tigeo
Autocross Champion
- Location
- Richmond, VA area
Picked up my Pure White (Titan Black cloth interior) 2018 Golf Sportwagen S 4motion DSG since mid-Nov 2018.
I knew I wanted a wagon (and not a SUV/CUV like the masses) and there really aren’t many (good) choices. The Subis just don’t do it for with their gutless motors and CVT weirdness. I considered a 3-year old off-lease BMW 328 but it would have been more money for a vehicle with 50K on it. I test drove an All Track but it rode stiffer than the GSW and I didn’t care for the lift/cladding. I did however love the Marrakesh Brown interior!
Here’s my summary/modding/etc. so far. I’m really more of an OEM to OEM+ kind of person w/r to my cars as they are DDs and I just like the more stock look.
Starting with the deal…got a great one. $21.8K before TTL. This price*included*the following I had the dealer put on:
VW 17” Blade wheels with 225 45R17 Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season tires
VW Splash guards
VW Roof rack bars
VW Bumperdillo rear bumper protection plate
The car also included the customary VW port accessories including the monster mats, roadside assistance kit, luggage net, and HD trunk matt w/cargo blocks.
So for comparison if I bought just the car, it would have been around $19K before TTL. Amazing. I don’t buy any of the F&I/backend products but did finance through the dealer/local bank to achieve that price (as they are clearly getting some money on that which is fine and allows them to give me a better OTD price – the rate was 1.5% higher than my bank). I had a check from my credit union to combine with my ~30% DP but this will be fine and in the end it will be paid off in 4-6 months and the dealer loan will only add a few hundred extra in total to the bill vs. if I had gone through Navy Federal and I’m sure I did better than that in the overall deal. It’s not worth a re-fi for that little bit of money/time. Hoping to have this car at least 12 years and it will likely go to my youngest in about 7 years when he starts driving.
The car was missing a few things, the tow hook and the infotainment manual. The dealer I bought it from isn’t that convenient for me to get to so I just ordered the hook for the tool kit from ECS and the dealer mailed me the manual. I like things to be complete!
Initial impressions of the car after purchse:
The good…
Amazing car for ~$20K. I was concerned about the cloth seats but actually think I prefer them now..not so cold/hard in the winter and heated (HOT) to boot! For a “stripper”, it’s quite feature-laden and I’ve always liked that VW gives the base models essentially the same exterior appearance as the higher end trims so people don’t see your car and say “base model”; the VW Blade wheels I added certainly help in that regard but the stock 16s don’t look bad. Drives great. Love the extra room over my Focus in the cargo area. I know the manual purists will ding me but I really like the DSG. This is coming from DD’ing a manual for the last nearly 25 years (so this isn’t a novelty to me maybe as it would be for say someone younger that hasn’t driven one)…I don’t miss rowing my own gears one bit and can just drive the my manual Focus when I need a fix. Sure nice not having to mess with a manual in traffic and to me, the DSG feels “normal” with the slightly more jerky feeling you get at slow speeds/stop/go/inclines etc. I suppose I also drive it differently b/c of my experience with a manual and in slow stop/go I try to creep as I think about the clutches working so I try to be on/off with the brake to allow them to fully engage/not heat up from slipping if you scoot along not allowing them to fully engage. Also like that I can tune this with no drama w/r to the manual’s clutch not be rated for the extra torque. It’s got a ton of room with the seats down and I really dig that the rear seat release is in the cargo area. The HVAC is great and I actually don’t mind the manual system, it has crazy-good heat. No auto start stop (I assume due to the DSG)?….YAYESS!
