting bored of my alloys, they're ok as winters or something, really want some dish tbh so suggestions welcome.