Advice for a new GTI owner please.

"liquid_popcorn" (liquid-popcorn)
08/21/2013 at 13:37 • Filed to: vw gti, advice, new car!

And some VW porn for your troubles.

I have a few questions. I have just purchased a 2013 VW GTI Wolfsburg, black on black. I love it; it's amazing. But I have some questions.

Firstly, what are some good winter wheels/steelies that won't feel like shit? What are good winter tires? What sort of protective equipment/solutions should I use for winter? Also, it came with Pirelli P-Zero Nero tires - are these pretty decent, or should I look for something else when the time comes?

Also, any general advice on the GTI? Things to look for, useful modifications or accessories? I am looking for a roof-mounted bike rack at some point for my wife and I, but it's not a terribly high priority.

I would also like to get a dashcam at some point, and I want to get some good cleaning products because I have no garage or car cover right now.

Thanks in advance, gents.

DISCUSSION (35)

J. Walter Weatherman > liquid_popcorn
08/21/2013 at 13:45

I live in AZ, so I am useless on the topic of winter wheels/tires. As far as mods/tunes go, I haven't felt the need to do a single thing to our GTI - it is plenty good as it is, there is nothing that I really feel is lacking. As far as bike racks go, everyone I know (myself included) uses Yakima and has had great experiences. They aren't the cheapest, but they are worth the money in my opinion.

Kinja'd!!!

dropthatclutch > liquid_popcorn
08/21/2013 at 13:49

First thing you have to do is dangerously stretch skinny little tires over very wide rims. Second, mount those rims to the car with gratuitous levels of camber. Next sand blast the paint off the hood and let it rust. Then take the whole thing and slam it to the ground, making sure that your key fob can't even fit between the frame and the ground. Then sit back and enjoy your stanced VeeDub.

But really all I can say is that a chip really livened up my MKIV. APR seems to be a popular brand.

J. Walter Weatherman > liquid_popcorn
08/21/2013 at 13:51

Also, I WANT THAT SCIROCCO R!!!!!

Saracen > liquid_popcorn
08/21/2013 at 13:52

Congrats on your MKVI!

P-Zero Nero, are those all-seasons?

I think my Golf R came with those same tires. They're pretty good so far.

As for modifications beyond performance tuning, there are a lot of OEM interior bits that can be retrofitted into our cars: Underseat drawers, euro cupholders, autodimming mirror, folding exterior mirrors with puddle lights, backup cameras, RNS-510 nav system, automatic headlights, LED tail lights, etc..

As for racks, I'm a big fan of whispbars.

Kinja'd!!!

SkarTisu > liquid_popcorn
08/21/2013 at 13:54

2011 GTI owner here. Welcome to the club! I really like mine, too.

Winter wheel setup: Make sure you get at least 16" wheels to clear the brake calipers. I have Dunlop SP WinterSport 3Ds and they work very well all around. I've had Bridgestone Blizzaks in the past which are better on pure snow, but aren't as good on dry/wet pavement. If you go with steel wheels, the SuperFactory touch is to get a set of 2009-13 Tiguan plastic wheel center caps.

Plan on the Pirellis on the car to start cupping and getting loud in under 5000 miles. I've three sets of them in the past on two different cars and all three sets did this. They are the bane of my existence and I hate them like poison, although they do have very good grip. I just put Continental ExtremeContact DWSes on mine and really like them so far.

I made a half-hearted attempt at researching under-seat stowage and VW does make a nice sliding drawer for the car. I ended up not pursuing them, but they're a very clean way to get more places for stuff.

I bought my car CPO, and it had a nifty mat for the rear stowage area that's carpeted for use with a series of blocks you set on the carpet with velcro on the bottom. I believe it's a VW part and it comes in handy when you want to block something light against the side of the cargo area or against the rear seats.

Good luck with the car! They're great little machines!

liquid_popcorn > J. Walter Weatherman
08/21/2013 at 14:06

Good to know, thanks! I don't have a bike at present, so I'll probably wait on that until spring, but I want to figure out what I want so I can budget for it.

liquid_popcorn > J. Walter Weatherman
08/21/2013 at 14:07

RIGHT??? So damn hot!

liquid_popcorn > Saracen
08/21/2013 at 14:10

I believe so. They seem pretty grippy, but I've read some complaints about ridiculously short life (such as SkarTisu's post), so I'm looking at my options.