The bad…
It’s a stripper so a few things are missing that I am used to namely satellite radio (working through that with Android Auto//SD card and getting used to our local regular FM stations) and fog lights (really like yellow fogs on cars like this but install seems to be a PITA). The more limited functionality of the infotainment unit is a bit disappointing especially since you can’t even use OBDEleven to enable some things in this car (no ability to upload station art…really? no compass?). I wish the LED tails were amber and it’s just not worth the cost/hassle to deal with a complete Euro replacement set to me for this functionality. I don’t like that the front doors are missing more detents to hold them open on a slope at less than full-open and almost closed. I don't think there is anywhere close to enough room in the cubby in front of the gear shift to reach in and plug in the USB for Android Auto etc., I'm not big and my hands barely fit. I just leave my cord plugged in and stowed in there. Finally, and this may sound odd, but I don’t mind the standard key vs. push button start. I think overall, VW does a good job on their base-trim cars and sure, you want more but if they gave it to you on the base it 1) would cost more and 2) nobody would buy the higher trims.
Mods/upgrades:
Some YouTube videos on the various upgrades etc. on my channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmWdUJoeOcZYSP1Ei5n4pog?view_as=subscriber
Current mod list (11/2020):
Yakima Frontloader bike trays (x2) - REI
Llumar Pinnacle ceramic tint all the way around with 50% front and 35% rears – local tint place, this is the legal limit in VA and I'm a rule follower
Aukey dual USB charger for the 12V - Amazon
VW license plate frames – VW/dealer
First aid kit - Amazon
Knock-off GTI pedal kit - Amazon
P. side air duct Euro block-off plate - ECS
D. side air duct mod - Dremel
interior LED kit - deAutoLED
front LED turn signals - deAutoLED
low/high beam LEDs - deAutoLED
VW windshield sunshade – VW/dealer
APR A01 18x8.5 et45 black wheels w/APR black lug bolts - BMP Tuning
APR black valve caps – APR
VW door sill protection film - Ebay
VW full-length splash shield (vented for the DSG - not the Alltrack skid plate) - ECS
VW driver's side under-seat drawer - ECS
VW warning triangle to fit in cubby on rear hatch (and replace the crappy one in the Roadside Assistance Kit) - ECS
Kiddie auto fire extinguisher (fits in the Roadside Assistance Kit) - Walmart
Vumos travel umbrella (has a case similar to the VW one and fits in the door cubby...the VW one was out of stock everywhere except the $100 one on Ebay...OUT ON THAT!) - Amazon
APR Tuning version 2 dogbone insert - BMP Tuning
Door hinge covers – Ebay
Leyo PD Sportline black anno paddle shift extensions - Leyo
Matte black vinyl overlay for the p. side airbag light - Badgeskins
GTI plaid steering wheel emblem inlay - Klii Motorwerkes
Unitronic stage badge for hatch - Unitronic
Kenu Airframe + vent-mount phone holder - Amazon
Center console storage tray - ECS
Scwaben LED rechargeable flashlight for 12V outlet - ECS
Black mirror caps - Ebay
VW rear window side spoilers - e-acca
CTS Turbo turbo inlet pipe - DAP
CTS Turbo turbo muffler delete - DAP
Audi A3 Euro low-profile rear headrests - FB Marketplace
ECS vent-mounted boost gauge + intake manifold boost tap - ECS
Unitronic Stage 1+ ECU and Stage 1 DSG performance software - DAP
Unitronic Stage 2 IS20 ECU and Stage 2 DSG performance software - local dealer
Unitronic Stage 2+ IS38 ECU performance software - local dealer
Unitronic AWD MQB downpipe - local dealer
Unitronic MQB intercooler - local dealer
Unitronic MQB charge pipe/hose kit - local dealer
Neuspeed P-Flo intake - DAP
IHI IS38 turbo - DAP
312mm front brake upgrade (used carriers from an Alltrack) including Stoptech Sport slotted rotors and EBC Redstuff pads - FB Marketplace for carriers, rest from DAP
Spare set of f/r Carquest Platinum painted rotors w/EBC Yellowstuff pads for track use - Advance Auto, DAP, FCP Euro
H&R Sport springs - local dealer
H&R 25mm r. sway bar - DAP
VW Homelink auto-dimming mirror w/compass - FB Marketplace
CTS Golf R/Audi S3 resonator delete - DAP
Golf R estate r. valence/diffuser + quad tips - e-acca
I’ve done the following OBDEleven tweaks:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1wMSDN_RHhzDwcaolOdMHIKRAEwKLTO5lhttps://drive.google.com/open?id=11_ILEdFV1ZksT1odYTg1_VVyEqBIdPue
I knew I wanted a wagon (and not a SUV/CUV like the masses) and there really aren’t many (good) choices. The Subis just don’t do it for with their gutless motors and CVT weirdness. I considered a 3-year old off-lease BMW 328 but it would have been more money for a vehicle with 50K on it. I test drove an All Track but it rode stiffer than the GSW and I didn’t care for the lift/cladding. I did however love the Marrakesh Brown interior!
