January 2020
Long term what next??
When I purchased the car, I intended to keep it as long as my previous car, which was 14yrs. The release of the Mk8 (& estate), has confirmed that I have no desire to buy a new one unless my Mk7 is unfortunately/tragically written off in an accident!
So now I’ve got the current noises/rattles sorted, & most possible retro-fits completed, what next for the car? Basically, it’s now down to long term maintenance, & replacement/upgrading of any parts that wear out, as I have done to my previous cars.
List of possible future modifications
MIB2/2.5 PRO upgrade:-
If..& I do mean “IF” my head unit or screen goes wrong, then I will upgrade, as mine is a MIB1 basic sat nav (Discover) system with Dynaudio. Unfortunately, my MIB1 Dynaudio amp, won’t work 100% with the MIB2/2.5 system as apparently VW changed things! So, I would require a new head unit, new screen, & new amp! The fitting & VCDS coding I can do easy, but it’s the component protection removal etc. which I don’t have the license or equipment for! I could just fit an aftermarket Alpine, Pioneer, or Kenwood unit but they don’t integrate 100% with all the existing OEM stuff. There are a few well known legit companies who can do the whole install, coding & remove all the component protection etc, just they are at the other end of the country compared to me! Anyway I’ll cross this bridge when I come to it!!
Winter alloys refurb:-
Most alloy wheels don’t survive the winters with the road salt we have here, & the paint was starting to bubble on the inside of the rim after 3yrs! That is, what paint there is as its just basecoat grey on the inside with the clear lacquer on top, the silver sparkle is only sprayed into the front face. Also, the rear corner/edge of each of the spokes has a sharp acute angle & basically paint doesn’t adhere to it very well! So, I know a couple of local firms which will strip/walnut blast the alloys, fully colour powder coat, followed by a full clear UV/protection paint lacquer top coat. So really tough & durable!
Brake callipers refurb:-
As per usual the normal brake callipers are just cast “grey” metal, & are given a basic zinc plating, so they rust after the first year in our weather/conditions! I have on previous cars, removed the callipers, stripped them down & painted them, usually black, & rebuilt with new seals etc.. I will do the same, but also smooth them down, i.e. removing all the sharp edges from the casting etc., so that the paint adheres better! I may consider sending them off to do done, if I don’t feel like doing them myself!
Front hub carriers (cast iron) refurb:-
Either stripped, smoothed, & painted as above, or replaced with the alloy ones (which would then require 55mm dampers)
New dampers/springs:-
When these wear out, I’ll be replacing the springs with the same OEM factory “sports suspension” it came with. The dampers however, I will most likely replace with Koni “Active”, which are the newer version of the old “FSD” which I had on a previous car & it was very good!
New suspension bushes:-
I have on previous cars replaced everything with either “Superpro” or “Powerflex”. However, the only real benefit compared to OEM bushes is when the OEM either allows too much movement generally, or allows movement in the wrong “plane”. Having looked at all the bushes on the car (I have the multilink rear) the only bushes which in my opinion, require restricting, is the big rear bush on the front lower wishbone, & the front big bush on the rear control arm (under the rear seat). Now the Audi RS3 uses a pressed steel front lower wishbone, like my one but the rear bush has the voids filled in. This wishbone is also used on the Mk7 Golf CS/CCS, & Mk7.5 R, so would be a straight easy swap to save pressing bushes out. Or I can remove the bushes on my existing arm & fit Superpro, or Powerflex.
New exhaust rear back box:-
I’m still on the lookout for a stainless steel exhaust system for the car! The nearest is made by “Supersprint” but it looks like it’s for the torsion beam suspension, & I have the multilink! Anyway, the existing system is lasting quite well, so its better made than previous VAG car exhausts!
Anyway, here is a picture I took of the car last week just before I washed it. Our roads in winter are quite bad with grit, salt etc, & they ruin a car very easily! This being one of the reasons I like to add the under trays, & made certain I had the car ceramic coated!