Gandalf's Evolution

[JR RS]

decided it is finally time to catalog all the bits n pieces I've done to Gandalf (MY17 Superb 162TSi).  

its been 3.5 yrs, and a lot has been done, but u wouldn't think that looking at it.

 

below is full listing of everything I've done. all things small, and some big.

Geez - there is a LOT of things!!! I didn't realise how many until I listed each & every one of them them down!!!

yes, I need an Intervention 

 

hence, this is going to b a long long post - u've been warned!!

 

firstly - a summary of all the things done, including links.  This will b followed by subsequent posts of pics, and details for some of the things.

 

things I may, or may not, do in the near future:-

- ECU Tune

- TCU Tune

- Front Strut brace

- Front End-links

- illuminated front door sills

 

enjoy, cringe or look away........  

 

Interior Modifications 

- Chrome strip across dashboard

- Chrome rings on interior door handles

- Aluminum alloy DSG paddle shifter extensions

- Chrome plated 12v socket cover

- Stainless Steel footrest Accelerator & Brake Pedals

- Chrome boot close button

- Chrome Car Seat Memory Switch

- Key bottom Chrome end tip RS6 style - SUPERB

- Headrest multifunctional coat hanger

- Rubber mat over rear tunnel

 

 

Exterior Modifications

- Rieger side-skirts, color-coded (P/N: K00079041+ K00079042)

- Black Fog light Frames

- Sportline rear diffusor

- Heko Wind Deflectors

- Blackened (plasti-dip) front lower grille chrome bits

- Spaced out SUPERB lettering, front & back

- SUPERB fender badge

- Roof wrapped Gloss Black vinyl

- Chrome strip across rear lights and boot edge, like Facelift model

- Chrome strip across lower door guard protector edge, like L&K models

- Chrome strip across front bumper lower edge, like L&K models

- Mudflaps, front (modified to accommodate side-skirts) & rear

- Skoda tire valve caps

- Aluminum alloy fuel cap cover

- Stainless Steel door lock cover

- Aluminum Boot Lid rear door sill

- Chrome Door Handle Bowls

- Lightly smoked tint rear tail lights

- Lightly smoked tint fog lights

- Sound deadening - boot floor, inside wheel arches (front & rear)

- removed blocked brake duct in front wheel arches

 

Handling Modifications

- 15mm front & rear aluminum hub-centric spacers

- 25.4mm Hardrace rear sway bar (P/N: HR7759)

- Whiteline rear end-links (adjustable) (P/N: KLC202)

- Eibach Prokit Lowering Springs (25mm) (P/N: 10-84-042-02-22)

- 034Motorsport Billet Aluminum MQB Lower Dogbone Mount Insert

 

 

 

Mechanical Modifications

- 034Motorsport Turbo Muffler Delete

- CTS MQB Gen3 High-flow Turbo Inlet elbow

- Torque Solution Turbo Inlet pipe

- Modified air intake - unblocked air intake flap, additional holes in front of airbox

- Snow Guard removal

- aFe Magnaflow Air filter

- Engine dust shield cover

- ECS Atmospheric Diverter Valve Spacer (removed after 3 months)

 

 

Technology/Lights Modifications

- Start-stop memory device

- Smart Light Assist (SLA) retrofit  (P/N: 3V2941015B, 3V2941016B, 4H0941329 x2, 8P0941621)  (video)

- Direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) retrofit (P/N: 5Q0907273B, 5Q0907275B x4, 3G0907538)

- Dynamic Wing Mirror Indicators (video)

- Mega Power LED boot lights

- Auxito LED bulbs - reverse and indicator bulbs. (video)

- Lumileds LED fog light bulbs

- Philips xTremeVision Gen2 D3S bulbs

- Rear door warning lights retrofit

- SUPERB Ghost LED door warning lights, front & rear

- Blackvue DR450 front dashcam

- Rear console 12v socket converted to Dual USB ports (in progress)

 

 

VCDS Coding Modifications

- activated alarm chirp when locking/unlocking

- enabled SLA (next level up from HBA)

- activated eyelashes (requires SLA headlights)

- activated Fog lights as Coming-Home/Leaving-Home

- activated rear lights with DRLs

- activated DRL menu in infotainment

- activated Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR)

- disabled tailgate beep

- activated refuel quantity

- activated traffic notifications (TMC)

- disabled undertaking prevention

- enabled High Beam Assist (HBA) memory

- comfort indicator from 3 to 5 flashes

- enabled instrument (dash) illumination at all times

- Throttle change to direct

- Engine Start button strobe effect (video)

 

 

VCP Modifications

- upload SLA parameter file for 4B Multi function module

- upload TPMS parameter file for 65 Tire Pressure module

Edited 11 January, 2021 by JR RS

[JR RS]

Interior Modifications 

- Chrome strip across dashboard.

flexible chrome strip placed it between the silver trim and the black plastic.  above the glovebox, and above the headlight switch.

