$3000 worth of mods

[GtiStyln]

Ok well ive sold my old run-a-bout pulsar and im gonna throw all the cash at my Gti, but i dunno where or what to spend it on. Ive got wheels and a stereo, which have made it slower(but i love them)

Ok basically I definantly gonna put the ARP chip in it which is about 1700, so i have 1300 left to spend.

Throw some ideas at me. maybe you have done some mods which wernt worth while and for me to stay clear of. I have no idea what else to get.

thanks
Shane

[FknDubbin]

Save up an extra $700 and get KW Coilovers.

[anarchycamp]

What kind of GTI do you have? Mk4 or Mk5?

The APR chip is good but might be worth while looking at other brands to see what suits you best, keep the options open :)

Next thing would be suspension, a set of coilovers would certainly help.

[anarchycamp]

Save up an extra $700 and get KW Coilovers.

beat me j:

[FknDubbin]

The APR chip is good but might be worth while looking at other brands to see what suits you best, keep the options open :)


Took the words outta my mouth! j:

[99gti]

Shane,

Congrats on the sale! Whats your location and what car do you have?

I have the APR chip and couldn't be happier with it. In saying that there are a truck load of chips out there so make sure you find the one that is right for you.

I also have just had th KW v2 coilovers fitted and they are my favourite mod to date. You could do other things as well with your money such as sway bars (Ian from rennenhaus is doing a group buy of these atm). If your going to do the chip then perhaps you could also explore making the car breath easier by doing the turbo inake pipe, intercooler pipe (if you have a mk4), seat cold air intake (if you have a polo). The optione realy are endless but if I were to do it all again, coilovers would definetly be top of my list first up.

As they say - save your pennies. The difference is amazing!

[FknDubbin]

Have you got APR Neil?? I thought you and Frankee both had REVO.... :?

[GtiStyln]

Oh yeah sorry got a Mk4 golf, so it looks like suspension is the next step after the ARP chip. Are the KW coil overs harsh on the road? because where i live the roads are poor and i love my smooth suspension i have now

Shane

[FknDubbin]

They will be rock hard for the first few days, then they settle in and become softer.

[99gti]

Mine have been in for a week now but they are starting to settle in a bit more now. For the added advantage, the slightly harsher ride is worthwile IMHO.

[Golf Houso]

A decent set of tires/rims? I know coilovers are fantastic but you have to work from the bottom up, and tires is one of those things... Plus they'll look a packet better than the stockers! :D

[fredquist]

What chip would be best for a Mk4 GTI? Also would it best to do the exhaust and intake to get the most out of it?

I'm a newby and just wandering what the prices for all of this would be?

[99gti]

What chip would be best for a Mk4 GTI?

This is the question of the century. We are yet to see them all tested on an ideal platform in set conditions so no one can really say which is better. Truth be known they are all fairly similar. I'd suggest going for a drive in one to see which you'd prefer.

[No457 Snowy]

What chip would be best for a Mk4 GTI? Also would it best to do the exhaust and intake to get the most out of it?

I'm a newby and just wandering what the prices for all of this would be?

You'll get a different answer from everyone. But honestly, I would go to the closest dealer, either GIAC or APR.

For instance, APR was close to me, has great R&D and high quality products, so I went that way, it's just nice to know that someone is only say a 15 minute drive from your house, if you have any issues.

Other chips may go harder, I couldn't tell that you to be honest, but I can say my car goes MUCH harder now than it did stock, which is all I wanted really.

(I decided to do chip/exhaust/intake all at once, so the performance increase was quite dramatic, to say the least)


Snowy

[99gti]

I agree with Snowy. One thing to look for is for opportunity for future modifications. If I had of gone for the cheaper alternative to what I have I would be stuck right now at a cross road for what to do next. I would have either had to fork out for software again $1500+ but because of my choice I now get software upgrades for free :D

[OMGMK4]

What are KW v2 coilovers worth for a MK4.(just a ball park cost installed) Was thinking of getting it done. Who should i get them put in by I'm in syd. Had a drive in one the other day ... it drove like it was on rails!
Cheers
Marcello

[Golf Houso]

$2400 for KW's.

The hawk is actually trying out some supersport coilovers from germany. They're less than half that, I'd wait till you see how that turns out first before jumping into over 2 grand worth of suspension... Or... just save up for an R32, they drive like they're on rails anyway!

[The_Hawk]

$2400 for KW's.

The hawk is actually trying out some supersport coilovers from germany. They're less than half that, I'd wait till you see how that turns out first before jumping into over 2 grand worth of suspension... Or... just save up for an R32, they drive like they're on rails anyway!

It's actually these ones I ended up going for, not the supersports.
http://www.germancarperformance.com/golf-3-vento-race-dynamic-coilover-kit-gold-p-1139.html

Be sure I'll let you know how they go. They are due in "the week of the 28th". Hopefully closer to the start than the end since I'm on holidays till the end of that week and will get a chance to put them in, and more importantly, have a play! I also have a Neurospeed strut brace on it's way too. Should all be going in by the end of the month. *fingers crossed*

[Golf Houso]

Ahhh ok... This guy's a sponsor isn't he? Managed to twist his arm and get a discount eh hawk? :)

I was having a look at those earlier. If my shocks spontaneously combust or start leaking due to age then I'll definitely get a set of the cheaper coilovahs, pity I've already spent so much on eibachs and install...

And its not like the little GL is going anywhere in a hurry, let alone on a track.

