Alex's Jetta

[maca]

While it may not be the most desirable of cars (especially for people around my age), I've managed to turn my Jetta completely upside down from what it was when I first bought it as a demo back in February. Here's my story:


24th February 2009, 4.00pm. Delivery from Southport Volkswagen.
Was so stoked that day!! Finally got my new baby after only a week of signing up for her. I was convinced that I didn't want to mod the car at all, after all, I didn't want to toy with perfection.....

After a while I noticed the amount of... Erm... Higher aged people driving Jettas (particularly TDI's). So I started thinking of ways to make it more suitable to my age.

1: The grill conversion from chrome to Deep Black:



2: The rims:


I then felt the need to make my car faster (in reverse); so I created a speed hole in the rear bumper:


Yeah I was pretty annoyed, but it gave me an excuse to finally get that GLI valance from the USA I wanted...

3: My Jetta went from being a TDI to a TDI with the help of Harding Performance. While it was a little pricey, I love every second of the upgrade and haven't looked back since

Fourth: I was tired of having the white headlights break up the front of the car so much, so with the year's tax return; I bought some HID reps from TM Tuning:

[maca]

5: My car finally went under the knife to repair the rear bumper and install the GLI valance. While I was there, I bought some GTI side skirts and had them installed also. I was tossing up whether to get those parts matched but I'm glad I didn't, the money simply wasn't worth it on a black car considering it matches anyway.

After I had the new bumper extension installed, I had a gaping hole for where my exhaust tips should be. So off to Right Price down at Springwood to have some tips welded on.

And finally; 6: Today it happened - I got it lowered. It's only a 35mm drop but it has the effect I want as well as slightly improved performance (not my first priority).

My car is now officially completed and this is the final result: (sorry about the blurry photos)

Ps. The car was horrible dusty after the storm today so I plan on getting some better shots next week when I've got the good camera, my tripod and an awesome day






While I say my car is "finished"; there are still a few small things I want to do e.g. I've ordered a TDI badge on eBay and I might get some smoked side indicator housing. Mainly smaller, more inexpensive things to satisfy my Dub Addiction.
This just marks the end of all my major modifications.

[vectorskink]

looks hot! Well done mate!

How's the fuel consumption going on your ECU upgrade?

[maca]

looks hot! Well done mate!

How's the fuel consumption going on your ECU upgrade?

Thanks mate

Honestly, I can see a difference with the ECU upgrade. But it'll probably drop when I calm down a little

[faisan]

Looks good!

Are you going to remove the chrome trim from the front bumper as well now since you have painted the centre chrome grill black?

How much were the headlights?

[maca]

Looks good!

Are you going to remove the chrome trim from the front bumper as well now since you have painted the centre chrome grill black?

How much were the headlights?

Thanks - I think I'm going to leave the chrome as it matches the window surround and the rims, just to break it up a little.

The headlights (IIRC) were $680 to my door..

[Cam]

Great story


Love the drop, its made a huge difference.
Now it doesn't look like a 4x4 Jetta

[Rickardo]

Alex,

Done a great job.

How do you find the HID reps. what sort of bulbs are you using with them. have you noticed any improvements?

I compromised xenons as I could not wait 12 weeks for delivery, but now I wish I did.

[neil]

Now looks like an FSI/TSI from the rear.

I have found the opposite to you , young people driving the Jetta and
older driving the golf to collect there milk from the corner store and
older again with cardigans driving the Passat.

I take it you have decided not to sell her.

[maca]

Alex,

Done a great job.

How do you find the HID reps. what sort of bulbs are you using with them. have you noticed any improvements?

I compromised xenons as I could not wait 12 weeks for delivery, but now I wish I did.

At the moment i'm running the stock H7 bulbs for both high and main beams. I might take the plunge and buy some of those fancy Philips bulbs soon.. And no real imrpovements, only difference now is that there's a cut off point for the spread (due to the projector lense). Light output is the same...

Now looks like an FSI/TSI from the rear.

I have found the opposite to you , young people driving the Jetta and
older driving the golf to collect there milk from the corner store and
older again with cardigans driving the Passat.

I take it you have decided not to sell her.

Yep nah decided against selling her, grown too attached to it!


And really? Perhaps i should come to where you live and chill with the Jetta drivers there!

[team_v]

Looks pretty ace, loving the blacked out front grill.
I would go whole hog on it and black everything out (all chrome window surrounds and front bumper inserts)

It still looks pretty high after a 35mm drop, i guess it at a useable height now though, if you went much lower, you might have issues if you load the car up.

[Dubdabest]

You forgot to camouflage the number plate on the last few photos

[maca]

It still looks pretty high after a 35mm drop, i guess it at a useable height now though, if you went much lower, you might have issues if you load the car up.

It still is hight, but doing 50mm would cost a lot more as you'd have to do more than simply change the springs. That and as you've said, it's still practical at this height...

You forgot to camouflage the number plate on the last few photos

Nah I didn't, I think my car's recogniseable regardless of whether I mask the pates or not.. Thanks though

[GoLfMan]

looks good dude but..............















needs to be lower (just until there isnt any more tyre gap then I swear I'll leave you alone )

[GoLfMan]

It still is hight, but doing 50mm would cost a lot more as you'd have to do more than simply change the springs. That and as you've said, it's still practical at this height...

nah bro, I've got 75mm drop springs in my thing

I'd still say its practical, I dont scrape anywhere