Mk4 1.6 with Steel skid plate, is it really needed?

[Sirocco20348]

Hey guys,

Its about time to change the oil in the stupid 1.6, and the one thing I hate the most is stuffing around with the rediculously heavy skid plate on under the car.

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/07/Genuine2520VW2520European2520Steel2520Sk-1.jpg

The poor 1.6L struggles enough as it is, yet alone hual around this aswell, must weight close to 20kg.

Anyway the question is... does the 1.6L need this full body protection for a reason? Or can I replace it with the plastic flimsy GTI undertray as below...

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/07/KGrHqUOKi0E6cQpbLF7BOtp5LY29w60_12JPG-1.jpg

Best price for you!

Thanks,

[balkanac]

I'd take it off unless you are planning to drive off road. I will get better cooling too

[dylan8]

Steel, mine was plastic.
I removed it, no problems but the engine bay gets very dirty now

[rayray086]

The ****, didn't know Mk4s came with this! How thick is it?

[Sirocco20348]

The ****, didn't know Mk4s came with this! How thick is it?

Lets just say i could drive over a land mine and it would be fine.... no srsly... ts 2.8mm thick!! Guys in the states run these on their rediculously low dub rides to withstand all the speedbumps they go over.

Volkswagen Golf IV 1.8T > Search > Skid > ES#2075230 Heavy Duty Steel Skid Plate Kit - 1J0698931 (http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Golf_IV--1.8T/Search/Skid/ES2075230/)

[GarryO]

Hey guys,

Its about time to change the oil in the stupid 1.6, and the one thing I hate the most is stuffing around with the rediculously heavy skid plate on under the car.

Thanks,
let me know if you want to get rid of it, last sump cost me $600+ to replace,
but then my Bora is hella low, I cant get a jack underneath the front :-)

[JustCruisn]

I don't think the steel tray is standard. It must have been added aftermarket.
The thing would cost around $500 landed in AUS.
Not needed unless super low.

[bundabora]

I have a lowered Bora and a Diesel Geek Sumpguard - it is good on my car and hits around once a week over something... well scrapes, not hits, so I am glad I have one. It is Alloy though and about 5mm thick, but weighs alot less than the steel one. If it's not lowered I wouldn't think it's necessary - yours is definitely an add on - looks genuine vw, but would have been added - maybe it was an option the previous owner ticked - you can see the extension posts it's mounted onto with the rivnuts... You could probably sell it for a bit I'd reckon although a buyer would need to provide their own rivnuts which can be purchased from VW. Cheers, Scott

[rayray086]

I've raised my engine 1" so the point of contact now is the subframe, where the dogbone mounts up. Lovin' it.

[JustCruisn]

yours is definitely an add on - looks genuine vw, but would have been added - maybe it was an option the previous owner ticked - you can see the extension posts it's mounted onto with the rivnuts... You could probably sell it for a bit I'd reckon although a buyer would need to provide their own rivnuts which can be purchased from VW. Cheers, Scott

The pic is not his car, just an ECS stock photo.

[bundabora]

Oh.... silly me... I was thinking about how it obviously has no scratches or hits, he obviously doesn't need it ;-)