 

 

 

- Chrome rings on interior door handles

flexible chrome strip wrapped around the top of all the door handles, as per the facelift Superb.

  

 

 

- Aluminum alloy DSG paddle shifter extensions

stick on ones.  been 12 plus months.  still solid and nice feel to it when pressing.

 

 

- Chrome plated 12v socket cover

 

 

- Stainless Steel footrest Accelerator & Brake Pedals

 

 

- Chrome boot close button

 

 

- Chrome Car Seat Memory Switch

 

 

- Key bottom Chrome end tip RS6 style - SUPERB

 

- Headrest multifunctional coat hanger

- Rubber mat over rear tunnel

[JR RS]

apart from painting of the side skirts, and wrapping the roof, I fitted/installed everything else.

 

Exterior Modifications

- Rieger side-skirts, color-coded (P/N: K00079041+ K00079042)

 

- Black Fog light Frames

 

- Sportline rear diffusor

 

- Heko Wind Deflectors

 

- Blackened (plasti-dip) front lower grille chrome bits

 

- Spaced out SUPERB lettering, front & back

 

- SUPERB fender badge

 

- Roof wrapped Gloss Black vinyl

 

- Chrome strip across rear lights and boot edge, like Facelift model

 

- Chrome strip across lower door guard protector edge, like L&K models

 

- Chrome strip across front bumper lower edge, like L&K models

 

- Mudflaps, front (modified to accommodate side-skirts) & rear

 

- Skoda tire valve caps

- Aluminum alloy fuel cap cover

 

- Stainless Steel door lock cover

 

- Aluminum Boot Lid rear door sill

 

- Chrome Door Handle Bowls

- Lightly smoked tint rear tail lights

 

- Lightly smoked tint fog lights

 

- Sound deadening - boot floor, inside wheel arches (front & rear)

 

- removed blocked brake duct in front wheel arches

 

[JR RS]

Handling Modifications

- 15mm front & rear aluminum hub-centric spacers

- 25.4mm Hardrace rear sway bar (P/N: HR7759)

 

- Whiteline rear end-links (adjustable) (P/N: KLC202)

left = whiteline

right = factory

 

- Eibach Prokit Lowering Springs (25mm) (P/N: 10-84-042-02-22)

 

top = eibach

bottom = factory

 

- 034Motorsport Billet Aluminum MQB Lower Dogbone Mount Insert

Edited 11 January, 2021 by JR RS

[JR RS]

Mechanical Modifications

- 034Motorsport Turbo Muffler Delete

 

- CTS MQB Gen3 High-flow Turbo Inlet elbow

 

- Torque Solution Turbo Inlet pipe

 

- Modified air intake - unblocked air intake flap, additional holes in front of airbox

 

- Snow Guard removal

 

- aFe Magnaflow Air filter

- Engine dust shield cover

 

- ECS Atmospheric Diverter Valve Spacer (removed after 3 months)

[JR RS]

again, all installations/retrofits i did myself

 

 

Technology/Lights Modifications

- Start-stop memory device

 

- Smart Light Assist (SLA) retrofit  (P/N: 3V2941015B, 3V2941016B, 4H0941329 x2, 8P0941621)

 

- Direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) retrofit (P/N: 5Q0907273B, 5Q0907275B x4, 3G0907538)

 

- Dynamic Wing Mirror Indicators

- Mega Power LED boot lights

 

- Auxito LED bulbs - reverse and indicator bulbs.

top = factory halogen bulb

bottom = LED bulb

 

- Lumileds LED fog light bulbs

 

- Philips xTremeVision Gen2 D3S bulbs

top = factory bulb

bottom = Philips bulb

 

- Rear door warning lights retrofit

 

- SUPERB Ghost LED door warning lights, front & rear

 

- Blackvue DR450 front dashcam

 

- Rear console 12v socket converted to Dual USB ports (in progress)

[ope126]

Don't stop there John...

