davy26

Thanks Martin - and Happy New Year, by the way. I'm fully familiar with the codes and how VAG applied them - all I'm wondering is if all ex-Japan Gtis carry a codes label with no reference at all to air-conditioning. It may be that from the outset this was standard equipment on every unit exported to Japan. That being the case, my label would carry acknowledgement of the option by featuring, as it does, the 'umbrella' code, B0L. Thanks for your interest and always helpful attitude, but this was not a problem-generated enquiry and can easily stay as one of automotive life's mysteries! With kind regards.

Thanks - I'd checked them all (and none unclear).

My Gti is MY '05, export new to Japan, and import to UK '18. I've been rechecking my data codes label and find that it doesn't include a code for air conditioning, (which is factory fitted). Just wondering if this is noted on other ex-Japan cars? Usual industry practice - and VW's - would be to code a significant item like this even if another code -B0L ('Japan')- indicates a specific market where it would be a feature of every vehicle imported?

I tolerate some cheeky moss growth on the window rubbers of my Gti, but this 1.0 is having to put up with an infestation of far too much British flora! (Seen at Solley's Farm, Ripple, Kent). 😊😊😊

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