davy26

Steering wheel to fit 2005 MY Lupo Gti - tatty as you like as I just need one for temporary use while I'm having mine retrimmed.

This was my first dabble with a Lupo - SDI bought for my daughter in 2004, (she loved it). I wonder if X62EKK is still getting in the way of other traffic on our public highways?

I'm not at all dissatisfied with my High - or its predecessor Move - Up! I'm only changing, perhaps a little early, as I was infected with a craze for a Gti when that was announced. My first car was a '55 Beetle and I began my automotive career at BMW in 1971 - most things were still on carburetors in those days and journeys of any distance still a bit of an adventure. I then battled for 13 years at Alfa Romeo at a time when our reputation for quality was, shall we say, somewhat lacking. Perception of quality is subjective, but from my viewpoint the way contemporary cars are specified/put together, and the resulting standards of durability, reliability and comfort/convenience is nothing short of miraculous. I like my High Up! lots, and I'm tempted to hang on to it, but , being retired, both cars could suffer from under-use.

3 door, September 2016, 8,700 miles. £7,300. Well cared for/driven and in excellent condition throughout. Effectively one-owner - it was a Retailer pre-registration which had had no use prior to my ownership. The High spec provides a really good interior with great levels of quality, comfort and convenience. Fuel economy is very good - my overall average is 48 mpg despite mainly local running, and on longer runs I have seen 61 mpg (average). Under warranty until September 2019/60,000 miles. Full VW service history and MOT not due until 29-09-2019. Currently I am sorting my 'new' Lupo Gti, so the Up! will not be available until the end of June, when, if not sold here, I'll be putting it on Autotrader. Meanwhile it's available for evaluation/purchase. Please message me if you're interested - I will send you a full set of photographs.

I didn't think I liked silver, but yours looks great and, I'm sure, is all the better for what you've done since owning it.

Has an 'interesting' plate too.

Yes, the Lupo Gti wheel is fine in its own right, just that something like the High Up! type or a Momo are that bit better, both ergonomically and aesthetically. As I learn more about Lupos I especially liked your post in that it alerted me to the 3L, which had previously escaped my notice. The car itself an interesting concept and I see why you'd like that wheel - it's pretty distinctive. Regards. David

Thanks for your interest. I'll possibly be retaining the original so that I can put the car back to standard in the future. However, if I do decide to sell, I'll let you know. Regards. David

The standard wheel looks fine and suits the overall style of the Lupo interior. Perhaps I'm spoiled by my High Up! - one of the things I most like about it is the quality of the interior and the wheel is especially pleasant - good leather, size OK with the flat bottom/quite chunky grip and visually good with nice stitching. So I'd have liked the Lupo wheel to have a much thicker grip and a smaller diameter, (I'm tall and find there's not much clearance between the bottom of the wheel and my legs.) The 'feel' of the covering is also rather uninspiring; (you can tell I've got time on my hands!). While we're driving we are (or certainly should be!) in contact with the wheel 100% of the time, so I think it's worth seeking to get it absolutely right to our own taste - so I'm allowing myself to be indulgent with a Momo.

Yes, already specified, but thank you kindly for the reminder.

Increasing pleased with Gerti - still less than a week in. Only thing I don't like design/spec-wise is the steering wheel. I'm intending to address that by fitting a Momo Millenium. Body/paint is generally good, but rear spoiler has crazed. The car has all the sort of 'character' which I've been missing in my (albeit very civilised) High Up!

Lupos are very thin on the ground here, (East Kent). However, this one is just around the corner and appears to be unmolested, and, though not one I'd choose myself, is in an unusual and pleasant colour.

Thanks, and yes, I came to that view and booked it in yesterday.

Having had no responses on this - it was a long shot - I have been delving into things with the help of Google and suchlike. As a result I have been able to identify the cambelt field on the standard Volkswagen service sheets used in Japan. So, just in case anyone else has the same query on a car into UK from Japan, I'm attaching a scan of the area of the sheet in which to look for an entry.

Just a rather unpleasant JVC radio/cd player, with no reception at all on MW - need to get a DAB in (am ancient).

Just to confirm Martin has it right: https://bj44.wordpress.com/2011/07/26/jdm-emergency-flare/

Just wondering if someone here might be able to help me please. I have just bought an ex-Japan Gti, registered in 2006 and now 60,000 miles, and I'm not sure what to do about the cambelt - (I'm well aware of all the various arguments and opinions on this topic, especially as I was doing work for Volkswagen Group, 2003-09). My car has got quite a lot of service history documentation, but, naturally, it's all in Japanese. In particular I've 4 service invoices and I'm hoping there might be a member here who speaks Japanese and who might kindly have a look at them and tell me if there's any mention of a cambelt change having been carried out? Any direct help or suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks. David.

I'm doing some model rocketry with one of my sons and grandsons this weekend, so, with caution, we'll also unleash the toob and see what happens - and you'll know the worst if you never see another post from me!

Good idea Saus - and Volkswagen could have an opportunity marketing these as VW Accessories (especially with the Up! model line), with lots of ongoing revenue too with branded lubes!

Thanks Martin - that's helpful. It looks as though it has never been deployed and, by its weight, has contents, but is date stamped for expiry in 2009.

Won't then! Happily, my Gti arrived today and the OE Bathursts are unscuffed and not chipped, so no replacments needed or desirable - I think the design looks just fine on the Gti.

Thanks - you've made me feel foolish. Maybe I am, but I really can't interpret those last two 'pictures.' However, I won't bother you again - sorry.

Thanks for the responses so far. This what I'm on about:

My ex-Japan 2005 Gti has just arrived - lots to be checked out, but it looks so agreeably cheeky and pert alongside my High Up! Could someone kindly tell me what is the function of the little red tube under the dash on the left hand side (only on Japan cars?) Thanks. David

Thanks Rich - greatly appreciated.