 

More to come please!!!

 

[Westbury63]

"hence, this is going to b a long long post - u've been warned!!"  Lost for words! Thank you for posting, I would never consider doing any of those things to any car I've ever owned, but I can see it is your passion and total respect! It is interesting to see the dedication some folk have to their cars, and you have a fine looking beasty.

 

Acutaly, I do really like the large Superb lettering on the front lower grill. Should be factory fit.

[GWCTas]

Man what a great post @JR RS. Kudos to you for your dedication with your vehicle but what a great reference post for everyone else who may be looking for just a few of your upgrades. The links you posted are invaluable. I'd strongly suggest to the moderators that this should be a sticky post as an easy reference for others.

 

Well done again John - now I have a Superb MkIII MY18.5 and I'll have to work out the must have's from your post.

 

Cheers,

George

[JBD1974]

Blimey. Good effort there! It must have taken some time to to that, particularly with the finish you've achieved - I dread to think how level the badges would be if I did it. 

I think I like that roof a bit too much.... 

[Colin170CR]

The addiction clinic doctor will see you now!

 

Have you ever added up how much all that lot cost? If it were me I don't think I want to do that calculation.

Hats off to you though for your dedication & for not going over the top - you might be getting close though.

I like the roof. Might be a way of covering up the scratches I have on mine instead of a re-paint. Mine's black already so a contrasting colour perhaps. That said I don't want to turn it into a cop car .

I assume you are planning to keep the car

 

 

[gee5pot]

That's some amount of work you have done to your car.  Very nice indeed.

[JR RS]

@Colin170CR - so i went away, much to my fear, and put some numbers against it!!  wat was i thinking?!?!?
lol

end of day, it wasn't too bad.   

all up, over the 3.5 yrs, i've spent a total of $7k on the above modifications.

most were cheap, small mods - but there were lots of them, so they added up.

 

the "significant ones" were:-

- Rieger side-skirts (total cost just under $1K  to ship it across the world and have it painted.  i fitted it myself)
- Sportline rear diffuser (cost $420 in total.  the shipping alone, cause Superskoda, cost more than half of the actual diffuser itself!! i fitted it myself)
- Roof wrapped Gloss Black vinyl (cost me $450 to get it professionally wrapped)
- Rear sway bar (cost me $330)
- Eibach Prokit Lowering Springs (supply and fit cost me $900)
- Smart Light Assist (SLA) retrofit (parts cost me $800.  sold my original headlights.  so total cost was just over $400)

 

i've saved on a lot of labour costs by doing/fitting many things myself.

 

i also invested in a VCDS cable, costing me $330, but i've done many many codings over the years.

 

p.s. the doctor's don't want to see me - they say there is no hope for me!!!!

p.p.s yes, planning to keep Gandalf for a while.  we're both going to go grey n old together
 

[Westbury63]

5 hours ago, JR RS said:

p.s. the doctor's don't want to see me - they say there is no hope for me!!!!

I think you passed the point of hope a long time ago!

[Colin170CR]

8 hours ago, JR RS said:

@Colin170CR - so i went away, much to my fear, and put some numbers against it!!  wat was i thinking?!?!?
lol

end of day, it wasn't too bad.   

all up, over the 3.5 yrs, i've spent a total of $7k on the above modifications.

most were cheap, small mods - but there were lots of them, so they added up.

 

the "significant ones" were:-

- Rieger side-skirts (total cost just under $1K  to ship it across the world and have it painted.  i fitted it myself)
- Sportline rear diffuser (cost $420 in total.  the shipping alone, cause Superskoda, cost more than half of the actual diffuser itself!! i fitted it myself)
- Roof wrapped Gloss Black vinyl (cost me $450 to get it professionally wrapped)
- Rear sway bar (cost me $330)
- Eibach Prokit Lowering Springs (supply and fit cost me $900)
- Smart Light Assist (SLA) retrofit (parts cost me $800.  sold my original headlights.  so total cost was just over $400)

 

i've saved on a lot of labour costs by doing/fitting many things myself.