The whispbars look pretty legit; thanks.

I think the only things I'd be interested in at present are the underseat drawers and possibly autodimming mirror; where would be a good source? What are euro cupholders?

The Golf R is gorgeous...when I go in for service (getting tint done soon, hooray!) I may test drive one for fun...I'm just worried that I'll become obsessed, haha.

liquid_popcorn > SkarTisu
08/21/2013 at 14:11

Good to know, thanks!

Are the DWSes an all-season?

Thanks for the tip on the cargo thing - I may look into that.

liquid_popcorn > dropthatclutch
08/21/2013 at 14:13

Hah, I'll pass on that.

What other changes (if any) do you need if you're chipping the car? I don't have plans to change much now, as I want to focus next on paying off some other loans, but I'm very interested in learning about it for the future, and I know literally nothing about it.

Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger > liquid_popcorn
08/21/2013 at 14:14

2011 GTI owner here as well.

Kinja'd!!!

I've got a Yakima rack with the Highroller mount and also a Rocky Mount (similar to a Yakima Copperhead). Both work very well. When my mtn bike is up it knocks me down by 7 MPG.

I've put on VW DG springs and had a clear film protector installed. I've done a few software changes since I have the VAG com cable.

Now, SR20 Rule! Let's see pictures!

dropthatclutch > liquid_popcorn
08/21/2013 at 14:19

Typically nothing. A Stage 1 "chip" will get you a bunch of power with no other changes. From there you can move up to a Stage 1+ which incorporates an intake, and then a Stage 2 which adds exhaust. It's all pretty incremental.

liquid_popcorn > Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger
08/21/2013 at 14:24

Damn, that's gorgeous. Also, 7mpg is harsh...haha.

How much is a VAG com cable, and where can I get one and learn how to use it?

Also, this is the only photo I have at present - later this week or Saturday at cars & coffee I'll try to get some more with an actual camera.

Kinja'd!!!

EDIT: I am very jealous that you don't have a front plate...I didn't have one when I lived in FL, and it kills me having one here in VA. I didn't want to drill my Jeep bumper to mount a plate, so I've done this for now:

Kinja'd!!!

Saracen > liquid_popcorn
08/21/2013 at 14:24

Euro cupholder has a sliding cover, so you can also use it for storage (and keep things hidden from prying eyes).

The underseat storage and cupholder can be purchased from sites such as OEMPlus, and ECS tuning.

You can actually buy the autodimming rearview mirror on Amazon. The manufacturer is Gentex (they make autodimming rearviews for lots of OEM's, including VW)

liquid_popcorn > dropthatclutch
08/21/2013 at 14:26

Ah, good to know! Thanks very much.

liquid_popcorn > Saracen
08/21/2013 at 14:27

Awesome, thanks a lot! I'll definitely have to look into that.

SkarTisu > liquid_popcorn
08/21/2013 at 14:28

Yup, DWS = Dry Wet Snow. I wasn't able to get DW tires when I was ready to buy, so this was the next best choice.

liquid_popcorn > SkarTisu
08/21/2013 at 14:34

ah, I see. Good to know.

Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger > liquid_popcorn
08/21/2013 at 14:41

Thanks! Yeah, getting 25 MPG sucks. But that's 1 MPG better than my A6 used to get!

You can get the cable from Ross-Tech. It's $250. Well worth it if you plan to keep the car for a long time. I've had four Audi/VW products so it's paid for itself more than once. My wife and I have had a Passat, A6, A4 (wifes current) and GTI.

http://store.ross-tech.com/shop/VCuCAN.ht…

I like those wheels!

