Button's Polo

[Button]

G'day Guys,

I bought my Black 2008 Polo GTI about a year now from Corey_R on this forum, so I reckon it’s been long enough for me to post something up.

Here's a phone pic;

[IMG][/IMG]

I had a MKV Golf GTI DSG before this, but wanted to free up some cash when I went back to uni. The Polo had the APR flash when I bought it, and I was amazed by the difference between the cars straight away. Compared to the Golf, it felt far more manic, and at least felt much faster. The Golf, which was stock, was a great car, but didn’t have the urgency of the tuned Polo. I managed to walk away from the change of cars being far better off financially, and just as pleased with the Polo as I had been with the Golf (sure beats a Corolla, which I was looking at).

After having the car for a few months, the massive wheel gap started to get to me. I was going to go coilovers, but Derek at European Autotech gave me a good price on an H&R Cup Kit (that’s what he called it, it’s H&R Springs on Bilstein Struts), that someone had left him hanging on. If you’re on the north side of Sydney, I’d really recommend him. The prices I’ve been paying for services have been less than half of the VW dealership, and I really feel like my car is being taken care of.

[IMG][/IMG]

The new suspension made a world of difference to the look of the car. It isn’t ridiculously low, I would have dropped it more if it had been on coils, but I still love it. In terms of handling, I’m probably not a good enough driver to be able to tell the difference too much, however, the front end feels much more planted when taking off hard, and the car does feel less flighty overall.

If anyone's interested, here's a pic of the drop at the back;

[IMG][/IMG]

I’m constantly thinking of upgrading to Stage II, haha, it consumes me sometimes! I’d love to be able to get the APR downpipe, but it does seem like a lot of money for something I can get fabricated. I might also look at ordering the Seat Intake part… we’ll see.

One thing I am unsure about, is the difference between the stage I and stage II APR flash. When you get the APR downpipe of exhaust, you get the free upgrade. Would I actually need this if I had a custom downpipe fabricated, or is it just APR marketing?

I’m also after a different set of wheels, just to make the car look a little bit more ‘mine’. I might pop something up in the WTB section at some stage, but I’ll just keep an eye out for the moment. There was a bloke with 16” Oz Supers who posted them up a while back. I’ve dropped him a PM, but haven’t heard anything. I’d much prefer an actual size upgrade to 17”s, but I’ve always loved Supers.


The forum's been a great help guys, seems like a really nice Polo community!

Cheers,

Bob

[seangti]

welcome. Long overdue to come say g'day.

I'm going to sound like an a55hole without intending to do so, but if you don't notice the improvement in handling between stock and bilstein "I’m probably not a good enough driver to be able to tell the difference", is adding more power wise?? You'll have to be more careful with throttle application due to the increased power. You've got the right set-up to handle the power (see my signature )

Stage II isn't just a downpipe. To reach stage II is typically air intake, diverter valve, turbo intake pipe, dump pipe, front mount and the associated tune. Corey may have done some of these mods already, he was quite active on here so wouldn't be surprised. I've just added the air intake on the weekend, and that's a nice little improvement over standard intake.

[s4mmie]

I recently upgraded my exhaust from the downpipe back. I highly recommend it, there's quite a large gain in power and not just a placebo effect. I have a Milltek system but would def go APR next time. If you get a dp fabricated, try to get them to copy the APR design with the flexi down low. The Milltek has it just after the turbo flange and it's way too tight a fit between the engine and firewall, I had to modify the heatshield in the area and I'm still not 100% happy (I think I'll trim it when I have it off next).

Also if it's chipped I highly recommend upgrading your diverter. I have the APR R1 which is great, the Forge ones also have good reviews and are cheaper. My DV was checked and working fine when I had it chipped, but I changed it over recently and it honestly feels like a good 20hp was unleashed on the butt-dyno!

I like the Seat intake as it looks stock but I don't think it does much on its own.

[Button]

Hey Guys,

I did the suspension pretty early on before I’d really gotten to know the stock suspension, I’m sure the difference would be far more noticeable to me now if had a drive of a stocky.

