VW Golf MK7 Estate, GT spec, Tungsten Silver, 1.4TSI

[southpawboston]

Thorough write-up!

When I had all my door panels (cards UK) off for various OEM retrofits and soundproofing projects, I ran a bead of clear silicone caulk around the speaker frames where they meet the door, after reading about the OEM foam seal failures. I also replaced all four door checks with Jetta checks (3-stage, IIRC). That was actually one of my favorite "upgrades" of all, as I benefit from it every time I open the door on my sloped driveway. I couldn't stand the stock non-indexed checks and never had a car with those before. Note that the Jetta rears have slightly less travel, so if you decide to retrofit them, the rear doors won't open quite as wide, but that hasn't been an issue for anyone getting in or out the back.

With the panels off, I also made a point of augmenting the OEM harnesses (looms UK) with more Tessa tape to cover up areas where they skimped at the factory, to prevent any potential buzzes and rattles from wires contacting the panel. I also ran a bead of silicone caulk around the front door plastic access panel, which is only press-fit in place. Both of mine were loose straight from the factory-- more potential for rattles and buzz.

 

[golfdave]

Thorough write-up!

When I had all my door panels (cards UK) off for various OEM retrofits and soundproofing projects, I ran a bead of clear silicone caulk around the speaker frames where they meet the door, after reading about the OEM foam seal failures. I also replaced all four door checks with Jetta checks (3-stage, IIRC). That was actually one of my favorite "upgrades" of all, as I benefit from it every time I open the door on my sloped driveway. I couldn't stand the stock non-indexed checks and never had a car with those before. Note that the Jetta rears have slightly less travel, so if you decide to retrofit them, the rear doors won't open quite as wide, but that hasn't been an issue for anyone getting in or out the back.

With the panels off, I also made a point of augmenting the OEM harnesses (looms UK) with more Tessa tape to cover up areas where they skimped at the factory, to prevent any potential buzzes and rattles from wires contacting the panel. I also ran a bead of silicone caulk around the front door plastic access panel, which is only press-fit in place. Both of mine were loose straight from the factory-- more potential for rattles and buzz.

My previous 2001yr VAG car suffered the same speaker seal problem that the MK7 has. All due to the same stupid design (factory speed of install) flaw,.... I knew this car would have the same problem!! So far its not leaked, but as I have to remove the inner door cards to remove & fit the fault door seal, I might as well sort the speakers out!

Re the Jetta door check straps, I remember when the mod became known & have bookmarked it since as I hate the single stop which is at the wrong point for me!. I might not do the rear door check straps then if they you can't open it as far as I need that...!!


I'll have to dig out the info on the part numbers for the fronts as those defo need doing!!

 

[Daner]

Amazing attention to detail, Dave!
If I fly you up to Stockholm, will you do all of that for my Red Wagon?
It now has over 132000 km on it, and it is still running well. Averaging 6.4 liters/100km (36.65 mpg US / 44 mpg UK).

 

[golfdave]

Amazing attention to detail, Dave!
If I fly you up to Stockholm, will you do all of that for my Red Wagon?
It now has over 132000 km on it, and it is still running well. Averaging 6.4 liters/100km (36.65 mpg US / 44 mpg UK).

That would be good.....if I had the time...

I have enough work on my list of jobs to do....besides the car I have two old stone-built properties to look after & maintain!!!!!

The reason I went into so much detail is many of the older cars are now on their second or third owners, & most owners will want to do the servicing themselves. By going into the details as to why I chose certain products over others, etc., etc. the info becomes a reference guide, which I hope will help other people.

 

[Daner]

That would be good.....if I had the time...

I have enough work on my list of jobs to do....besides the car I have two old stone-built properties to look after & maintain!!!!!

The reason I went into so much detail is many of the older cars are now on their second or third owners, & most owners will want to do the servicing themselves. By going into the details as to why I chose certain products over others, etc., etc. the info becomes a reference guide, which I hope will help other people.

The detail is always appreciated, but it does make me feel guilty for not doing more for my own car. That is all on me!

 

[golfdave]

The detail is always appreciated, but it does make me feel guilty for not doing more for my own car. That is all on me!

The saying about me, by people that know me in person, is the following:-

"There's the normal way, & then there's Dave's way!"

 

[neoupa2002]

October 2022,

The Main Service.
Part 2

Regrease of the turbo wastegate actuator pivot:-
Again, every year as preventative maintenance, I remove the electronic servo actuator for the turbo wastegate. (Charge Pressure Positioner V465). This to enable a through clean & re-grease (use either VAG Hot Bolt paste, or Loctite LB8009 heavy duty grease) of the pivot pin in the linkage between its rod/arm & the turbo wastegate arm. This is a known problem where it seizes up & then the actuator fails! On refit the actuator requires a “initialise” with VCDS to move the actuator several times between its upper & lower stops. Logging the results whilst it does this shows that I was well within spec!

