Update 19/8/14Quick update (well, quick for me).
.:R32 RearI've always liked the aesthetic, symmetrical look of the .:R32 rear end with everything being centralised so decided the Mistress needed a new bum.
I had previously bought (and then subsequently sold......Doh
) a .:R32 rear bumper a few years back which I never got around to fitting so I needed to source another one. I was only after a genuine OEM .:R32 rear bumper due to fitment problems some peeps have encountered with those dodgy one piece copies so when a breaker told me he was stripping a .:R32 with a undamaged bumper, I bought it. Wasn't bothered what colour as it was going to be slightly modded anyway, just needed to be the complete rear bumper with both upper and lower sections as I didn't want to faff around my own Edition30 bumper.
I asked the bodyshop I use to paint both the upper and lower sections and remove the reflectors and make like they were never there. Personally I think the reflectors make the back end look a little cluttered and fussy so wanted to get rid of those plus it looks a little more like my OEM rear but with a central exhaust.
Also had the diffuser smoothed and painted Gloss Black.
I was a tad worried when they told me there are 12 colours for Tornado Red but they were happy they got the right one and as far as I can tell they got it close enough! It will blend in a wee bit more over time with polish, wax etc.
When I bought it.....And after the work was done......If your in the Sussex/Surrey and need any bodywork and/or paintwork doing I can't recommend
Ian Taylor Body Repairs highly enough. A link to their site below......
~~ Clicky here ~~If fitting an OEM R32 rear bumper to a GTI then its advisable to fit the 2 Supports/Brackets that fill the void between the arch and bumper and alow for a more secure fitting. Part numbers are below and they cost a few quid from the stealers.
Part numbers for left and right hand supports/brackets
LH Support 1K6-807-739
RH Support 1K6-807-740Generic pics of the Bracket......
BCS R32 Exhaust......I needed to convert my exhaust and as I have a BCS system already on my car there was only one place to go so I contacted Nige at BCS and bought the required rear assembly bits and decided on the 35 degree 100mm tips with rolled lips. I wanted those particular tips as IMO they complement the .:R32 end and follow the lines of the diffuser perfectly plus Its looks the muts nuts, the tips are bloody mahoosive and shiny as hell!! The Powervalve has been given an extra loud note now on WOT, awesome is all I can say.
As the tips are removable I might also get some black ceramic coated ones that BCS make too for when I fancy a change.
BCS .:R32 rear assembly......BCS's site.....~~ Clicky here ~~After getting those bits sorted I went to see young Mr Kerr who fitted it all and I'm well happy with the way it looks, Eddy/R32 alien hybrid I know (which might not please the purists) but I love it.
Alex spent ages getting the tips to sit "just right"............(OCD springs to mind
).
Before....And after....Just need to decide whether to "clean" the rear end and remove all badges and the wiper, hmmmm.
S3 Rear Calipers....I bought some Audi S3 (8P model) rear calipers from fellow forum peep Gareth (
GarethB on here) that had been completely refurb'd, rebuilt and painted/powder coated in a lovely Pillar box red so they match my front BBK a treat. I have the NQSBBK (Porsche 986 4 pot Brembo front calipers) on the Mistress but with the power she now has I felt she needed a wee bit more in the anchor department.
Initially I was going to get a bigger BBK but thought I'd add these first and see how it goes. Only been on a day but my first impression is good, really does some to even the bias, keeping the car more stable under heavy braking and it inspires even more confidence when standing on them hard. She's due a full service in a few months so may see about replacing all pads on all corners with Mintex M1144 pads which should further improve things and stop me looking at bigger BBK's...........for now.
While at AKS Alex fitted these and also supplied the missing clips along with some standard S3 310mm Pagid vented discs and some Pagid pads.
S3 Calipers.....BEFORE: Standard GTI/Edition30 Caliper and 286mm Solid disc..... AFTER: S3 rear Caliper with 310mm vented disc......Also bought a Draper Extendable bolt wrench and plastic sheathed socket to protect the wheels. Not tried it yet, might be crap but only £20 so worth a punt.....
Big thanks to Alex for his work and for helping me make a few decisions on my next round of mods.
As always please feel free so spam away!