MK7 Confessions

[mrmatto]

1. your CPO warranty will not / does not cover suspension parts, they are wear items like brakes. You’re much better off with B6/SA
2. Yeah upgrading headlights on base models sucks lol, the only good solution now that Ed/BEC is out of business is Osram, it is not an OEM replica but an aftermarket design. But Osram IS an OEM and their headlight replacements for halogen MK7’s are the highest quality offering on the market.
3. You can always sell your OEM wheels to recoup some of the cost of upgrading to better wheels. You can also look on the forums (here, VWVortex etc) for people selling their aftermarket sets. There’s always someone who either just bought a set and then changed their mind so they’re like literally brand new / unused and for a discount, or you can buy actually used ones from someone who’s taken good care of them and is offering a fair price.

Well #1 makes my decision even easier.

 

[riceburner]

i unplugged my DV to hear chu-kuh-chu noises on my APR turbo.

 

[StorableComa]

1. your CPO warranty will not / does not cover suspension parts, they are wear items like brakes. You’re much better off with B6/SA
2. Yeah upgrading headlights on base models sucks lol, the only good solution now that Ed/BEC is out of business is Osram, it is not an OEM replica but an aftermarket design. But Osram IS an OEM and their headlight replacements for halogen MK7’s are the highest quality offering on the market.
3. You can always sell your OEM wheels to recoup some of the cost of upgrading to better wheels. You can also look on the forums (here, VWVortex etc) for people selling their aftermarket sets. There’s always someone who either just bought a set and then changed their mind so they’re like literally brand new / unused and for a discount, or you can buy actually used ones from someone who’s taken good care of them and is offering a fair price.

Ed's reps were just AKD aliexpress headlights he imported in large groups I believe.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mtIrGZm

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mt5pXtS




Helix and Spyder also make mk7 headlights I believe, but many have ordered the AKD lights with no issue.

 

[StorableComa]

All the things left that I want to mod on my GTI are really expensive, which means I'll probably keep coming up with little cheap things to do when I really should just budget for the big things...

What's left:

1. Shocks/Struts. Stock ones are at the end of their life. (I'm still under CPO, so I could probably get stock replacements soon, but I don't want stockers. However..... free....). I'm not looking to lower the car or significantly stiffen the ride. Just looking for more ride polish and control. Something like Koni Special Actives or Bilstein B6 (leaning toward the Konis). Next sale that hits I might pull the trigger.
2. Headlights. I want to get rid of that stock base mk7 ladybug look. Probably not worth ~$800 to me.
3. Wheels. I like the stock Austins OK, so this isn't a high priority, but I would like a different look that isn't so flashy.

I think I'll probably get the most noticeable enjoyment and improvement out of #1, since I drive ~12k mi a year and autocross ~1x a month.

Other confession: Sometimes I drive too fast in the city when there aren't others around. This car is going to get me arrested.

Here is a set cheaper than the AKD if you want to take a chance.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mL4aTZE

 

[Acadia18]

Ed's reps were just AKD aliexpress headlights he imported in large groups I believe.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mtIrGZm

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mt5pXtS




Helix and Spyder also make mk7 headlights I believe, but many have ordered the AKD lights with no issue.

Here is a set cheaper than the AKD if you want to take a chance.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mL4aTZE

My assumption with nearly everything on AliExpress like that, is they're all made in the same factory.

 

[swcrow]

I bagged my car.

Welcome to the familia….

 

[mrmatto]

My assumption with nearly everything on AliExpress like that, is they're all made in the same factory.

They even use the same exact photos sometime. You can see labels on the back, wiring details, etc. are the same on many of these.

 

[sterkrazzy]

i unplugged my DV to hear chu-kuh-chu noises on my APR turbo.

King Rice!

 

[Subliminal]

i unplugged my DV to hear chu-kuh-chu noises on my APR turbo.

you got red mud flaps bro?

 

[MonkeyMD]

Here is a set cheaper than the AKD if you want to take a chance.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mL4aTZE

Assuming the $400 one is A

Three configurations:

A The low beam is not equipped with a light source, the high beam is halogen, you need to buy the D2H bulb yourself
B Low beam with HID or LED bulb, high beam halogen
C high beam low beam full led

 

[Treadup]

I want this to simply make the engine more attractive.

 

[scrllock]

I want this to simply make the engine more attractive.
View attachment 258266View attachment 258267

I've always wondered just how rough these aftermarket manifolds are at idle/low throttle with the lack of runner flaps.

 

[starsmith]

that manifold looks so flowy it's almost comical

 

[GenX Retread]

I have a 300Km daily commute... had Covid a month ago, life happened... you would not guess how many Km since my last oil change.

It would give some of you a stroke, best not to ask. (It goes in Monday for service.)

My 16 month old car will be out of warranty in another 6 weeks.

 

[acoustic_]

186 mile daily commute?

God bless your soul