SkarTisu > liquid_popcorn
08/21/2013 at 14:51

VWVortex is a pretty good place to sift through for info. You'll need to be prepared for a sea of hellaflush fans is all. lol

ddavidn > J. Walter Weatherman
08/21/2013 at 14:53

I've wanted one forever. Too bad we can't get it :(

J. Walter Weatherman > ddavidn
08/21/2013 at 14:57

Yeah, I was traveling in Europe when they first came out, and seeing one in the flesh made me absolutely fall in love with them. They are one of the best looking cars on the market right now - especially in that price range.

liquid_popcorn > SkarTisu
08/21/2013 at 14:59

Hah, so I've heard. Thanks!

liquid_popcorn > J. Walter Weatherman
08/21/2013 at 14:59

Absolutely. I'm hoping to take my wife there as a surprise next fall for her birthday...maybe I'll sneak in a test drive or something while I'm there, haha.

liquid_popcorn > Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger
08/21/2013 at 15:01

Fantastic, I'll have to look into that.

Also, thanks! They're the Laguna wheels - they come standard on the Wolfsburg edition. I like them too, haha.

ddavidn > J. Walter Weatherman
08/21/2013 at 15:02

If I saw one in the flesh, it would all be over. I'd be importing one illegally or moving to Deutschland...

J. Walter Weatherman > liquid_popcorn
08/21/2013 at 15:05

Yeah, I HATE front plates. I was living in VA when I bought my GTI, so I had to get a front plate. Now that I am in AZ, with no front plate requirement, there are some dull marks on the bumper where the front plate bracket wore off the paint. Fucking VA.

dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter > liquid_popcorn
08/21/2013 at 15:26

VW is notorious for under-tuning their little turbo motors. As such a chip generally nets you a lot of power, not a lot of mileage sacrifice and not a lot of reliability sacrifice. YMMV (literally) depending on how much time you spend in the powerband.

liquid_popcorn > dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter
08/21/2013 at 15:42

Hah, good to know; thanks a lot!

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > liquid_popcorn
08/21/2013 at 21:24

stepdad bought a '13 WOB edition Gti White on black a few months ago, and I've driven it a few times. A general driving tip that I can give you is to short-shift it when in town. I've noticed that it becomes uncomfortable to push it beyond 3.5K rpm around town. Also, chip it. CHIP IT NOW!
APR stage 1 chip for about $500 is a steal. my stepdad drove a tuned '11 one, and is seriously considering it for his WOB.

liquid_popcorn > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
08/22/2013 at 07:37

Yeah, I noticed the revs thing; as far as chips, I found the APR stage 1 chip, but I have no money at the moment after a down payment and school expenses. It's definitely on the list of to-dos, though.

GreenN_Gold > Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger
08/23/2013 at 14:14

7 MPG?! Holy cow, I would have never guessed that high.

Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger > GreenN_Gold
08/23/2013 at 14:25

Yeah, I was pretty stunned. Went from getting at least 32 mpg on the highway down to 25. I've thought of getting a trail hitch one, but then I worry about getting rear ended.

ZeedGTI > liquid_popcorn
08/23/2013 at 18:11

The GTI is a good car. Congrats.

I owned a 2008 Reflex Silver GTI for about 2.5 years and I enjoyed it for the most part. My particular car came with the 17" "Denver" wheels with Continental ContiPro Contacts. My dad had a set of P Zero Nero's that started cupping pretty early on on his 2000 GS 400. That car ate through tires pretty bad though. I ended up getting a 16" winter wheel/tire package from tirerack with Dunlop SP WinterSport 3D's. At the time, we were running Dunlop SP WinterSport M3's on my mothers 06 Subaru Legacy GT and they were great. The 3D's were a little less "performance" oriented but did the job well on and off the snow. It got around with no issues. If you have not already purchased some Monster Mats. Do it. They are awesome.

I am not as up to speed on VW parts, but I ordered quite a few OEM parts from www.oempl.us (looks like they are now oemplus.com ). I ordered things like open fog lights (factory fog light grills with cooling vents for DSG-equipped cars in hot climates), factory German first aid kit, hazard triangle, and storage strap to stow it in the factory location in the rear hatch:

Kinja'd!!!

They had all sorts of cool factory stuff from around the world that was fun to do. I think APR sold a lot of that kind of stuff too.

Enjoy the car!

liquid_popcorn > ZeedGTI
08/26/2013 at 08:24

Awesome, thanks for the tips! I appreciate it.

I absolutely am; it's unbelievably fun.