BUILD RedBeard’s 2018 GTI

[Mook]

Shouldn't be any different. Theres probably a premade whatcha call it for it.

 

[RedBeard]

There is. I’m just a cheap fuck and didn’t want to spend $3 on it.

 

[Mook]

I have a ton of credits.

 

[Jimbo]

I don't hate it, my mode button will be yellow, I have auto start-stop disabled so that's yellow, and steering wheel heater is yellow when on.

 

[RedBeard]

Knocked out the DSG and VAQ diff services today.

Took about 4.5 hours with an hour of that being getting the car up on 4 jack stands high enough for me to get under and with the car level.

Trans was surprisingly easy to do. The diff made a nice mess when the bag I had to direct the oil fell and then it dumped all over the subframe.

Looks like I have a bit of an oil leak. Not exactly sure what the culprit is but I’ll probably call the dealer next week as I think the car is still under warranty.

 

[Dan00Hawk]

I recall being told my 2017 had a mild rear main seal leak that is quite common.

 

[RedBeard]

This one appears to be near the HPFP. I guess I could have pulled the engine cover off to investigate. But this is a reason to bring it on and then they can check the water pump/t-stat housing again.

 

[Mook]

Vacuum pump likely. I had the same issue.

 

[RedBeard]

Vacuum pump likely. I had the same issue.

This was it, as well as the PCV breather setup on top the valve cover was leaking oil.

Then they found the coolant reservoir cap doesn’t hold pressure. Perhaps that’s the coolant smell but I still suspect the water pump is leaking a bit and then burning off on the block.

Also getting the shifter bezel trim piece replaced via the recall. No more slicing my hand open reaching in the storage cubby.

 

[RedBeard]

Finally got around to installing the EMD lowering springs. Very impressed with the ride quality of these. Hasn’t stopped raining since I’ve installed them so here’s a work parking lot pic. The black VW Motorsport wheels are at Discount Tire now getting new tires and those will go on this weekend. Alignment scheduled for next week.

 

[RedBeard]

With the wheel spacers I did have some rubbing so had to go in and removed the fender liner screw and plastic insert and bend the tab up and tuck the liner behind it.

 

[Mook]

Finally got around to installing the EMD lowering springs. Very impressed with the ride quality of these. Hasn’t stopped raining since I’ve installed them so here’s a poorly parking lot pic. The black VW Motorsport wheels are at Discount Tire now getting new tires and those will go on this weekend. Alignment scheduled for next week.

View attachment 162027

Looks great! Glad someone besides me likes the ride quality.

blue-sun

 

[RedBeard]

Only thing I noticed different was more tire impact noise when driving over joined pieces of cement/asphalt. After doing the fender screw mod I hit some RR crossings at normal/full speed and car handled that like stock.

 

[Mook]

If you didnt change anything with the strut towers, you'll get more noise. Mine sound like my front end is gonna explode b/c theyre worn out.

 

[blue-sun]

mine was noisy as hell.

**I** didn't hate the ride quality.

Wife/kids all hated how much more stiff it was.

I honestly felt bad for the dog who would go for a ride once a month to the groomers in the back of my GTI. I could see her bouncing all around in the hatch. For the sake of all 4 females, I went back to stock.

Loved the look of car on the springs though.

 

[RedBeard]

If you didnt change anything with the strut towers, you'll get more noise. Mine sound like my front end is gonna explode b/c theyre worn out.

Yeah slight concern over that. Thankfully wasn’t too hard to pull the struts and I bought a spring compressor so if need be I can replace them.

 

[RedBeard]

Got a fresh set of Yokohama Advan Apex V601s on the summer wheels. I really don’t like these wheels but was too poor to get a different set so new tires went on these. Would really like to get a 5-7 spoke white or silver wheel for the car. Maybe next year.

 

[RedBeard]

 

[RedBeard]

Bullshit afternoon showers trying to make me have to wash the car again before cars and coffee Sunday. Not today rain!

 

[RedBeard]

Guess I could also post better pictures with the summer wheels and the lowering springs.

 

[RedBeard]

Ok maybe blue-sun wasn’t being a baby. Have been in town for all of a couple hours and the car feels crashy over bumps/cracks in the roads here vs what I remember last time in town on the stock springs.

I guess I take for granted how impeccable the roads are by my house.

 

[Mook]

This is year... 2? Dropped. Doesn't bother me and my mom routinely rides with me to my sisters and she's never complained once.

 

[blue-sun]

This is year... 2? Dropped. Doesn't bother me and my mom routinely rides with me to my sisters and she's never complained once.

Golf R is heavier than GTI. Perhaps the spring rates or struts are beafier than ours.

 

[PJx5x]

Ok maybe blue-sun wasn’t being a baby. Have been in town for all of a couple hours and the car feels crashy over bumps/cracks in the roads here vs what I remember last time in town on the stock springs.

I guess I take for granted how impeccable the roads are by my house.

You complain about everything in a car tho

 

[RedBeard]

I didn’t even know this kit was a thing. This seems crazy for only $1500 plus a TCU tune and spark plugs. ~400whp with stock exhaust and fueling.

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