Garth's GTI build thread

[gazjones]

I really like the smoked rear lights. How did you do these and what did you use? I might have to have a go at doing it 

[Garth]

I really like the smoked rear lights. How did you do these and what did you use? I might have to have a go at doing it 

Have a look further back in this thread, it explains 

Right then, for those that wondered about the aerial reception:

There were only a few options on the mk5 and the ones that had the shark fin DID NOT use it for radio reception! The cars that had the small shark fin like mine had 2 aerial connections to the rear window. The shark fin was only used for the following:
1)Satellite reception for sat nav
2)Remote antenna for aux heater
3)Phone reception

The following are the 3 options:
1) Standard bee-sting aerial (06/05 onwards):


2) Shark fin for telephone and/or nav (05/05 onwards):


3) Shark-fin for telephone and/or nav and/or aux heater (06/05 onwards):



This means if I want my perfact reception back, I need to convert my car from antenna/raer window to 2 rear window connections. I therefore need the small amplifier, which shouldn't be a problem.

Hopefully this will help others 

[danishmkvgti]

when you crack this please let me know the partnumbers and a DIY if possible, cheers 

[cameluk]

Later Golfs used the sharkfin/beesting combo to give FM reception

[Garth]

Later Golfs used the sharkfin/beesting combo to give FM reception

Shame it looks a bit naff!

Update:
To get round the poor reception, I have identified a couple of options:
1) Get the wire and amp to utilise the other side of the rear screen as an antenna (connections already on the window)
2) Get the amp, strip it down, re-wire and connect it to the shark fin (not too much work really)
3) Re-attach the bee-sting and gaffer tape it to the underside of the roof, above the headlining.

Guess which option I took?


That's right... number 3  I will get round to a more permanent solution, but in the meantime, I just had the bee-sting lying around so I thought " wonder if..."

The reception is as good now as it ever was, even though the aerial is inside the car, not outside. This means that the shark-fin is just for show, but it still gives the result I was after: great reception and a shark fin on the roof 

[danishmkvgti]

Later Golfs used the sharkfin/beesting combo to give FM reception

Shame it looks a bit naff!

Update:
To get round the poor reception, I have identified a couple of options:
1) Get the wire and amp to utilise the other side of the rear screen as an antenna (connections already on the window)
2) Get the amp, strip it down, re-wire and connect it to the shark fin (not too much work really)
3) Re-attach the bee-sting and gaffer tape it to the underside of the roof, above the headlining.

Guess which option I took?


That's right... number 3  I will get round to a more permanent solution, but in the meantime, I just had the bee-sting lying around so I thought " wonder if..."

The reception is as good now as it ever was, even though the aerial is inside the car, not outside. This means that the shark-fin is just for show, but it still gives the result I was after: great reception and a shark fin on the roof 

looking forward to a DIY for 1 or 2 option 

[Garth]

Due to my body falling apart, I now need an automatic for my daily driver as I cannot change gear 300-500 times a day anymore without my knee seizing up 
I will therefore be putting the golf up for sale... unless someone has a dsg gearbox I can retrofit

I don't really think I could bring myself to buy a dsg GTI with a lower spec and then go through the process of making all the changes again, so I may have to leave VW ownership.

If anyone has a BMW 330d auto in saloon, coupe or convertible form and wants to swap for my GTI, please get in touch!

[Gene Hunt]

What have you done to you'r knee mate ?. 

[Garth]

What have you done to you'r knee mate ?. 

Years of abuse have killed it. It's fine as long as I don't try carrying heavy items over big distances (which I did all weekend) or spend 10 hours a day in the car changing gears (which I do most days).

[danishmkvgti]

What have you done to you'r knee mate ?. 

Years of abuse have killed it. It's fine as long as I don't try carrying heavy items over big distances (which I did all weekend) or spend 10 hours a day in the car changing gears (which I do most days).

I'm sorry to hear this mate, if it helps i have the wiring from a german dsg car, if you find a DSG box let me know and i could send you the complete wiring and you could return the rest when done 

[readie]

hi Garth when you tinted your rear lights did you have to prep then first or did you just spray then

[Garth]

hi Garth when you tinted your rear lights did you have to prep then first or did you just spray then

I simply cleaned them with alcohol and made sure they were spotless. The tint spray is designed for light clusters so no sanding is required or anything like that.


I FINALLY replaced the Sunew tyres (which are for sale if anyone wants some cheapo tyres!) with 4 new Goodyear Eagle F1 Assymetrics yesterday. I'll wait to see how they bed in before I give a verdict on them.
 

[Gene Hunt]

Did you not get a BMW in the end then mate?.

[Garth]

Did you not gat a BMW in the end then mate?.

Sure did    here's the thread about it:
http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,15611.0.html

[Garth]

My new tyres on now on so the Sunew's are a thing of the past 
I fitted 4 new Goodyear Eagle F1 Assymetrics and they have done a great job of improving the wet weather handling 

Today I received a boat load of sound deadening mat so looks like I'll be busy this weekend!

Also in the post are my new AP lowering springs so I'll hopefully be getting those fitted next week.

I'm on the lookout for an R32 (or simliar) front brake set up so if anyone knows of any for sale, let me know please 

The project is getting back on track