OEM+ 2-DOOR MKVII

[aegis]

Had a roofbox on my wishlist for a while. Been searching for this OEM Audi one after seeing this guy's pictures on his Golf R.
Called the dealership and apparently they were discontinued in 2022, because the company who made them went under during covid. Not sure how true that is but the new design looks like ass so it sent me into 'I need this when i find it' mode.
One popped up and I jumped through some hoops to get it, but it was worth it; only used once by the elderly couple that had it. Some scuffs that will get buffed out but overall in really good condition.
Might plasti-dip the bars black in the future.

Also hit 222,222km on the odometer during the trip.
Next up will be maintenance on the cam magnets and spool valves. After that will be exhaust.

Inspo post from reddit;

 

[Cuzoe]

My hatch is usually empty. Can't imagine what I would put in a roof box. But that looks good enough to make me want one.

 

[aegis]

My hatch is usually empty. Can't imagine what I would put in a roof box. But that looks good enough to make me want one.

I'm in the exact same boat, although my hatch has construction boots/stuff for when I'm on site, and a small toolbox for essential tools.
I'll probably use this a few times a year when we camp, originally got the roof rack so we can bring our bikes around.

Won't be a permanent thing I don't think, I doubt my rear window seals would be happy if I left this on full time.
I have some ideas to re-badge it though, just a cool thing to have for cars+coffee and the odd time we actually need it to go up north.

 

[19birel]

I want one of those boxes for my a4 so bad, but have very minimal justification for spending the coin haha Looks great on the GTI !

 

[aegis]

Well, crunched the math on what it's like for a Canadian to try out the lifetime warranty oil change on FCP Euro.
My normal mechanic charges 130$ CAD after tax for an oil change.
After everything was all said and done with FCP Euro, it cost me 150$ CAD.

Not really worth it, so I used the store credit towards new cam magnets/pilot valves.

Liqui Molly isn't available off the shelf at local stores, but I can get the same kit from a shop in Toronto for 118$ (88$ USD) after shipping. So I'll probably get it from here in the future.

I know I'll be purchasing other parts from FCP in the future for me and my partner's cars, so the thought crossed my mind to just keep the store credit there. But honestly no savings at FCP is worth the extra 50$ a pop per oil change.

 

[aegis]

Ok so I need the squad's input; just had an opportunity fall into my lap.
It's typical for my job to have me drive up to 2 hours for work on occasion to go to mandatory meetings so that we can bid on jobs.
Long story short, accident occurred in front of me on the highway on the way to such meeting, tractor trailer debris hit the car, minor split in the bumper and busted the lower grille. Insurance wont file it as a collision; they say it's comprehensive because it was falling debris, and I have no more room for comp. claims or else they will deny me coverage next year, or increase my premium, or both.

So I said alright fuck it, I have to deal with this cosmetic problem for like a year since it's minor. I casually mentioned this to my boss at another meeting.
Cut to today, and he says the office will pay for the damage. Insanely generous and I'm thankful. Quote from the body shop for new bumper cover and paint is $2100 CAD.

Do I take this cheque and use it to offset the cost for a clubsport bumper conversion?? Or just get a 1:1 replacement.
Conversion would run me another $1500 + shipping from shopdap + paint. Probably cost me $2k out of my pocket for the $4k conversion.

TLDR - I have the opportunity to have a clubsport bumper conversion 50% subsidized. Do I go this route or just have my NA bumper replaced.

 

[19birel]

Go Clubsport, I guarantee you won't regret it

 

[MonkeyMD]

Leave the bumper as is and get some Clubsport control arms

 

[aegis]

Changed out the VVT Valves, cam magnets, and camshaft position sensor. Also topped off the oil and coolant.
Could tell there were signs of weeping at the back of the timing cover, might be time for a replacement/reseal.
Drove it for a bit and all was good. Going to monitor for a bit underneath for drippage, noticed a bit this morning but the oil level seemed fine.

Old valves and magnets seemed ok for the most part, no signs of visible damage, magnet pins were a little stiff but nothing crazy.
The 'clapping' when idling down seems to have subsided, will continue to monitor.

• Camshaft position sensor P/N 04C 907 601 K
• Camshaft magnets P/N 06L 109 259 D
• VVT pilot valves x2 P/N 06L 109 257 F
• Magnet seals x2 P/N WHT 007 212 B
• Bolts x6 P/N N10 751 201

Rear magnet, was either weeping from the bottom of the seal or the lower bolt.
Connector also had oil in it, looks like the rubber seal was also going bad compared to the front one.

 

[aegis]

Found a 2-door parking buddy while out grabbing groceries.
Snapped this shot since it was a cool comparison between day 1 and now.

 

[aegis]

TLDR - I have the opportunity to have a clubsport bumper conversion 50% subsidized. Do I go this route or just have my NA bumper replaced.

So this conversion is just simply not affordable right now. Way more costly than you could imagine. ShopDap got back to me with some more details and even with some of it being paid for, the remainder is just insane. I'll keep this on the funmoney list as a grail mod when I'm shitting dollars and fed my family first.

Prices in CAD;

• Price of kit before sales tax from Dap is $3,647.71
• Freight shipping confirmed by DAP to my local body shop is $1,748.89
• Paint and labour is $826.60 (paid for).
• Parts for standard bumper quoted at $1,124.35 (paid for, but wouldn't even cover shipping for the clubsport kit).

Basically, after contribution through my office for the work-related accident, this swap would still cost $4,272.25 out of my pocket before US sales tax and import duties.
Not to mention, if you wanted the brake ducting to be functional, you would have to somehow relocate the washer reservoir+pump.

For what it's worth, I asked if the kit can be picked up at their Kent Ohio location since it's relatively close to me and just bring it back over the border. They said I would still have to pay the domestic shipping to their shop there and it would be $566.05 USD.
Maybe for a rainy day.

 

[aegis]

The 'clapping' when idling down seems to have subsided, will continue to monitor.

• Camshaft position sensor P/N 04C 907 601 K
• Camshaft magnets P/N 06L 109 259 D
• VVT pilot valves x2 P/N 06L 109 257 F
• Magnet seals x2 P/N WHT 007 212 B
• Bolts x6 P/N N10 751 201

View attachment 310907

This maint did not fix the idle-down noise. Will prob take this over to the local shop to see if they can find the source.

 

[EpicTech]

Dude your car is SICK, now I wanna find a black 2dr MK7

 

[19birel]

Wow, the shipping cost alone is insane... I can't say I blame you one bit for not wanting to drop $4k on a bumper haha

 

[aegis]

Wow, the shipping cost alone is insane... I can't say I blame you one bit for not wanting to drop $4k on a bumper haha

I'm sure after duties to Canada and the sales tax, it would be 5k to my doorstep. If I wasn't broke saving for a house I would consider it, but instead of dropping 5k on the bumper, that cash could be used elsewhere. Could cover the cost of a clubsport muffler, PPF on the NA bumper, and a coilover kit for starters.. hell, that's approaching the cost of a replacement motor at that point. Just not feasible.