2018 GTI SE: How would you mod with $5k? $10k? $15k?

[Nineeightyone]

Mine is from a low mileage Audi S3 that was totaled. I drive my GTI every day, to work, all over Texas, and back home to Louisiana to see friends occasionally on weekends. I always look forward to driving it as its just such a good balance where I (and Diggs) have it now. I can drive briskly through twisties, or it can be an interstate missile, providing traffic is light and the radar stays quiet lol. I still get good mpg, mid to high 20's city, and cruising at 75 it says 30mpg. One of the reasons for my current seat project is so I can strap in and enjoy the car even more. I also plan on raising the coilovers about an inch and getting meatier versions of my Conti DW06's for some extra grip. Adding a RSB and moog endlinks after I finish moving and get the car setup in the garage, so I'm sure that will help.

Have you ridden in an IS38 GTI yet? It's quite amusing. My buddy has a 17 Golf R EQT tuned on OEM IS38 and I pull on him from a 60 roll. Must be the GTI's different gearing.

I drove a friend's S2 R and while it was fun, it didn't feel like it was as quick around town as my S1 GTI. Same tuner, I'm thinking I'll go S2 first and then when that stops being insane I can go IS38+ and maybe an E30 setup after that. I wasn't sure how the gearing plays in, I'd love to ride in an IS38 GTI but I'm not aware of any in my area. I'm figuring at the earliest mid-2024 for an IS38+, downpipe and accompanying tune this year are looking pretty good but we'll see how things go.

It sounds like we have pretty similar goals, I'm actually looking at 235 DWS06+ for my summer wheels because they're just a really good tire IMO. Thanks for the insight!

 

[CarbonDub]

...an AP? Which is easily resold??? Vs the APR tune which you can't? Feel free to go home lol

My point is that I did napkin math (which I still stand by) for comparing upfront cost for brand new parts for the budget version of a few common setups, not a lifecycle cost analysis including resale value in 5 years at sister suisie’s swap meet.

Please do your blood pressure a favor and go touch some grass today - it’s not that serious.

 

[manu97]

My point is that I did napkin math (which I still stand by) for comparing upfront cost for brand new parts for the budget version of a few common setups, not a lifecycle cost analysis including resale value in 5 years at sister suisie’s swap meet.

Please do your blood pressure a favor and go touch some grass today - it’s not that serious.

Haha, man I'm relaxed. Your math just takes a very narrow scope. Most people will return their modded cars to stock, and resell parts. Some may sell it as is, but that's certainly not the norm.

 

[Subliminal]

people are still running DTRs?

 

[messrock]

I drove a friend's S2 R and while it was fun, it didn't feel like it was as quick around town as my S1 GTI. Same tuner, I'm thinking I'll go S2 first and then when that stops being insane I can go IS38+ and maybe an E30 setup after that. I wasn't sure how the gearing plays in, I'd love to ride in an IS38 GTI but I'm not aware of any in my area. I'm figuring at the earliest mid-2024 for an IS38+, downpipe and accompanying tune this year are looking pretty good but we'll see how things go.

It sounds like we have pretty similar goals, I'm actually looking at 235 DWS06+ for my summer wheels because they're just a really good tire IMO. Thanks for the insight!

If you’re running a dedicated summer wheel, go with dedicated summer rubber. Even the stickiest all seasons are going to be problematic once you get above stock power.

And if you can, go for 245. I can still break free on my 235 PS4S.

 

[Acadia18]

 

[messrock]

View attachment 276119

 

[Daks]

people are still running DTRs?

And guess who's still faster?

 

[Nineeightyone]

If you’re running a dedicated summer wheel, go with dedicated summer rubber. Even the stickiest all seasons are going to be problematic once you get above stock power.

And if you can, go for 245. I can still break free on my 235 PS4S.

Thing is, they're 18x8, and I'm worried about pinch. Given your input though, I might be swindled into some RE71RS or RT660, because they're not that expensive. Unless there's another inexpensive-ish tire that's going to outperform the DWS06+, which I honestly like for their rain capabilities. 660s in the rain were slide city, and that's not great for street use.

 

[EpicTech]

Thing is, they're 18x8, and I'm worried about pinch. Given your input though, I might be swindled into some RE71RS or RT660, because they're not that expensive. Unless there's another inexpensive-ish tire that's going to outperform the DWS06+, which I honestly like for their rain capabilities. 660s in the rain were slide city, and that's not great for street use.

