Andy665

They will fit but will look odd, possible rubbing issues as well, spoils the whole the balance of the car both looks and handling wise

Hated the look at that model Passat when it was new but looks superb nowadays, looking very sweet on the steelies

Certainly got some long term plans for this car, first step is to get it in to a more presentable state, a long way from being happy wih its cleanliness but I know exactly what needs doing. Next step will be new brakes, sports cats and manifold and possibly R32 or H&R antiroll bars. Longer term is definitely some form of FI, want to see it transformed in to a 300bhp+ sleeper

Kip - bit brighter today after two coats of wheel sealant and 8 layers of wax topped off with Zaino Z8, should see them well protected

I came to the conclusion a long time ago that its best to view Top Gear as an entertainment programme with a motoring theme rather than as an out and out motoring programme - seen in this light it excels. I can remember when Top Gear was had Chris Goffey, William Woollard, Sue Cooke and Noel Edmonds etc, yes it was more factual but was nothing like as entertaining and enjoyable as todays version Enjoyed the Avantime feature, was drooling over the AP's

Danny B - gearknob now replaced with a nice subtle Volkswagen R Line item, the black tray around the gearlever was badly marked so that has been rubbed down and painted / lacquered as well. Leather being cleaned today - found a new range of leather treatments thats even better than my old favourite Gliptone, then the paint is being clayed, hoping to get the minor paintwork sorted this week as well.

KipVR - oops, yes they are 9 spoke. Yes they are SSW Speeds but are very similar to one ofthe Maybach style of wheel

They appear to be a nicely made wheel. They are not dissimilar to the Maybach rim, they are 7 spoke as opposed to the 8 spoke of the SSW Speeds but have a nice diamond cut finish to them.

Trial fitted the new wheels today, pics were taken before the suspension settled so looks a little higher than it will be

Toad - it was actually a brake disc backing plate that was catching on the lower suspension arm - it was soon fixed but new backing plates are now on the to do list, must be the originals on the car and rusty as hell. Sorry if I was a bit distant on Friday, been up since 4am and I was totally goosed and had another 180 miles to drive

Had the car a week now so thought I'd post some details on what I have found. Only managed to wash it for the first time on Thursday, pleasantly surprised to discover that there is not a single dent of ding anywhere on the car - there are a few stone chips and a small bumper scuff but they are being sorted next week. Interior was filhty, given it a quick once over and know exactly whats needed to get it looking pretty much showroom fresh. Love the cream interior, keeps it lovelyand light inside instead of the usual coalpit black. Last week Drive wise its actually better than I thought, engine is glorious, smooth but with an underlying snarl to it, gearbox is lovely and meaty, steering is a bit of a letdown, touch too light and not much in the way of feel, handling typically VW safe and soggy This week Totally transformed. Trip down to JMR on Friday saw a cat back Milltek fitted, lovely quality and superb fit - totally transformed the cars character, very distinctive note when accelerating but sounds totally standard (well, nearly) at tickover and at a cruise. Car was also fitted with a Bilstein PSS9 coilover kit - expensive but absolutely superb quality and performance, so much better than the FK Konigspors that were on the Bora that any comparison is totally pointless. currently set to maximum drop and stiffness, to be honest its very firm but by no means uncomfortable so will probably be staying like this. Car has lost all of its wallow and sogginess, simply point and go, much more fun than it was before Other bits this week: Walnut trim stripped out, centre console trim rubbed down and sprayed gloss black, door grab handles replaced with beige base spec handles with no insert at all Rear wiper replaced with more streamlined Fabia one, front wipers replaced with Aero blades Passat W8 interior light fitted New wheels delivered, still applying wax before they go on Next couple of days will see bodywork being prepped for the touch-ins and a full interior deep cleanse, LTT leather treatment, carpets wet and dryed etc Overall, very impressed with it - best of all is the fact that its so subtle, its just a dark blue 5 door Golf :D