 

i also invested in a VCDS cable, costing me $330, but i've done many many codings over the years.

 

p.s. the doctor's don't want to see me - they say there is no hope for me!!!!

p.p.s yes, planning to keep Gandalf for a while.  we're both going to go grey n old together
 

 

JR RS.

I think you are slipping  No cover on top of the battery

 

 

I bought one via Amazon last year which hides the cheap looking felt wrapper thingy. £11 in the UK.

I cut the top bit of  OEM cover to fit the replacement cover which has a removeable panel to give access to the + battery terminal without having to remove the whole cover.

Battery cover

 

Also, is the Superb cover on top of the radiator standard or aftermarket? Not seen that on UK cars & unless I missed it I didn't see it in your list of mods. Do you have details if aftermarket?

 

This has given me quite a few ideas. Keep the updates coming

[JR RS]

@Colin170CRlol, now that u point it out, yeah, I've let that one slip

The engine bay would certainly look much better with the hard plastic version 

 

how is it held in place though? Does it "stay" by simply sitting on top of the battery?

 

With regards to the air intake cover - it's the standard factory one.  All I did was stick the Superb lettering (that I debadged off the rear bootlid) on it, spaced out 

 

Edited 14 January, 2021 by JR RS

[Colin170CR]

2 minutes ago, JR RS said:

@Colin170CRlol, now that u point it out, yeah, I've let that one slip

The engine bay would certainly look much better with the hard plastic version 

 

how is it held in place though? Does it "stay" by simply sitting on top of the battery?

 

With regards to the air intake cover - it's the standard factory one.  All I did was stick the Superb lettering (that I debadged off the rear bootlid) on it, spaced out 

 

The battery cover sort of snaps on over the battery. I had to remove the top of the felt flap to fit mine. 

Ah for the intake cover. Thought it was an aftermarket jobby which I now see are available from Revo amongst others.

[J.R.]

You may find that its the standard MQB platform battery tray underneath, it was on my 2015 Yeti and an OE full battery cover assembly, top and two lower sections was next to nothing from Ali-Express and clipped straight into place, with the OE set up the lid is properly located and clipped into place, there is no chance of it coming adrift.

 

It looks much neater with the correct plastic sides but the aftermarket push on upper cover looks as decent as the OE one.

[Colin170CR]

JR RS.

Apart from the fact that it doesn't snow much in Aus & I appreciate you also have a different air filter & modified air intake, but does removal of the snow baffle in the filter box provide any other benefit e.g. increased airflow / bhp?

Also, does the new turbo elbow give you much in the way of increased response / power.  

[JR RS]

Removing the snow filter didn't make any difference to the power delivery or feel, or induction noise.

It was more about knowing that having it removed would allow an uninterrupted airflow through the airbox.

 

With the turbo inlet elbow - can't really say there was a noticeable difference on its own.

In combination with the inlet pipe, and air filter - it definitely felt more eager.  It didn't feel like hesitation, and would want to keep urging u on for more

the car throttle also seems a bit more throatier.  There is more induction noise.  I like how the engine sounds now 

 

Edited 17 January, 2021 by JR RS

[Mickey43]

Amazing !

Really enjoyed reading your post and seeing the pics.  

[JR RS]

Completed the rear console 12v socket to a dual port USB.

Was nice n simple to do.  Clean finish.

Happy with it 

 

[GWCTas]

Very neat idea. Is it easy to remove the tray unit?

[JR RS]

1 hour ago, GWCTas said:

Very neat idea. Is it easy to remove the tray unit?

 

It was relatively easy to do.

The front cover unclips easily from the top, then unhinge from the bottom.
The actual tray has two hinges at the bottom - the right side pops up, allowing u to slide the left side out.
Then unclip the wire plug to the car, and u can then proceed to freely remove the 12V socket from the tray.

The replacement USB socket fit perfectly in the existing hole.

 

Edited 20 January, 2021 by JR RS

[JR RS]

yesterday i "accepted" to APR's terms and conditions!!!

Stage 1 High Torque ECU tune.

 

boy oh boy!!

i forgot how much fun a tune can be!!   car has transformed nicely.

 

tuner guy was saying the 4th gear 80-120km/h test dropped from 5+ secs to 3 secs!!

in theory, its now doing 320 hp (240 kW), 381 ft-lbs (510 Nm).

 

happy as can be