So back in 1997, after passing my test for the first time, I got in a friends Sierra Cosworth 4x4, in the passenger seat and boy oh boy, that thing was packing 500bhp, but what made the biggest impact was the 4wheel drive. Ever since, I always wanted a 4 wheel drive vehicle. When VW released the R32 back in 2002, I said to myself that is the car I want. Since I couldn’t afford it at the time, I conceded and thought a golf mk3 would be mine till I can. Anyways, after a couple of years, back in 2004, January, I was passing through Ruislip when I saw this lovely R32 in silver sitting there.  

Below is the actual picture of my car sitting in the garage at CityGate Volkswagen.

Still couldn’t justify having the car. Then a couple of days later, I get rear ended in my Honda. The whole back gets smashed, all because the new driver was looking at the bus stop. Where a guy had fainted/collapsed and was being helped by paramedics. When I looked the paramedic shouted out to a few drivers, to not look that way as they will cause an accident. Ten meters ahead I stopped at red traffic lights. Next thing you know, bang, some nice looking girl in her brand new focus has gone into the back. I was watching her looking at the paramedic. Tried to horn but by the time I did, it was all over. Swapped details and within two weeks I got a fat cheque.

That’s when I thought, hmm, let’s go back. When I got to CityGate, went for a test drive and was sold. Paid a deposit and left. 28th April comes along and I am happily driving along the a406 with my beast of a machine. That very same day I saw a Blue R32 going the other way, and 3 more silver 3 door ones. Why is that the case?

Been driving it happily, with the biggest smile I ever had. Didn’t realize how thirsty it was though. Did 1200 miles in the first week, could not stop. The feeling of new car ownership is just too much.

The following are in no chronological order. Cant always remember what came first etc.

Within a month, I joined The R32 Register. There I found other owners who have done mods etc and started to learn more about the .:R. after a couple of months, I decided to do my first Modification. As Carbonio was the only aftermarket intake available for the .:R, it had to be. Contacted Awesome and within a week or two, I had my new Intake. That weekend, I decided to fit it myself, as the local garages were saying at least a week before they can handle it, and some were asking for quite a bit of money as they did not work on a .:R before. Took me 2 hours nearly, but in the end I prevailed, my intake was fitted, was worried if I got it wrong or something. After a good few checks, and double checks, I took her for a ride. At first I didn’t notice anything, as I got to the main road, and saw it clear, I thought, put it in second, and floored it, OH MY GOSH, the sound from the intake was so awesome. There and then I decided it’s the best thing I have done. The look on people’s faces when I floored it was priceless. Absolutely loved the noise. I could tell it was worth it, as I saw a slight increase in power and mpg. The car felt smoother as well.

A couple of months down the line, I realised a lot of people had Uprated exhaust. So ended up getting myself a whole Milltek system, hi flow catalytic converters and a back box resonated. Took it to a local garage to get it fitted. The look on my face after when I got the car back was priceless, I nearly shat myself, and the difference was very noticeable. Very very noticeable, where by the OEM exhaust in the rear hit my head and nearly collapsed while driving it. Now I could no longer hear the intake as much as the exhaust was overpowering the noise.

A couple of months later, I ended up getting front upper strut brace, front lower strut brace and a rear strut brace from Awesome. Decided to get the same people who fit the exhaust to fit it. They didn’t have a clue, had to direct them. About 4 hours later, it was finished, got the car aligned as the subframe was down etc. Car felt a bit tighter, especially around corners and roundabouts. I ended up fitting the upper and rear strut braces myself, worked out pretty well. Though had one or two clearance issues due to the lower stress bar. So a couple of weeks later there was me trying to pull a fast one, took my exhaust and cat off as I didn’t let the insurance company know. Took it for an MOT and when I got back, my bloomin exhaust and cat were stolen. WTF? How many .:R's could there be around my way. Didn’t find the culprit.

