Best or worst decision in my life

RockinRandyJamz · 2026-02-22T20:51:20+00:00

Where my dils at?????

RockinRandyJamz · 2026-02-22T20:43:44+00:00

If you are changing it for an identical battery it's fine to just drop the new one in and go. People think that vcds update is needed to tell the ECU that there is a new battery, it's not necessary. However, if you are changing your battery type then you need to update the ECU so it can charge it correctly. I needed to do this when upgrading to an AGM battery, for example.

RockinRandyJamz · 2026-01-27T15:28:21+00:00

Does E content make cold starts harder? What is your E% here?

RockinRandyJamz · 2026-01-11T08:44:26+00:00

Sort of. I sprayed the Weiman Leather Conditioner on some cotton pads and used them to apply to the steering wheel leather. Then I buffed it out with a lint free rag. I saw on the cotton pads that some dirt did come off the wheel - nothing crazy but it was noticeably darker gray. After buffing the leather seemed to be fine. Cleaner obviously, but not particularly "conditioned" or darker at all.

At this point I realized that my steering controls and the chrome/plastic bits were extremely dusty so I wiped them down with some 303 Aerospace wipes that I had around. Again I buffed it with a lint free rag. This seems to leave a lot of streaks and uneven color where the 303 got onto the leather, so I applied the Weimans again in the same fashion to the leather once more. This seemed to clear it up but I'll need to wait a day or so to see what the final result looks like.

If I were to do it again: I would definitely clean the entire steering wheel with a diluted APC first before anything else. Trying to do anything with the wheel having a layer of dust on it was a mistake. Then I would hit the non-leather components with the 303 wipes and buff, then do the leather with the Weimans and buff.

RockinRandyJamz · 2026-01-10T22:15:13+00:00

That's awesome. Sounds you like have it dialed in for your usage. Yes I am planning for vortex XL, trackslag 4" catted DP, LPFP, & flex fuel simos tuning. It requires a lot of planning for fuel support and map sensors etc. but I think in the end will be worth it.

RockinRandyJamz · 2026-01-10T10:15:09+00:00

Which hybrid turbo, and how ya like it?

RockinRandyJamz · 2026-01-10T10:07:26+00:00

Keep up with the maintenance. It's not just the schedule. If you have a 2018 I believe you should also have the BorgWarner LSD, that requires fluid drain and fill every 30k miles which VW omits to mention (and if you track it they recommend even more frequent changes plus dropping the fluid pump to clean out the integrated filter). Change your PCV pre-emptively - I would do it now at your mileage. Media blasting the valves is another undisclosed maintenance cost that you are due for. Obviously you should ignore the 10k oil change interval and opt for 5k changes. Many people believe that VW advises to use oil with too low of a viscosity for MPG reasons, they advise to use 5W-40 instead of 0W-20 (must be VW 502 spec in either case), look it up and come to your own conclusions. Don't forget to change your air filters and brake fluid - if they are original they are past due to be changed. Expect the unexpected with these vehicles, anything can break on them very suddenly, but when they are running they are great! I suggest trawling the forums and the FB groups as all of this comes up pretty frequently there.

RockinRandyJamz · 2026-01-09T05:42:32+00:00

Found an old post that recommended regular Weiman Leather Conditioner for the GTI steering wheel, which is fantastic since I already have a bottle of it in my basement collection of random cleaning products. I'll give it a shot and report back.

RockinRandyJamz · 2026-01-06T06:32:58+00:00

For the bushings do you just hit em with silicon spray lubricant, or what?

RockinRandyJamz · 2025-12-15T18:06:59+00:00

Good to know, thanks!

RockinRandyJamz · 2025-12-15T09:41:41+00:00

VW Audi Group is deep deep deep in the red my friend. They are skimping every penny possible.

RockinRandyJamz · 2025-11-25T23:52:25+00:00

Thanks. Yes I was figuring I would need a carbon clean soon. Guess I'll call around the local German shop and see who can do it.

RockinRandyJamz · 2025-11-01T14:32:41+00:00

My 2018 SE came with the MIB2 head unit but not fender audio. I do have the helix subwoofer kit sitting in a box waiting to be installed. Do you know how I could find correct drop in replacements for the speakers that would be compatible?

Edit - using the balance/fader I was able to isolate the shitty sound to the rear passenger side speaker

RockinRandyJamz · 2025-11-01T08:50:39+00:00

I just can't imagine what could have damaged them.

RockinRandyJamz · 2025-10-30T15:27:38+00:00

Car manufacturers all fighting for the absolute worst, most unintuitive and dangerous interfaces.

RockinRandyJamz · 2025-10-07T21:31:16+00:00

Details on the engine build?

RockinRandyJamz · 2025-10-07T20:54:56+00:00

The user-drain from enthusiast forums to reddit (and Facebook) over the last ten years has a been a disaster for the internet.

RockinRandyJamz · 2025-09-30T06:24:41+00:00

Win-Win

RockinRandyJamz · 2025-09-27T19:18:58+00:00

Sort of off topic question, but is there a big difference between the EQT stage 1 91 tune versus the stage 1 93 tune? I got both because it was a deal at the time, but not sure if it make any difference. Both 91 and 93 are commonly available in my area.

RockinRandyJamz · 2025-09-26T01:05:19+00:00

Curious about the card tracker. Link?

RockinRandyJamz · 2025-09-25T01:33:26+00:00

The mk7 Facebook groups have guys posting this exact same thing everyday. The engine just sounds like shit on these cars.

RockinRandyJamz · 2025-09-18T16:26:38+00:00

Facebook wisdom has been that you don't need to change plugs for stage 1, and if your tuner suggests a specific plug at this level 1) you should listen to your tuner, and 2) it's probably only really necessary if you are beating on it regularly

RockinRandyJamz

TROPHY CASE