GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk8 => Topic started by: Mikeyd1 on 04 August 2026, 18:50
-
Just noticed on a brand new golf standard model the front arch liners are now carpet , noise suppression, penny pinching. Just never seen this before . What’s your faults ??
(https://i.postimg.cc/GtQsQ1sB/IMG-2801.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/GT42LVKr)
(https://i.postimg.cc/NG7TYRPm/IMG-2802.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/8scsmfGz)
(https://i.postimg.cc/MZbRx1rQ/IMG-2803.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Dm0mP4hv)
-
The cynic in me would say that VW would’ve been unlikely to change them from the hard plastic type if there wasn’t some sort of cost saving. However maybe they’re also more environmentally friendly than the hard plastic wheel arch liners, which would be a good thing.
I dare say they’ll be better at helping to absorb road noise than the hard plastic liners; not as easy to clean them though.
-
Very odd tho . It’s got to be cost to do away with something tried and tested for years. However I do notice more road noise it the 8.5 vs the 7.5
-
Very odd tho . It’s got to be cost to do away with something tried and tested for years. However I do notice more road noise it the 8.5 vs the 7.5
I think the carpet wheel arch liners have been used in the rear wheel arches on the Golf since the mk5 (my mk6 had them and I think the mk5 did also), so I’d say they’ve definitely been tried and tested.
More road noise could be due to factors such the brand of tyres used, less and / or poorer quality sound insulation used in other parts of the car.
-
Very odd tho . It’s got to be cost to do away with something tried and tested for years. However I do notice more road noise it the 8.5 vs the 7.5
I think the carpet wheel arch liners have been used in the rear wheel arches on the Golf since the mk5 (my mk6 had them and I think the mk5 did also), so I’d say they’ve definitely been tried and tested.
More road noise could be due to factors such the brand of tyres used, less and / or poorer quality sound insulation used in other parts of the car.
Rears in my 7.5 are carpet
-
Yes carpet in rears ever since I can remember but never in the front which I was referring too.i don’t think there has ever been a car with front carpet arch liners ?? Hopefully this don’t cause problems down the line with corrosion
-
The carpet liners hold moisture. I wouldn't want them. I have the plastic ones on my 8.5 it's a 74 plate. My old mk5 wings rusted and so did my old mk7 ones. The 8.5 still has the sponges in the centre of the wings that cause rust. I removed mine and have sprayed Bilt Hamber UC on the inner wings and wing lips. I am going to remove all arch liners front and back after each winter to clean out and top up with Bilt Hamber UC.
-
The carpet liners hold moisture. I wouldn't want them. I have the plastic ones on my 8.5 it's a 74 plate. My old mk5 wings rusted and so did my old mk7 ones. The 8.5 still has the sponges in the centre of the wings that cause rust. I removed mine and have sprayed Bilt Hamber UC on the inner wings and wing lips. I am going to remove all arch liners front and back after each winter to clean out and top up with Bilt Hamber UC.
Exactly what I was thinking.
I soaked my carpet rears in fabsil when new and they repel water better.
-
The carpet liners hold moisture. I wouldn't want them. I have the plastic ones on my 8.5 it's a 74 plate. My old mk5 wings rusted and so did my old mk7 ones. The 8.5 still has the sponges in the centre of the wings that cause rust. I removed mine and have sprayed Bilt Hamber UC on the inner wings and wing lips. I am going to remove all arch liners front and back after each winter to clean out and top up with Bilt Hamber UC.
Exactly what I was thinking.
I soaked my carpet rears in fabsil when new and they repel water better.
With most cars being bought on PCP and handed back at the end of the (3 year) contract term, I dare say very few first owners will have any concerns of front wing corrosion. It’ll probably be the third (or later) owners that have to deal with the problem.
I may be wrong (it certainly won’t be the first time! :grin:) but weren’t there also cases of the edge of the plastic front wheel arch liners causing front wing corrosion on the mk5 Golf and other VW’s from the same era? I seem to remember reading that flexing / small movements of the edge of the plastic liner where it fitted against the flange of the wheel arch used to rub against the reverse side of the wing, removing the factory applied zinc coating over time and allowing corrosion to set in.
So it seems that both textile and plastic wheel arch liners might cause issues………
-
Absolutely agree . Just never know what’s better . But at some point I will remove arch liners and dynax uc it for good measure . Still think it’s odd why Vw changed it
-
I agree most cars will be on pcp. I bought mine outright and intended on keeping it long term. I had my mk5 for 9 years and my mk7 for 8 and a half years. Vw replaced my mk5 wings and various other bits rubbed back and painted (not without a fight). They only offered a good will gesture to rub back and paint my mk7 front wing lips and rear arches where the rear bumper meets the rear arch. The quote was £1300 and I would have to pay half. I ended up paying £350 to a very good local bodyshop they rubbed back, treated and painted the four arches within a few months it was coming back through. Yes I know you can't kill rust you have to cut it out. Then I noticed the rear sills bubbling and a random part on the tailgate so traded it in for a 8.5. I've also used the bilt hamber s50 cavity wax inside the sills on my mk8 and used the Bilt hamber UC on all suspension components rear arms etc. Im adamant my car isn't going to rust. :grin:.