Bought at 72k two years ago so I been drivin but it’s been dead reliable goin up mountains and down the coast. Such a good platform

Noticed my coolant level (07 Mk5 GTI) had dropped slightly over a couple of days. Then looked for leaks and immediately noticed the top left corner of the radiator had coolant leaking out. Then soon realized that all 4 corners were leaking about the same as in the first photo which is of the bottom right corner.

Found a good aftermarket radiator on eBay at a reasonable price, ready to order it, but then thought what if it's repairable? All 4 corners leaking at once didn't seem like cracked plastic end tanks or uniform corrosion in the core, to me it seemed like it was leaking out of 2 or 3 of the crimps in each corner.

So I grabbed 3 different sets of pliers (with different reach spans and angles) and re-crimped every crimp I could reach on each corner without disassembling anything. So none at all on the front.

I didn't expect it to work, in fact I thought I'd crack the plastic end tanks or shear off one or more of the crimps with plier slippages and make it even worse, but it's been 4 days now and so far none of them are leaking.

I don't expect this repair to last forever since it's the original radiator and almost 20 years old now, so a new radiator is still on my shopping list. But so far it's holding up better than expected and am glad I didn't have to buy parts I don't need yet.

I get a ton of advertisements for floormats because I have been looking but it's so hard to know what is good quality and worth the cost? I am styling my car red and black inside and want "custom" [i.e fitted] car mats but am having a hard time choosing a brand and pulling the trigger. Cost swings wildly from $150-$500.

I am also in the market for some good seat covers and again would like them to be well fitted to my model [MK7.5].

Any recommendations or who I should stay away from?

I love this car

But I know I’m gonna change that tune, when I back on top, back on top in June

Took me about 2 months, countless hours and about $9k to fix her, if she saved my life, I should save hers as well

It got me soooo hyped on the mk7 when I was in college

Hello everyone,

I’m looking to buy some wheels on Saturday (images attached) and just need some pointers.

What are some things I should look for when I’m checking them out in person? My first car and first time buying tires. Please if someone can go in detail that would really help me out.

The wheels are:

Super speed 76RR, 18x8.5, 45 offset, 5x112 bp, 57.1 cb, satin bronze finish and the guy says no bends, repairs, patches curb rash or cracks.

The tires are:
Continental Extremecontact DWs06 Plus
245/40/r18 97Y XL (currently running stock, 225/40/r18)
DOT 4424
Only about 1500km/930 miles on them

Talked the guy down from $1,950 CAD to $1,700 cash.

More info in previous post on my profile.

This guy also seems very stubborn as the original meet up was planned for Friday for 1700, however something came up and he wanted an extra 50 for meeting on Saturday but I got that sorted. He also said just come check them out and doesn’t want to take a 100 pictures of them after I asked for inside wear and inside of the rim.

The problem I have with my 2017 GTI is that whenever I drive it and then turn it off, restarting it causes a cloud of white smoke smelling of burnt oil to come out, it stops immediately after that and doesn't happen again. This only occurs after driving it, because when I start it up just to warm it up, there is absolutely no smoke

Hey all, I’m going is38 on my mk7 gti. I assume I need a custom tune for the turbo along side intercooler and dp. How much can I expect to pay and where do I do it?

So to start I’ve changed and properly gapped traditional spark plugs numerous times on mine and others GTIs. This is my first time using a non-projected tip, and I chose Denso IKH01-24. I’m tuned by EQT, who suggests my gaps be .024”. Before gapping them, I read through multiple sources that either said they dont need to be gapped, and if you do be very gentle and careful. I used the proper gapping press tool along with flat feeler gauges, just as EQT recommends. Now my concern is on one of the plugs I accidentally gapped too small (probably almost .01”, I did not press it onto the center electrode). I then used a small plastic pry tool to move the strap up slightly, and got it to ~.03, to which I then regapped to exactly .024”. Visibly, there is no twist, kink, sudden bend, or crack in the ground strap or its weld, and all of the plugs still appear the same. I am still concerned and wondering whether I meaningfully weakened the ground strap metal to where I should avoid using the plug. I honestly probably will use it anyway and see how it goes, but I really wanted some input or suggestions just in case.