28 days and counting hawk ;)

[The_Hawk]

G3-4121203 €359.00
dome bearing €25.00
standard shipping €145.00
handling €26.45
----------------------------------
Total €555.45
----------------------------------

Pretty good value at ~AU$950 I shipped I thought. Yay for sponsors!

[Golf Houso]

thats ... sooo.... tempting... must resist... so hard... to.... ignore... burning hole... in... pocket!

[The_Hawk]

Yeah, I had that same problem... solved it ;)

I would recommend waiting till next month and seeing how mine go, not that I expect any issues.

[Golf Houso]

There shouldn't be in my opinion, if anything Mr sponsor here will give you better treatment than usual, he realizes how much of a market this site is. He's not going to do anything to jeopardize it. Even if there is anything wrong with the product, I doubt there will be any problems dealing with it.

R32's are still over 30k, I'll seriously consider these after I see a successful install.:)

[fredquist]

(I decided to do chip/exhaust/intake all at once, so the performance increase was quite dramatic, to say the least)

Snowy

So what was the ball park for your chip/exhuast and intake? also what was the estimated improvement from an addition like that??

I have been told the Giac are around $1100 + GST.

[No457 Snowy]

So what was the ball park for your chip/exhuast and intake? also what was the estimated improvement from an addition like that??

I have been told the Giac are around $1100 + GST.

APR has prices and performance details posted on their website.

I purchased several items at once as a package, plus they were running a 10% discount sale at the time which worked out nicely.

I drove away in a very different car. :D


Snowy

[fredquist]

APR has prices and performance details posted on their website.

I purchased several items at once as a package, plus they were running a 10% discount sale at the time which worked out nicely.

I drove away in a very different car. :D


Snowy
So the Ecu's on that site is all you need to buy. There are no extra addons required? Simply buy that online, recieve it in the post and then put it in??

Also do you need some one to put it in or is it a reasonable straight forward and easy to get to change over. I'm fairly mechanical, but never played with this sort of thing before..

Also there is a massive price difference between the American and Australian APR sites even after $US converted to $AU. Whats the reason for that??

Did you buy from the US or from an AU dealer??:?

Thanks Snowy

[No457 Snowy]

I got my APR stuff supplied and fitted in Canberra by a local VW specialist/APR dealer (Canberra VW Center), He did a great job and was very fair with installation costs etc.

The ECU was removed from my car and sent to APR in Brisbane to be re-flashed with the APR programming and then sent back for fitting. (3 day turn-around). The ECU upgrade will give you the best bang for buck (around 40KW for a 1.8T), you don't need to do anything else if you don't want to.

As for price difference between US vs. Oz I don't know why, prices locally vary, it just comes down to who's closest to do the work and look after your car if you have any issues, or what you're comfortable with paying in the end.

No matter who you went with, it would be very rare if you were dissappointed, just stick with one of the bigger Euro tuning names and a VW mechanic you trust.


Snowy

[fredquist]

Thanks Snowy :-)

[Golf Houso]

Just go for asthetics, its not like anyone can actually tell how fast your car goes by looking at it... for 3k, you can make one of the nicest dubs in Aus :)

[No457 Snowy]

Just go for asthetics, its not like anyone can actually tell how fast your car goes by looking at it... for 3k, you can make one of the nicest dubs in Aus :)

3k would be as good as gone after a nice set of wheels and decent tyres. Don't even think about a body kit fitted/painted.

Snowy.

[Golf Houso]

Lol i wasn't hahahaha. Colour coded trim is the way to go at the moment, thats what i was reffering to. although there are some rather nice kits for the mk4... the rieger kits for example...

[No457 Snowy]

for 3k, you can make one of the nicest dubs in Aus

Sorry, I probably read your post wrong, I was just referring to the above quote by saying that people usually start with a decent set of wheels/tyres and there's 3k easily gone. But to aspire to the above quote you will also be looking for a lot more $$$ for bodywork/paint/suspension/interior add ons, etc.


Snowy

[Golf Houso]

I was thinking about a mk3 lol... The IV's take a bit more work. But besides individuality counts for alot more than money spent any day of the week!

[zedub]

So far I've done the following:

Suspension:
I didn't bother with coilovers on my golfie, and just got Koni sports shocks (about 1k + fitting) and H&R race springs (got em for $200 landed, but that was pretty lucky), and it drives like its on rails j: so more than happy with it.

Chip:
I got APR chip, reasoning was GIAC - drove 100kms, walked around for a while, got a phonecall we need to send the ECU away then solder a chip in, picked up car, drove home... wasted day & 200kms worth of fuel, no extra powah = sad me. Waited for months coz supposedly WA was gonna get Revo... still waiting, thought fuggit when APR had the 10% special. happy enough with the tune :D

Exhaust:
I have a Remus muffler (the funky adjustable noise one) I like the sound (could be louder though) was on the car when I bought it though. Next step Turbo downpipe & high flow cat

Intake:
K&N panel filter (got in BNIB off ebay for US$15 + 15 postage coz the guy couldnt be bothered researching the part number, i searched for the part number and had this listing.. idjiot) extra intake noise (slight) and probably slightly more power, I'll go proper CAI one day :)

Brakes:
Well soon anyway (booked in next month) - EBC Redstuff pads Front & Rear
slotted rotors front & braided lines. Coz I melted the OEM Pads :rolleyes:

Of all that, my favourites would be the suspension and the chip. The chip gives it that extra bit of oomph and the suspension makes it handle really nice. (hey with both I was able to melt a set of brake pads on a nice twisty piece of road)