TRK's Daily Driver Golf GTI Shenanigans

[The Rotrex Kid]

Thought I would start a separate thread for this as I will likely keep this one for a while. Maybe, you'll see what I mean in a second.

I got a 'daily' (eugh, hate when people call them that) around 2 years ago when I decided that my Civic (that I have modified and compromised in many ways) was too modified and compromised to use every day

Thread here if you want to see that - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

So I had a picture in my head of a cheap to run, cheap to buy, diesel, estate.

I bought a 2011 Clio estate which did the exact brief, but was boring, so I got rid of that and went through the following over the last 18 months or so

E60 530D Saloon (too thirsty, no boot)
X3 20D (loved this but it was a bit old)
A3 1.9 TDI (nice enough but a bit boring)
E91 330D Touring (should have been the perfect car but was thirsty and the autobox put me off)
Golf SE TDI Mk6 (Met the brief, but by god, it was so boring)

So I ditched the Golf as it really was one of the most boring and soulless cars I'd ever driven.
A contact of mine happened to have taken this in on the very day my Golf went and offered it to me.

So of course, it met 0 of the correct points for the daily driver, but look at it! Lovely car.

I believe it's Daytona Grey?
Leather
Heated seats
5 Door
Manual
89k Miles
2 owners,
FSH







It has failed MOT as the headlights are very murky, so that's one of the first things to sort, along with some rust around the bootlid badge and a few small scufffs.




I've ordered some bits so I'll update this as they start to arrive.

MOT picked up that the front lower arms are corroded, so a pair of those on the way, along with balljoints and ARB droplinks and front discs and pads.

[MARLBOROLITES]

A fine choice of car sir. I've just picked one up in Reflex Silver of a similar age. I'm having the belt & chain etc done at the moment and a DSG service. All other maintenance is bang up to date. I plan on treating her to a gentle restoration as she's generally in great condition. My intention is to keep her original as I foresee these increasing in value if kept nicely. I'm loving the tartan interior on mine.......

[The Rotrex Kid]

Yes I won't be messing with it much I don't think.

Change the above mentioned parts, update the headunit to a Carplay compatible one, get the scuffs done and a very good valet.

I will change the tyres for some better ones at some point as these are a bit crappy and that's about it!

[bumskins]

Interesting list of previous dailies, OOI what was the X3 2.0d giving MPG-wise vs an E91 330d?

[The Rotrex Kid]

bumskins said:

Interesting list of previous dailies, OOI what was the X3 2.0d giving MPG-wise vs an E91 330d?

Off the top of my head, the X3, 330d and 530d all did about 26mpg with my drive.

[bumskins]

Ooft, not great then!

[The Rotrex Kid]

bumskins said:

Ooft, not great then!

No. Not great.

Don't get me wrong, they are all great to drive. The X3 would go pretty much anywhere, the 530D and 330D are fantastic motorway cruisers, but for the journeys I do, on the roads I do them on, they just weren't the right cars.

I'm under no illusions that the Golf will be any better, but it looks a bit nicer and hopefully will 'feel' a bit nicer.

First bits have arrived.

2x lower arms
2 ARB drop links
2x lower balljoints
Brembo discs & pads

[DaveyBoyWonder]

Rust around the boot handle is a common thing on mk5s but they're great cars - one of the few cars I really miss.

[MDMA .]

It will be Steel Grey. No Daytona in the VW range, just Audi.

[Tommie38]

Get a K04 on and drop it off at R-Tech!

[Tommie38]

The Rotrex Kid said:

bumskins said:

Ooft, not great then!

No. Not great.

Don't get me wrong, they are all great to drive. The X3 would go pretty much anywhere, the 530D and 330D are fantastic motorway cruisers, but for the journeys I do, on the roads I do them on, they just weren't the right cars.

I'm under no illusions that the Golf will be any better, but it looks a bit nicer and hopefully will 'feel' a bit nicer.

First bits have arrived.

2x lower arms
2 ARB drop links
2x lower balljoints
Brembo discs & pads

If you haven’t already fitted them, Passat B6 arms are much lighter and still quite cheap.

[MDMA .]

Tommie38 said:

Get a K04 on and drop it off at R-Tech!

I’d ditch the Aptany tyres first I’m always slightly apprehensive when looking at cars that have the cheapest possible tyres fitted. Normally says run on a shoestring budget.
Enjoy it though. Few easy mods makes them really enjoyable.

[The Rotrex Kid]

DaveyBoyWonder said:

Rust around the boot handle is a common thing on mk5s but they're great cars - one of the few cars I really miss.

Yes I’ve been told as much! Hopefully my paint guy can tidy it up a bit!

MDMA . said:

It will be Steel Grey. No Daytona in the VW range, just Audi.

Cheers

Tommie38 said:

Get a K04 on and drop it off at R-Tech!

Now now, I’ve already got a silly car that I’ve spent too much money on!

[The Rotrex Kid]

Tommie38 said:

The Rotrex Kid said:

bumskins said:

Ooft, not great then!

No. Not great.

Don't get me wrong, they are all great to drive. The X3 would go pretty much anywhere, the 530D and 330D are fantastic motorway cruisers, but for the journeys I do, on the roads I do them on, they just weren't the right cars.

I'm under no illusions that the Golf will be any better, but it looks a bit nicer and hopefully will 'feel' a bit nicer.

First bits have arrived.

2x lower arms
2 ARB drop links
2x lower balljoints
Brembo discs & pads

If you haven’t already fitted them, Passat B6 arms are much lighter and still quite cheap.

Thanks for the heads up. I don’t think it’ll be worth the bother, these will cure the immediate corrosion issues and that’ll do for me!

[The Rotrex Kid]

MDMA . said:

I’d ditch the Aptany tyres first I’m always slightly apprehensive when looking at cars that have the cheapest possible tyres fitted. Normally says run on a shoestring budget.
Enjoy it though. Few easy mods makes them really enjoyable.

Budgets normally would put me off, but the history is good, cambelt done etc so it’s not a deal killer for me. Eventually I’ll replace the tyres with something better!

[Ben Lowden]

That looks tidy! And also an impressive number of cars to get through in 18 months. Let me know if you're going to sell this within the next week or so

[The Rotrex Kid]

Ben Lowden said:

That looks tidy! And also an impressive number of cars to get through in 18 months. Let me know if you're going to sell this within the next week or so

You'll be first on the list

[ManicMunky]

MDMA . said:

I’d ditch the Aptany tyres first I’m always slightly apprehensive when looking at cars that have the cheapest possible tyres fitted. Normally says run on a shoestring budget.
Enjoy it though. Few easy mods makes them really enjoyable.

Agreed

[Tony_T]

Looks in decent nick. Someone has colour coded the rear bumper, also has the buttons on the steering wheel which were an option.

A simple remap will take this to around 260 bhp and imo transforms the car. Won't lose any mpg either.

p.s looks like it's missing a couple of centre caps, can get a set of 4 on ebay for around £12. Size 65mm.

Edited by Tony_T on Wednesday 1st March 13:26

[The Rotrex Kid]

Tony_T said:

Looks in decent nick. Someone has colour coded the rear bumper, also has the buttons on the steering wheel which were an option.

A simple remap will take this to around 260 bhp and imo transforms the car. Won't lose any mpg either.

p.s looks like it's missing a couple of centre caps, can get a set of 4 on ebay for around £12. Size 65mm.

Edited by Tony_T on Wednesday 1st March 13:26

Ahh, I did think the back end looked a bit different!

I might get the sideskirts colour coded as well....

Caps already ordered, bit of messing around for the right size but should be here tomorrow. Ordering the new HU today for some carplay!