Garth's GTI build thread

[Garth]

Right then, since I've had the car just over a month, I thought I'd start my own build thread.
Don't be expecting massive changes as I'm all about subtle modding and try to keep things looking OEM.

I bought the car as a bog standard 2005 GTI in pretty shabby condition after haggling quite a bit off the asking price and this is what it looked like:





It was complete with dent in the boot, and damaged rear badge with plenty of corrosion, dents in the doors, scratched rear quarter light, ripped leather and corroded wheel centre caps.

The first thing I did was buy it some new mats and a Parrot bluetooth handsfree kit with a steering wheel interface. Here is that lot going in 


Then the next job was to replace the quarter light and get dent wizard to knock out all the dents. I bought a full set of centre caps for the wheels from VW and repaired the torn leather seat.

I then set about sorting out the rear badge by removing the corroded part:

sanding down the handle and filling the small hole:

I then bought a mk4 rear badge (as you can't buy one to fit the original mk5 handle  ). I split this down to it's parts:

I removed the complete handle assembly and sprayed it steel grey to match the car

and then fixed the chrome part of the mk4 badge to it

which then left me with this (this was before the dent was removed!):


More to follow.....

[Garth]

You can all flame me if you want, but I don't like the red stripe on the grille (except on a red car) so I wrapped it in light grey vinyl, taking the front of the car from this:

to this:


I then decided to spray the front badge satin black so the front ended up like this:

But I'm not convinced it works, so I may go back to a chrome one soon ???

I've replaced all bulbs inside and out with white ones as I hate the standard yellow.

Yesterday I fitted these little beauties taking the seat from this:

to this:


I also removed the side repeaters from the wing mirrors last night to smoke them as they are too light on a dark grey car. The photos of this will follow in a few hours when I've put it all back together!

My new wheels arrive on Tuesday so I'll post up some pics of the car once they're on. It needs a good clean and polish so hopefully that'll get done this weekend. Then the next thing will be to fit some Eibach sportlines.
If anyone has these springs only on stock shocks can give me an HONEST opinion of what the ride is like with these please let me know. Too many people lower their car and have it turn in to a hard, crashy dog but they still claim it's "only slightly harder than standard" because they're unwilling to admit they ruined the ride. I drive over 100 miles a day and need a little comfort!
 

[WhiteGTI]

Nice progress so far 

[Aparoon]

Looking good there, kinda like the grey strip too 

Re the sportlines, I have them fitted to standard dampers and they are great, little bit firmer than standard but all round hardly noticeable! I had coilovers on my last car and that did ruin it for me as it was way too harsh but these are perfect imo couldnt be happier 

[Gti Jal]

Like your style, subtle mods wins for me!

[T88OMM]

Soem cracking little mods there matey, I like the grey stripe on the grill, it suits it better than the red IMO! Looking forward to seeing it with new wheels and springs 

[Edition30]

Some really nice subtle touches there, great colour aswel.


Bluetooth install looks a nightmare.

[Pablos007]

You can all flame me if you want, but I don't like the red stripe on the grille (except on a red car) so I wrapped it in light grey vinyl...

Like the grey stripe, works well 

[Oli]

Looking good.  

I have the Eibach springs on standard dampers and they are fine as wine!  Slightly more firm but all acceptable.

And what wheels are you getting?

[keith]

looks good mate, what about losing the dealer decal below the front plate?.

[Garth]

Thanks for all the postive comments 

And what wheels are you getting?

RS6 reps. I want something other than monza's bu want to stay OEM style.

looks good mate, what about losing the dealer decal below the front plate?.

I will do, but it is actually part of the plate itself. I will be getting some some new plates soon. I don't really want to advertise the garage either as I was less than impressed with them. Well spotted 

Anyway, the indicators are back on now...
Before:

After:

The colour looks a little odd in the photo due to the camera flash but in the flesh it blends in perfectly with the black plastic. They still work perfectly too 

More photos will follow on Tuesday once the wheels are on. Hopefully I can get myself some Eibach springs soon but it will most likely be next month now.

[JPC]

Looking very good matey!

[Garth]

My wheels STILL haven't turned up!

A word of advice for you all, think VERY carefully before you order from dp motorsport on ebay: http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/DP-MOTORSPORT-CAR-MOD-S__W0QQ_armrsZ1

Every time I phone them, their response is: "they'll be with you tomorrow". I can't even get a reason why they are over 1 week late since they were in stock when I ordered them and it's 48 delivery!  

[rdfcpete]

Good heads up on the ebay shop Garth. Your cars almost identical to mine btw 

Have you mentioned/threatened action will be taken if and when etc...?
I hope they pull their finger out and the wheels appear ASAP

[nc35]

Hi Garth

You must be a Yorkshire lad.

Don't believe it, looked at that same car myself.  Wife didn't like the colour or it could have been on my drive now....
You must be a lot better than me at haggling cos there wasn't much movement on price when I turned up, but they had only got the car in.

Love the subtle mods you have done so far.  Think I may give the MK4 badge a go too.  IMO the red lip stick looks good on a black car as well as a red.

Looking forwards to more updates.

Keep up the good work

Lee