Time for a January 2014 update I think! Sad to say, there’s not an awful lot of bits added to the car. In fact, nothing has been added to the car physically but the corner of my room and the bench in my garage are becoming full again.
So, before I begin, a couple of pictures of the “Veedub Family” that I have got going locally. There’s my Golf, my friend’s Fox and his neighbour’s Rocco R. There is a reason I included these pictures;
![](https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fmikemaher205%2FProject_Golf_Mk5_GTI%2FVWFamily01_zpse17cadc9.jpg&hash=216146d86f193102629f00f9c18b051589d00d2d)
If I’m honest, in the future when I have money to waste (i.e. within the confide of my dreams), I would like to re-spray my Golf in the green here;
![](https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fmikemaher205%2FProject_Golf_Mk5_GTI%2FVWFamily02_zps20d788ab.jpg&hash=eba22adef14f83f3b0f120a0ea97093d8bca10c4)
But for now, I’m happy with my tornado red. So happy I bought this as a pre-Christmas treat;
![](https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fmikemaher205%2FProject_Golf_Mk5_GTI%2FMeguiars_zpse80dc66b.jpg&hash=061ab392a8d05c039cbce613edea38b55a46dbfe)
10 hours of my life over 2 days on the paintwork. But even I have to admit that the hype behind Meguiar’s products is true, the difference in the paint is amazing. And a proper wax makes all the difference to long term care, the dirt doesn’t cling on now so as soon as it rains it washes itself. I like that in a car.
Another pre-Christmas present was in the form of a cheap deal on another forum, the item in question: a Volkswagen approved Kenwood
DNX512DAB (as highlighted at a later date, it's NOT the DAB version) stereo upgrade. About £850 new, or nearer to the four figure number from a Volkswagen dealer, but I bagged this unit for a tasty £450, minus box and manuals (but who needs those anyway?)
![](https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fmikemaher205%2FProject_Golf_Mk5_GTI%2FKenwood_Stereo_zps50cc7a1e.jpg&hash=56b3e17af96880e69a8f3e51702b52cb0622558e)
Sadly, it won’t be installed for a while as I will need to upgrade both my speakers and my aerial, for my current one doesn’t know how to pick up digital radio and the speakers will sound pants due to the way they work with the standard stereo.
Another forum spot came in the way of Hurdy. After a message about a carbon fibre bonnet he has picked up, he directed me in the way of a company in Kent that has some carbon fibre parts just sat about from when they took over the unit they occupy. A quick look on their Facebook page revealed they had some Mk5 parts and I happened to notice a front splitter. Called them up and the man who runs the business asked for £80 for it. Needless to say, I was quickly in the car with cash in hand and driving down the M20 to find the place.
![](https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fmikemaher205%2FProject_Golf_Mk5_GTI%2FCF_Splitter_01_zpsaba2893b.jpg&hash=3399ae572d4654289b77ea91e91c696900b77628)
Both Hurdy and I suspect that these parts are made by Seibon, but there’s no branding or paperwork to confirm. However, if all the parts are Seibon parts, I bagged a £370 splitter for just £80. See what you think for yourself;
http://seiboncarbon.co.uk/products/tt-style-carbon-fiber-front-lip-for-2006-2007-volkswagen-golf-gti.htmlWas ironically looking at those parts before I spotted this deal, so it’s nice to see that fate has decided my plan for splitter, grill, bonnet and wings should be so.
Final purchase before Christmas (although sadly not delivered till much time after) was a set of 2008 Golf R32 rear brakes.
Calipers;
![](https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fmikemaher205%2FProject_Golf_Mk5_GTI%2FR32_Rear_Brakes_01_zpsd8eefcd5.jpg&hash=fd790acce657c89e04ef01a894f4c5942af2fc61)
Dust shields;
![](https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fmikemaher205%2FProject_Golf_Mk5_GTI%2FR32_Rear_Brakes_02_zpsd8753712.jpg&hash=e7b812c61ac675324c2840da77eba58c49c3f332)
Discs;
![](https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fmikemaher205%2FProject_Golf_Mk5_GTI%2FR32_Rear_Brakes_03_zps4e7dabe9.jpg&hash=db172919fb73da98694e22a1f19eb24c67a2a809)
It looks as if the setup has been sat around in a scrap yard for a fair while, but to me, the most important part where the calipers which look to be in very good condition. Sadly, I think the pads will need replacing but the discs look usable for short term anyway. The dust shields look a little damaged, but if it’s just superficial scratches then I’m not concerned as I have a plan.
The calipers themselves are going to be stripped and sent for powder coating to match my front Golf R calipers which are a gloss black. But I think I may do the dust shields in a shade of red as close to my car as possible, just to shake things up a bit. Also need to obtain rear stainless steel brake lines, possibly new brake pads already (just to be safe, don’t like to take too many risks with safety items) and find time, space and help to fit the brakes really soon. I may go ahead with the fronts separately to the rears but it depends on timing right now.
So that’s it for now, another essay for you all to read on a Saturday night. I have a bottle of Southern Comfort that needs my attention, so good evening for now.