What should I upgrade first?

[Sanka]

I'm looking at upgrading the following parts on my Polo GTI:

• Rims + Rubber
• Brakes
• Suspension
• ECU
• Exhaust

Any advise as to what I should upgrade first? I'm guessing rims, then suspension/brakes, then power. This is my first time at upgrading a car so I've got no practical experience.

[Jarred]

IMO you're pretty spot on there., suspension and brakes are important before any more power. But it's all relavent.

If you only going to upgrade the power a little (extra 10kws or something) the suspension, hec even the brakes will be alright.

But once you start going for some more power, next on my list would be adaquate brakes, the stock ones should be alright, but you can never been too safe.

Rims&rubber are more cosmetic, unless your tyres are bald, which is bad! (of course)

Some popular mods to start off with are exhaust (ie euro down pipes) ECU reflash and CAI/pod filter, these are pretty basic things, that you wouldn't need to upgrade brakes and etc for. I'm sure the polo guys will have better advice, but anyways, that's just my opinion

[Flaps]

ECU
Suspension
Brakes
Exhaust

[Koz]

Personally I would & did go down the ECU route first. It totally transforms the car. Then Id say brakes,suspension,intake & MORE POWAAAAR!! But its all preference aswell.

I absolutely love the GTi rims but just want them an inch bigger. Ive been told bigger is better

[SoVeReIgN]

ECU first - Aslong as you dont intend of fanging it around a track the brakes will be fine.

[RhysQ]

ECU
Suspension
Brakes
Exhaust

spot on there flaps....you will feel very left out without an ecu. no point getting the brakes and suspension unless you really need it. and with the ecu you can still get by fine on stock suspension and brakes. don't look past the ecu as your first upgrade.

Rhys

[VW GTI]

My plan is to do all this at once, but if not, it will be this order:

ECU
Intake + Filter
Downpipe (when the APR one is available)
TIP
Suspension

I'll see how brakes handle the extra power (I won't be tracking it so it's just normal driving). Might replace fluid and pads later.

[Bubu]

I think what you should ask yourself is what do you want from this car? Track (race cars) almost always start with suspension and brakes. Doing suspension first would make the car a lot more fun to drive. I used to have a 1.3L NA Charade with no major work under the bonnet. But the suspension and brakes were upgraded/modified and the car was so much fun to drive even though it lacked the power.

As others here have said, brakes are not bad so unless you really plan to drive it hard you dont really need to spend money on upgrading the brakes. If you do drive it hard then you will start to figure out the weaker spots of the car and in turn upgrade those components to meet your satisfaction.

[insanekiwi]

Just like others have mentioned.

For me:

1) Chip

2) Rear Sway Bar

3) Brake fluid / stainless braided lines / new pads

4) Go with suspension upgrades (like shocks / springs / coil overs) if you want to go down that route (may need front sway bar upgrade depending on lowering height)

5) Seat intake +- filter change

6) TIP


For me I've only gone down to 2nd step, and now have imported braided lines for brakes, and once that's here, I will get step 3 done.

Can't decide about step 4 as comfort is very important for my car, and I do not want to go for just the springs... in that case I will probably go for step 5 and stop it there for now due to warranty purposes.

I am going to extend my warranty for further 3 years once current one finishes next year Feb.

[PeterHBne]

Hey Bubu - you had a Charade too? I had (still do, but decaying the backyard) a G200 with heaps of suspension work and the applause brakes - as you say, heaps of fun. Would out handle PLENTY of high priced machinery.

Would leave a Polo GTI in the weeds through twisties

[Sanka]

I think what you should ask yourself is what do you want from this car? Track (race cars) almost always start with suspension and brakes.

I mainly use the car for cruising + getting to work. I've never taken a car to a track day.

I think ill upgrade the ECU & Suspension first. My previous car was a Cooper S, and I want to get that solid feel back into my car. Also a little more boost will keep me entertained.

I'm going to hold off on the other parts for now. Those oem wheels are also starting to grow on me. Pitty they weren't a little bigger.

[Bubu]

Hey Bubu - you had a Charade too? I had (still do, but decaying the backyard) a G200 with heaps of suspension work and the applause brakes - as you say, heaps of fun. Would out handle PLENTY of high priced machinery.

Would leave a Polo GTI in the weeds through twisties

Yeah, I had a G102 CX for 4 years until I got the Polo. I also did the Applause brake conversion with aftermarket brake rotors.

With the suspension mods I found it to handle better around bends than most cars. Very few would be able to keep up around the corners.

[mitch_gti]

1. Rear sway bar
+
2. upgrade brake pads and fluid
+
3. flash tune.


= Happy days