GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: Bolle on 09 April 2008, 21:19
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Hi,
I'm a Golf V GTI owner from the Netherlands. I have posted a few times on tyresmoke, but have been lurking a bit on this forum as well. Seeing the action going on here, I thought let's contribute something something!
The followling posts are a bit of a copy from tyresmoke, too lazy to type a fully new post. Apologies to those already having read it on tyresmoke :embarassed:
A bit about me, 34 years, working and living in the Netherlands, working in telecoms.
I was driving an private old E36 BMW 320i touring (my first car after university), athough a nice low milage one with full options. Seeing as I didn't make too many miles, I didn't want to spend too much money on it as I have too many other hobby's to finance as well (scuba diving, home theater, watches).
Beginning of 2007 I changed jobs and included in the package was a company car. :smiley:
Compared to my BMW I wanted a smaller car seeing as parking in the center of town where I live is a b*tch, and more power.
After a lot of searching, the choice was between the Audi A3 2.0T and the Golf GTI. The Volvo C30 T5 (too expensive, no luggage space) and the BMW 120i (styling, power) were dismissed quickly.
Of the 2 I picked the GTI over the A3 as I found the GTI a bit more 'fun' than the very 'serious' A3, and I liked the seats of the GTI and the fact that I could get 5 doors whereas with the Audi that would be quite a premium, mainly due to the way the option packages are here in the Netherlands.
During this selection proces I read all the VW fora I could find to look at what options to get on the car.
In the end I went for a black 5 door, with the center armrest, rear speakers, and multifunctional steering wheel and highline computer as extra's.
I would have liked more options, but then I would have to pay extra from my own pocket, which is not a smart move to do on a company car.
With every extra bit of own contribution you make, the penalty if you end the contract prematurely increases, and I want to able to leave the company and lease contract freely if other opportunities arise.
In the end I pay around 425 EUR a month for the car, including all taxes, insurance, private usage and more or less unlimited fuel within the Netherlands.
It's however somewhat annoying to see that with the new prices and option packages since last february, I could have driven a Edition 30 with navigation, bluetooth, Xenon, PDC, retractable dimming and dipping mirror for only 75 EUR more... :angry: Ah well, such is life!
The car was delivered in mid May, and after driving a used car is was quite nice to get a car with 15 km on the clock!
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/auto/DSC04478_edit.jpg)
On of the first modifications I did was adding the RNS MFD2 DVD navigation. Install was done in an easy 30 min, with placing the GPS receiver behind the instrument cluster as suggested here.
(http://www.newturfers.com/mwf/attach/74/510174/HTF_RCD300.jpg)
(http://www.newturfers.com/mwf/attach/75/510175/HTF_MFD2.jpg)
Furthermore I replaced the 'closed' lower grilles arond the foglights with 'open' ones, and removed the 'GTI' badge in the grille. Both make for a much nicer front end in my opinion!
Also replaced the antenna with an short stub.
Next project was adding a iPod interface.
I chose the DICE Electronics iPod kit
(http://enfigcarstereo.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/media/DICE_I_VW_R.jpg)
with the associated cradle
(http://enfigcarstereo.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/media/DICE_CRADEL.jpg)
I did some DIY on the cradle so it fits in the ashtray area in front of the gear lever. I can easily plug and unplug the iPod in the cradle while keeping it in it's silicone sleeve. And it is still accessible so you can use the iPod menu which is still the easiest way to scroll through the iPod. The interface allows (track) forward/reverse from the headunit and steering wheel controls so that's quite easy.
After removing the iPod I can shut the cover over the ashtray area so the cradle is invisible, hoping I reduce the chance of somebody breaking in to look for an iPod. I initially wanted to mount the cradle on the dash next to the headunit, but was afraid I might get too much attention there.
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/auto/DSC04483.jpg)
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/auto/DSC04485.jpg)
In september I did a remap of the engine to get the full potential of the 2.0 TFSI engine.