Here’s my summary/modding/etc. so far. I’m really more of an OEM to OEM+ kind of person w/r to my cars as they are DDs and I just like the more stock look.
Starting with the deal…got a great one. $21.8K before TTL. This price*included*the following I had the dealer put on:
VW 17” Blade wheels with 225 45R17 Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season tires
VW Splash guards
VW Roof rack bars
VW Bumperdillo rear bumper protection plate
The car also included the customary VW port accessories including the monster mats, roadside assistance kit, luggage net, and HD trunk matt w/cargo blocks.
So for comparison if I bought just the car, it would have been around $19K before TTL. Amazing. I don’t buy any of the F&I/backend products but did finance through the dealer/local bank to achieve that price (as they are clearly getting some money on that which is fine and allows them to give me a better OTD price – the rate was 1.5% higher than my bank). I had a check from my credit union to combine with my ~30% DP but this will be fine and in the end it will be paid off in 4-6 months and the dealer loan will only add a few hundred extra in total to the bill vs. if I had gone through Navy Federal and I’m sure I did better than that in the overall deal. It’s not worth a re-fi for that little bit of money/time. Hoping to have this car at least 12 years and it will likely go to my youngest in about 7 years when he starts driving.
The car was missing a few things, the tow hook and the infotainment manual. The dealer I bought it from isn’t that convenient for me to get to so I just ordered the hook for the tool kit from ECS and the dealer mailed me the manual. I like things to be complete!
Initial impressions of the car after purchse:
The good…
Amazing car for ~$20K. I was concerned about the cloth seats but actually think I prefer them now..not so cold/hard in the winter and heated (HOT) to boot! For a “stripper”, it’s quite feature-laden and I’ve always liked that VW gives the base models essentially the same exterior appearance as the higher end trims so people don’t see your car and say “base model”; the VW Blade wheels I added certainly help in that regard but the stock 16s don’t look bad. Drives great. Love the extra room over my Focus in the cargo area. I know the manual purists will ding me but I really like the DSG. This is coming from DD’ing a manual for the last nearly 25 years (so this isn’t a novelty to me maybe as it would be for say someone younger that hasn’t driven one)…I don’t miss rowing my own gears one bit and can just drive the my manual Focus when I need a fix. Sure nice not having to mess with a manual in traffic and to me, the DSG feels “normal” with the slightly more jerky feeling you get at slow speeds/stop/go/inclines etc. I suppose I also drive it differently b/c of my experience with a manual and in slow stop/go I try to creep as I think about the clutches working so I try to be on/off with the brake to allow them to fully engage/not heat up from slipping if you scoot along not allowing them to fully engage. Also like that I can tune this with no drama w/r to the manual’s clutch not be rated for the extra torque. It’s got a ton of room with the seats down and I really dig that the rear seat release is in the cargo area. The HVAC is great and I actually don’t mind the manual system, it has crazy-good heat. No auto start stop (I assume due to the DSG)?….YAYESS!
The bad…
It’s a stripper so a few things are missing that I am used to namely satellite radio (working through that with Android Auto//SD card and getting used to our local regular FM stations) and fog lights (really like yellow fogs on cars like this but install seems to be a PITA). The more limited functionality of the infotainment unit is a bit disappointing especially since you can’t even use OBDEleven to enable some things in this car (no ability to upload station art…really? no compass?). I wish the LED tails were amber and it’s just not worth the cost/hassle to deal with a complete Euro replacement set to me for this functionality. I don’t like that the front doors are missing more detents to hold them open on a slope at less than full-open and almost closed. I don't think there is anywhere close to enough room in the cubby in front of the gear shift to reach in and plug in the USB for Android Auto etc., I'm not big and my hands barely fit. I just leave my cord plugged in and stowed in there. Finally, and this may sound odd, but I don’t mind the standard key vs. push button start. I think overall, VW does a good job on their base-trim cars and sure, you want more but if they gave it to you on the base it 1) would cost more and 2) nobody would buy the higher trims.
Mods/upgrades:
Some YouTube videos on the various upgrades etc. on my channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmWdUJoeOcZYSP1Ei5n4pog?view_as=subscriber
Current mod list (11/2020):
Yakima Frontloader bike trays (x2) - REI
Llumar Pinnacle ceramic tint all the way around with 50% front and 35% rears – local tint place, this is the legal limit in VA and I'm a rule follower
Aukey dual USB charger for the 12V - Amazon
VW license plate frames – VW/dealer
First aid kit - Amazon
Knock-off GTI pedal kit - Amazon
P. side air duct Euro block-off plate - ECS
D. side air duct mod - Dremel
interior LED kit - deAutoLED
front LED turn signals - deAutoLED
low/high beam LEDs - deAutoLED
VW windshield sunshade – VW/dealer
APR A01 18x8.5 et45 black wheels w/APR black lug bolts - BMP Tuning
APR black valve caps – APR
VW door sill protection film - Ebay
VW full-length splash shield (vented for the DSG - not the Alltrack skid plate) - ECS
VW driver's side under-seat drawer - ECS
VW warning triangle to fit in cubby on rear hatch (and replace the crappy one in the Roadside Assistance Kit) - ECS
Kiddie auto fire extinguisher (fits in the Roadside Assistance Kit) - Walmart
Vumos travel umbrella (has a case similar to the VW one and fits in the door cubby...the VW one was out of stock everywhere except the $100 one on Ebay...OUT ON THAT!) - Amazon
APR Tuning version 2 dogbone insert - BMP Tuning
Door hinge covers – Ebay
Leyo PD Sportline black anno paddle shift extensions - Leyo
Matte black vinyl overlay for the p. side airbag light - Badgeskins
GTI plaid steering wheel emblem inlay - Klii Motorwerkes
Unitronic stage badge for hatch - Unitronic
Kenu Airframe + vent-mount phone holder - Amazon
Center console storage tray - ECS
Scwaben LED rechargeable flashlight for 12V outlet - ECS
Black mirror caps - Ebay
VW rear window side spoilers - e-acca
CTS Turbo turbo inlet pipe - DAP
CTS Turbo turbo muffler delete - DAP
Audi A3 Euro low-profile rear headrests - FB Marketplace
ECS vent-mounted boost gauge + intake manifold boost tap - ECS
Unitronic Stage 1+ ECU and Stage 1 DSG performance software - DAP
Unitronic Stage 2 IS20 ECU and Stage 2 DSG performance software - local dealer
Unitronic Stage 2+ IS38 ECU performance software - local dealer
Unitronic AWD MQB downpipe - local dealer
Unitronic MQB intercooler - local dealer
Unitronic MQB charge pipe/hose kit - local dealer
Neuspeed P-Flo intake - DAP
IHI IS38 turbo - DAP
312mm front brake upgrade (used carriers from an Alltrack) including Stoptech Sport slotted rotors and EBC Redstuff pads - FB Marketplace for carriers, rest from DAP
Spare set of f/r Carquest Platinum painted rotors w/EBC Yellowstuff pads for track use - Advance Auto, DAP, FCP Euro
H&R Sport springs - local dealer
H&R 25mm r. sway bar - DAP
VW Homelink auto-dimming mirror w/compass - FB Marketplace
CTS Golf R/Audi S3 resonator delete - DAP
Golf R estate r. valence/diffuser + quad tips - e-acca
I’ve done the following OBDEleven tweaks:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1wMSDN_RHhzDwcaolOdMHIKRAEwKLTO5lhttps://drive.google.com/open?id=11_ILEdFV1ZksT1odYTg1_VVyEqBIdPue
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