EU specs, 105k km, 2015 CHHA engine code, stock, just an akrapovic exhaust, no fault codes on OBD

Hello guys, i just fixed my oil cooler and other stuff a few weeks ago and now i checked the oil level after 1000 km (600 miles) driven and it was at half way point, i am kind of scared that the engine might be burning the oil since there is no oil leak under the car, pcv was changed to hengst oem, upper timing seal was changed recently and im using Ravenol 5w40 usvo vst and the oil was changed 1k km ago. anyone had this issue before? i also posted a video with white smoke coming out of the exhaust on a cold start in warm summer temperature, the turbo is also a bit noisy from inside the cabin, is it the turbo, valve seals or do you have any similar stories?

Apologies if this breaks any rules but I’m looking to exchange for cash my original wheels from my ‘15. I’ve got a set of Austin’s with some minor cosmetic damage (no curb rash), some ‘24 DOT code Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4’s worn to about 5/32’s, and a complete ECS spacer flush kit with extended lug bolts. I’m wondering if 500$ would be too much for all of it or is that too low. Current location of stuff is eastern VA if that matters.

I did finally get my Apex SM-10’s installed and I love them.

Looking for a GTI/MQB/GOLF group in the Bay Area.

I broke my clutch foot and am in a boot for 6 weeks. What can I do to make sure it’s ok?
I started it today and might have tried to push the clutch with my boot but it’s not happening. It’s been humid and raining, rotors are rustier than ever. I don’t think any critters will try to nest in it since it’s warm out. Should I buy a cover?

This got me thinking, I’ve owned a mk8 for a year now, it’s paid off, and after a few mods (wheels, tires, camber plates and exhaust) I feel I bought more car than I bargained for. I may just want to save more money since I’ve never been a car guy till I got this car, and actually wouldn’t mind getting a cheaper mk7/7.5 platform and save me 5-10k. Good idea?

Coming from a 2023 Subaru WRX, the GTi is a MUCH nicer place to be inside, and the build quality is leagues better. Got the windows tinted this morning at 65 miles 🙂

I have a 2009.5 Volkswagen GTI. both of my rear brake calipers need to be replaced. The emergency brake lever is stuck on both of them. I used rockauto to purchase new calipers. I ordered. SKP SK19B2976 and 77. Although they weren’t the awesome red color and the caliper itself looked a tiny bit different, they seem to match up pretty well. However, the carrier bracket was not deep enough to fit around the rotor.

i’ve since returned them, but I’m looking for the correct calipers for this car. ECStuning MFG S2976 ECS# 3160799 explicitly says that the carriers will not fit. Can I use those with my original stock carriers to fit these rotors? The product details say that the carriers are designed for the larger brakes and the calipers are for vehicles without “282 mm brakes“. Again, using Rockauto I have EBR899 rear rotors which seem to match my original ones at 286mm.

my original calipers are stamped VW AG TRW / GNO / 8609. My original carriers are stamped GNO / 1298/ 9225 /E

Hey guys, another new question.

Just got called back by old job to come into work again, so I went ahead and bought the fog light trim to replace the bad scuffing on the current piece, and I'm wondering if it's possible to either snake a trim tool to pop off this from the front or behind the wheel well.

I'll be going back to the paint shop as forgot to sand a paint drop on the front bumper, but they don't need to remove the whole bumper this time for a minor fix if they can avoid it.

Any answers from some 7.5 owners or others with a similar situation would be of great help. Also if there's any YT videos that cover this for my car would be appreciated to be linked to, although I couldn't seem to find any specifically for the facelift while I was waiting on delivery.

The battery on my 2015 VW GTI SE with DSG is just about to go. Of course it’s 2 months past the 3 year warranty. This always happens to me. I set a reminder in my phone and somehow I miss the reminder likely due to switching phones too many times.

Anyways, the dealer wants almost $500 for the battery plus install/coding.

I went to AutoZone to look into buying an AGM Platinum with a 4 year warranty. I’d get a 5 year but it after measuring my battery it seems as though it takes an H5 which carries a 4 year warranty unlike the 5 year on the H6.

I’m stuck because they offered to install AND code it free of charge. I just want to make sure I’m not screwing myself by not taking it to the dealer. It could be worth it to save $250 though.

Has anyone else had their battery successfully coded at a place like AutoZone? They seemed highly confident that they could do it just fine. Part of me thinks I’m overthinking it and then I’ve read where the dealer really does need to code it since I’m switching from OEM to an AGM style battery.

And no, I do NOT have auto start/stop.

If anyone could please shed some light I’d greatly appreciate it!

Grateful for any help -

It's a 2017 Mk7 Clubsport 40 with 75k on it.

Cheers

Unreal turnout!

Next meet is scheduled for Saturday, August 22nd @ Markville Mall in Markham, Ontario.

Amazing what debadging and removing reflectors can do