I looked at various tuners, and especially the ones that concentrated on tuning for VAG cars. In the end I went to a Dutch tuner http://www.jdengineering.nl (http://"http://www.jdengineering.nl") who gets very high regards for his tuning of VAG cars. He also does the software for the Spyker road cars which use a modified Audi V8 engine.
l also managed to get a nice discount through a Dutch Seat forum I found whilst surfing the net for more information.
With teh remap the engine is now uprated to approx 247 hp / 380 Nm, and it's even more a joy to drive now! :smiley:
The GTI at JD engineering
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/auto/DSC04594.jpg)
Some dismantling of the car to get to the ECU
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/auto/DSC04593.jpg)
Got the ECU, going upstairs to the programmer to be fiddled with for an hour or so (he adjusts the basic GTI remap to optimize every individual car)
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/auto/DSC04596.jpg)
Hmm nice, but not on the company car list.... RS4 in for some engine managment tweaks
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/auto/DSC04595.jpg)
A final pic of my car with it's 'buddy', a GTI owned by a guy in my street. Also remapped, and when space allows I always try to park next to the car, makes for a nice scene.
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/auto/DSC04476_edit.jpg)[/QUOTE]
Although they've remodeled my street recently, and have removed approx 45 parking spots :angry: As parking was already a b*tch, I decided to bite the bullet and get a space in the local guarded multi-level parking garage about 3 mins from my house.
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And again a repeat from tyresmoke... but I see a few names here I didn't see there, so might provides some new entertainment for some! :wink:
Soon after I got the car, I was planning a trip with my GTI to enjoy it bit more than the usual traffic jam filled commute. This partly inspired by a copy of an old 'CAR' magazine I had lying around which featured a M6 driven over the best alpine passes. As a sort of delayed summer I went to the Alps last september.
First I had a wedding to attend in Berlin, so first some Autobahn work. It was absolute hell, very busy, lot of freight transport, a few accidents. I managed to get it up to 240 – 250 kph very shortly after the Dutch border. After that it was mostly in the 100 – 140 kph region.
Berlin was beautiful, hadn’t been there before. Left on Monday towards Munich, not so busy on the Autobahn. Got it up to 240 – 250 kph a few times, but found 160 – 180 kph the best for cruising. Higher than that and the speed differential with other traffic can be a bit high and demands high levels of concentration.
Ended up in Bechtesgaden, nice area and historical significant as the Nazi top had their retreats there.
Visited the very good museum there and Hitler’s ‘Eagles Nest’, very nasty feel to be at such an historical site.
Stayed at a very nice Gasthof overlooking the valley.
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/bechtesgaden.jpg)
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Next day the real driving started. Into Austria and the 164 from Bischofshofen to Saalfelden. Nice route through a canyon with very little traffic..
Weather got worse when I started the Grossgloclner
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/grossglockner_edit.jpg)
Nice road and views I suppose, couldn’t enjoy it much with the weather.. Also felt the 28 EUR toll was a bit steep.
Took a little detour to the Edelweiss Spitze.
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/edelweiss_hairpin.jpg)
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/edeweiss_edit.jpg)
Then into Italy, through Toblach/Dobbiaco towards Cortina d’Amprezzo. Small detour through Passo di Giau and surrounding roads toward Arabba. Weather started to improve somewhat although not all pics show it.
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/giau_edit.jpg)
Nice pics from the Dolomites
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/dolomieten_edit.jpg)
Stayed in a hotel near Arabba
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/hotelarraba_edit.jpg)
Next day leaving Arabba through the Passo di Campolongo.
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/campolongo.jpg)
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/campolongonavigatie.jpg)
By the Passo di Gardena/Grodnerjoch to the Brenner highway.
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/grodner.jpg)
But left the Brenner quickly to go to the Jaufenpass/Passo di Giovo.
