....
I must admit that when I first saw these available on the OSIR web site I wasn't very keen. However, since seeing them in the flesh on Neil's Candy White GTI I changed my mind.
WHY?- Because they would house my aftermarket Hella LED Daylight Running Lights far more satisfactorily.
- For cosmetic reasons. I have never liked the OEM imitation grills and even with open vents the square shape looks like an afterthought and the design consequently appears not stylistically resolved.
SOURCING:Available through the TTshop who are exclusive distributors for OSIR in Europe.
Contact : - Abi or Justin 01234 855 555
Pricing is unreliable in the current financial climate due to being made in Hong Kong and the exchange rate. If you need to ask, you can't afford it.
INSTALLATION:Two methods. The simplest one is to drill a small hole in the bodywork to receive the self-tapping Allen key screw - One for each panel, so a total of two.
The other method is to remove the whole front bumper assembly and use the concealed tabs on the back of the carbon panels. OSIR have thoughtfully not drilled the front of the carbon in case this second method is preferred and have provided a soft recess to locate and be a guide for drilling.
You could, of course, do both methods.
A good friend of mine, Dan, works in real carbonfibre and has a well equipped workshop, so it made sense to ask his help. He dremmelled the back aperture edges to better fit the aftermarket LED DRL's. He also enamelled the fixings so they were black instead of white metal.
PLUS POINTS:- Transforms the foglight panel areas of the GTI front.
- Greatly compliments an aftermarket splitter and carbonfibre nose mask.
- Being black they do not destroy the overall look of the GTI front.
- Results in a far more professionally resolved front design.
- They look quite 'motorsport'.
- They integrate my Hella DRL's perfectly instead of them protruding further with the OEM panels.
MINUS POINTS: - Expensive. Carbonfibre is always expensive.
- Takes forever and a day to acquire. They are not a best seller and so stocks are low. They may only take 48hrs to land in the UK but then the frustration begins! International Hub > National Hub > Days waiting for duty assessment > ParcelFarce > SnailMail letter sent out notifying amount of duty > Not sent until duty paid > Finally staying in to receive sometime between 9:00am - 5:30pm. Total time nearly 3 weeks!
- Check the quality. I rejected one of mine as the weave was all over the place. But it was replaced without question and quality is usually good for OSIR products. TTshop were exemplary in their help and handling.
- The fixing washers and Allen key screws are white metal and so stand out visually. Why couldn't they be supplied black?
SUMMARY:An expensive mod and not really worthwhile unless you either have Hella DRL's (I think I'm still the only GTI in the UK which does!) or an aftermarket splitter, unless, of course, you simply love the look of them. For the reasons I've already described, I'm very pleased with them.
They relate very well to the other OSIR carbon parts too, including the bonnet vent.
Since first writing this review I've had one of the carbon panels cut to receive the tow-eye without having to remove the panel totally - The less that the self-tapping screw fix gets used, the better. On some trackday circuits it's compulsory to have both rear and front tow-eyes fitted:
