Sandman GTI MK7 PP DCC Lighting Pkg - The Journey begins!

Tread wear - Bridgestone RE-11's. Summer Tires. 235/40R18".
On OZ Leggera HLT 18" x 8" wheels.
Total package is 5lbs lighter at each corner compared to OE.

Last summer I ran my new RE-11's for 8 months.
I did not track the car and for a GTI owner I am on the conservative side with driving. What is conservative? On the interstate Tennessee speed limit is 70, I run 75 but will go up to 80 if traffic flow is 80 and normally is even thru the mountains. I rarely spin wheels, which the LSD helps to limit anyway, plus I have respect for tires due to my daily job. I drive my GTI daily but share time with truck, driving to work. Miles driven were a little over 10,000. Measured depth with Tirerack gauge, which even measures in 1/32" increment.

The RE-11's have 9/32" tread depth when new according to Tirerack.
I think this depth is from surface to bottom of grooves and not to the top of the wear indicators. The wear indicators show when there is 2/32" tread left. So the safe usable tread is 7/32". For this post I will reference measurements to the bottom of the groove in relation to the 9/32" new tread depth.

Tread left after first season. Location is where I put the tires this time.

Front Left - 7.5/32"
Front Right - 8/32"

Rear Left - 6/32"
Rear Right - 6/32"

Based on above you see the rears from last year are now on front. Rears wore 1/32" in 10,000 miles. Fronts wore 3/32".

So after this season I should have 5/32" left on fronts and 5/32" left on rear. After the 3rd season I should be close to the 2/32" wear indicators.
3 years would be great and more than I thought I would get. But the third year will be interesting when heavy rains occur. With only 5/32" and limited siping hydroplaning could be an issue. Will need to test and watch.

My car has 35,000 miles on it so 10,000 on the RE-11's and 25,000 on the OE RE-97 A/S tires.
One of the all season tires was replaced when a pot hole took it life so one tire is only half way worn. One other tire is worn to the wear indicators and the other two are 1/32" to 2/32" from the wear indicators.
At the half way point the tires wore even. The tire that is worn out has more wear on center rib. The set is getting noisy so I think between now and the fall I will look for a new A/S set and maybe keep the 1 tire still with tread as a pot hole spare if needed. So to compare at this point the RE-11 summer tires may out perform the A/S tires. I think this speaks a lot for the RE-11 set.

The Firestone Indy 500 has a tread depth of 10/32" so wear might be similar but I am sure compound is different. FYI.

Hope this info helps.

Suggest you buy a tread depth gauge if you swap tires. I mark my tires when I remove them telling me the location they need to be installed next time they go on the GTI. Over the winter I removed these tags to clean and wax the wheels. In doing this I must have tagged two incorrectly. Only by checking the tread depth did I catch this error. You can sort of tell which had more depth and needed to go on front but with a depth gauge I was 100% sure.


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That's very impressive considering the grip!

How's mpg compared to the all seasons?

ATR said:

That's very impressive considering the grip!

How's mpg compared to the all seasons?

Click to expand...

From the 3.5 hour drive we make back to my wife's home town, only noticed a drop of maybe 1-2mpg. The summer tires are also 235 width so more surface contact and likely higher rolling resistance.
Actually so close it is hard to say unless I did several runs and compared the averages.


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I guess I am learning the lessons of lowering.

Posted the below on another thread.
Looks like I need a sway bar upgrade due to front OE bushings shot after 35,000 miles. 1 year at OE height and 1 year lowered.
OE bushings on OE front bar are molded on per ECS Tuning so complete replacement only.

Info from my other posting.

Recommendations for Swaybar Size, Front and Rear

Looking for some info!

Does anyone who a location to purchase aftermarket front sway bar bushings for the front OE bar? 24mm bar for GTI.

One can find them but only sold in package with a new sway bar.

Even OE bushing only sold as a set.

Yes thicker front bar an option but to install front suspension must be lowered which requires alignment after. Not against, just would rather not do this now.

Any help appreciated.





Update from me to me!

The OE bar has the bushing molded to it. Per ECS Tuning. Bar must be replaced to replace bushing. Great design VW.

So, looks like upgrade and dealer install because few will do VW alignment it seems.

Firestone dealer recommended I use VW so likely limited options.

I guess if I have front done might as well do rear. Which I can do myself depending on dealer price for set installed.

So another coordinated plan to get to Chattanooga (3 hour round trip) and get install work performed.

Lovely

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?ur...hare_fid=112413&share_type=t&share_pid=434091


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Sorry to hear about that. Appreciate the tip though. I'll probably change sways when I lower...better to budget for it all at once.

You have a mod-friendly dealer in Chattanooga?

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AtlantaDad said:

Sorry to hear about that. Appreciate the tip though. I'll probably change sways when I lower...better to budget for it all at once.

You have a mod-friendly dealer in Chattanooga?

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Click to expand...

Not sure you call it mod friendly.
If I pay for work, they do it. They and I also know that warranty likely will not cover suspension issues. Sway bar done at 35,000 so still warranty but I know they will say because I am lowered. Normally one would change bushing likely with a grease fitting one. But not now. Now it is new bar and alignment.

Yes, had I known I would have done it with the springs and then one alignment. Lesson learned.

Still have to see if they will do.
Also have to decide on sway bars.
If they will not, the German Autohaus in Chattanooga will, then have to get back to Dealer for alignment.

I guess just take a week off and vacation in Chattanooga over my car! Ha.


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Sway Bar Choice - Maybe Eibach.

I have Eibach Pro-Kit lowering springs so maybe match them with Eibach Sway Bars front/rear. Will see.

Some info if interested.

https://youtu.be/JowN21gnrjY

Just how good is an Axle Back GTI Clubsport S exhaust.
This good! So good it sounds like a 6 cylinder.

More to come.

https://youtu.be/Emk8y1CilnI


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My Clubsport S Muffler install!
Purchased from CARS245!

Muffler part - 5G6253609DD
Clamp - 1K0253141AA. VW OE part.

Verify part numbers, so you order the right parts. Muffler has a picture on CARS245. If you need to talk to them, send email. Do not use message system on site. They never replied on any I sent thru it. But emails they did.

To start off I want to tell my fellow Forum Members who shared the part numbers and ordering info on muffler and other needed parts, without your help I would not have this part on my car. Below is a link to the first post on a thread that has most of the needed info. A lot to go thru but nothing I have not searched thru a few times.


Clubsport S Muffler Thread

My Clubsport S muffler has arrived! Hope to get it fitted tomorrow

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?ur...hare_fid=112413&share_type=t&share_pid=387919

For the install I also wanted to install the new rear sway bar I purchase as a set along with a new front sway bar. My front bar bushings are shot and needs to be replaced. I will cover the sway bar install in a couple days.
For the rear sway bar I ordered a matching set of end links that I have for the front bar. They were due Friday so my plan was and early start Saturday. Two things prevented an early start, part did not arrive but was confirmed for Saturday and it rained a ton in the early AM. Started around 11:00am. Had the old muffler out and waited on FedEx so I could install the rear bar while muffler was out. Part arrived at noon. [emoji16]

After bar was in, I started on the muffler. The install is not very hard.
When you cut, get it lined up on the middle set of marks. Make a few cuts back and forth. Hold cutter tight and look around pipe to make sure all wheels are on path. If not carefully lift some wheels and adjust. If all are on the same patch the cutting takes less than a minute. File down the edges and slide the clamp on old pipe coming from engine. I was by myself so laid on my back with CSS muffler on my stomach and slid under the car. Lifted up in place and held with one hand while I tried to get socket and screw in place. Switch hands and do the other side. Tighten but not 100%. Line up pipes and slide clamp over. I used to two outside marks on pipe to center the clamp. Tighten but not all the way.
Get up and pull/ push tips into place. Tighten all three items some and check again. Keep tightening and checking. Mine is good but twisted a little. When you look down on bumper, the right side tip is slightly back. Pulling the two pipes apart and tightening the clamp helped. But when I tighten down it pulls back some. I need to pull pipes apart more. Thought I would see if Dealer might adjust when they do front sway bar. Hard to visually tell but I know it is off some.

Fit and finish is good.
Not very hard. A second set of hands will help.

Why did I get the CSS muffler?
Like everyone I have looked at every muffler video there is.
I have not purchased one due to other mod priorities. (Lowering Springs, Wheels\tires, spoilers, etc. I liked how the Muffler sounded on the CSS. I know our engines are different but the muffler sound is good for me. Stock like but more guts. Cost is good and install easy. At the time and may still be a hard to find part. So unique!

In my after video car has 10 miles on muffler. It is warmed up to 200F oil temp. I like my videos, not the best but real World sound. How it sounds out in the open in a parking lot that most of your friends will first hear it.
To those on the fence, hope this helps. I suggest you get it.



Rented the cutter from Advanced Auto. Rent/buy $75, return and get 100% back. The kit also has a pipe spreader I used to straighten the slight dent I had in pipe end from shipping.



The cutter and pipe spreader kit in back ground. I suggest a kit like this you can rent.







I made some ramps to use so the wheels would be loaded for sway bar. But on gravel drive they slide. Jacked car up and used as wheel stands. Turned around so I could jack up and slide in place. No, I did not drive off. Jacked up and pulled ramps out.



It rained and was windy all day. At one point it was so hard, had to stop even with a cover and the fact I was under the car. Only dry place on a car is in it.


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How does the CSS muffler sound?

Before: Stock 2015 GTI

https://youtu.be/dy1EuR8eOsY

After: warmed up with 10 miles on muffler.

https://youtu.be/Fcx2CkACGOo


It is reported that over time the sound will change some.
A little deeper and more gurgling sound. The DSG farts in the car do not sound as loud as I thought. You can hear it but more like a quick note on a tuba. Inside the car sounds very good. One suggested it sounds like a real Soundakator and it does. Just one in the rear. The sound is similar to this video inside. Not as loud as I am not on a track and have back seats and hatch cover.

https://youtu.be/Z6VPhtFKni8



Thanks for visiting.




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Hi Sandman, I just saw that your rubber mounts for the rear silencer are black. Were they like this from factory or you bought new ones ?
Thanks


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MickGTI said:

Hi Sandman, I just saw that your rubber mounts for the rear silencer are black. Were they like this from factory or you bought new ones ?
Thanks


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Click to expand...

Yes. Those are my OE's from the stock muffler.
Has been talked about before. Some areas have red and some black.
I think black is a softer rubber. But, I have never seen the red ones.


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Sandman GTI said:

Yes. Those are my OE's from the stock muffler.
Has been talked about before. Some areas have red and some black.
I think black is a softer rubber. But, I have never seen the red ones.


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Click to expand...

I have the Red ones. Just installed my CSS muffler yesterday and at a certain RPM range depending on load I feel lot of vibration in the back of my seat. I've been wondering if switching for softer ones would help.



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MickGTI said:

I have the Red ones. Just installed my CSS muffler yesterday and at a certain RPM range depending on load I feel lot of vibration in the back of my seat. I've been wondering if switching for softer ones would help.



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Click to expand...

I did not feel vibration today.
A little louder when coasting and at 2,000rpm.
Not a lot but I noticed the change.
Trying to see if I have more NVH from my new rear sway bar. Has the red mounts. Might just be my summer tires today as it was only in 50's today and until warmed up they can rumble some.


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Project day.

I am at the dealer getting the front Eibach Sway Bar installed as it requires and alignment check after. I installed the rear. I purchase the Eibach Sway Bar Kit (front/rear). This will match my Eibach Pro Kit lowering springs. I went with 034 Motorsports end links front and rear. The only better end link I think are VWR's and they are up to $300 for fronts and the same amount for rears. So far with rear bar going from 21mm to 25mm the car has much less roll in comfort mode. With only Eibach rear installed and OE up front the rear is faster in turns now. Nice feel. In all modes the car body roll is great so far. The front will go from 25 to 29mm. [emoji16]

The first Eibach front bar had one bushing not installed correctly. I had Eibach send a replacement after some talking. Was worried bushing might slide out and some metal to metal contact. They first suggested I could push back in. After an attempt and looking at it told them there was no way. The bracket used is top and bottom and not removable. The fit with bushing is way too tight to push back in by hand.

First two pics of the good bushing and bad bushing.













Replacement front bar below. Asked Eibach to inspect before shipping. Looks good and Rrrrrrrrreeeeeeeddddddd!

But no one will ever see!

Front bar has OE brackets on the two bushings from Eibach.
The rear reuses the OE brackets.
Must be a larger bracket to hold larger bar and larger bushing.
Did not think they would use VW Audi parts.




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