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/jaufen_edit.jpg)
From the valley on the other side of the Jaufenpass I wanted to take Timmelsjoch towards Austria to get on the highway to Chur in Switzerland to pick up a friend who was joining me. However I was advised by some locals and the tourist board to do this as the Timmelsjoch was not doable without winter tyres or snow chains.
So back over the Jaufenpass on to the Brenner towards Innsbruck and from there the A12/E60 toward Switzerland.
After Innsbruck weather started to clear so decided to get of the highway and a detour over the 188 over Galtur. (http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/galtur_edit.jpg)
After Galtur a toll section starts, the Silvretta Hochalpstrasse. Toll is 11 EUR and worth every bit of it. Nice sweepers on the East side, hairpins on the West side. When reaching the toll booth at the other end I did a 180 degree turn and did again!
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/silvretta1.jpg)
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/silvretta3.jpg)
De road ahead!
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/silvretta2_edit.jpg)
And the road behind us...
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/silvretta4_edit.jpg)
Filled the car with cheap fuel in Lichtenstein, before meeting my friend in Chur and staying there.
From Chur the next day to Davos, and from Davos the Fluelapass. Weather could be better....
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/fluela.jpg)
Then the Ofenpass, weather started to improve
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/ofen_edit.jpg)
Snow might not give a summer holiday spirit but al least some nice pictures!
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/mooi.jpg)
After the Ofenpass we wanted to go up the East side of the Stelvio (the Italian part with all the famous hairpins). But sadly….
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/helaas.jpg)
Ofenpass + Stelvio is the road Top Gear was so enthousiastic about a few episodes ago (‘best driving road in the world’), can’t blame them!
Back into Switzerland and through the Umbrailpass towards the top of the Stelvio. The Umbrail is partly unpaved.
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/umbrail.jpg)
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/umbrail2_edit.jpg)
Unpaved roads left their marks...
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/autonaumbrail_edit.jpg)
Reached the top of the Stelvio and had a nice pizza.
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/steviobord.jpg)
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/stelvionavigatie.jpg)
Not really what you expect to see on a ‘summer’ holiday.
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/zomervakantie.jpg)
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/koud.jpg)
Down the west side of the Stelvio which was open.
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/stelvio_grens.jpg) (http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/hairpinsnavigatie.jpg)
Stop in Livigno, boring village but tax-free for some reason so cheap fuel! Then over the Berninapass to St. Moritz.
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/stmoritz.jpg)
Nice dinner and a night on the town!
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/lekker_eten.jpg)
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/lekkerdrinken.jpg)
After a good breakfast started the day with the Julierpass.
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/juliernavigatie.jpg)
Passing Chur again the Oberalpppass towards the West.
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/oberalp.jpg)
Effect of the Umbrail was still visible.
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/viesinhairpin_edit.jpg)
Up the Furkapass, part of the Furka – Grimsel – Susten ‘ triangle’ of passes.
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/topfurka_edit.jpg)
Nic old garage at the top, this has been a tourist area for ages.
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/garage_Furka.jpg)
Standing on the top of the Furka, seeing the Furka descending into the valley, and the Grimsel up the other side you think “yes, this is what driving is all about!â€Â
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/ditisautorijden.jpg)
On the bottom of the Furka we went back up and down again, then up a part of the Grimsel and down again before finding a hotel. Enjoyed a nice cheese fondue and few bottles of white wine to celebrate a great day driving.
Next day we did the full Grimsel and the Susten next. Here the Sustenpass:
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/susten.jpg)
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/susten_overzicht.jpg)
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/sustennavigatie.jpg)
Reaching the end of the Susten, we turned around and did the Susten, Grimsel and Furka again. You can drive these roads again and again, you keep enjoying them.
The last hairpins of the Grimsel and the first of the Susten.
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/hairpins_grimmsel.jpg)
To end a great week of driving a final drive over the Furka.
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/klim_furka.jpg)
From the other end of the Furka towards Basel to drop my friend off at the airport. Then through Germany, France and Luxembourg to Belgium to stay over at my parents in Brussels, was to tired to drive another 2 hours to my home.