You could take a look at Firehawk Indy 500's. I ran a set and they are grippy. Light rain is ok and they are inexpensive for the performance you get.

 

[victorofhavoc]

I drove a friend's S2 R and while it was fun, it didn't feel like it was as quick around town as my S1 GTI. Same tuner, I'm thinking I'll go S2 first and then when that stops being insane I can go IS38+ and maybe an E30 setup after that. I wasn't sure how the gearing plays in, I'd love to ride in an IS38 GTI but I'm not aware of any in my area. I'm figuring at the earliest mid-2024 for an IS38+, downpipe and accompanying tune this year are looking pretty good but we'll see how things go.

It sounds like we have pretty similar goals, I'm actually looking at 235 DWS06+ for my summer wheels because they're just a really good tire IMO. Thanks for the insight!

The bigger turbo is more fun if you're revving it out to 6k+ rpm and flooring it on on ramps. The smaller turbo is more fun when you're shifting before 5k rpm and coming out of corners.

Smaller turbo always has a lower threshold and slightly faster spool. Keeping the rpm in the 2500-5k range makes the is20 more "fun" and responsive. Both turbo are still dirt slow response compared to an NA engine.

At this point I've spent over $20k modding and demodding the car. Lots of aftermarket parts that I've deemed too low quality to ethically sell anyone else (looking at 85%+ of my 034 junk) went straight into the trash. If you're driving on the street only, the best mod you can get for 15k is a car with a better factory suspension. This platform is okay and can be quick, but it gives up a lot on feel and the "fun factor" of immediate throttle response and hydraulic or manual steering. The newer gens miata with 180hp, lower weight, better suspension design, and better steering feel much more alive and exciting on the street. Brz as well, but they're very fragile.

Just my two cents

 

[victorofhavoc]

Thing is, they're 18x8, and I'm worried about pinch. Given your input though, I might be swindled into some RE71RS or RT660, because they're not that expensive. Unless there's another inexpensive-ish tire that's going to outperform the DWS06+, which I honestly like for their rain capabilities. 660s in the rain were slide city, and that's not great for street use.

Any max or extreme performance summer will be a massive step up from the dws. The dws are a fine tire, but they have basically no grip when cold and overheat fast. That's the sad truth for any all season tire. The ps4s will give you grip almost like the extreme performance category and not punish you for it on the street, but thats why they command a price premium. They're stellar in the wet too.

 

[Nineeightyone]

The bigger turbo is more fun if you're revving it out to 6k+ rpm and flooring it on on ramps. The smaller turbo is more fun when you're shifting before 5k rpm and coming out of corners.

Smaller turbo always has a lower threshold and slightly faster spool. Keeping the rpm in the 2500-5k range makes the is20 more "fun" and responsive. Both turbo are still dirt slow response compared to an NA engine.

At this point I've spent over $20k modding and demodding the car. Lots of aftermarket parts that I've deemed too low quality to ethically sell anyone else (looking at 85%+ of my 034 junk) went straight into the trash. If you're driving on the street only, the best mod you can get for 15k is a car with a better factory suspension. This platform is okay and can be quick, but it gives up a lot on feel and the "fun factor" of immediate throttle response and hydraulic or manual steering. The newer gens miata with 180hp, lower weight, better suspension design, and better steering feel much more alive and exciting on the street. Brz as well, but they're very fragile.

Just my two cents

Any max or extreme performance summer will be a massive step up from the dws. The dws are a fine tire, but they have basically no grip when cold and overheat fast. That's the sad truth for any all season tire. The ps4s will give you grip almost like the extreme performance category and not punish you for it on the street, but thats why they command a price premium. They're stellar in the wet too.

Points taken -- and coincidentally enough, my wife and I are planning on an ND/RF in the future as a dedicated racecar.

I'm pretty set on the stage 2 and downpipe solution, and who knows -- maybe that'll be plenty for me. But I appreciate the input, and will have to look at the options a little more.

 

[Daks]

You could take a look at Firehawk Indy 500's. I ran a set and they are grippy. Light rain is ok and they are inexpensive for the performance you get.

Those tires are shit, man.

 

[EpicTech]

Those tires are shit, man.

Oh I know, thats why I didnt buy them again lol. They are cheap and at the time I got them, I needed cheap.