Performance VW Magazine - Any subscribers?

[chigmuss]

Well, a sad day, but after 18 years subscribing I finally decided to sack it off.

Anyone else subscribing to the mag still? I've just found it's gone off track a bit with half USA / half UK content and there just aren't the ground breaking features any more. At first I thought Edition 38 forum would be the end of it, as a lot of good build threads appeared there which kinda trumped PVW, but now, I don't even think that's it's reason for being out of touch. I'm guessing FB for a lot of things now, as E38 has gone pretty quiet. And since I'm not into FB then that's that!

Oh, and that they've happily been taking £43.20 off me annually when the new subscriber cost is £35

[AJP]

Never subscribed, but used to buy it most months. I lost interest when all it seemed to feature was sceney builds - 'air, wheels, done'. Any feature about actual performance always seemed to be a little off the pace in terms of reality.

It was decent for a time. But even the best mags struggle today.

[Dave J]

Like AJP, I've never subscribed, but did used to buy it most times I went in to town and found myself reading it in WHSmiths. I appreciate it must be very hard for them now with the online forums and facebook pages, but as you've both said - I have got fed up of the number of bagged bling show cars. I think the Photobucket farce (...ransom) has killed Edition 38 forum use and many others...

I think the VWG magazine is a far better read for my tastes these days - covers some great performance builds, albeit quarterly.

I subscribe to VW Driver mag (an annual recurring Christmas present thanks to my Uncle) - does have some interesting articles and I like following Andrew Chapple's experiences with his Edition 30.

[chigmuss]

The only reason I kept subscribing for past couple of years was to see if the Editor (Elliott) finally finished his Rallye. I'm sure it'll be shown at Ultimate Dubs when he eventually does, but I got bored of waiting

[Damian @ DPM]

A lot of things have changed over the past few years in the UK VAG scene. Forums have became very quiet compared to their peak days with some now not even live anymore. Facebook and social media have had a big effect on this and also effected magazine sales along with a lot of content is now available to view online for free. We use to all love reading PVW as we did for many years but to be honest I can't remember the last time I actually looked at a physical issue of it, sad really.

[pudding]

I stopped reading PVW years ago, for the reasons stated.  I cut my VW teeth in the 90s where it was all about engineering and pushing the envelope.  Guys like Larry Edwards and Jeroen Dik really putting the hammer down on the 1/4 mile with some trick stuff.  And even Awesome GTI did some decent stuff before turning into a mail order company. So to go from that to stupid ride heights, Bentley & Lambo wheels, dustbin lid brakes, tartan lined engine bays, pointless roll cages and the same old 1.8T/VR6 engine conversions.....meh. Boring as fook.

I'm sure there was a magazine called 'The Golf' at one point, which was pretty good if I remember it right!

The problem these days is VAG's modular platforms and easy access to mapping software has enabled a billion new tuners to start up shop, offering the same old regurgitated bolt on mods with massively inflated, social media pleasing hp figures.  Gone are the days of a handful of key players who were all about engineering.  It's all about crowd pleasing these days, nothing more.  Oh we made a 600hp Golf R. So bloody what, anyone can do that with bolt ons.  Try making that 600hp last 100K miles and you will earn my interest.  Try making a 24V Turbo rear engined Corrado and you will earn my interest.  And so on. 

There was an old gentleman by the name of Maurice Reeves in the early 90s who used to absolutely trounce everyone at Castle Coombe in his MK1 and MK2 Golfs.  He didn't have a 1000hp or anything trick, just driver skill and engineering knowledge.  Those days are long gone, sadly.

[bobby_fodge]

I got it until a few years ago. I just didn't renew my subscription.

I'd never buy air suspension or cover everything in carbon but I still found most featured cars interesting.

I much prefer classic car mags as they go into more detail about how to do such and such to your cat. And generally, the cars are more interesting, mk3 escort vs Audi a1 in perform vs.

I'm not on social media so I'm always keen to see modified card in whatever medium. I read speedhunters and stanceworks websites daily. I don't like every car on there but that's life.