GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk8 => Topic started by: Ran94x on 14 February 2025, 17:21
-
Has anyone done this?
As I would like to do it but I am concerned by the warning lights that will come on once I disconnect the battery and I have tried connecting the OBD11/Carista Devices however they will not connect due to the SFd2 regulations so I wouldn’t be able to clear the error messages once on the car
Any recommendations or experiences would be great
Thank you
-
JoeGTI did this very mod a week or two ago. A pic is in his thread in the photo gallery, I’m sure he’ll be along soon…
-
:grin:
Yep I’ve done this a few times now! Twice on my MK8, as I installed them 3 years ago and then I removed them again recently as I had that car traded in for a new one. And as Exonian mentioned, I posted a photo of them fitted to my new 8.5 CS. I also fitted them to a friend’s new CS a few weeks ago.
You do not need to disconnect the battery. In fact I didn’t disconnect anything other than the paddles themselves. I managed to do it without disconnecting the airbag too. I just popped it out and rested it on top of the steering wheel, in front of the MFD. You still have enough wiggle room to do the job without unplugging the airbag.
Trickiest part was removing the trim / buttons part. It takes some gentle persuasion. Take your time with it and it’s not too bad.
Here’s a few pics I took, some from my friend’s car, some my own.
(https://i.postimg.cc/J05VWkms/2-A035-E6-A-C07-B-4-E21-A71-E-3-BDBFBAE40-B1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/2LyXQ31Y)
(https://i.postimg.cc/NMvzfjdm/C8573-B5-A-AFF9-4-B5-E-ACD8-49-E890-E61036.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rdgJfMXw)
(https://i.postimg.cc/J0P6qcM5/IMG-8342.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9wwYX94D)
(https://i.postimg.cc/j5TMYkjh/IMG-8343.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XZ2fwLdZ)
(https://i.postimg.cc/hGL0sb0Q/IMG-8346.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7CL7Yzdq)
(https://i.postimg.cc/J0GJfbjq/IMG-8565.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/wRY7JRfy)
-
Thank you really appreciate this :smiley:
I’ll give it a go and keep you posted
-
Thank you really appreciate this :smiley:
I’ll give it a go and keep you posted
Removing the airbag is quite easy. There are 3 spring loaded clips. I’d suggest unclipping the upper plastic cowling on steering column, it unclips easily. Lift that up and extend out and drop the steering wheel as far as it goes. Just to give you as much clear access to the back of the wheel as possible. Then get a mirror (I borrowed my wife’s makeup mirror!) to help you see what you’re doing. And a small flat blade screwdriver. Take your time, unclip each clip and turn the wheel to get to the next one.
And do not turn on the ignition while you are doing it. Just in case!
-
Stuck on the first step which is very frustrating!! Got my flathead screwdriver in but won’t unclip the horn just keeps going off instead.. maybe I bit off more than I can chew with this.. even got a mirror so I can see but it’s not budging unless I’m doing something wrong
-
Ignore me I’ve done it however is there also a clip at the bottom? As ive got the side ones off but bottom seems secured still
-
Running commentary whilst I do it I’ve unclipped the bottom just trying to get the plastic trim off but easier said than done :grin:
-
Running commentary whilst I do it I’ve unclipped the bottom just trying to get the plastic trim off but easier said than done :grin:
Yeah I think this is the trickiest part of the lot. It takes a bit of patience. Be gentle with it... using your finger nails try to gently persuade it to come out from one corner. I found that starting at the bottom (around where the GTI badge is) worked best. And once you have that part lifted, you'll be able to get your fingers under it and the rest will come out easier.
-
(https://i.postimg.cc/XJGP55FP/IMG-4767.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/FdvG57Tb)
(https://i.postimg.cc/PxgRQqQ5/IMG-4768.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JDQx1MFf)
Joe you are a legend mate, all done and working - did what you said and went to plan eventually thanks a lot really pleased with it makes a massive difference I think :smiley:
-
haha, brilliant! :cool: They do look great!
Great work, and there's a nice sense of achievement with it. I'd be less hesitant to go pulling at trim etc having done it myself.
-
Interested in doing this. Can someone share the part number of the R paddles?
-
5H0 951 527
5H0 951 528
-
haha, brilliant! :cool: They do look great!
Great work, and there's a nice sense of achievement with it. I'd be less hesitant to go pulling at trim etc having done it myself.
Might be a silly question and probably over cautious from me but what’s your opinion on declaring this change to your insurance policy?
-
5H0 951 527
5H0 951 528
Thanks mate 👍
-
haha, brilliant! :cool: They do look great!
Great work, and there's a nice sense of achievement with it. I'd be less hesitant to go pulling at trim etc having done it myself.
Might be a silly question and probably over cautious from me but what’s your opinion on declaring this change to your insurance policy?
It wouldn't even enter my head to tell them. They're an OEM part. Only the most severe anoraks among us would ever know they weren't in the car from the factory.
-
Technically you *should* inform your insurer, but seriously, is anyone actually going to?
The bigger paddles won’t increase the risk of anything, are far from dangerous, don’t get in the way of anything or block the view of anything, and are an OEM part.
Unless an insurance assessor is extremely eagle eyed I doubt they’d notice or care even after a serious accident. Heaven forbid that happens to any of us.
I raised the question in the bonnet lifter thread as that’s an aftermarket part and every single Road test or YouTuber review has mentioned the bonnet strut over the last 4 or 5 years. It’s a well known omission from VW and a well known aftermarket upgrade so *might* be noted by a bodyshop or jobsworth assessor. You’d have to be very unlucky though.
The paddles? “The car came with them when I bought it”
-
R paddles on. Big improvement and much more fitting for the CS.
Fortunately my neighbour is a very experienced VAG retrofit specialist and changed them for me. It wasn't a job that I wanted to take on myself. If anyone else is in a similar position and would like his details ive included here. He does all sorts of retro fits. Previously installed a factory powered swivelling tow bar to my old Cupra Formentor. He comes highly recommended.
www.audiupgrades.co.uk.
(https://i.postimg.cc/T1Qjn8Tk/20250309-101557.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WqFJPHFr)
-
They look great, definitely on my list of possible upgrades. 👌