I had a set of HID's in my In-Pros, taken straight off an Audi R8 Le Mans car, never used high beam again after fitting them - like driving in daylight and never got flashed once by an on-coming vehicle

This car is definitely going to be a keeper so don't mind spending money on it. Loved the character of the V5 in the last Bora we had but you were stuck in terms of upgrades

I drove a hard bargain :D , not like me at all but its definitely a buyers market at the moment. Frightening that I have shelled out just over 2/3 of the purchase price again today on exhaust, suspension and wheels / tyres, various tatty trim bits, mats etc etc :D

Kev - thanks for the pointers - much appreciated

The handling on the MK4 R32 is significantly better than the MK4 GTi, still a little soft and woolly for my tastes though. the MK5 R32 is not as big an advance on the MK4 R32 as the MK5 GTi is on the MK4 GTi

I paid £2800 and got him to stick 6 months tax on it as well

Coullstar - yes, that was me - I did notice a Corrado going past in the opposite direction

I don't think the MK5 R32 has ever really hit the mark in the way that the MK4 did. Whereas the MK4 was slightly raw with some clear rough edges the MK5 seemed to have been almost too well rounded. I would still much prefer a MK4 R32 to a MK5

Kev - wish I could spend more but PSS9's are already at the top end of my budget. Variant 3's did cross my mind but finding it difficult to get feedback on 4Mo's owners experience of them - quite surprised at how many people seem to think the best route forward is to spend as little as possible, I don't have bottomless pockets but don't want to scrimp on the suspension. Jim - afraid I have played to form and gone for a Marmite wheel - not even sure that I like them but hoping they will be "growers" - the wheels I have liked immediately in the past have never lasted long as I've got bored of them

Tried a 4Mo on PSS9's yesterday, found the ride better than the old Bora on FK Konigsports - that was the only thing I needed to be sure of, the Bora on the FK's was just too harsh - still finding the cost of the Bilstein PSS9's a little hard to stomach but they seem so well regarded that it might be false economy to go for anything else. Been let down on the BBS RC's as well so decided to go for something a little different - my wife hates them but she haed all the wheels I put on the C initially and grew to like them all - hope I can do the same with these

Corozin - I certainly hope that the friendships will endure - at least I'm deserting the VW scene, just becoming boring and predictable with the 4Mo

Saturday was a day and a half. Up at 4am to get to Birmingham airport, drove back to Telford from Aberdeen, had a cuppa then caught the train back to Birmingham airport to pick the Passat up, eventually getting home at 9.30pm. Very impressed with the Golf, the cream leather really helps with the ambience, much lighter and airier than the usual black. Drive wise its definitely a case of potential lurking within. Engine and gearbox are lovely, smooth and refined but surprising willingness to flick round to the redline. Suspension wise its pretty much par the MK4 course - inherently safe but too willing to wash out at the front end and generally poor body control. As its a daily driver I want to keep the comfort whilst trying to bring out some of the fun that I'm sure is there to be had. Stage 1 is taking place this Friday - Milltek non-resonated cat back system, Bilstein PSS9 coilovers (bloody expensive but seem to be the top of the tree in terms of quality and performance), adjustable rear tie rods to sort out the camber issues caused by the likely suspension drop, new top mounts, full check over of all suspension bushes (to be replaced if more than 50% worn) and the 18" wheels put on, topped off with a ful four wheel alignment set-up. Cost is frightening but definitely being offset by the low purchase price of the car. Stage 2 might not be needed, been assured that an upgrade to R32 front and rear antiroll bars is probably not necessary with the PSS9's - been advised to try the car with standard ARB's and assess

I didn't cry but did feel seriously gutted when it drove out of sight - fine today though after a 450 drive home from Aberdeen in the 4Mo - 7 hours drive gives you lots of time to formulate plans

They are that cheap - they stopped building them over 5 months ago now but there are not 700+, I get the reports that show how many of each model are in the country, as of two weeks ago there were less than 70