I was reading this, by any chance you can do a write up or even take some pictures the next time you do this? I'm curious as to the procedure as I've heard wastegate actuators seizing is something that comes up on older vehicles

 

[golfdave]

I was reading this, by any chance you can do a write up or even take some pictures the next time you do this? I'm curious as to the procedure as I've heard wastegate actuators seizing is something that comes up on older vehicles

If you click on the "All of my "How-to" Guides:- Click Here" in my signature in this post...it will take to the post with the big list of ALL my guides..& in that you will see listed this one:-

https://www.golfmk7.com/forums/inde...e-on-the-mk7-golf-1-4lt-tsi-140-150ps.340805/

 

[HuangMoney]

Hey Dave,

I left the forums for a bit as I sold my gti that I retrofitted the undertrays you discovered. Came back (sort of) as I purchased a TDI as a daily driver. I live in the US so we only had 2015 golf tdis.

I was reading this post to see if anything new popped up you found as the TDI has torsion beam rear suspension so I ended up only reusing the center exhaust tunnel panel.


Anyway, I noticed a while ago you said something about MIB2.5/Discover pro. I wanted to let you know that the magical european MIB coders have figured out how to reuse the mib1 amp for mib2 (and I believe 2.5). my 2015 SEL had mib1 w/nav and fender audio, and I sourced a glass 8” screen and purchased an unlocked navigation mib2 brain from a man in poland who I also paid ~30 euros to remote in to my laptop and code everything. Parts and coding cost me around 750 USD.

I purchased an MIB2 amp but never used it.

Also, I added several ounces of polyfill to my oem subwoofer and it sounds a bit punchier. Not sure if you believe in that but I feel like it makes a difference after seeing someone post about it. Just some easy mod ideas.


Scott

 

[Cuzoe]

@HuangMoney All that info is in the MIB II DIY thread, including the coding to make the amp work with MIB II. MIB 1 amp does not work with MIB 2.5 though.

And there are torsion beam aero pieces mentioned in @golfdave's thread... https://www.golfmk7.com/forums/inde...nder-trays-stone-guards-to-a-mk7-golf.320687/
Check Part III. More info elsewhere in the thread too if you don't mind reading/searching.

 

[golfdave]

Hey Dave,

I left the forums for a bit as I sold my gti that I retrofitted the undertrays you discovered. Came back (sort of) as I purchased a TDI as a daily driver. I live in the US so we only had 2015 golf tdis.

I was reading this post to see if anything new popped up you found as the TDI has torsion beam rear suspension so I ended up only reusing the center exhaust tunnel panel.


Anyway, I noticed a while ago you said something about MIB2.5/Discover pro. I wanted to let you know that the magical european MIB coders have figured out how to reuse the mib1 amp for mib2 (and I believe 2.5). my 2015 SEL had mib1 w/nav and fender audio, and I sourced a glass 8” screen and purchased an unlocked navigation mib2 brain from a man in poland who I also paid ~30 euros to remote in to my laptop and code everything. Parts and coding cost me around 750 USD.

I purchased an MIB2 amp but never used it.

Also, I added several ounces of polyfill to my oem subwoofer and it sounds a bit punchier. Not sure if you believe in that but I feel like it makes a difference after seeing someone post about it. Just some easy mod ideas.


Scott

As mentioned above by @Cuzoe there are some "aero" parts for the car actually they are more the "Rough road package", but they do provide some smoothing of air flow...for the Torsion beam...there is a bloke on this forum...who is based in Denmark or Nederland's, who has a Seat estate who did the mod....you have to hack the covers as at the factory the plastic insert for the bottom the spring is different, he cable tied it & worked ok...


As for my MIB1 & Dynaudio amp...here in the UK to get a good set up its remove the amp, screen & glovebox & replace....yes the underseat amp can be hacked, but I still need remote access to take care of the security protocols...& my internet to get it in the garage where the car is, is a real PITA.....so I've given up on the idea!!..."IF" I need to replace it, it will most likely be an Alpine "custom fit for MK7 Golf" head unit (X903D-G7R) I will get...

 

[HuangMoney]

@HuangMoney All that info is in the MIB II DIY thread, including the coding to make the amp work with MIB II. MIB 1 amp does not work with MIB 2.5 though.

And there are torsion beam aero pieces mentioned in @golfdave's thread... https://www.golfmk7.com/forums/inde...nder-trays-stone-guards-to-a-mk7-golf.320687/
Check Part III. More info elsewhere in the thread too if you don't mind reading/searching.

As mentioned above by @Cuzoe ther are some "areo" parts for the actually they are more the "Rough road package", but they do provide some smoothing of air flow...for the Torsion beam...there is abloke on this forum...who is based in Denmark or Nederlands, who has a Seat estate who did the mod....you have to hack the covers as at the factorty the plastic inser for the bottom the spring is differnt...he cable tied it & worked ok...


As for my MIB1 & Dynaudio amp...here in UK to get a good set up its remove the amp, screen & glovebox& replace....yes the underseat amp can be hacked, but I still need remote access to take care of the security protocols...& my internet to get it in the garage where the car is is a real PITA.....so I've given up on the idea!!...if I need to replace it is most likely an Alpine "custom fit for MK7 Golf" head unit (X903D-G7R) I will get...

Ah, I missed it completely somehow when I skimmed. I definitely will get up to date on the thread and see what everyone with torsion beam is up to, my car has 180k miles on it and I drive it everywhere so rough road covers are definitely beneficial as well.

Good choice on the alpine- the fit and finish is quite nice. I sold the gti to get a project mk4 supra and I am between an alpine and sony head unit.