MK5 Golf GTI

I needed to buy a car to get me to work and back every day while I build my MK1.
I had around £4000 to play with, though I probably could've stretched it for the right car.
Originally, I was looking for a Jetta, or a TDI Golf, but this turned up at a steal of a price, and I couldn't deny it.
This is how she looks today.



Here she is at the beginning, looking rather sheepish.



The second day of ownership, I got to waxing, debadging the boot, and tearing the headlights apart.. Horrible job. Never again. Ever.



Half way through..



Done!



Obligatory 'father & son' photo.



Here's a shot showing the reflections from Kleenfreaks' Wax.
Shame it doesn't bead to the same standard, but it's an awesome summer wax.



Not a fan of the Non-GTI/Rabbit front end, so off that came.



Replaced with a Jetta bumper, and GTI centre grilles. Looking for GT Sport ones now though.



Then I got some chrome trim from a Jetta, and it came with fogs.. So they don't work, but I might wire them up at some point.



Then I got a DA polisher, and it was getting cold, so I took some panels to my room for warm polishing..



RESULT!



That took 3 hours, using Meguiars 105 & 205, Autoglym sealant, and Kleenfreaks wax.
BEADS



I lost out on a set of non-existant coilovers after getting ripped off by a member on here, 'wheelygood', or Paul Woodward, you may have seen my thread about it.
I was determined not to let it get to me, but it really did.
But after saving up a second time around after losing that £250, I threw on a set of coilovers and put some fuel in
*Mental note* still need to work on terrible rear end.



Despite the lows on the back, I really wasn't happy with what the JOMs were doing on the front.
Here it is face to face with what looked to be a standard height GT.




Then came snowfoam! Though the karcher lance was terrible. Such thin foam:



But at least she was reasonably clean!
And then came some GTI skirts.. Insanely cheap from the dealer, compared to what I expected.
They really help to 'beef up' the car I think.



Then, I spent the day that was meant to be spent at the Bristol Krispy Kreme meet, taking out the front springs.
The lack of lowness had really started to annoy me, so after trying to source shorter front springs for weeks, out came the disk cutter..
Bad idea. By mid-day, I had cut one side, still wasn't low enough, and the spring was literally millimetres from falling off the adjuster.
So I went and spammed every source I could find for springs, and the only reply I got was a guy living about 35 mins away, with a full set of FKs for £25.

Me and my father jumped in his car since both of mine were rendered undrivable, and picked them up that night.
The following week was spent getting lifts into work, and when I'd come home, I'd fit the springs in the dark from 5pm, until 11pm.
Took all week, as it's not the easiest job ever, and my halfords sockets rounded 3 times in one week.

But here's the result.




I used the FK springs on the JOM shocks as the FK socks wouldn't fit my 50mm hubs.
I had to raise it up a lot to drive though as I was still on standard droplinks.



Finally got a decent lance for my snowfoam. An Autobrite lance, much better.



I topped up the wax with Kleenfreaks while waiting for my links.
Love the gloss on this stuff.




Then my drop links came, so I spun the collars back to where they belong.
Parked a few times.



Drove over a few speed bumps.



I got another picture with a standard MK5 after the FK springs.
Much better, but still looks a bit high..



Then the sun came out.. In November?!
I'd had an Auto Finesse Spirit sample lying around after their halloween promotion, so I tried it out.
I can honestly see why it's £90 a tub. The beading is probably the best I've ever had, and the gloss is even better than Kleenfreaks.





Beading shot using a macro iPhone lens.



I don't have many pictures of the interior, but this is pretty much it ATM.
Upgraded from a RCD300 to a RCD510, with MK6 flip-up aux and USB ports by the ashtray, with a new canbus, thanks to Eddie_NL
Got those new heater control knobs a MK6 headlight switch, and trial fitted a Polo 6R steering wheel before I buy the airbag.





I gave her a mini service, using Castrol Magnatec oil, an OEM oil filter, and a K&N panel filter.
Then I got some new wheels, SL55 AMGs.



I polished them up, and threw them on.




I wasn't happy with the fitment.
So I got a very decent 205 Pirelli part worn for £25, and tried again.




Much better! But I still wasn't liking the arch gap. The coils have caused me enough ballache already, so changing them wasn't really an option.
So I stuck the wheels on the classifieds, and within the day, I had taken a deposit for them.

That's pretty much it for now. I'll obviously update as I do more to the car, and I'll be on the lookout for some new wheels again soon.

Thanks for reading all that!

wow! Looks awesome! love the subtle poke!!

Thanks very much!
I would've liked to keep them, but I can't face shelling out more money on a new suspension setup again haha

Looks very nice indeed. The reflection shots are immense

About time    cars looking good mate, keep up the work!

Thanks people
I'm in need of a GTI front center spoiler thing, if anyone can put me in the right direction before I visit the dealer?

Front gti spoiler thing? 

Yeah, that's the one
The center part that screws onto the standard GTI splitter haha

Yeah I have no idea what you're on about 

Quote from: George10 on November 24, 2013, 01:14:21 PM
Yeah I have no idea what you're on about 

Haha it's hard to explain
This might clear it up..

Quote from: vwrascal on November 04, 2011, 07:16:13 PM
Main splitter (red bit) part no. 1K0 805 903 D
Black centre insert part no. 1K0 807 110  £45.52 inc vat from stealers!





7x torx T20 screws holding them together

The black portion of the splitter in this picture. Obviously a standard splitter would have both parts black.

 

Looks good mate... Can I ask how much the side skirts were?

Quote from: JohnRoberts on November 24, 2013, 04:33:24 PM
Looks good mate... Can I ask how much the side skirts were?

Thanks! I think they came to about £80 with the brackets and stuff. Give or take a few coins.

Nice and simple! Love it!

Quote from: jonnym on November 24, 2013, 06:43:04 PM
Nice and simple! Love it!

Thanks, glad you like it! It's a good thing I didn't get a TDI to be honest, the only thing stopping me getting seriously carried away is the voice in my head saying "It's only a 1.6".