Despite lurking around here for 5 years or so, this thread is probably 18 months later than it should be, but here's the replacement to my MY06 Steel Grey MK5 Golf GTI (below) that I owned for 3.5 years. I've had the A3 BE since Aug 2012 and it's been superb. The 8P3 A3 swung me on looks and with the Bose over the MK6 GTD.
The Mk5 GTI, it got a quite a few comments when out and about considering it was subtly modded and not particularly 'scene':
The MY10 A3 BE 2.0 TDI 170hp 3door in Phantom Black when purchased, 18 months or so ago.
Since then, I've done:
+ Xenon H11 Fog light bulbs
+ Rear de-badge
+ VCDS tweaks such as cornering lights, coming home adaptations and comfort windows
+ AP Coilovers, running fairly low but not slammed
+ LED RNS-E Nav with 2013 maps
+ Revo Stage 1 (via AKS Tuning who are recommended)
+ Hawk HPS Plus fast road brake pads front and rear
+ Pressed plates
+ OEM Black washer cap
+ 18x8 BBS CK in a titanium grey gloss
+ S-Line interior mats
+ Pipercross panel filter
+ Michelin Pilot Sport PS2's all round (225/40/18 92Y)
+ 2x Nankang SV2 winter tyres for winter use only (they're rubbish above 6 degrees celcius or so)
+ LED rear plate domes & bulbs
+ An expensive auto adaptive lights & leaving home/coming home lights retrofit ONLY (around £550), worth it though
+ OEM S-Line fog panels with chrome grille surrounds
+ MY11 rear lights
+ OEM Cruise control kit
+ OEM 8P3 S3 black edition grille
I think it's project done, it's certainly drained the pockets but it's literally how I wanted it to look. I'm tempted with the front and rear S3 bumpers & skirts now and again, but tbh it would lose it's TDI Black Edition character.
So, it's about finished now.
It's a very very good all rounder - I get smooth in gear performance from roughly 212hp/340lbs ft torque and it reaches 60mpg on a motorway run to London, or similar distance. When I drove to the Nordschleife/Nurburgring I squeezed 740 miles from one tank brim to brim, which was awesome. The pads and tyres are a nice bonus when hammering the B-roads when I get the chance, I want to try it at Bedford Autodrome this year too.
When 3rd and 4th gears catch pace it's definitely quicker than my old MK5 GTI and has real shove about it.
Leaving home lights (via auto light retrofit) vid
With the original BE grille and OEM RS4 style wheels on coilovers and mapped.
CK's side view
It's current look (with the S3 BE grille)
With two friends' E350 CDI coupe and 330d LCI coupe
Cheers :icon_thumright:
The Mk5 GTI, it got a quite a few comments when out and about considering it was subtly modded and not particularly 'scene':
The MY10 A3 BE 2.0 TDI 170hp 3door in Phantom Black when purchased, 18 months or so ago.
Since then, I've done:
+ Xenon H11 Fog light bulbs
+ Rear de-badge
+ VCDS tweaks such as cornering lights, coming home adaptations and comfort windows
+ AP Coilovers, running fairly low but not slammed
+ LED RNS-E Nav with 2013 maps
+ Revo Stage 1 (via AKS Tuning who are recommended)
+ Hawk HPS Plus fast road brake pads front and rear
+ Pressed plates
+ OEM Black washer cap
+ 18x8 BBS CK in a titanium grey gloss
+ S-Line interior mats
+ Pipercross panel filter
+ Michelin Pilot Sport PS2's all round (225/40/18 92Y)
+ 2x Nankang SV2 winter tyres for winter use only (they're rubbish above 6 degrees celcius or so)
+ LED rear plate domes & bulbs
+ An expensive auto adaptive lights & leaving home/coming home lights retrofit ONLY (around £550), worth it though
+ OEM S-Line fog panels with chrome grille surrounds
+ MY11 rear lights
+ OEM Cruise control kit
+ OEM 8P3 S3 black edition grille
I think it's project done, it's certainly drained the pockets but it's literally how I wanted it to look. I'm tempted with the front and rear S3 bumpers & skirts now and again, but tbh it would lose it's TDI Black Edition character.
So, it's about finished now.
It's a very very good all rounder - I get smooth in gear performance from roughly 212hp/340lbs ft torque and it reaches 60mpg on a motorway run to London, or similar distance. When I drove to the Nordschleife/Nurburgring I squeezed 740 miles from one tank brim to brim, which was awesome. The pads and tyres are a nice bonus when hammering the B-roads when I get the chance, I want to try it at Bedford Autodrome this year too.
When 3rd and 4th gears catch pace it's definitely quicker than my old MK5 GTI and has real shove about it.
Leaving home lights (via auto light retrofit) vid
With the original BE grille and OEM RS4 style wheels on coilovers and mapped.
CK's side view
It's current look (with the S3 BE grille)
With two friends' E350 CDI coupe and 330d LCI coupe
Cheers :icon_thumright:
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