GTI on the Way - Questions

[Hurdy]

Hi Golf 671 (GTI ) and welcome to the MKV section.

The ABT rear valance with the quad exhausts looks like it would flow nicely with colour coded side skirts.
As you say, the rear of the GTI could be beefed up more, but I'm not sure about quad exhasts. If you like bling, then sure go for it, however I prefer the ED30's subtle looks and once the Milltek full exhaust comes out I will be at the front of the Queue
I presume that you are talking about the rear valance in the link below?

http://www.abtpower.co.uk/VW.asp?strMake=VW&strID=92

A word of warning, colour coding the existing side skirts has been proven difficult to get right without subsequent flaking and peeling. It is much better to get the R32 side skirts and paint them instead as they are smooth rather than the GTI's which has a rough moulding to it.

Here are a couple of pics of the ED30 rear

Oh....and white....good choice

Thanks for the welcome and the heads-up Hurdy. I've done some searching but can't determine from the forum or the pics i've seen the differences between the gti, ed30 and r32 skirts. Perhaps i could trouble you for some more clarification:

I believe the gti front lip has a gap in the centre section while the ed30 doesn't?
Is there any difference between the gti, ed30 and r32 side skirts (apart from the finish)?
Is there much difference between the gti and ed30 rear valance?

It's a bit easier for me to source abt parts as there's a dealer here, but the ed30 and r32 models are not offered by the vw dealers here, hence parts might be more difficult to obtain. Thus it would be helpful to know the differences before try to source them. Of course, if you had any pics that would be excellent.

And i'm not into bling, just thought the quad pipes would add a little beef to the rear. Not sure what else can be done at the back.

Ed30 doesnt have a gap in the centre of the front lip, neither does the standard gti lip. The ED30 lip is more pronounced and colour coded.
There is no difference between the sideskirts of the ED30 and the R32. The standard gti is also the same except the mould patterned finish isn't smooth.
There isn't a lot of difference between the STD and ED30 GTI rear valances. The surround to the exhaust tips has a lip on the ED30 and the bottom section on the ED30 has a more pronounced dividing section.
Quad pipes would definitely add beef to the rear, it's just my personal preference towards the twin exit exhaust on the left. Now I may change my mind if I saw a dual exhaust with oval tips a bit like the RS4

[golf671]

Thanks for the info Hurdy. Seeing as there doesn't seem to be a lot of diff between the STD and ED30, might just go for color coding the existing skirts (provided the paint shops have an acceptable solution to the peeling/flaking issue).

I recall reading in the forum here that some who have color coded have talked about leaving the bottom section of the rear valance black - might consider that to toughen up the rear a bit.

Alternatively, might go for the quad pipes and the abt rear valance (or maybe the whole kit). Will keep you posted.

[Teutonic_Tamer]

A word of warning, colour coding the existing side skirts has been proven difficult to get right without subsequent flaking and peeling.

A fair comment, but not entirely justified.

Yes, I've suffered with paint peeling from my standard GTI colour coded skirts.  However, that was down to the complete and utter incompetence of the stealer, by not using ANY primer, nor clear coat.  With any plastics, including bumpers and side skirts, you must use a specialist flexible "plastic" primer, before the colour coat and clear coats.

For the record, I've not had any peeling or flaking from my colour-coded front and rear bumpers, which are subjected to more flexing than the side skirts.

It is much better to get the R32 side skirts and paint them instead as they are smooth rather than the GTI's which has a rough moulding to it.

If you must have a flat finish, then the R32 skirts are the way to go.  However, if you don't mind the grained look, just like the lower half of the rear bumper, and front lip, then it is perfectly OK to colour code them, providing the correct flexy primer is used.

One problem with removing the original skirts, is that they are "bonded" to the metalwork with a specialist adhesive.  This needs specialist tools to cut the adhesive, and strong specialist solvents to remove the residue.  Obviously, a professional bodyshop, as well as windscreen fitters, should have these.

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Ed30 doesnt have a gap in the centre of the front lip, neither does the standard gti lip. The ED30 lip is more pronounced and colour coded.

Yeah, and the standard GTI lip is actually a separate item, as they don't even get it in the US/CDN - just the black bottom section! 

Now I may change my mind if I saw a dual exhaust with oval tips a bit like the RS4

What, like this:



      

[RedRobin]

I assume we are talking about the standard GTI and not Ed30 here.

I felt the same about the stock black rear valance and got offered one of the first quads from Milltek and so had to get an Abt rear and colour code it. That led to an OSIR front and R32 coded sides (fitted professionally as TT recommends). Some people love it and others think it's OTT - I love it so that's all that matters, but I sometimes think that I only just get away with those quads!



What do you think of my new house in Bavaria?

[Teutonic_Tamer]

What do you think of my new house in Bavaria?

Stunning! 

Where abouts, 'cause I was down there in May, and did some touring around? 

[TagnuT]

I like this splitter, some nice pics on this page too...

http://www.parts4vws.com/registry/registry_detail.asp?MemberCarID=11735

http://www.parts4vws.com/catalog/product_detail.asp?PartNumber=1KM071609U

[RedRobin]

Stunning! 

Where abouts, 'cause I was down there in May, and did some touring around? 

....Chiemsee - Not far from Munich on road to Salzburg. Bavaria is great - Bayern uber alles!

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Stunning! 

Where abouts, 'cause I was down there in May, and did some touring around? 

....Chiemsee - Not far from Munich on road to Salzburg.

Ahh, I passed through there myself.  Had a walk out on the mini pier!

Bavaria is great - Bayern uber alles!

Yeah, I adored Bavaria, but then I also liked the Swartz-Wald too.  As well as staying in Munchen, we also stayed in a place called Garmish-Partenkirchen, and that really was a stunningly beautiful place, at the foot of the Zugspitze.  Wasn't overly impressed with Nuremburg, but some of the Third Reich remenants were mind blowing!