Was unpleasantly surprised by a break-in attempt next morning in front of my parent’s place.
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/alpen2007/inbraakpoging.jpg)
It was a great trip, and the GTI is really a nice car. Both as a long distance cruiser and a ‘sports car’ on the mountain roads. The remap ups the enjoyment even more!
When planning such a trip I would advice to be really flexible in your planning. Weather can really vary over time. I had quite bad weather, while the week before and after it was clear and sunny.
Getting hotels was no problem this time of year, no reservations were necessary and we could even negotiate a bit in St. Moritz.
Top roads of the trip for me were the triangle Furka – Grimsel – Susten, the Passo de Giau and the Silvretta.
I got quite a bit of information from Alpine Roads (http://"http://www.alpineroads.com/"), a bike-site but they have good descriptions and ratings of the various alpine passen.
Also they have a Google Earth file (http://"http://www.alpineroads.com/forum/download.php?id=25") available with the alpine passes.
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And the tinkering with car continued... in november and december I added the VAG (Skoda) Bluetooth unit and changed the RNS MFD2 DVD for the RNS510.
The Bluetooth kit
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/auto/45ef2897.jpg)
The RNS510 as delivered
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/auto/6d86a77e.jpg)
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/auto/95123396.jpg)
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/auto/5b04fc15.jpg)
Install again quite easy except for the fact that the CD changer earth is changed a pin compared to the MFD2. So in order to get clear sound from the changer (or the iPod adaptor using the changer interface in my case) you'll have to swop them.
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Welcome to the forum Bolle,
Some gorgeous pics of your car and the scenery :cool:
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Some pics of the RNS510 in action.
The unit in the dash
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/auto/079f3faf.jpg)
Main menu of the phone menu. As you can see my phone now shows the provider name (KPN) whereas in oyher pics it didn't (geen netwerk = no network). I believe this is as my Blackberry phone doesn't really have the best Bluetooth implementation around.
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/auto/6a12ae52.jpg)
My phone contacts. Here you see that the contact numbers are shown by text (eg 'mobile', 'work'). Again a limitation of Bluetooth on the Blackberry. I tried an old Nokia 6310i I had lying around and this shows the numbers wih a symbol (work/mobile etc) in front of the name, much nicer. The Nokia also supports missed/last/received calls through bluetooth as opposed to the Blackberry.
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/auto/2b12e3ee.jpg)
making a call (in this case a number not in my phone book so no name)
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/auto/dc3b146e.jpg)
The highline display during a call
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/auto/85c55c27.jpg)
Browsing through an MP3 DVD, in this case my 'the Boss' collection!
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/auto/b34dc82b.jpg)
Playing a file from the MP3 DVD. In this case from my 80's folder for that nostalgic feeling
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/auto/9efc894a.jpg)
Map display (3D) during navigation
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/auto/3f304119.jpg)
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Some current projects:
While I was posting all this on the forum, I'm burning a modified RNS510 navigation data disc with speed camera POI's added. It's a bit of tinkering, and I hope it wil work now. I'm slowly getting there...
Furthermore I ordered the ECS dogbone insert from Awesom yesterday. This as I feel there's a bit too much 'play' in the driveline, especially whilst shifting during spirited driving.
Otherwise my mods will be limited, as it is a company lease car I will see nothing in return from this. Only thing I might do are Ed 30/R32 smoked rear lights.
If it where my own car, they first thing I would probably do would be the brakes. In my view one of the weakest points in the GTI. During my alps trip this really became very noticeable and took away a bit of confidence whilst driving.
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welcome to the site Bolle, liked the ipod instal. those twisties sure looked fun.
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I cant seem to see the pics :sad:
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yes... :smiley: just got back from the car, got the speed cams working on the RNS510!
Going to save me some money hopefully... lucky we have no points system here....
