After lurking around for years, it’s probably time I properly introduce myself and my MK7.
This GTI was (Is) my first car, and I have had a blast learning to drive and work on cars throughout my ownership. I purchased my car new in may of 2018, and have been improving it incrementally ever since!
Current mod list (Timeline below) (updated 6/22/21)
Engine:
> EQT Vortex hybrid turbo
> A2B 925cc MPI
> Walbro 450 LPFP
> PM4 fuel controller
> Autotech HPFP
> APR Ignition coils
> 5/4 bar MAP sensor upgrades
> Protuned through Cobb AP
Intake/Exhaust Mods:
> 4" CAI
> DVB2 Inlet pipe
> EQT discharge pipe
> ECS throttle pipe
> Ebay "Majesty" Intercooler
> CTS 3" downpipe + Catback exhaust
Suspension/Wheels/Chassis:
> Verkline tubular front subframe
> Verkline tubular front wishbones
> Godspeed adjustable upper rear control arms
> Bilstein B16 coilovers
> Konig Dekagram 18 x 8.5" Et 43
> Firestone Indy 500 255/35
> Porsche Macan BBK
> BFI stage 2 engine/trans/dogbone mounts
> Roc-Euro stabilizer arm
> Euro-Sport front strut brace & rear hatch brace
> ECS front & rear adjustable endlinks
> ST 25mm rear sway bar
> Superpro spherical top mounts
Supporting/Misc. Mods:
> Southbend stage 3 endurance clutch kit
> Dieselgeek billet shifter setup
> Fuel-it ethanol sensor
> IE PCV replacement & catch can system
> iAbed billet rear main seal
> 30% / 20% Ceramic tint
> 034 DD aluminum wheel spacers
> Rear wiper delete
> SAI delete
> A/C delete (haters welcome)
> USP stainless steel clutch line
> ECS clutch bleeder block
> Optima lightweight battery
_______________
I purchased my 2018 mk7.5 GTI SE new in May of 2018 for ~$32,000. I was able to get all of the options I was looking for- Leather, 6MT, PP, and of course the red color
I also purchased a set of OEM rotary wheels in anthracite, which were mounted on the car when It arrived.
This was (is) my first car, so I struggled at first with driving manual, but quickly got the hang of it and put a few thousand miles on the car.
At 1,000 miles I added a stage 2 BFI dogbone insert. About 500 miles later tint was applied, as well as a short shifter and I deleted the rear wiper at around 2,200 miles. The car was already coming together!
After driving for another ~500 miles, I decided that I needed more sound! Unfortunately, I purchased a cheapo $92 catless downpipe to fit up, and struggled with exhaust leaks and rattles from poor fitment.
Eventually I was able to get the install sorted, and enjoyed the downpipe for another 25,000+ miles.
When the car rolled over 5,000 miles I installed a Jb4 to bump the power up a bit. After running map 2 and a custom map 6 for a while, I removed the system after only 4,000 miles. No other mods were done during this period, but the dealership did perform a free oil change at some point.
I then drove the car stock for a while during a move across the country, and managed to make it to 18,000 miles with no hiccups, with an oil change or two in between.
The modding bug hit hard again in the spring, and I installed a MAP open intake, as well as a new JB4 unit and WVR lowering springs to tie it all together.
Over the summer, I continued to update the car, adding the following in close order: ECS Flush kit, whiteline front endlinks, EBC redsuff pads, Indy 500 245/40 tires. At this point, the car was in Arizona, and I was tearing up canyons regularly with friends. The car performed great in the twisties with the small power pump, slight suspension changes, and other small tweaks done at this point.
I also sent it a little too hard one night, and roasted the stock clutch at around 23,000 miles. In went a BFI stage 3 kit and the car was all good again, if a bit chattery.
This GTI was (Is) my first car, and I have had a blast learning to drive and work on cars throughout my ownership. I purchased my car new in may of 2018, and have been improving it incrementally ever since!
Current mod list (Timeline below) (updated 6/22/21)
Engine:
> EQT Vortex hybrid turbo
> A2B 925cc MPI
> Walbro 450 LPFP
> PM4 fuel controller
> Autotech HPFP
> APR Ignition coils
> 5/4 bar MAP sensor upgrades
> Protuned through Cobb AP
Intake/Exhaust Mods:
> 4" CAI
> DVB2 Inlet pipe
> EQT discharge pipe
> ECS throttle pipe
> Ebay "Majesty" Intercooler
> CTS 3" downpipe + Catback exhaust
Suspension/Wheels/Chassis:
> Verkline tubular front subframe
> Verkline tubular front wishbones
> Godspeed adjustable upper rear control arms
> Bilstein B16 coilovers
> Konig Dekagram 18 x 8.5" Et 43
> Firestone Indy 500 255/35
> Porsche Macan BBK
> BFI stage 2 engine/trans/dogbone mounts
> Roc-Euro stabilizer arm
> Euro-Sport front strut brace & rear hatch brace
> ECS front & rear adjustable endlinks
> ST 25mm rear sway bar
> Superpro spherical top mounts
Supporting/Misc. Mods:
> Southbend stage 3 endurance clutch kit
> Dieselgeek billet shifter setup
> Fuel-it ethanol sensor
> IE PCV replacement & catch can system
> iAbed billet rear main seal
> 30% / 20% Ceramic tint
> 034 DD aluminum wheel spacers
> Rear wiper delete
> SAI delete
> A/C delete (haters welcome)
> USP stainless steel clutch line
> ECS clutch bleeder block
> Optima lightweight battery
_______________
I purchased my 2018 mk7.5 GTI SE new in May of 2018 for ~$32,000. I was able to get all of the options I was looking for- Leather, 6MT, PP, and of course the red color
I also purchased a set of OEM rotary wheels in anthracite, which were mounted on the car when It arrived.
This was (is) my first car, so I struggled at first with driving manual, but quickly got the hang of it and put a few thousand miles on the car.
At 1,000 miles I added a stage 2 BFI dogbone insert. About 500 miles later tint was applied, as well as a short shifter and I deleted the rear wiper at around 2,200 miles. The car was already coming together!
After driving for another ~500 miles, I decided that I needed more sound! Unfortunately, I purchased a cheapo $92 catless downpipe to fit up, and struggled with exhaust leaks and rattles from poor fitment.
Eventually I was able to get the install sorted, and enjoyed the downpipe for another 25,000+ miles.
When the car rolled over 5,000 miles I installed a Jb4 to bump the power up a bit. After running map 2 and a custom map 6 for a while, I removed the system after only 4,000 miles. No other mods were done during this period, but the dealership did perform a free oil change at some point.
I then drove the car stock for a while during a move across the country, and managed to make it to 18,000 miles with no hiccups, with an oil change or two in between.
The modding bug hit hard again in the spring, and I installed a MAP open intake, as well as a new JB4 unit and WVR lowering springs to tie it all together.
Over the summer, I continued to update the car, adding the following in close order: ECS Flush kit, whiteline front endlinks, EBC redsuff pads, Indy 500 245/40 tires. At this point, the car was in Arizona, and I was tearing up canyons regularly with friends. The car performed great in the twisties with the small power pump, slight suspension changes, and other small tweaks done at this point.
I also sent it a little too hard one night, and roasted the stock clutch at around 23,000 miles. In went a BFI stage 3 kit and the car was all good again, if a bit chattery.
Attachments
Last edited: