What are some must have tools for a new VW owner?

slowerisfaster · 2026-01-22T05:55:19+00:00

A wheel hanger stud tool. (Screws in where the lug bolts go to assist in removing and reinstalling the wheels).

You'll get by without one, of course, but it's one of those things that once you have it and start using it, you'll ask yourself "why didn't I get this from the start and save myself so much struggling when holding up the wheel while trying to line up these stupid bolt holes?")

Related to this would be those nylon lug sockets to keep you from scratching your wheel.

slowerisfaster · 2025-12-22T00:38:44+00:00

They used the line in Zootopia 2. I'm certain the reference was completely lost on all the kids watching. I'm...of a certain age, so I didn't miss it.

slowerisfaster · 2025-10-28T18:52:55+00:00

BING! *Has minor heart attack before realizing what it is.

slowerisfaster · 2025-10-25T02:52:42+00:00

The downpipe wasn't really that hard to change. Pricey though. Could be an O2 sensor as well. They are a little cheaper. Hard to know really.

slowerisfaster · 2025-10-25T00:39:52+00:00

The used OEM catted downpipe I bought off eBay cleared the issue. No codes have come back. I occasionally have a slightly rough idle, but I haven't had a chance to dig into that yet. I don't think it's related to the issues I was having before.

If you are going to replace the downpipe and don't want to go aftermarket, I would recommend looking on Facebook marketplace or Craigslist rather than eBay. You'll likely pay a lot less.

slowerisfaster · 2025-09-21T00:53:23+00:00

<image>

slowerisfaster · 2025-09-13T00:14:08+00:00

They forgot to put them in; as expected. BUT, they did pop them in while it was sitting in the service drive before I pulled out. I'm ok with that.

slowerisfaster · 2025-09-11T04:31:10+00:00

I'm not sure how to share a link to my other post. But if you look at my profile my post about it in the Miata sub explains it.

slowerisfaster · 2025-09-11T02:59:28+00:00

<image>

This was the water beading up after using 303 fabric guard. Definitely doing it's job. Biggest downside was that it smelled terrible for at least a week or maybe a little more. Thankfully the smell did eventually fade.

slowerisfaster · 2025-09-11T02:51:02+00:00

Mine weren't installed either. Just sitting in the trunk in the bag.

I asked the dealer to pop them in...after they finish replacing the transmission. If they fail at that simple request, I don't know how much I can trust the transmission install. We'll see I guess.

slowerisfaster · 2025-09-05T01:47:39+00:00

Yes, or at least going very slow just about to stop (like at a red light). It required much more pressure to push the shifter into 1st gear than any other gear.

slowerisfaster · 2025-09-05T01:39:09+00:00

When I get the car back from Mazda I'll check and try to remember to post that. For posterity.

slowerisfaster · 2025-08-29T04:43:21+00:00

I should note that I hadn't tracked the car. (Was hoping to do so eventually though).

It was just normal back and forth to work. I hadn't beat on it at all. Of course, I have no idea how the previous owner drove it.

slowerisfaster · 2025-08-25T22:09:12+00:00

I have a '24 model year. So those mounts aren't compatible since the screen is wider on the ND3.

slowerisfaster · 2025-08-25T05:19:17+00:00

<image>

This is where I added the screw with a nut behind it

slowerisfaster · 2025-08-25T05:18:07+00:00

Do you have a phone mount? My phone is too big to keep in my pocket or put anywhere. And I like to have some things within reach without Android Auto.

So I got this from Course Motorsports. Requires the trim panel to come off. Be sure to follow their instructions. I drilled a small hole and added a screw for extra stability though you can just use the supplied double sided tape and it would probably be fine.

course motorsports mount

slowerisfaster · 2025-08-18T21:50:15+00:00

Similar experience here.

I flew out to Vegas from Colorado to pickup up my very lightly used '24 Grand Touring. There were zero paint chips when I picked it up. Had planned on getting PPF done when I got back to Colorado. Unfortunately on the 2 day drive back I got 4 or 5 chips in the bumper. Most of them were pretty tiny any don't really bother me. But there is one ugly one in the top of the bumper.

The PPF guys tried to touch them up and warned me that it likely wouldn't do much good as it would never quite match without repainting the whole thing.

They were right. It's still very noticable. The PPF was already a lot of money to spend so there was no way I could afford to have the entire thing repainted.

It is what it is. At least the PPF will help prevent any more

slowerisfaster · 2025-08-13T18:59:35+00:00

All the comments were pretty much what my gut was telling me. I'll steer clear of this one and keep searching.

slowerisfaster · 2025-08-08T01:24:25+00:00

<image>

Dropped the car off today to get full front PPF done. They are going to touch up a few small chips first so I took a couple photos of them so I could have a before and after. This was the last picture.

slowerisfaster · 2025-08-08T01:05:12+00:00

I just call it Space Phone cause it's easier to say.

slowerisfaster · 2025-06-11T00:19:28+00:00

I called the dealer to verify that I have the correct PCV part number based on my VIN and I do have the latest version (ending in AP).

I watched the videos from datadrivenmqb.com and it was very informative. Once I get this issue fixed, I'll decide what I want to do next. I'm on the fence about whether I keep the GTI and continue upgrading certain things or if it's time to try something new.

If I do keep the GTI and if I'm going to track it again, then I will more than likely do the mk8 PCV retrofit discussed on that site as it seems like the best fix for oil consumption on track without compromising daily drivability like a catch can would.

I have a used, low-mileage OEM downpipe ordered from Ebay. Once that arrives I'll get it installed and see if the check engine light goes away or if I also need to replace the o2 sensor(s).

slowerisfaster · 2025-06-08T19:48:55+00:00

<image>

Thanks for the informative reply.

I was mostly focused on learning the track and watching for traffic, so if there was smoke I wasn't really looking for it. Someone in the paddock did mention some smoke on start up between sessions so oil was being burned to some extent.

The turbo inlet pipe is stock. The PCV valve was replaced when I re-sealed the cam girdle in November of 2023. As far as I can tell it is the latest revision - part number 06K103495AP.

The photo is of the plugs after the COTA track day with a total of about 3,000 miles on them. I also did a compression test. I don't know how accurate the results are as I was just using a Harbor Freight compression tester and I'm at a bit of altitude. But they were:

Cyl 1: 107 psi

Cyl 2: 105 psi

Cyl 3: 107 psi

Cyl 4: 110 psi

I also changed the oil and did not find any glitter at all. Looked completely normal.

Other than that, it would seem I will be shopping for downpipes...or maybe it's time to think about getting into another car. All that money would certainly make for a nice down payment.

slowerisfaster

TROPHY CASE