It’s a new year so a fresh start n’ all that. I wanted to do a build thread for my new car as I never did it with the old one. Sold my A3 back in October, after 5 and ½ years it was an emotional journey and learnt a lot! It’s funny how I don’t miss it at all now, as when I think back it was a never ending saga. I always in search of another mod, always another problem to be fixed. It got very tiring towards the end and hence the change! I found air ride was more of a ball ache than a pleasure and after a while the novelty wears off. So I wanted a completely different approach with the next car. Here’s the A3 on one of its many sets of wheels throughout its life.
I wanted a fast hot hatch with DSG so the only real choice for me was an Edition 30. They’re at great prices now with a lot of spec for the money. I found this beautiful ED30 via this build thread -
http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,68916.0.html.
It wasn’t actually for sale, I pinged the owner a PM asking on the off chance if he wanted to get rid. It must have been fate, he told me he had a MK7 GTI on order so we agreed a price and the deal was done. The car was over in Ireland, so I went to look at it prior to buying it. Met up with the lad (one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met) just make sure all was sound and the car was in superb condition all still on factory paint. So I picked it up early November after a very long day she was home!
So what did I buy? It’s a 2007 (07) Tornado Red Mk5 GTI Golf Edition 30 with 42k on the clock.
Factory fitted extras
DSG
Bi-Xenons
Privacy glass – tinted rear side and rear windows
Armrest with cup holder cover and rear air vents
RCD500 6 disc cd changer with 10 speakers
Lux Pack – Electric folding mirrors with puddle lights and mirror dip on reverse
Ipod preparation in armrest
OEM mods
Cruise control
Highline dash
Highline CECM to give convenience menu in highline dash
MFSW – steering wheel buttons
RNS510 sat nav
Skoda 729B Bluetooth with voice dialing. Works with most phones incl iphone
Genuine MK6 reverse camera integrated into rear badge
Audi S3 jacking points
Brushed aluminium ash tray cover
Puddle lights in door cards
Audi S3 intercooler
Audi S3 front aluminium hubs
Audi S3 345mm front barkes
Golf mk6 R pad retaining springs
Audi S3 310mm ventilated rear brakes
Golf mk6 Bluemotion Engine undertray
Other mods
WALK- Whiteline anti lift kit
Polar FIS
Eibach Lowering springs
Forge Catch can
Chipped.com Stage 1 Remap
I didn’t drive the car for nearly a month as I had to get it insured, MOT’d, Tax’d & Insured, then I was waiting for the UK plate to go back on and then my private plate. Luckily because it was originally a UK car I only had to pay a £55 registration fee. The process was quite easy and if the right car came up in the future I would definitely buy one from Ireland again, flights from Ryanair were cheaper than the train from Manchester to London! Let’s make a start!
Old tyres were removed, the wheels in a little need of cleaning and sealing ready for the winter months.
Next thing was to get new tyres fitted, the MOT showed the fronts were near the legal limit and with the backs only having 3mm. I thought it was wise with winter approaching to get 4 new ones. Opted for 225/40/18 Goodyear Eagle F1s, the previous owner had run them and with great reviews online wanted to try them out again.
Got these from
www.lovetyres.com, they were cheaper at the time for camskill; I always find it best to shop around for tyres as the prices seem to fluctuate quite a lot.
Got the tyres fitted and the wheels were given a well needed clean.
The wheels were then sealed with Carbon Collective’s Platinum Wheels.
This will give them the armour needed for the UK roads and also a lovely glossy finish.
Wheels were then fitted back to the car & I proceeded with cleaning out the catch can.
Car was then rolled outside for me to give it the first detail, such a nice feeling when you wash your new car for the first time to learn all the lines of it etc.
Car wasn’t that dirty just general grime; it had been detailed previously and was very well looked after by the previous owner. My main aim is to carry this on.
It was nice to see Platinum wheels doing exactly what it said on the tin!
Here are some random snaps throughout the clean.
Car was washed, de-contaminated etc then brought inside for claying which obviously needed doing.
Once the car was clayed and re-washed it was time for some finishing touches. The exhaust has been very well looked after so came up good.
Was pleased with how it was looking now, paint is in very good condition considering its almost 7 years old & there aren’t many swirls, I will tackle the few it has after winter.
I could tell the alignment was out as it was very skippy under full load. Always worth getting your car aligned, few times a year if possible.
It sorted out the skippy issue and drove so much better afterwards. I then treated myself to a new keyring which pretty much matches the seat centres.
Hit a mini milestone.
The next thing to be addressed was a service! Car was nearing 7 years old and just hit 43k so I got Cambelt & water pump with all tensioners, fresh DSG oil & a minor service. Andy Hatton @ VW Altrincham looked after me, what a top lad he is!
Then just before Christmas I booked in the first “mod”. I’ve spent a lot over the past month on maintenance but I think it’s so important and should always come first before Modding. Stopped in to see Nigel & Dave at BCS Automotive and am I so looking forward to getting a Powervalve exhaust on the car, booked in for 24th Jan – I cannot wait! If you have not heard of them, give them a look up here –
www.powervalve.co.uk
So that’s pretty much where we are up to so far! I’ve got quite a few plans for the car over the course of the year. These include:
New NGK Spark Plugs
R8 Coilpacks
Rev G Dumpvalve & New Cam Follower
BCS Powervalve Exhaust
Auto Specialists Induction Kit
Shark Performance Stage 2 Remap & DSG Remap (Aiming for 320bhp-330bhp)
Fully Polybushed
H&R ARBs 28mm/24mm
S3 Lower Arms with Superbro Ball Joints
Coilovers of some kind (AST/Bilstein but most likely KW V3s)
Another set of Pescaras refurbed in Gunmetal & a set of Federal RSR Track tyres
Auto Dimming Side Mirrors (with Aspherical Passenger Side)
MK6 Chrome Headlight Switch & Window Switches
New Front Rubber Mats & New Rubber Boot Liner
Possibly MK6 Flat Bottom Wheel
Possibly front end re-spray and touch ups of minor blemishes around the car
I’m sure that list will chop and change but that’s pretty much what I want to achieve for now. A nice useable road car which is comfortable, refined with a bit of fun to drive in very good condition.
Any comments or questions welcome.
Thanks for reading
N8
