davy26

Thanks Martin, that's very helpful. I looked into Janspeed a few months back and at that time it didn't appear that they were still making for the Lupo. I will try again as I believe theirs retained the central, twin tail pipe configuration which, to me, is an essential part of the Gti's distinctive 'look.' By the way, I didn't say the Up! has NO character, just that I feel the Lupo has significantly more. I had two Ups and liked their convenience, efficiency and quality. But I do feel that VW almost went out of its way at the time of its launch to make ordering a Gti for a reasonably timely delivery date almost impossible - and I still feel it very poor that for months on end it was impossible to get a demo in my neck of the woods, (East Kent; edge of the earth I know, but there's a rumour that we're getting upgraded to double-speed dial-up Internet next year!) D

Exactly right Andrew. I'm lucky enough to have driven a great many sports/performance/supercars during my working career and nowadays find the Gti quick enough for my purposes on public roads. However, all the recent activity around hybrids and electric cars has concentrated my mind on the unpleasant fact that the demise of the IC-engined car culture with which I grew up and have enjoyed for decades, is now a forthcoming reality, not just something theoretical, which we hoped might never actually come about. And, to me, a big part of enjoying cars is the way an engine responds both in terms of performance and the noise it makes. So I'd just like to hear my Gti emitting something a bit more fruity! That said, one of the things I most like about owning a Lupo, as opposed to the Up Gti I had planned to buy, is that we have a 4 cylinder, atmospheric engine with good throttle response and a range of characteristics which can't be matched by a little, turbocharged 3 cylinder.

Finally got round to rejuvenating my calipers. Next, I'd like to have a more assertive (but not silly!) exhaust note. Would anyone recommend, (from their own personal experience), just a plain pipe to replace the centre section please? (And any known-good specialist workshops in the South East for this). Thanks.

Yes - mine showed up on Monday - and the quality is very good. 🙂

Ouch! Commiserations Frank - hope you don't find anymore of this and repairs will not be too laborious/expensive. Good luck. D

Close encounter this morning in my Gti with this Lupo in Thanet. In very nice condition, but I'm never sure if this colour is Sage or Fresco (?)

This is from my 2006-registered Black Gti. I have replaced it as I'm trying to perfect the car and this original spoiler had been repainted at some time in the past with too much paint being applied, leading to deep crazing of the paint film surface. As it is now, the upper surface has been partially prepared for repainting, but will need further work to achieve a good, smooth surface - please see photographs to appreciate the nature/extent of the imperfections, especially on the left hand side of the spoiler. Apart from the surfaces, everything else is in very sound, undamaged condition. I am looking for £85 and believe the postage would be around £15. Located near Deal, Kent.

Thanks for your interest. See below a pic of the underside prior to the application of Dinitrol RC 800/900 and 4941B:

Just had my Gti Dinitrolled, in the course of which all the underfloor rubber bungs were found to be relatively perished and possibly insecure. Luckily Lugogtiboy (thanks Martin) previously provided us with a very helpful relevant post - - enabling part number identifications. I was pleased to find that all that I needed were available and in UK stock. To confirm the general view about the ex-Japan cars, the sub-contractor found virtually no underbody deterioration despite the 13 years since first registration.

See separate post

I looked into this source previously and also contacted the suppliers in Germany - at which time nothing was actually available. The look of these non-factory items is also, to me, not 'right,' especially if you like to preserve originality in the car.

VAT inclusive = £359.96. 6E0 827 933 D GRU. Ouch, but used are hard to find and usually need a lot of remedial work. In the end, with my car mostly 90 - 95%, I've thought the expense justified, especially as I managed to negotiate a really good discount.

Received my replacement spoiler today. In case in might help someone looking to remove/refurbish theirs, here's what the back of a brand new one looks like ex-factory:

VAT inclusive = £359.96. 6E0 827 933 D GRU. Ouch, but used are hard to find and usually need a lot of remedial work. In the end, with my car mostly 90 - 95%, I've thought the expense justified, especially as I managed to negotiate a really good discount.