Went to get an APR map, turned out it already was mapped by AMD by the previous owner. ARP map was supposed to be a bit more aggressive, so thought why not, let’s see the difference. The difference wasn’t that noticeable, but high end it was. Anyways, about a month goes by and the car starts to over heat, nothing wrong with the fans, turns out the map had issues. This worried me, ended up in BigBoyzToys (Now AMD in Essex), where Pat remapped the car with Revo Stage 1.

Next up was an Armrest, managed to get hold of a GTI black leather arm rest of the bay, took about an hour to fit, made motorway cruises a joy, especially on straights as I could rest the left arm. Within minutes of fitting, I get a call from a friend; he says another one of my mates is selling his sat nav system. And if I was interested. It was a Pioneer AVIC X1R with TV box. He wanted 400 pounds for it, it was going for 1200 in the shops, I was like, I’ll have some of that. Headed straight over there and haggled him down to 300 bucks. What a bargain. Had a nightmare fitting as the instructions were missing. Though finally it all fitted in place. Sold the TV box for 250, so all in it cost me 50 quid for something that costs 1200. Well chuffed.

A little while later, or before the armrest I ended up contacting HPA Motorsports about their short shifter, ordered and waited, they marked it as cost price, so had very little to pay customs. Fitting was a breeze, but the aftermath was fantastic. Though needing to learn to drive again. The shifts were much less, I had it on the 40% reduction and kept it there. Simply cant see myself driving a car with out one now. Though my mk3 doesn’t have one and its like bowling compared to the .:R.

To Be Continued….

In one week, a few things were added. Nothing major but made me smile.

Blue Alarm LED
OEM Chirping Alarm
OEM Flashing Side Lights when Lock/Unlock car
OEM Anti Hijack Feature
Aluminium Dash Vent Rings
Aluminium Door Pins
.:R Emblem Tyre Valve Caps and Tyre Valve Covers
Richbrook Aluminium Task Disc Holder
De-Lock kit
OEM Headlight Protectors
Removed R32 from the rear and the front grill

I ended up painting the engine cover silver, reflex, but it started peeling, so ended up repainting it to black. Which looked better as this time it was shiny. Also got a steering wheel remote control for the Pioneer, though I hardly ever used it and removed it because it caused obstructions. Nobody could tell if it was a real .:R or a copy, obviously to the trained eye, it was pretty obvious, big brakes, twin exhausts, Konig seats etc etc. But every time I did a bit of road racing, people asked what engine was in there and if it was an .:R. Usual reply was nope, its a 1.4 which they never believed, so decided to tell the truth. About a week later i got myself a Kamei Badgeless grill, Kept it black and it looked ok for a while, then painted it reflex silver, for some reason it didnt agree with the car, ended up getting rid.

So having had the standard exhaust after the millteks being stolen, I contacted Nigel at Blueflame and got myself a Cat Back and high flow Catalytic Converter, all for less than the Milltek Cat's. Well chuffed, the car felt slightly faster compared to the Milltek and a lot noisier. Left a smile on my face for another few months while I pondered what to do next.

Bora vents were looking tasty, so ordered them from Germany, and arrived after a week and a half. The existing ones were pretty buggered as some of the slides had snapped off and would not close properly. Tried fixing them but to no avail. Fitting wasnt too bad, cut up my own looms and attached them to the dashboard dimmer switch besides the headlight switch. Very noticeable at nights.

A couple of days later I realied my valve caps were stolen, got some new ones and they were stolen too. Then I thought this isnt on, saw a seller selling flush mount aluminium valve caps etc, bought them but they are too shallow for the .:R alloys. Ended up selling them. So got some anti theft valve caps, which were also stolen. Gave up totally and just used the rubber ones, which were also getting stolen. So thought, no more parking near the station as thats where they were getting stolen from. Though I did find the culprit, he was cycling along in his mountain bike and I see .:R Emblem caps on his bike, grabbed a hold of him and asked him where the feck he got those, he replied a car on the road, which turns out to be mine, and his other mate had the others. Told them, they can keep them, but if I see them around I will beat the bejesus out of them.