This was an interim car for Corey, while he waited on his R, so it just had the tune. It all comes down to coin for me, so I think that the downpipe + intake should be at the top of the list, haha, but open to suggestions!

Good info on the downpipe, and interesting about the diverter valve. I knew that they often needed replacement, but didn’t realise that the aftermarket one would actually perform that much better.

Did you upgrade your software when you did the exhaust?

[seangti]

As you've got the tune, my money would be on air intake, turbo intake and diverter valve. These will certainly add to the driveability of the car. If you're on the standard DV, you may find that it's not holding boost. The way it boosts will certainly be different with a new DV.

Then I'd go dump pipe - which is the stage I'm now at so am weighing up if I go this far, might as well do front mount to round it off. Vicious circle

A retune is really only beneficial once all the above (incl FMIC) is done.

[s4mmie]

I haven't upgraded the software yet, but I asked James at HP and was told that because I hadn't purchased the APR exhaust that to sort the tune out would be $250. I was and still am a bit confused when the APR website states: "All APR chip software comes with lifetime free upgrades." But no worries, the APR intercooler is next on my list and they said they'd work something out when it's all fitted.

[Buller_Scott]

post pics!!!

[noone]

The only tunes from APR that I know of are the Stage 1, version 1 and 2 (different boost style), the K04 which I think of as the Polo stage 2 and the BT tune.

More than happy to be told otherwise.

[Button]

I'm leaning towards a custom downpipe. Mainly because I'd like the car to have a little bit more of a rumble.

I know that if I was after noise I should go a full system, but would I be correct in assuming that a downpipe would give me a slightly deeper/louder note?

I'd like the APR system, but it really does seem like Moet while I'm currently on a VB budget.

Has anyone had a bad experience with getting a custom downpipe? Surely if I went to a reputable place it would be as good as the off-the-shelf system?!

[VWindahouse]

Hi and welcome!

I can vouch for a custom 2.5" DP, made for about $600 at a APR dealer in Brisbane. It produced a huge power gain coupled with a FMIC and stage II tune. Over 30hp atw from memory. And yes you're spot on in relation to the sound with a deep burble yet not loud at all. Just right imo.

There is a picture of it clearly showing it's design somewhere at the begining of my project thread in my sig.

Also if you are planning on going to a stage II tune the forge DV's have an advantage in that you can tune it with a spring kit to match the boost level of the tune to really maximise the tune. I really felt a huge increase in power when I changed to the correct rated spring.

Good luck with the modding and for the love of God post some pics

[Button]

Thanks for the info guys.

Downpipe is definitely at the top of the list now once exams are finished at the end of the month. And $600 sounds far more reasonable!

Noone, I saw that you got yours from Castle Hill Exhaust, you'd go there again?

Also, apart from 2.5", are there any other specific specs that I should be asking them for?

[bfeboi]

a workmate of mine had his SSV exhaust done at Castle Hill Exhaust. they did a shocking job. not only did they snap an exhaust stud off the head they tried to charge him for their mistake. they didnt use and exhaust gaskets between the flanges which ended up leaking from bolts not being tighten up.

I got my catback done at Performance Exhaust Centre at northmead. Talk to "Hax" (02) 9683 5688. Awesome guy to chat with and does a top quality job. He can tell you stories about cars that have been to other places because they were "cheaper" but end up going to him

I'm not trying to talk crap about Castle hill exhaust, but i have seen their "work" and would recommend Hax instead.

[Giallorosso]

How much did the Bilstein shocks set you back?

I have the H&R springs on stock shocks, think it might be time to upgrade the shocks now.

[noone]

Castle Hill was fine for me, that was around 2 years ago...

I went with them based on recommendations, There is a section you can ask the question and see what people think these days. Also, not a bad idea to look on other Aus car forums for recommendations.

I just asked for a 2.5 dump and to tell me their welding skills were good as I wouldn't be able to see it easily.

I don't see the benefit in paying 2 times as much for something off the shelf, but there may be a difference

[FLYINGTI]

I don't see the benefit in paying 2 times as much for something off the shelf, but there may be a difference

Agreed
Id rather find a good fabricator and get it done, if they know what there doing, it shouldnt make a difference