Up GTI

[msport_chris]

After promising myself an up! GTI if they ever produced one. Picked up this ex-demo in tungsten silver with the black decals fitted with cruise control, lane assist, climate control, auto lights, parking sensors and reversing camera and upgraded stereo system.

Not done too much to it due to warranty, but had to get the ride height sorted as standard they sit a touch too high for a sporty model IMO. Fitted some H&R -25mm lowering springs and some 13mm KW rear wheel spacers and the visual look and actual on road experience are much improved! This is how it should have left the factory. Also removed the orange indicator bulbs and replaced with silvervision bulbs and fitted some upgraded LED headlight bulbs. I've also removed the massive original wheel centre caps and replaced them with the smaller caps and black wheel nut covers all round.

Very happy with my purchase, and it really does have the feel of an old school hot hatch albeit with up to date luxuries that are useful fitted.

Anyway, here it is...

[MDifficult]

Lovely! We were looking at these at the recent Sunday service and all agreed... all they need is a small drop and some spacers, so you've nailed it!

Be really interested to see how you get on - plus whatever you do to it once warranty stops being an issue.

[anonymous-user]

Looking good. I'm a fellow Tungsten up! GTI owner, albeit in 5 door form. I also had a 2018 3 door in Tornado.

Did you change the dampers with the springs?

[ajprice]

Nice. I did have to look up what the standard wheel centres looked like, and seeing them now I know what you mean about the big logos



Nice little update on yours, they look a lot better to me.

[Roboticarm]

One of these (5dr for me) is my realistic dream car. I'm only about £16k short of realising the dream !
I'd do the same mods but would also find It hard to resist a fruity exhaust too

[chris_upGTI]

Thanks for the kind words guys

Future plans are a Miltek exhaust system, remap to 140bhp (more than enough to still keep it safe and fun without needing loads more upgraded) and just to keep on top of the detailing side of it. My wife has a Lupo GTI so the two together make a nice combo on the driveway.

[Watchthis]

Has the front drivers wing had a bit of paint? Looks like it's been blown out in the middle of the door..maybe just a reflection though

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Watchthis said:

Has the front drivers wing had a bit of paint? Looks like it's been blown out in the middle of the door..maybe just a reflection though

Shadows/reflection from across.

[itcaptainslow]

chris_upGTI said:

Thanks for the kind words guys

Future plans are a Miltek exhaust system, remap to 140bhp (more than enough to still keep it safe and fun without needing loads more upgraded) and just to keep on top of the detailing side of it. My wife has a Lupo GTI so the two together make a nice combo on the driveway.

I’ve got one too, they’re great little things! Yours sits perfectly - a set of Bilstein or KW coil overs are on my “to do” list.

I’ve got a Miltek exhaust from my partner’s old one (sadly written off due to front end damage) if you’re interested at some point; it’s done around 4k dry miles, so is in predictably great condition.

[sagarich]

Looks great OP. This is on my shortlist when we go back to a 2 car family this year.

[chris_upGTI]

Watchthis said:

Has the front drivers wing had a bit of paint? Looks like it's been blown out in the middle of the door..maybe just a reflection though

Nope, as suggested it's just the reflection of light.

sagarich said:

Looks great OP. This is on my shortlist when we go back to a 2 car family this year.

I can highly recommend one, so much fun and so cheap to run at the same time. Perfect daily!

itcaptainslow said:

I’ve got one too, they’re great little things! Yours sits perfectly - a set of Bilstein or KW coil overs are on my “to do” list.

I’ve got a Miltek exhaust from my partner’s old one (sadly written off due to front end damage) if you’re interested at some point; it’s done around 4k dry miles, so is in predictably great condition.

Thanks, the suspension may settle a little as its fresh shocks and the springs have only done a few trips locally. Might be interested in the exhaust, shall keep you in mind - thanks

Edited by chris_upGTI on Monday 6th February 16:49

[M1C]

Those little tweaks you've made have just made it * chefs kiss *

[chris_upGTI]

[redacted]

[anonymous-user]

Ride height with spacers is a definite improvement compared to mine, which is completely standard (for now).

[M22s]

I thought the VW team had one to many wines at lunch when I first saw the UP!GTI, but actually it looks dead smart.

Stance looks spot on with the springs and spacers too!

[M22s]

I thought the VW team had one to many wines at lunch when I first saw the UP!GTI, but actually it looks dead smart.

Stance looks spot on with the springs and spacers too!

[Caddyshack]

If I were to buy one I would be looking for improved Shox and then drop the wheel size and increase the side wall…other than that I think that would be me done. They look great on the big rims with lowered ride but I would want a B road brasher with more compliance.

[Its Just Adz]

That's really nice, especially in that colour.

[Matty_]

Get the tyres changed, or very soon you might find yourself walking home

*May be over-dramatic...at least on the back of a truck.

Those tyres are terrible for splitting, plus PS4/PS5 are much better across the board (although you may see a 5mpg drop)

[chris_upGTI]

M22s said:

I thought the VW team had one to many wines at lunch when I first saw the UP!GTI, but actually it looks dead smart.

Stance looks spot on with the springs and spacers too!

I’ve always loved little hot hatches, had a couple of abarths before as well as a few Clio 182’s but in a fast changing car industry and with the push towards economy and electric I wanted something as new as I could afford with a petrol engine, and being how far they’ve come with performance from tiny engines it felt the right time. I do admit the idea was crazy, but I’m very glad they actually produced them…

Its Just Adz said:

That's really nice, especially in that colour.

Thanks, I was originally going to get white but as soon as I saw the silver I was sold!

Matty_ said:

Get the tyres changed, or very soon you might find yourself walking home

*May be over-dramatic...at least on the back of a truck.

Those tyres are terrible for splitting, plus PS4/PS5 are much better across the board (although you may see a 5mpg drop)

I know what you mean, I got an egg on a tyre after a week of ownership lol. If anything happens again I’ll be changing to the 205 pilot sports for sure.

Edited by chris_upGTI on Monday 6th February 21:01