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Nice write up and some great pics there. Makes me want to jump on the ferry and head off round Europe!
How does the Bluetooth integrate with the head unit? Does it work with any Golf HU, or just the MFD / Sat Nav versions?
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Damn fine write up.Very impressed with the bluetooth kit.
Dude have you drove the nurburgring.?I,m going in 2 weeks,always on the look out for tips from GTI drivers.
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Hi Bolle
Great write up, I thoroughly enjoyed it! Those pic's of twisty roads in Europe look like a lot of fun for a GTI on full song :wink:
I'm off to the Millau suspension bridge in the south of France soon, so I'll share pics on here with my BMP 4 door DSG!
Just received the new Meguiars NXT 2.0 wax in the post today, so off to give it a wash and wax!
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Damn fine write up.Very impressed with the bluetooth kit.
Dude have you drove the nurburgring.?I,m going in 2 weeks,always on the look out for tips from GTI drivers.
Hi Gulfstream11
I went to the Nurburgring (Nordscheife) last year and did 2 laps round it in my S4 4.2L! Great fun, and its a really beautiful place. I stayed in the Altes Forsthaus, the closest hotel to the ring, a fantastic place with extremely friendly and helpful people. In fact the wife (who wasnt really keen on going to the "Ring") actually really enjoyed it, and thought it was the best hotel we had stayed in, in over 2 weeks of touring Europe.
I got all my information from Ben Lovejoys website, http://www.nurburgring.org.uk/ - he has some good info on there about safety and ring behaviour, along with where to eat etc.
After 2 laps of blasting the S4 around there, I decided enough was enough, the car had less than 1000 miles on the clock and the wife was looking more worried as my lap times were coming down! I spent a lot of time practising on Grand Tourismo on the PS2! :laugh:
The ring trip was one of the best holidays I have ever had. It still makes me gring thinking about it. :grin:
Make sure you take a first aid kit and fire extinguisher just in case, we saw a couple of accidents there, and you may be able to help someone.
The next day when we were leaving, a whole line of Audii TT's, all the same colour and with incrementing number plates, went to the ring to do testing. They had booked it all day.
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Nice write up and some great pics there. Makes me want to jump on the ferry and head off round Europe!
How does the Bluetooth integrate with the head unit? Does it work with any Golf HU, or just the MFD / Sat Nav versions?
It was a great trip. I'm thinking about doing something like this in the UK this year, the lake district, yorkshire dales, scotland or so. One of my best mates lives in London and has a 997 Carrera wants to join so could be a fun 'big boys' trip. Anyone any tips for good websites on good UK roads? (I saw a thread on driving roads, will check that as well)
Regarding the integration of the Bluetooth. AFAIK as I know this only works with the RNS510 nav (and probably the new RCD510 HU) and only if you use one of the later bluetooth modules (1Z0 .. , used form Q3 last year I believe). So the RCD300/500, RNS300 and RNS MFD2 DVD will not work, and only show 'phone' in the display.
In that case you'll have to use the bluetooth through the highline computer and MFSW or through the BC controls on the stalk. Still works great, although searching for contacts is easier through the RNS510 than the highline display.
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And added an interesting new category of POI's to the RNS510 :smiley:
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/auto/flitspalen_poi_categorie.jpg)
If I say that ''snelheid' is speed in Dutch, and control, well no need to translate.
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/bolle2/auto/Flitspalen_kaart.jpg)
Yes it was safe to make a photo on the motorway, as you can see I was in a traffic jam and not going anywhere...
BTW, my car is in for it's first service today. Got a Jetta 1.6 FSI as a loaner today, when pulling up onto the motorway it felt as somebody stole the engine...
Funny how quickly you get used to grunt of a remapped 2.0 TFSI engine :wink:
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Damn fine write up.Very impressed with the bluetooth kit.
Dude have you drove the nurburgring.?I,m going in 2 weeks,always on the look out for tips from GTI drivers.
