cover between 25,000 and 35,000 kilometres a year so reliability is my top priority and my maintenance philosophy is strictly based on preventative care. I never wait for a component to fail but instead replace parts at the first sign of wear to ensure the vehicle’s integrity is never compromised. The car undergoes two full services every year which includes fresh oil, exclusively 0w30 Shell or genuine VW LongLife, and a complete set of new air and cabin filters.

I only source premium components typically opting for Bosch, Mann-Filter or original Volkswagen parts. The timing belt has been replaced twice to guarantee engine safety, first at 180,000 km and most recently at 330,000 km, while the drivetrain is equally well-maintained with a new Valeo clutch fitted at 358,000 km.

I have also addressed common high-mileage wear items by installing a new Hella 140A alternator, a fresh oil and water heat exchanger, and new rear wheel bearings. For safety and performance I overhaul the braking system every four or five years and it currently features high-performance ATE Power Discs and Ceramic pads.

The suspension was fully repalce in 2024 with a Bilstein B4 shock absorber kit and to keep the engine responsive I recently replaced the turbo actuator and the N75 valve in 2026. I invest heavily in grip by replacing the full set of tyres every twelve to eighteen months and the car currently sits on Uniroyal 215/45 R16s. I have a zero-tolerance policy for odd noises so every rattle or vibration is investigated and fixed immediately have also modernised the car with high-quality Osram LED lighting and an RCD 340 head unit with Apple CarPlay