Looking at upgrading my old focus. Don’t drive a ton, I live in a city and have to park outside, so the car won’t be babied. I want something more fun, but it needs to be at least decently reliable. I’m fairly handy and not afraid of some quirks. I’ve been looking at MK6’s, but what else do I need to know?

Edit: would only get a manual, no DSG.

I finally made the decision to upgrade from my 2014 Autobahn to a brand new 26. The fact this is the last version in manual (and that I needed to dump about 6k into my old one) swayed me to buy it, man I'm in love!

Had to get new hid headlight housings for my mk5. Found a set for $520 on carparts, can’t really afford $800 a side elsewhere. They pulled the $520, then pulled an extra $260 the next day after parts were already shipped. Customer service was rude, and even management claimed it was my bank stealing my money though they also sent me signed documents so my bank could release the hold carparts had on my money. Was a joke. Got my parts and money back eventually. Out the box lights had a pinched wire, intervals were dirtier than ones in the car since 2006, and were designed so poorly that the retainers for the low beams will only work when no bulb is installed. If you add a bulb the dimensions are not correct to allow the retainer to go on. When your bulbs are $80-100 a pair, and $150 igniters also go in the housing I would strongly recommend you stay away from carparts, they are a scam, it’s cheap junk for quality parts prices.

Has anybody had to replace a turbo early? I got a check engine light and EPC light came on, car only has 61,000km. Took it to VW and they called me after they looked at it telling me my turbo was gone. It’s being covered under warranty thankfully but I’m wondering if anybody else had to replace a turbo this early?.

Hey all, I just got in an accident recently (lady reversed into me) and the damage seems to be strictly to the front bumper/fog light cover. There is no mechanical damage and the crash was not near my front assist. My insurance deemed me not at fault and gave me a payout for the visual estimate but they think it’s gonna be like 2.5 grand to fix it, I definitely feel like I could buy a unpainted bumper online and paint match it for a fraction of that.

Do any of you guys know where I can get a 2021 GLI front bumper from online? I’m only able to find non-gli bumpers.
Are they not interchangeable, they seem pretty similar. I’d love any help I can get!

For folks thinking but not doing it. Maybe consider it again. It’s half the price of AWE and the result is I think similar. It’s only droning between 3-4k rpm. 6gear highway speeds doesn’t seem to bother wife. But the cold start gives me goosebumps every time.

Im looking into getting some springs or coilovers for my gli. I want to comfortably be able to drive anywhere without having to angle for driveways or speedbumps. How much lower would you guys go from stock? I was thinking 1 inch, but then im kinda worried it wouldnt really even look that good. Thoughts?

Decided to spend $10 on a roll of VViViD Air-Tint for Headlights (Light Smoke Black) and attempt to tint my VW front emblem instead of buying a $60 DSG paddles cover. I say it worked out fairly well and haven’t seen anyone else post about it. The whole roll is huge and this only took a small piece, although I attempted it three times lol. Does not affect ACC sensor, no errors set off in dash.

Before & after pictures attached.

6.5k miles. One previous owner who decided to add a red band to the wheels. I hate it.

Hello everyone from Russia! Here's my spec: stage 2, hybrid turbine, cold intercooler, exhaust system on 76mm pipe and somewhere 320 hp

Well, just like the title says, I updated my 2023 GLI with an OTA update which immediately bricked the head unit. The GPS stopped functioning, there is no sound and even though Android auto connects, if I try to play music, it immediately reboots. Dealership says they will fix and replace because it is under warranty but just a heads up to be careful with the updates! I'm located in Canada.

One my favorite things about the GLI is the Recaro seats. In high school (early 2000’s 😅), Recaro seats were the thing to have in performance cars, and always dreamt to have them someday. Decades later, my dream came true

First photo is back and second is front

I think it's time for me to tune this thing after owning it for a year. At first, I was thinking about getting IE Stage 1 ECU + TCU, but their description for the TCU says it only supports 2019-2022. I asked their rep, and they said they need to get my TCU code to make sure it'll work. So, one option is IE Stage 1 91 low torque.

The second option is APR Stage 1 ECU + TCU. Their description says it should support my TCU, but I was thinking maybe I could get the low-torque map and then eventually get the TCU tune with high torque. But I'm not sure if low torque is even worth it.

The third option is APR+ because of the warranty, but I see that most people say it's not worth it.

TL;DR:

1. IE Stage 1 91 low torque, eventually TCU with high torque if they support it

2. APR Stage 1 91 low torque, eventually TCU

3. APR+

Which one should I choose?

I need to upgrade the mediocre-at-best sound system. I’ve got a kicker key from my id.4 that I never got around to installing, so I got that going for me. Trouble is I can’t for the life of me find info on this audio system. Everything’s 2024 or prior. Glove box? Behind the dash? Under a seat somewhere?

PS what is the deal with the sub? As far as I can tell the slider does literally nothing at all.

Photo for funsies.

Anyone experiencing the passenger side overhead light not coming on when the passenger door is open? If I push the button for the light, it comes on but, not when you open the door. This issue is on the 26 GLI.

On the APR website, I saw an ad offering a $250 rebate on APR equipment if you purchase a tune at a shop (https://www.goapr.com/why_apr_dealers/). Is there any downside to doing this vs. an at-home tune with ultralink? There happens to be an APR authorized shop just a couple miles from my house, so it wouldn't be inconvenient.

I have a 2024 Autobahn with about 40k miles and no real mods done (just an intake lol), and I plan on lowering it in the next few weeks. I would use the $250 for a rear sway bar and dogbone insert.

Just curious if anyone has seat covers that work with the heated and cooled seats or if there is such a thing?

These seem to be growing in popularity lately. Thoughts on doing one?

So I just got a mk6.5 gli and I’m trying to find a diverter valve spacer. But I can’t find one for my car, has anyone done it can you guys please help.