Hi Gulfstream11
I went to the Nurburgring (Nordscheife) last year and did 2 laps round it in my S4 4.2L! Great fun, and its a really beautiful place. I stayed in the Altes Forsthaus, the closest hotel to the ring, a fantastic place with extremely friendly and helpful people. In fact the wife (who wasnt really keen on going to the "Ring") actually really enjoyed it, and thought it was the best hotel we had stayed in, in over 2 weeks of touring Europe.
I got all my information from Ben Lovejoys website, http://www.nurburgring.org.uk/ - he has some good info on there about safety and ring behaviour, along with where to eat etc.
After 2 laps of blasting the S4 around there, I decided enough was enough, the car had less than 1000 miles on the clock and the wife was looking more worried as my lap times were coming down! I spent a lot of time practising on Grand Tourismo on the PS2! :laugh:
The ring trip was one of the best holidays I have ever had. It still makes me gring thinking about it. :grin:
Make sure you take a first aid kit and fire extinguisher just in case, we saw a couple of accidents there, and you may be able to help someone.
The next day when we were leaving, a whole line of Audii TT's, all the same colour and with incrementing number plates, went to the ring to do testing. They had booked it all day.
Hahaha..Should only have that on mine by the time I make it there.Hardly done anything in it since bought.Going from Hull to reduce mileage/travelling.
Cheers for the first aid/fire tips..Fully qualified First Aider so got that stuff. Sounds great fun cant wait.
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Bolle
Cheers for taking the time to make such a great post - beautiful car (best colour :smiley:) and gorgeous pics of your trip - I'm on holiday myself so 1st thing tomorrow I'm jumping in my GTI and heading off on a wee road trip to find some snow and take some pics.
Thanks again and welcome
CT
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That made an interesting read. Thanks for spending my money though, I'm going to have to change my MFD2 to the RNS now!
Regarding your trip to the UK, I don't think you'll find roads as good as the ones you found in Europe.
I'm off to Germany later this year with some guys off the UK-MKIVS forum. We're going for 2 weeks taking in the Nurburgring for a long weekend then down to Lake Constance for a few days then back up the other side finishing off with a trip to Wolfsburg. I would love to try out some of those roads if they are near to where we are going.
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Nice write up and great pictures :smiley:
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The ECS dogbone arrived yesterday. Made an appointment to have it fitted at a local independent garage specialized in tuning of VAG cars. Although installing the dogbone looks simple, I have no place to raise the car and work in peace.
However next sunday I will be attending a Dutch Golf V GTI meet at a VW dealer. There're supposed to be 34 GTI's showing up! I might be able to raise the car there and install the dogbone myself. I believe it's quite easy?
The organizer also told me that the dealer will probably offer some nice discounts on Ed30/R32 smokes taillights so probably pick those up as well.
Furthermore I visited a Seat dealership close by which has a very positive attitude towards tuning. The offer remaps from JD Engineering (a well known Dutch VAG tuner), Eibach suspension, Milltek, Forge DV's and brake upgrades. They actually offer special versions of the Leon FR and Cupra from the dealership fitted with all these tuning parts.
I asked some information about brake upgrades, seeing as that is a weak point of the GTI in my opinion. They suggested as the most cost-effective upgrade changing the discs for cross drilled Brembo or National discs, and the pads to Ferrodo DS2000 or DS2500. As my company lease contract will only replace for OEM parts, they can arrrange that they charge the costs of OEM discs and pads to the lease contract, and I will only have to pay the extra for the better discs and pads. This will amount to 200 EUR or so.
As I only have 30K km on the car, I better do some spirited driving now to accelerate the need for a pads and discs change :wink:
Than again, I saw a set of Golf V R32 front brakes going for 350 EUR on eBay the other day, that looks tempting as well... and is more or less keeping it OEM so little issues with the lease company.
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Well, I can cancel the appointment with the garage :smiley:.
