LapizHQ's Elevated OEM Golf R Build Thread

[LapizHQ]

LapizHQ's Elevated OEM+ Build Thread
2018 MK7.5 Golf R

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Hello everyone!

I’m excited to kick off this build thread for my 2018 Golf R. Unlike some of the more hardcore builds out there, this one’s going to lean toward a refined, OEM+ approach rather than going all-out on performance mods. Don’t get me wrong—I appreciate a fast car as much as the next enthusiast, but for this build, I’m prioritizing reliability and the satisfaction of a clean, elevated factory-plus aesthetic.

The goal? To create a Golf R that’s a pleasure to drive every day and to keep it running strong for the long haul. When the time is right (and the cash flow permits!), I would love to add a sporty two-seater to the garage in addition to the R, but in my opinion, nothing beats this as a daily driver.

Thanks for checking in—hope you enjoy following along, and I’d love to hear any feedback or ideas you might have!

Feel free to follow the car on Instagram as well @LapizHQ

Current Mods List

Chassis / Suspension

• ShopDap Wheel Spacer Flush Kit​
• Alltrack Skid Plate​

Exterior

• Englishtown 19" Rims​
• Rennwagen V1 Spoiler​
• Yakima Whispbar Roof Rack w/ color matched latches​
• 20% Tint on Rear, 35% on Front​
• Full Graphene Coating​
• PPF on front end​

Interior

• Royal Steering Custom Wheel
• Illuminated Extended DSG Paddle Shifters
• DeAutoKey LED Trunk Housing​
• DeAutoKey Glove Box LED Upgrade​
• DeAutoKey Vanity Mirror / Sunvisor LED Upgrade​
• VW R Logo Monster Mars​
• VW Warning Triangle​
• Audi 12V Cover​

Engine

• Nothing Yet​

Maintenance Items

• Spark Plugs - 5/17/2024 @ 32,000 mi​
• Oil Change - 5/15/2024 @ 31,970 mi​
• DSG Service - 7/17/2024 @ 33,700 mi​
• Haldex Service - 7/17/2024 @ 33,700 mi​

OBD Tweaks

• Pulsing Start Stop Button​
• Album Art for Memory Cards / Radio Stations​
• Auto Reverse Overlay​
• Dynamic Background Dots​
• Windows Up / Down with Keyfob​

Stocked / Ordered Parts List

• Super Pro 24mm Rear Sway Bar and Endlinks​

Planned Mods

• European Dynamic LED Tails
• Power Folding Mirrors
• European Rear Headrests
• Remus Valved / Resonated Catback Exhaust System or IE Downpipe
• IE Stage 1??

 

[EpicTech]

Welcome ! Do the Euro tails soon, I waited way too long for mine and its one of my favorite cosmetic (and functional) mods.

 

[LapizHQ]

March 2024

After months and months of hunting for the perfect car, I finally found and took delivery of my 2018 Mk 7.5 Golf R in Lapiz Blue with ~31,000 mi. Had wanted one of these since I was in high school. My first car was a Mk5 Rabbit and one of my best friends had the Mk5 R32. Had so much fun in that car and swore that one day, when I had the means, I would get one for myself. So taking ownership of this car felt like a big piece of my life coming full circle.

Here she is being dropped off the truck in dire need of a bath

First order of business was to get her washed off, then replace these 18" bronze VMR rims with a set of 19" OEM rims and spacers. Car also came with a set of winter rims and tires which were silver VMR's that I will likely keep for winter use.

Pics of the winters:

And here she is all washed up a couple hours later:

 

[LapizHQ]

Here she is a couple of days later with a new set of Englishtowns and the ShopDAP Wheel Spacer Flush Kit. Really love the spacer kit - people ask me all the time online and at meets what my suspension setup is, and its entirely stock just with spacers! Filling out the wells is a subtle change but I think makes a big difference.

 

[LapizHQ]

April 2024

Made a friend today

 

[LapizHQ]

May 2024

Here she is at a local VW meet

Here are my first couple little OCD Tweaks to the car:
DeAutoKey LEDs in the glove box and trunk (ignore the dude wipes LOL) and added the VW warning triangle to the hatch.

The empty space on the hatch drove me crazy so wanted to see what the factory had planned to fill that with. Turns out it's a warning triangle, which I ordered on eBay I believe

 

[LapizHQ]

May 2024

Changed the oil and spark plugs and started to get into some real mods now. Installed the Alltrack skid plate, which I think is a must-do mod for everyone here.

 

[LapizHQ]

July 2024

Controversial opinion time - but I love how the car's look with a tasteful roof rack installed. The OEM racks are more affordable but stick up pretty high which I think looks a bit silly. I also had them OEM racks on my old Mk5 and they caused a ton of wind noise so I was hoping to find something lower profile and didn't quite stand out as much. Just want to add some sporty utilitarian flair and allowed me to attach my bike to the top when I needed.

Researched online, looked at Yakima, Thule, Rhino, custom solutions, when I found the Whispbar, which I think looked perfect - only problem? They are not sold in the US anymore!

Searched high and low on eBay for a seller that would import them from Australia for me and finally found one. Ordered them in June and they arrived a month or so later. I also saw a couple people in the past that color matched the latches that secure them to the door and I thought that detail really tied the look together and made them look almost OEM.

Very very happy with how they turned out!

 

[LapizHQ]

Welcome ! Do the Euro tails soon, I waited way too long for mine and its one of my favorite cosmetic (and functional) mods.

Hell yeah I agree - they look fantastic and they're definitely on my short list of mods get done soon. ShopDAP has the OEM models for $1k which is a tough pill so swallow, but probably in the next year or so I will bite the bullet

 

[LapizHQ]

September 2024

Made some friends at Cars and Coffee this morning:

And a couple of pictures from around town

 

[LapizHQ]

October 2024

Took her out for a drive through the backgrounds in Washington today to enjoy the Fall leaves. Absolutely amazing time. Car performed great. I've been systematically hunting down and eliminating the interior rattles throughout the car since I took ownership, and it seems I have finally diagnosed and fixed them all so this drive was pure bliss.

Installed the Rennwagen Spoiler on the back hatch - hard to see from these angels as it's very subtle. When you're getting into the car and looking back at it, the spoiler looks fantastic. If people want I can take some photos of the spoiler itself.

Also placed an order for my custom steering wheel from Royal Steering in the UK. Cannot wait for it to arrive. I added thumb grips, made it a bit thicker, added AMG perforated leather along the grips only. should have it by the end of the month!

 

[EpicTech]

Hell yeah I agree - they look fantastic and they're definitely on my short list of mods get done soon. ShopDAP has the OEM models for $1k which is a tough pill so swallow, but probably in the next year or so I will bite the bullet

I got the VLand version, about $400 I think it was.

 

[LapizHQ]

I got the VLand version, about $400 I think it was.

Oh nice - any issues with condensation? Are they visibly any different? Will have to take a look through your thread this evening

 

[EpicTech]

Oh nice - any issues with condensation? Are they visibly any different?

Will take a look through your thread this evening

They do light up slightly different than OEM euro tails, and the wiring was slightly different. I ended up getting some assistance from a forum member on here to correct some of the lighting issues that were done. Mine look almost OEM euro, to the point where you really got to look at them and know how the Euro's light up to tell the difference. I'm happy overall though and the scrolling blinkers is just the business lol. No condensation issues at all.

 

[19birel]

Nice work so far! Love the racks on there!

As far as the VLAND lights go, I was under the impression they didn't work on the MK7.5?