davy26

Just found a pin badge to keep me going until these new ones emerge:

Thanks for your input Martin. Pesky item this, since I can easily see that excessive heat could be a problem, yet many people have said that this specific type/extent of crazing results from previously ingressed water. I suspect mine has been made worse by someone trying to cover up 'normal' deterioration without proper prep and with a far too thick new paint layer. It looks as though they did the same thing on the N/S roof channel strip. I've seen that there are some third party rear spoilers currently available, but I don't think the look is as good/suitable if - as I do - you want to maintain the standard styling.

Where's the North West? Walmer is between Dover and Deal. Unfortunately we can see France from here!

Thanks for the comments gents. If I haven't found another by Spring I've been intending to try a very thorough strip/flat and repaint. I looked into wrapping, but a 3M distributor was of the view that the material is not 'thick' enough, ( its only 110 microns) to work on a surface like this where the cracking/pitting is so relatively deep.

I'm still wanting to fit a nicer steering wheel to my Gti and need a donor wheel for Royal to re-trim. One of my sons has found this Audi (TT I think) wheel - does anyone here know please if this wheel is compatible with a MY 2005 Gti? Many thanks. David

On recent summary lists I haven't seen my request - as above - so repeated here in case overlooked. Thanks.

This has a dealer's windscreen price board (£795) in it, but is parked on a private drive.

Thanks for the comment. Paint is really (really!) badly crazed. Good painters are of the view that a repaint will not last long. Regards. David.

Wanted for 2005 MY Lupo Gti: Rear spoiler (black preferred) Battery Cover Any offers or leads appreciated. David

David, 1x black, 1x red. Hope the numbers stack up.

SDI spotted today.

I own a 2005 MY Lupo Gti from Japan. The underside does indeed look very good, though I plan to have it Dinitroled as both my sons want to keep it in the family long term. Presumably it won't be too long before this source of cars dries up, but, currently, there are no less than seven Gtis on the Japanese auction website via Buyee. I think people who - like me - get mad for a Gti don't care where the car originates from, (just finding a late one with lowish mileage is hard enough), and there are pros/cons for either European or Japan sourcing. But my experience so far is that things like handbook/service record, heated seat, DAB head are all easily dealt with.

I would order one - maybe two - if you do.

I tried several different locksmiths and 'specialists,' but with no success. After a few weeks of research and abortive attempts I found the only solution was indeed to have a new key/transponder from a VW Retailer. Expensive, I agree, but imagine how much far greater cost and hassle you could incur if you lost/broke your one-and-only. Mine is a Japan import so there is the added complication of the remote frequency mismatch, but that's not critical - having the correctly coded transponder certainly is.

Thanks gents, I had in fact already been in touch with Levi. I have also now got better advice and have got the problem into better perspective. I'm going to monitor the patch and if it appears to be developing, I've got an ally-appropriate repair process ready to apply in the Spring. I think I was spooked at first as I'm always saying how good cars have been since the Nineties in terms of corrosion resistance, and I'd had little personal experience of corrosion on aluminium, (though lots with rusting steel, having worked for Alfa Romeo in the Seventies/Eighties!)

As at late May I had quite a list, (but maybe Winterstoke meanwhile addressed the issues), but if you're happy with it I'd suggest observing the old adage, 'Ignorance is bliss,' - there was nothing life-threatening anyway.

I considered that one a couple of months back, but left it because of the number of things needing attention whilst being offered at a top-condition price. I trust you'll have bought at the right price and will be able to sort the various issues without difficulty or undue expense. Though I eventually bought a black example - a colour I especially like - this one does look good in the photographs and I hope you'll have lots of fun with it.

https://volkswagen-motorsport.com/index.php?id=2348&L=1

Anyone have any experience/wisdom regarding corrosion affecting one of the ally panels please? There is a small (less than 1 cm) patch on one of mine. My best local bodyshop says leave it, it's unlikely to develop much and would do so only very slowly. And I read elsewhere that the corrosion process creates aluminium oxide, a hard material which protects the metal from further corrosion, (sounds too good to be true?). Currently the work necessary to deal with this is pretty extensive - as much as would be the case if the affected area was much bigger, so there's a case for watching and waiting. But, equally, if a good solution would be a 'new' door, I'd best do this sooner rather than later as the supply of these from breakers progressively diminishes. My car is in nice condition generally, 2005 MY and 61,000 miles and I plan to keep it long term and aim towards a concours condition. What would you do?

I gather they can supply donor wheels, but (logically) only for makes/models where they regularly are asked to do an upgrade, (like common old BMWs). I could remove mine and send it, but I'd not be keen on being unable to drive the car for a couple of weeks. The only drawback with the 'Royal Solution' is that they can't reduce the diameter - surely the car would feel much better with a 320 mm or 300 mm wheel?

Thanks Martin and I'm pleased that's the case - more tasteful in my view.

Yes, I'd like to know too, but from a pragmatic point of view I think Reedo is probably right. I had a similar wish to know the correct colour for the Bathursts - some say Avus Silver, but I was not able to confirm. My excuse is I'm pedantic, retired, have time on my hands, and used to work for car manufacturers, so have a natural affinity for factory-spec: what's yours? (!)

I'm planning to do this on my Gti when I can get a donor wheel to send away to http://royalsteeringwheels.com/vw/ They have quoted me as follows: Full modification (Thicker, Thumb grips added + Flat bottom), Smooth leather all around, Red stitching The price would be 205GBP + 9.99Postage (Parcelforce next day recorded) and we would need 1-2 weeks to do so. Worth it I think because the look/feel of the wheel is a big part of the driving experience and there are too many complications in swopping for something like a Momo because of the air bag considerations. The standard wheel in the Gti looks OK but is very skinny.

I'm about to have the calipers on my 2005 MY Gti repainted. I haven't been able to find a contemporary photo of a Gti when new clearly showing whether or not these originally featured any kind of decal. This supplier - http://www.brakecaliperdecals.co.uk/VW-Decals/VW-GTI-Brake-Caliper-Decals - offers a 'GTI' version, but I wouldn't apply if they don't reflect original spec. Any guidance please?