What Should I Do First?

[VWDJPearce]

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum and have just registered 

I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice towards my VW Golf 1.4 2008 which I purchased on the weekend, I would like to do some cosmetic work on the car before my 17th birthday in September and figured that this site would be the best for gaining a bit of knowledge.  Due to my age I don't have the biggest budget in the world but would love to invest in a new set of Black Alloy Wheels, I'm not sure about which size to go for because I don't want to affect the handling too badly due to it being my first car. I was also thinking about tinting out the rear window and possibly the small side windows in a 15%-20% but don't want the car to appear too chavvy  Any help would be greatly appreciated, I will also try and attach a few images of the car although I'm still getting used to the forum and don't know 100% how to do this. I was also wondering if there was a possibility of attaching an aux lead to the in car stereo due to it not having one because of its age, i would be happy to remove it from the dashboard but don't want to drill any extra holes and depreciate the value of the car.

Thanks Again
Dan

[V3trox]

That looks like a tidy (albeit dirty ) motor.

I wont comment on what size wheels to go for but i will say that if you put some alloys on it, it may look like it sits quite high. I would probably recommend some used vw alloys and just spray them black yourself. Wont cost the world and they will be oem so it keeps the parents happy too. I'm sure you could find some really smart looking 16/17" alloys off of a passat or something (maybe even some monzas)

I'd say go for the tinted rear windows. Do you plan on doing it yourself or getting it done proffesionally.

Also really have a think about how long you think you will keep the car. Keeping the mods subtle and "OEM" will keep the resale value. So vw alloys, vw suspension etc.

I cant help with the stereo but i would say it needs replacing if you want aux or usb in (who even has cd's any more?) Again you could get a genuine vw rns510 but that would be silly money but there are some nice copy ones that give the vw look at a fraction of the price.

[Flyingscotsman]

A fairly cheap way to get an aux input is to use one of these:

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-Golf-Passat-Polo-Sharan-Aux-Input-to-OEM-Interface-Connects2-ctvvgx002-new-/252045985528?nav=SEARCH

This works by plugging into socket for 6 cd changer and fools stereo into thinking that cd changer connected. You need to remove stereo to plug in the back but no drilling of dash required.

You should check this is compatible with your stereo-you don't say which head unit you have.

[Beattie]

Welcome to the Forum!

As for the Golf you have I once had one similar to yours but higher specced. In my opinion stay OEM as it keeps it from looking like it's just rolled out of Halfords and keeps the value more than covering it in aftermarket stuff.

I'd personally go for 17" at most on alloys as being a 1.4 you want to keep as much power as you can so bigger wheels might make it slower. Some Monzas without the diamond cut would look good and they come in 17". Windows I'd get done professionally and just the back three (including small bits you mentioned).

After that it's all down to you but it would make a huge improvement just with Window tints and alloys.

I have an RCD310 for sale in the parts section which would be better than your current stereo setup and fill the whole centre console there instead of having the gap tray under your current stereo. Plus it would make your stereo area there look more modern than it does currently.

Beattie.

[bluebert92]

invest in some mats for the footwells :)

[dazza]

I would stick with these wheels until you get a bit more experience.

New head unit and sub would be a good choice.

[AJG09]

If it where me id be doing as said above.... floor mats, some 17"vw alloys (loads on ebay for cheap), golf seat inserts (cost about £5 and help the interior look better) maybe some lowering springs but not too drastic (depends how long you want the car)  and a bloody good clean inside and out 

Don't do what I did a spend a fortune on your first car and then sell it in 1 year... You'll regret it 

And welcome 

[white91]

I've got a set of 17" Monzas for sale


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[VWDJPearce]

Hi everyone, thank you so much for all your really helpful replies.

Since I started the discussion I've given the car a good old clean which can be seen in the images below.  I also got a set of floor mats for Christmas which drastically improve the interior look. My parents also purchased some seat covers which I haven't got around to installing yet. For the tinted windows I plan on getting the process done professionally to insure that they look the best possible, although I cannot figure if i should go for a 15% or 20% on the back and both small side windows. Thank you for all the feedback about the wheels and which size to go for, I am planning on purchasing a set of 17" in the near future although I would like to get a bit of use from the current wheels due to the tires being fairly newish. I like the idea of getting a new  RCD310 but i'm not sure if this is 100% necessary due to the current one working well apart from the aux, and it being rather costly for my first car. I love the suggestion FlyingScotsman i will speak to my step-dad about it. 

White91 please could you email me some information about the Monza's you have for sale- lampard_pearce@yahoo.com

Thanks again everyone and Merry Christmas! 

[bluebert92]

:) to be fair its a lovely first motor mate! take good care of it hah! For the money i would recommend getting a RCD510 radio unit, it has a screen and will fit in the double din, my girlfriends younger brother and I just fitted one into his Polo (2010) and it transforms the car! He couldn't afford the more expensive RNS510 which has a built in satnav but they look identical.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Stereo-radio-RCD510-USB-MP3-6CD-AUX-VW-Golf-Passat-Touran-Tiguan-SEAT-SKODA-/331561065568?hash=item4d32945c60:g:v8YAAOSwyQtV5WOW

In your situation that mod can make such a difference bud

[white91]

Will do I'm away for a few days but when I get back I will send you some photos


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[VWDJPearce]

Thank you for the link mate for the RCD510 Radio it looks great, it looks so much more modern then my current one. I will speak to my step-dad later about getting one, it will certainly improve the look of the interior at a relatively cheap price. Thanks again 

Okay no problem, that would be awesome if you could send through some photos for me.

[bluebert92]

On that one you can load music onto the built in hard drive using an SD card, so a 20gb hard drive and a 16gb SD card you can put alot of music on there ;)

[VWDJPearce]

That sounds awesome, i'm considering spending a little extra and possibly getting the RNS510. Is that a good decision?

[FJ1000]

As others have said it's a very nice first car! Mine was a purple 1.0 VW polo. Electric nothing. Worst bit, took me about 6 months to sell the bloody thing!

I wouldn't go too dark with the tints...the darker they are, the more risk of it looking a bit chavy in my opinion. I believe the factory option tint is 30% ish. Here's mine as I got it and it just had the rears done, before having fronts done to match. It looks darker in pics, but it's around 30%




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk