Girardi

Not seen a thread here on this yet but feel free to lock if I'm wrong. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40723581 An interested, if misguided, thing to do...

Loved the previous one and would seriously consider one as they are supposed to be an absolute hoot. However good the new one is, afraid I just can't get over the looks. Outside the front end has been softened, the rear end has been made so very meh where the previous model was beautiful from all angles. Meanwhile the wheels are now utterly gopping! Inside we have an OK interior which yet again follows the modern trend of having an iPad-stuck-to-the-dash-with-duct-tape because they couldn't be bothered to style it in properly. It looked gash when a few cars started doing it, now it is everywhere it honestly makes me sad for humanity that we accept this at all never mind that someone might actually like it/think it looks good. Sorry - pet peeve. I'd never buy a car with one.

Yep, if it's the original system it's a one piece cat back. Mine had to be cut in various places to take it off!

Looks right to me

Will depend a lot on your required setup - 3inch vs 2.5 inch etc - and decat = more noise regardless, but there are many options on exhausts. Milltek judging from various videos is not much louder than standard at anything other than screaming revs, but there is also a choice of resonated or non resonated (with the non res being louder). Also there's Jetex which sounds similar. There have been issues with build quality on Milltek recently though... Plenty of people on here have had Blueflame (hard to find now though) which again isn't much louder than standard but a bit more beefy on tickover. Personally I've gone for a Piper - beefy on tickover and a bit more of a 'tuned' sound, really sounds awesome on full chat. Sound videos can be found here from Rob and Bowders: Though note it's not as loud without the decat!

Not clear from your post but make sure the 'wasserpumpe' is of the metal, rather than plastic type for piece of mind

Have you bought it yet? Pics once new bumper installed?? We miss you and your car Ray

If the discs/pads have been on three years I'd change them. I've had this on my Octy and two previous cars as well and new discs and pads sorts it everytime. When it happened on current car it was from the first day I drove it - discs and pads were less than 3k old based on paperwork but pad/disc transfer from previous owner holding it on the brakes at traffic lights. All fine after they were swapped.

Shame we won't get that over here. I like it. A lot There is some sense in not bothering though, we had the focus Mk1 'saloon' which were rare as hens teeth, and we got the Jetta as well which never exactly sold in big numbers.

Near identical fasteners all over the place on the wife's Mazda. They work by the screw expanding the bit of plastic it retains until it forms a seal. Unscrew them as much as you can, they won't unscrew fully. Once they are as unscrewed as you can get them, lever a small flat blade screwdriver under the retaining plastic (NOT the screw head) and the whole thing should just pop out. I'd recommend you get some fresh ones to replace them with as I can guarantee you'll break some of the ones you remove, and those that don't break will be very brittle.

Yep, black wrap. There was an official Skoda set of black wraps that were pre cut but they haven't been available for years and we're expensive even when they were around. eBay for black vinyl wrap and go mad

To echo the above, the only decent proven replacement is the Forge 007/008 but this is basically just about bling and the ability to change the spring on something very highly tuned. Unless you are running really big power the standard black one is fine and you don't need to service it every few months either which is a bonus. For the cost of them you can replace them every few years and still have change from your Forge replacement...

Head unit is easy as pie. You'll need some radio keys for it but other than that just make sure you get the right wiring harness and it's easy, space behind is a bit of an issue though unless you cut out the bar in behind (you'll know it when you see it). Welcome to #teamsilver - looks loverly

Cheers matey Figured they were a bit different. Yeah I was going to go miltek originally but everywhere I looked I read 'it's really good but will fall apart in 12 months' lol so was a bit of a no brainer in the end. I like the tone of the Piper as well, not stupid loud but a great little burble at tickover and you definitely know it's there when you press on!

Also been doing a bit of a clear out since we're moving house. Found my Milotec rear valance set in a corner that I've been meaning to put on for about 2 years(!) - few hours later it went on, and sets off the new exhaust well imho. Before: After:

Right then. Since the weather appears to be uncharacteristically summery I gave the car a good going over. 2BM, AG SRP, PoorBoys EXP and a double top coat of Dodo Juice. Came out OK! Got the MOT done, straight through fine but did flag the exhaust as an advisory and blowing slightly. Not surprised either looking at it - well past it and the exhaust rubbers were pretty shot too. Not too bad for 12 years old so they've had a good innings, but still time to go. Spent some good time looking around for exhausts... Milltek? Jetex? Blueflame? In the end I went with a Piper cat back as I preferred the tone and the double exit style. Fresh set of exhaust rubbers all over and now looking much better. Makes it looks special without being the full rudeboy:

Nobody seems to bother with silver much as it doesn't tend to give quite the same results as as black etc, so here's my amateurish contribution to show it can be done. 2bm, AG SRP, two coats of Poorboys EX-P and then a top coat of Dodo Juice Purple Haze.

The 4's are a notable step up from the 3's. I'd be looking to get a matched pair tbh.

Ebay special I'm afraid mate, but there is similar available from a mk5 golf.

Added another tiny weeny thing to the interior today. Just a small thing but amazing how much it lifts the cabin.

I fancied doing the dogbone bushes but I couldn't be bothered faffing about with getting them in and out (guess I'm just lazy) so one of these was sourced: It was soon fitted in here in short order: Now then... I wasn't sure how much this would really do, just had it on my sizeable to do list so figured why not. The previous bushes were well worn and there was plenty of engine movement. All I can say is sweet Jesus. If the RARB transformed the handling, this lovely chunk of metal has transformed everything else. Yes there's a bit more vibration at idle but I'm sure that will die down - however words cannot express everything else it's done. Gearchanges which (even with the solid bushings) felt a bit clunky are now smooth as butter - the gearbox feels brand new. There's obviously a lot less movement in the engine, and whether is pschological or not it feels like the car puts down the power a bit better. That old phrase 'she pulls like a train'? Yeah, she really does now. Night and day... I would say I'm now going to do more with the suspension and other bushings but the car has just gone through an MOT and although she went through fine the tester did advise that the exhaust is on the way out. I reckon next purchase might end up being a Piper cat back... Meanwhile if anyone is interested in the light of some xenons by night: Dipped beam, properly adjusted. Oh and MOT tester confirmed, if it didn't come with washers and self levelling from the factory then you don't need them at all for the MOT.

Couple of small updates. The Contis came to their bitter end so a set of these have now gone on: Next up the battery nearly died just after Christmas, car would barely start. So a new Bosch one from Costco was slid in and she now starts as soon as the key turns.

Is that the STR.T kit? Been looking at that for ages...

Be aware that plenty of people have had problems in the past getting through the emissions test with a sport cat. Its still the route I'd go though, personally.

Hi all. Im doing the dogbone mount in the next few weeks. Because im lazy and can't be faffed with changing bushings I bought the ecs ultimate dogbone with the bushes pre installed lol. Question is, is there a recommended torque for the bolts onto subframe etc? Found plenty of references on here to the big stretch bolt that holds all the bushes together but nothing on the mounting bolts. Any ideas?