Was at a Dutch GTI meet, at a VW/Audi dealership near my hometown. There were approx 30+ GTI's present.
(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee309/A6-Red/DSC03357.jpg)
(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee309/A6-Red/DSC03423.jpg)
The dealer had arranged for a R32 (manual) and Ed30 (DSG) to be present for test-drives. The R32 clutch began to smell a bit after a few drives though.... Furthermore a R8 was present, but only as a static display.
Also the workshop was open and there were 3 mechanics of the dealer present. Most what they did was electronics work using VAS (the dealer variant of VAG-COM so to say). These included beeping of the alarm when locking/unlocking the car, setting the indicators to be on as sidelights. I requested my RNS510 to be recoded to the 'Premium' (black) display variant.
I put the car on a lift to insert the dogbone with the idea to install the dogbone myself, but the very friendly mechanic got the grease, rubber hammer, air gun and torque wrench out and installed it in 5 min. This with great interest of the other GTI owners.
And all free of charge :smiley:
First impressions of the insert are positive. On a manual car like mine shifting went a bit smoother, and there seems less slack in the driveline. Only a very small increase in vibrations, mainly through the pedal as it appeared to me.
Only downside of the RNS510 recoding and dogbone insert was that I missed a chance at driving the R32 or Ed30. Either would have been nice, the R32 as a different car and the Ed30 to try the DSG box.
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Looks good...shame there are no meetings or events here in Gibraltar.... :sad:
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Bolle, seeing 30 GTI's lined up in a row like that is great! You really get a chance to see which colours you prefer, wheels look best etc. I'm jealous, nothing at all like that where i live. It sounds like you are really enjoying the GTI, and why not, I am too :smiley:
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you just wouldn't get that from a dealer here.mores the pity.
going to order one the ecs inserts for my ed30 now.
what do you do in telecoms Bolle ?
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love the road trip pics :cool:
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Also the workshop was open and there were 3 mechanics of the dealer present. Most what they did was electronics work using VAS (the dealer variant of VAG-COM so to say). These included beeping of the alarm when locking/unlocking the car, setting the indicators to be on as sidelights. I requested my RNS510 to be recoded to the 'Premium' (black) display variant.
Can we have that enabled in the UK... I did ask the dealer about it when I first got the car but they said NO... No cos they didn't know how to do it I think
martininwillerby
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Also the workshop was open and there were 3 mechanics of the dealer present. Most what they did was electronics work using VAS (the dealer variant of VAG-COM so to say). These included beeping of the alarm when locking/unlocking the car, setting the indicators to be on as sidelights. I requested my RNS510 to be recoded to the 'Premium' (black) display variant.
Can we have that enabled in the UK... I did ask the dealer about it when I first got the car but they said NO... No cos they didn't know how to do it I think
martininwillerby
Its on Vag Com, I'll try and turn it on and report back with my findings. My Car is UK spec.
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you just wouldn't get that from a dealer here.mores the pity.
going to order one the ecs inserts for my ed30 now.
what do you do in telecoms Bolle ?
The dogbone insert is a very recommended mod, especially on manual cars. For the money, and the easy install, it's a no-brainer.
I'm Sales Consultant for WAN services (Ethernet-VPN, IP-VPN, Internet Access) in the Large Enterprises segment. This at the largest telecoms provider in the Netherlands.
Sort of looking for something new though....
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you just wouldn't get that from a dealer here.mores the pity.
going to order one the ecs inserts for my ed30 now.
what do you do in telecoms Bolle ?
The dogbone insert is a very recommended mod, especially on manual cars. For the money, and the easy install, it's a no-brainer.
I'm Sales Consultant for WAN services (Ethernet-VPN, IP-VPN, Internet Access) in the Large Enterprises segment. This at the largest telecoms provider in the Netherlands.
Sort of looking for something new though....
Perhaps you could sell this forum some more bandwidth, its hard to get on in the evenings and weekends! :tongue: