northwick

Are the diesels for noise reasons? The GTI for aero efficiency?

Owned the GTi for about 9 months now but girlfriend doesn't really enjoy driving quickly so arranged for me and an old school friend to put it through its paces around some Welsh roads. I did some research on good roads and planned a route with an overnight stop in Aberystwyth. Day one (in reverse i.e. departing Worcester and ending in Aber): Map 1 Day two (in reverse): Map 2 We had to cut out a bit of day one because some snow forced a huge detour (costing about 1hr) and heavy fog meaning we were slowed right down (and there wasn't any fun to be had). (that is fog, not a misted up screen!) Nevertheless it was absolutely brilliant. Things to share: 1. The route is packed with amazing roads. Some are real drivers roads (open and good visibility) and some are passages to amazing scenery (but too narrow to have a free flowing spirited drive) 2. The roads are *so* quiet. You can make some serious progress and not come up behind anything for miles, particularly earlier in the day. Also, more than once people moved out of the way when we were behind without us even remotely hustling them. 3. We saw no speed cameras or Police in any NSL areas (which was 95% of the route). And you'd do well do get much over 60 on those roads anyway so it was done within the law. We stopped frequently to take pictures. I'm not too good with my new camera yet but more pictures are here: Gallery (102 pictures) If anyone wants the full RAW images then let me know. The Lupo never missed a beat. Got a stone in the brakes which grated for a few hundred yards and lost BOTH towing eye covers towards the end of the second day (presumably when scraping over a large and sudden dip in the road at a decent speed). Used three tanks of fuel for 550 miles. Oh, and had to stop for a few minutes after one run on the A4069 because the brakes were cooked (at least now I know that for track days you need track pads even with bigger discs to dissipate the heat). Going to get the Awesome ARB and do another run and see what the difference is like. Also, notice how dirty the car gets during the photos. Needs serious snowfoam. Poor thing...

In chronological order: 97 Corsa B 1.2 8v 01 Arosa 1.0 01 Arosa TDI 01 Lupo GTI The Corsa was, looking back, ****. The first Arosa was good but gutless. The TDI was a nice stepping stone to the GTI. Whats next? Either a newer GTI or a Mini Cooper S or an Elise or a Fiat Coupe. Or an MR2. Or maybe a Civic Type R. You get the idea... largely impractical but quite fast.

I'm not trying to be a condescending but you don't seem to know enough to be dealing with brakes. Its OK to tinker your way through most things but unless you are sure you know what you are doing, don't touch the brakes and get someone else who does to.

The mk4 golf ones are the same, I believe.

Parked on Badock Hall car park. I saw it there over a year ago but had another course there this week and noticed it again. It looked really tidy and had open air. Y*** DWL. It looked cool parked near my Black GTI wearing an almost identical plate.

Member of the Year material

Get it on VAG-com. It will tell you which side it is.

Straightforward to fit, by the way, if the existing sensor isnt jammed in.

£44 I think from the factors. £58 with discount from the stealers.

Sounds just like the problem I had. If it is the same you have a faulty ABS sensor, hence the light and the ABS coming on. Its not as the brakes warm up its at slow speeds.

I'd never done any suspension work before and it took me about 5 hours but it isnt actually difficult. Things that are important: 1. A proper jack. Do NOT attempt to do it with the jack in your car. 2. Having all the right tools. From memory a 21mm deep socket, 18mm socket, 18mm spanner, 7mm allen key (I used a 7mm allen socket bit to make it easier) are essential. Other 'usual' tools like grips, pliers etc are very handy. You might need a blow torch or an impact driver if you have a seized bolt. 3. Having all the right parts (new mounts, bearings etc.) ready. Its annoying if you drive down to the dealers once youve taken the old suspension off and have to put it all back on. Theres a thread on here about the new parts you need. 4. As mentioned before, a proper alignment and camber check afterwards. Good luck

That garage sells 'normal' cars although one of the staff always has a dubiously modified motor parked across the road. What on earth they doing with that? They certainly dont have it out in the forecourt (and neither would I!)

Thanks richie.guy - Using your post I bought a kit from Furniture Clinic ages ago and spent today doing it. I thoroughly recommend it. Its totally rejuvenated my wheel and its back to being smooth and looks much improved. It looks like minor wear can be sorted without a re-trim. Only problem is that the dye means you lose the red stitching but to be honest it was so grubby that it was barely noticeable anyway. I got the satin kit which is still quite glossy. If I was to do it again I'd get matte. Still loads left to do it again if necessary and also includes a mini airbrush and can of propellant which might be handy for spraying small things in the future. Instructions were good too. I'd put some pics up but to be honest they look the same even though visually its much improved.

Hahahaha!

The brakelight is a very common problem - enthusiasts wont be bothered about it. As for the wheels, I doubt you'd get your money back unless you know someone who can do them at cost.

Looks brilliant. You've inspired me to get mine sorted. I've got an outdoor hot feed to the pressure washer sorted but need a machine polisher and a snow foam lance. What polisher and lance do you have? And what pads do you use on the polisher? Jon

Someone is selling those on here for £100! I'd just ordered the Focals as well

I hope you're inviting Piers Morgan because you've rigged up some man trap to catch him in and then torture him to death?

What are people's thoughts on these? http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/8841.html

I'm on the lookout too in this price bracket. Caraudiosecurity are having a sale post Christmas (as are the other sites, I'd imagine) so I'd wait a few days before investing.

Like your 'half' engine cover. Is that off something else or is it modified?

Coil pack, I'd say.