My other German fling: Mk6 GTI

[Lucas_R]

Easy on the Octavia -assume Golf is similar.

on Octavia:
Remove the end plate of the dash on the LHS to allow access to the single glove box screw underneath.
Remove the 3 top glovebox screws inside the glovebox & 2x bottom screws outside the glovebox.
Remove glovebox - disconnect glovebox light wiring.
Remove HVAC outlet (1 screw)
Remove fan connector wiring
Twist & remove fan (no screws usually, just a locator tab)

15m removal, 20m cleaning, 20m refit.

Thanks for the info Brad - ill look at doing this over the next few weeks. The car is currently on jack stands in my shed, so a perfect time to do the a/c fan....but there is bugger all room on the passenger side to open the door. So it will have to wait until i get my ECU back and can roll the car out into the driveway.

I'm biased Lucas, but if you vaguely recall my red GTI I fitted charcoal OZs - it was actually a white GTI in the USA that swung me over as below. Might be more than you're willing to spend, but sensational wheel and suits the white beautifully.

Hi mate - yes i do remember your MK6. I see you have a MK7 on order now - nice. Yes those rims are classic and classy - i like them. There is actually a rim made by VMR that is very similar to those, and ive been eyeing them off. See here: Velocity Motoring -- Wheels

The others i really like are these: Velocity Motoring -- Wheels and these will be easy to clean too. I really like a clean 5 spoke design - always have.

[Dutch77]

Hi mate - yes i do remember your MK6. I see you have a MK7 on order now - nice. Yes those rims are classic and classy - i like them. There is actually a rim made by VMR that is very similar to those, and ive been eyeing them off. See here: Velocity Motoring -- Wheels

The others i really like are these: Velocity Motoring -- Wheels and these will be easy to clean too. I really like a clean 5 spoke design - always have.

Yep, circumstances changed family wise so the modded GTI had to go.. but got bored and decided a new GTI would fix that. Sold the idea on the basis the pram fits in the back more easily than in the wife's Polo.

The VMR wheels always look good and are sharply priced. Both of your selections would suit, I did have my heart set at one point on the V710s - probably overplayed in black these days, but the charcoal on white will always work and look fresh - especially in your choices.

Look forward to the progress in your build, I wish I was 1% as useful as you in doing this kinda work.. (although am staying stock this time around!).

[Lucas_R]

I guess i better order some lowered springs now, otherwise it will look like a 4WD with the new rims.

New rims chosen.

Type: VMR V705,
Specs: 18 x 8.0 ET45
Colour: Gunmetal

Tyres: Michelin Pilot Sport 3
Size: 225/40/18

[andrew7]

Good choice Lucas. The link you provided is the manufacturer- where do you source these here and at what $? (I'm in Vic and am tossing up a set a new rims for my CW GTI - currently with detroits which i don't love- to stop me buying an MK7 GTI/R for another year or 2!) Might need new tyres soon as well so recommendation for those would be great too.

[Lucas_R]

Good choice Lucas. The link you provided is the manufacturer- where do you source these here and at what $? (I'm in Vic and am tossing up a set a new rims for my CW GTI - currently with detroits which i don't love- to stop me buying an MK7 GTI/R for another year or 2!) Might need new tyres soon as well so recommendation for those would be great too.

There are several dealers of the VMR wheels in Australia. I got mine from BMR Autowerks in Sydney, but i understand Tyrepower in Hawthown is also a VMR reseller. The 18"s are around $1300-1400. For 19"s add another $100-200.

As for tyres, depends largely on your budget, but i would suggest between $200-250 each for good tyres. I chose Goodyear F1 Assymetric 2 which won the MOTOR tyre test in 2012 and came second in 2013 - good tyres. These were $240 each.

Another good tyre is the Hankook Ventus Evo 2 - they don't rate as highly as the Goodyear's, but they are still good and also a bit cheaper (around $200 each).

[guile]

nice work mate, great to see your usual high standards of work and dedication going in to the gti.

i was just about to ask where you are getting the rims from and then i read above. i'm contemplating shipping some vmr 708's across the pond from ecs.

i look forward to your feedback on the quality of vmr wheels before i place my order, keep up the good work...

[guile]

ps any idea what federal 595rpm's are like as a tyre. they have a utqg of 160 so i'm guessing they are pretty soft and sticky...

[Lucas_R]

I'll let you know about the quality - but the VMR's are quite popular in the Euro world and i haven't come across any negative info re quality.

Those Federals didn't rate well in the 2013 MOTOR magazine tyre test (actually they came last). Probably best to avoid them: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showpost.php?p=812907

ps any idea what federal 595rpm's are like as a tyre. they have a utqg of 160 so i'm guessing they are pretty soft and sticky...

[team_v]

I'll let you know about the quality - but the VMR's are quite popular in the Euro world and i haven't come across any negative info re quality.

Those Federals didn't rate well in the 2013 MOTOR magazine tyre test (actually they came last). Probably best to avoid them: Scion FR-S Forum | Subaru BRZ Forum | Toyota 86 GT 86 Forum | AS1 Forum - FT86CLUB - View Single Post - MOTOR Magazine 2013 Tyre Test

Weird, i haven't heard of any issues on FWD cars with the 595 RSR's.

[brad]

Weird, i haven't heard of any issues on FWD cars with the 595 RSR's.

595RSR aren't same as 595RPM (stupid Federal naming conventions). RSR are a pretty good tyre from what I've heard.

[BLN355]

Nice wheel choice mate. They'll look the business on the GTI. You'll definitely need some lows though

[andrew7]

Thanks lucas!

[guile]

I'll let you know about the quality - but the VMR's are quite popular in the Euro world and i haven't come across any negative info re quality.

Those Federals didn't rate well in the 2013 MOTOR magazine tyre test

cool, thanks mate. i just ordered a set so i guess i'll find out about the quality myself. thanks for the tip on the tyres too, i think i'll look elsewhere.

do you know if the wheel centre caps are interchangeable for the oem ones? i.e can i swap the vmr bagded centre caps for some audi 4 rings of vw in your case...

[Lucas_R]

Nice wheel choice mate. They'll look the business on the GTI. You'll definitely need some lows though

Yep - springs aren't far away.

Thanks lucas!

Not a worry

cool, thanks mate. i just ordered a set so i guess i'll find out about the quality myself. thanks for the tip on the tyres too, i think i'll look elsewhere.

do you know if the wheel centre caps are interchangeable for the oem ones? i.e can i swap the vmr bagded centre caps for some audi 4 rings of vw in your case...

Apparently they are made to accept the OEM centre cap, so you can use the VMR centre cap, or change it to your Audi cap.

[Lucas_R]

Another busy week with the GTI the past few days.

ECU is on its way back from DNA in Melbourne with a tune on it Cant wait to get some boost into this thing.

Front disks machined, hubs painted, new Remsa pads fitted. Brake calipers given a very thorough cleaning (they were filthy with black brake dust). Lower control arms removed, replaced factory crappy bushing with solid bushing. Control arms replaced with all new bolts from ECS Tuning.

Also fitted new Spul Engineering (SPULEN) dog bone mount to tighten up the engine movement.








Side skirt things and undertray removed. Front inner wheel liner removal and everything degreased and pressure cleaning until squeaky clean. Everything under the car given a thorough degreasing and blasting with my Gerni.

Yes im a little bit OCD








Rear brakes machined, hubs painted, new Remsa pads fitted. Brake calipers given a very thorough cleaning (not as dirty as the front ones were).