davy26

Good looking Gti posted by Backcarracing on Instagram.

Just for information - I managed to source a replacement (rear) red-painted caliper for my Gti last year from Autodoc, (their article # BHQ137E). (£70 + core charge).

I know there's been debate about that previously, and there can be differing views, but I've never seen any downside about the 'import' tag - on the contrary, my own, from Japan, benefits from having an underside that never saw salt until 2018. I've never had any indication that my insurance premiums have been loaded, and the original spec was just as I would have wanted on a European market car, including air conditioning. And you even get the funny little red emergency flare 'missile' under the dash on the left hand side - what more could any Lupo maniac wish for!

Lots of positivity in this, but some idiotic comments displaying sheer ignorance. A 2004 car illustrates the article and it's currently on offer at £9,995 at a Newcastle dealer.

Thanks Rich - good point, but I'm unable to do this myself as I'm currently remote from the car. Just have to keep fingers crossed I suppose! Regards, David 😊😊😊

I'm in need of a replacement trim as I'm having a paint job done that necessitates removing the O/S/R side window - which I'm told always causes the trim to be damaged. Anyone have such a thing or know of a source please? - (I understand it's NLA from VW). Thanks and Regards, David

Thanks for the response - much appreciated. I had already checked just about everywhere and did find one which I'm picking up today. Shortage seems routine with this tyre and I've never been able to get replacements straightway, off the shelf. I know plenty of owners advocate an alternative size/model, but I just like the look of the car on the Proxes - the rear view/stance on 205 together with the centre exhaust tips is to me one of the very best aesthetic things about the Gti. Annoyingly, the one remaining tyre for which I don't yet have a replacement has lots of tread left, but is suffering with the familiar age-related superficial sidewall cracking. Hoping to find one as I'm having my Bathursts powder-coated next month. regards, David

Long shot I know, but does anyone have a new/near new Toyo Proxes TR1 205/45R15 stashed away somewhere please? Always hopeful!

I wanted an Up! Gti in 2018, but couldn't even get a demo at that time down here in the South East. This was after owning a Move and then a High. Luckily, I realised that the Lupo Gti is actually a better car in most respects, and found my current car. It happened that some years previously, I had bought my daughter her first car - a (red) diesel Lupo. She has retained a very fond memory of that car and has recently 'recreated' the experience by replacing her Touran with a . . . red Up! BTW, it's now 55 years since I bought my first car - '55 oval Beetle. Still not sure how I managed to scrape up the £75 I had to pay for that beauty!

Definitely not a nan! Posted by @hillcimb_spirit on Instagram - driven by Florian Arit at Oberhallau.

Thanks Andrew - I meanwhile found what I need with one of the German on-line aftermarket suppliers and resolved my uncertainties about the part numbers involved. Happy Christmas and kind regards, David

KT - My new tyres are marked PXTR1 81V. I was supplied by www.protyre.co.uk and enjoyed very courteous/efficient service from the local branch at Canterbury. Hope this helps. Regards, David

I have recently replaced two of mine with the 205 Proxes (which I think are the best looking option) and against expectation I had no trouble with availability, (received within 2 days), and at £77 each, good value I'd say. 😊

My Gti is 2005 MY, ex-Japan. The offside rear caliper handbrake lever is apparently not returning, leading to continual wear to the outer brake pad. My local garage has been told a new caliper is not available. They are working on part number, 6N0615424A. I have looked at suppliers on-line, but am a bit confused - if anyone here can help with these points, I'd be very grateful: I believe handedness is indicated by the last two digits - 24 = right, 23 = left? My garage has said they've also be quoted 6N0615424B - I'm unable to see what the final character - A or B - indicates As the OE spec was a red painted caliper, is there a part number which is specific for a red-finished item? I have used Autodoc.co.uk recently for a part (window regulator), but wonder if anyone here has a recommendation for a really good aftermarket supplier to the UK? Many thanks. Regards. David