NSW Hi, my name is Paul, I'm a volksaholic that has relapsed

[t_tuffnut]

Hi everyone,

First post on a new forum - exciting stuff.

After spending a few years building up a 1966 beetle, I made the decision last year to let it go and buy something a bit more comfortable as a daily drive.

I then bought a 97 WRX hatch, which is fun, but the coil overs and crap coastie roads make it a bit bouncy for taking the family out for a spin. (It's for sale, if anyone is interested)

2 Weeks ago, I returned to the VW fold by buying a silver 2003 Bora 4 motion from a fellow enthusiast in sydney. The car needs some new clear coat on the roof and a bit of a detailing, but over all it is an amazing car. Heaps of grunt, very smooth and it has the feeling of quality to it that can be very elusive in cars under 10K. The wife has even started talking about selling her beloved 07 outback to buy another bora for herself.

So I have spent every free moment since looking at instructional videos on youtube and browsing for parts on ebay. I'm glad to have made the move from air to water cooled, but I think I'll need to call on the brains trust from time to time as all those wires and electrical gadgets under the bonnet look a bit complicated at the moment.

I'll post some pics when I put them on the PC.

Cheers
Paul

[t_tuffnut]

Here are a few pics - some of you may recognise it.

I'm not keen on the lights and am on the look out for a stock set. The seller also gave me a 2nd complete new set of headlights and tail lights in the same style. I have the old headlights, which have yellowed, but they can be cleaned and reinstalled. Still after the tail lights though - I'll try on here after I get my posts up a bit.

So far,
Bought and installed a new shift gator, switching over the knobs to keep the wood grain one. New side indicators, new clip for the hand rest - just little things I can knock over in 10 - 20 mins.

On the cards for further work is;

New aerial - the one it has is a bit busted and someone super glued it to the roof
Respray roof, rear bar, full body buff etc - should come up like new
Professional Interior detailing - I've buggered up a few interiors with over zealous use of armor all, so I'll leave this to the pros.
Stereo need rewiring - after market unit loses all power when car is off and you lose your place in the tracks (Surprisingly annoying)
Perhaps a meatier exhaust - it sounds good when it is being caned, but I would like a bit more growl at idle.

It already had bilsteins installed - but someone suggested some low King spring coils and front/rear sway bars for less roll when cornering - thoughts?

[anthony]

Great looking Bora ,but I am also not a fan of the rear lights , the stock ones look WAY better

[Back Door Shenanigans.]

Great looking Bora ,but I am also not a fan of the rear lights , the stock ones look WAY better

Agreed, They look like the passat lights which were really off putting. I have a stock headunit going for cheap if you wish to go back to OEM instead of the aftermarket one. Just be warned that aftermarket ones can cause a whole heap of issues aswell. I would say that they have wired it incorrectly as i remember with my headunit the red (constant 12v) and yellow (switched power) are the opposite way around which would probably explain why it turns off with the key.

I also have a set of stock tails going cheap! Send me a PM and we can sort something out.

Have fun with it! plenty of nice mods and info around.

Also might be worth checking out vortex, Alot of info there.
VWVortex.com - MK4Forum Essentials - DIY / FAQ & Resources Guide

[t_tuffnut]

Thanks for the tip - I'll check out vw vortex too.

The previous owner gave me all the original parts - stereo, headlights, just not the rear lights unfortunately.

I bought a pair of stock tail lights on ebay and picked them up on wednesday - just tried fitting them only to find out that the wiring harness is different. The after market lights are all hard wired together to a single plug that goes into the large flat plug from the car.

Any ideas where I can get an original wiring harness for the rear tail lights from? I tried ebay, but musn't have used the correct search terms.

[beatle boy]

Thanks for the tip - I'll check out vw vortex too.

The previous owner gave me all the original parts - stereo, headlights, just not the rear lights unfortunately.

I bought a pair of stock tail lights on ebay and picked them up on wednesday - just tried fitting them only to find out that the wiring harness is different. The after market lights are all hard wired together to a single plug that goes into the large flat plug from the car.

Any ideas where I can get an original wiring harness for the rear tail lights from? I tried ebay, but musn't have used the correct search terms.

Hi there, I'm not sure if you are aware but just an hour or so south of Gosford in western Syd we have a few wreckers that are very reasonable Matt at Camden GTI 02 46273072 is a good bloke and I have found the guys at ATWINS in Girraween 02 9896 3233 great to deal with as well, I hope you can find your harness soon .
Cheers Kyle.

[Fatherless One]

Welcome, and nice clean Bora, but yeah the tails look a bit "jap".

everyone has an opinion lol.

Again, welcome.