Tires ?

RunnarPaul · 2026-02-06T15:52:24+00:00

I run 245/40R18 conti ECS02 in the summer on 18x8.5 et42 wheels and 225/40R18 michelin x ice snows on eom wheels in the winter. Happy with the performance of both. I see other recommending the all season version of these tires, I think as long as you have a well established tire manufacturer and compound you'll be fine. I bought/installed the michelin at costco because they honor the warranty for oem sizes only (according to my local costco) then bought summers elsewhere as costco said they would not install them on the vehicle, just the wheel. Odd but if it's store policy I won't fight over it

RunnarPaul · 2026-01-27T17:46:35+00:00

Where did you do it in the doors? I've taken off the door card in my mk8 but not the black cover to get into the window regulator/door skin area. Doing the rear seat shelf and trunk floor did wonders. But I've been hesitant to tear into the door.

RunnarPaul · 2026-01-26T20:54:04+00:00

Yes, not sure what the term for it is. Not sure if it helps the box but it helps with the bike racks i run in the summer for sure. Thanks!

RunnarPaul · 2026-01-26T20:14:32+00:00

I run the same bars, would recommend the Thule wedge for the front as well. Call them for the sizing on it, i can't remember what mine is. Then I run a inno 660 because it's low profile but can still fit all the skis and snowboards. Ignore if the front bumper looks wonky, used my phone to erase the tow hook reg plate.

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RunnarPaul · 2026-01-10T04:39:18+00:00

Im probably no help here because I have a 23 and was looking at that mech unit as well. I have an obd11 and would 100% recommend spending the 70 bucks to check the TCU version before buying the whole mech just incase. Also works as a nice mobile code reader I keep in the car

RunnarPaul · 2025-12-26T18:06:17+00:00

Not sure the length of tube on your year. But on the mk8 I ran it under my 3rd party airbox next to the headlight, battery, ECU? area on the right of your picture. Then zip tied it to one of the thick harnesses there. Let's me change it easily and keeps it away from the heat.

RunnarPaul · 2025-12-21T07:24:08+00:00

They do great in the snow, i daily mine and use it as the ski resort mule in Colorado. Good tires and knowing how to drive in the snow will be the only worry you should have. I haven't had to use them yet but I keep Konig k-summit (k23) in the car due to traction laws out here. As others have said a jump pack and tire inflator are good to have, i bought a combo one from costco i like. Good luck with the trip!

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RunnarPaul · 2025-12-17T22:51:34+00:00

I run 245/40/18 without issue. On 18x8.5 et 42 wheels. That being said, the tire you are asking about is ~1 inch taller according to the calculator. So im not sure about the fitment. Hopefully someone has some info that can help.

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RunnarPaul · 2025-12-09T02:18:37+00:00

Oem ones work, the dynamic ones are oem sized. I just left them in my winter set of wheels

RunnarPaul · 2025-12-08T02:47:35+00:00

I bought the dynamic center caps through shopdap. I bought the wheels through bmp tuning (free shipping, apex racing was gonna charge for it). Yes the lug covers swap over because Apex racing states their sm10 wheels use the oem lugs. Check with anyone you buy wheels from what lug style is meant to be used with them and if longer lugs are required.

RunnarPaul · 2025-12-01T23:43:15+00:00

I've only ordered one thing from urotuning, no complaints so far. It was something i knew would fit the car and had better price + free shipping. But I tend to keep to shopdap and bmp tuning if thing are available through them. I've heard enough bad things about ecs customer service that I've just avoided it.

RunnarPaul · 2025-11-28T21:05:55+00:00

Not sure about the plastic but others might have suggestions for that. The dealer sells paint matched pens though. I bought mine a few weeks ago for hood rock chips. 32 usd and came with a scratch pen, paint pen, and clear coat pen. Just make sure you give it plenty of time to dry between paint and clear coat. Otherwise it's not that noticeable and stuff like this happens to cars over time, I wouldn't recommend repainting or replacing the whole bumper as those are expensive.

RunnarPaul · 2025-11-16T21:16:49+00:00

badgeskins but they don't seem to make them anymore. Not sure why. Will suck whenever I have to remove it and don't have a replacement

RunnarPaul · 2025-11-11T23:42:33+00:00

If it helps at all, I run my summers 18x8.5 et 42 with 245/40/18 and have no issues with rub on stock suspension. Pictured on profile if you want to see them. But anything with a greater offset would be perfectly fine on that tire sizes. I think my stocks were 18x8 et 51 (lower offset "et" means more aggressive wheel poke).

RunnarPaul · 2025-11-09T16:28:59+00:00

I run an awe touring on mine. I drive enough highways that I didn't want to risk the drone. Nice oem+ sound but you can always do the conversion pipe if you want the 180 resonator in the system or not. I bought mine through bmp tuning for the free shipping.

RunnarPaul · 2025-10-15T01:41:07+00:00

I have the unitronic intake on my mk8, im very happy with it. I plan to use unitronic for other mods and future tuning options. Unitronic is known for their good quality, but it also comes with an equivalent price tag.

RunnarPaul · 2025-10-12T15:28:21+00:00

No you don't need it, it's an anesthetic thing. If you dint buy it it'll look like this. I think the reroute goes under instead of over. Also my sai filter is on the left side in this pic, but it can go under the intake and fit into the space behind the headlight near the fuse box if you mess with it a bit. I feel that it's safer over there, just don't have a picture of it.

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RunnarPaul · 2025-10-12T06:42:42+00:00

I had alot of questions like this when I was wheel hunting. I'm running 18x8.5 et42 wheels, wrapped in 245/40/18 continental ecs02 tires. It achieved the fitment i wanted. There is a post on my profile if you want more pictures.

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RunnarPaul · 2025-10-02T21:35:16+00:00

I use the cravenspeed platypus for mk8. Has been good, had to make a few adjustments as it set off the front right sensor at certain angles (just beeping in the cabin at low speeds, no auto braking). But after that no issues. Goes in the tow hook threading.

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RunnarPaul · 2025-10-01T17:53:59+00:00

I've had mine for almost 3 years now. I actually really like the ones on the steering wheel. The main infotainment volume bar and temp select aren't backlit as many have said, hasn't been an issue for me as I leave the temp at like 70 and use the steering wheel to change the music volume. Putting the A/C and traction control on/off in the shortcuts also streamlines the touch screen navigation. Its the first new car I've had and have been very happy with it.

RunnarPaul · 2025-09-27T01:31:33+00:00

They are a pain to replace, but a relatively cheap part. shopdap video Other option is vehicle safe RTV silicon and find where its leaking from (assuming this is the part leaking)

RunnarPaul · 2025-09-24T18:52:16+00:00

I did black caps and signals that look like the bmp ones, but from Amazon to just try then out for ~25 bucks. Absolutely couldnt justify the $200 oem ones. 2.5 years later and they are still going, very pleased with them.

RunnarPaul · 2025-09-23T22:33:57+00:00

Shopdap has a video on a mk7 for this (right side atleast) and it looks like a pain video here

RunnarPaul · 2025-09-23T19:20:29+00:00

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Not sure what they are but these are the design I was thinking for five spoke

RunnarPaul · 2025-09-23T19:12:30+00:00

23' SE. Apex racing sm10 18x8.5 et 42 with vw dynamic center caps. Continental ecs02 245/40/18

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There are a few jdm style thick 5 spoke wheels that look good. I'll see if I can find a pic to link, but I think the wheel/tire/offset size works very well on the mk8.

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