I realised my sidelights were out, so took it to VW and they charged 55 pounds for the bulb and fitting, I was like what the feck?

Oh, the amount of times its been in to VW for a clunking noise is unbelievable. They never found the fix.

Next came the interior bulbs, changed them for LED blue ones, which were going nice with the Xenons and the silver colour. Was well pleased, but later that night I saw a Honda parked up on Green Street with the same colour bulbs, and thats the last time I used them. Fecking ricers.

After getting bored, I realised theres a stage 2 map for the Revo, headed straight over to BigBoysToyz and got that done, didnt feel much difference, but the MPG was saying otherwise.

A little while later I put some .:R Emablem Caliper Decals, which were pretty cool I thought, no more guessing what kind of calipers they were. Obviously no performance increase. That was left for the Tyrol Sports Brake Caliper Bushings, made a difference. Couldnt stop there, ended up getting StopTech stainless steel brake lines from the US Bay. Messed up the fitting and took it to BigBoysToyz to get them sorted along with bleeding. Cars braking was much better with  EBC Red Stuff pads all round. Big difference the pads made, but they were fading the discs like mad. Within a year a whole 1.5mm was faded away from the discs, and that was per side.

Fitted MK4 GTI Fogs onto the car, well onto the lower side grills, had to cut it up and secure with resin, wasnt too bad, but looked dodgy, didnt keep it there for too long, so ended up ordering some Hella Micro DE's, fitted for about two months and then removed. Maybe someone wants them.

Joined in a group buy for UK-MKIVS number plate surrounds, which was a nice addition. But some fecker decided to break the front ones. Along came the wind deflectors, was fed up of having to endure rain and wind while smoking, ClimAir were doing some nice fitting ones, ordered them, they were one of the best practical mods I did, now I can keep my window open come rain or shine.

Just to jazz up the engine bay, I ended up getting some A3 3.2 Expansion Tank covers and battery covers as you can see in the pic above in part 1. Wasnt to my taste and sold them. Funny thing was a couple of months later I ended up buying another set. Which I never ended up fitting.

Since there wasnt much more I wanted to do to the interior, I looked at getting some ARBs, either online and wait or go to BigBoysToyz and see what they had,  H&R front and rear set was available so bought them and took me a whole bloomin day to fit them. But was well worth it. Made a difference, specially when little dips on the road were present. Car pretty much didnt sway, stayed level. This wasnt enough, had to complement them with some Eibach Pro Street S coil overs the following month or so. Didnt take long to fit, even though it was my first time fitting coil overs. Car didnt even need an alignment.

Some weeks passed where I was enjoying my shocks, when I thought, hmm, Powerflex, so went to BigBoysToyz and got some Front Wishbone bushes. Replacing them wasnt easy, cutting metal, and fingers all over the place, the longest part was getting the existing out, putting the new ones back in was a breeze, but I realised I fitted them wrong when I went back to BigBoysToyz for an alignment. So had to redo the whole thing. Finally, got it aligned at Goodwins tyres, but the car was going all over the place at high speed. Went to BigBoysToyz for another alignment. That sorted everything out.

MKV Rear Aero Wiper
50% Tints all round - Removed, nearly killed myself. Left it on the rear though
Veba 7" TV Screens and Digital Freeview Box
Honey Comb Rear Grills - Never ask your brother to mod your car
OEM Skid Plate - Clearance Issues
Pioneer USB Module
Stubby Aerial (4th one as they kept getting nicked) - Superglued it
KW Adjustable Rear Control Arms
Custom .:R Emblem Number Plates with 3D Lettering
Haldex Blue Performance Controller
Exhaust Heat Wrap

Not too long ago I ended up getting some more stuff:

SFS Silicone Coolant Hoses
EBC Grooved and Dimpled Brake Discs
Apexi Dual Funnel Power Intake
Off Road Air Filter Sock
VF-Engineering Engine/Transmission and Pendulum Mounts
Milltek High Flow Catalytic Converter
Milltek Non Resonated Back box
Density Stiffer than OEM Street Racing Top Mounts
Brand New Replacement Front and Rear Eibach Shocks
New Rear Diff
Pioneer AVIC HD3BT Sat Nav system as the X1R packed in.
Braille Battery 11.5 Pounds

The following is being done at the moment:

Rear passenger side Trailing arm - Needs replacing
New Apexi Dry Dual Funnel Intake Filter

Theres loads more stuff which I simply cant remember, like 6463 update, Powerflex dogbone mount bushes, smashed rear windscreen, can of paint through the rear, front windscreen cracked, rear diff died, top mounts replaced a trillion times, door mirrors kicked in, door covers in bits, uninsured white van through the passenger side, new set of doors, new front grills, countless stubby aerials, .:R Emblem Leather Seat belt covers/cushions to name a few.

Below is a full list of all the Modfications:

General Info:
3.2L DOHC V6 24V VR6 Engine, 240 PS

Standard Weight: 1,512 KGS or 3333 LBS
Current Weight: 1,446 KGS or 3187 LBS



Interior:
OEM TDI Leather ArmRest - Removed
OEM Chirping Alarm
OEM Anti Hi-Jack Feature
OEM Bora Illuminated Vents
.:R Emblem Aluminium Heel Plate
Blue Alarm LED
OEM Miles Till Empty
OEM Dash Light when Key In
Billet Dash Vents
Blue Interior LED's
Blue Footwell LED's
Single LED Xenon Blue Side Lights
Aluminium Door Pins
Aluminium Door Pin Surrounds
.:R Emblem Richbrook Aluminium Tax Disc Holder


Engine:
OEM VW 6463 ECU Upgrade
Cabonio CAI
Apexi Dual Funnel Dry Intake Filter
Off Road Air Filter Sock
VF-Engineering Pendulum (Dogbone) Mount
VF-Engineering Engine Mount
VF-Engineering Transmission Mount
Revo Stage 1 Remap
Revo Stage 2 Upgrade
.:R32 Engine Cover Painted
OEM Audi A3 3.2 Battery Cover Painted
OEM Audi A3 3.2 Expansion Tank Enclosure Painted
Billet Strut Top Caps
Billet Coolant Cap
Billet Oil Dipstick Cover
Billet Power Steering Cap Cover
Billet Seat Lumber Cap
Billet Seat Recline Cap
Billet Washer Bottle Cap
OEM Skid Plate/Sump Guard
Braille No Weight Battery

SFS Coolant Hoses


Exterior:
Debadged
Custom Cut Front Grill
Honeycomb Rear Grills
Aluminium Stubby BeeSting Aerial
OEM VW Headlight Protectors
.:R Emblem on Front Brake Carriers
Revo2 Side Skirt Emblems
Front Lower Fog Lights - Hella Micro DE
ClimAir Wind Deflectors
MKV Aero Rear Wiper
50% Tints on Rear
Custom .:R Logo Number Plates


Ice:
Pioneer AVIC-HD3BT
Pioneer AVIC Steering Wheel Remote
Pioneer AVIC USB Module
Veba 7" TFT Screens x 2
Veba DVB-T Freeview and DAB Player


Suspension:
Neuspeed Front Upper Strut Brace
Neuspeed Front Lower Strut Brace
YarrowSport Rear Strut Brace
VW OEM Strut Mounts
VW OEM Strut Bearings
H&R Front Anti Roll Bar
H&R Rear Anti Roll Bar
Eibach Pro Street-S Coilovers
PowerFlex Front Wishbone Bushes Front & Rear
KW Adjustable Rear Control Arms
Density Top Mounts

Transmission:
Haldex Blue Performance Part 4Motion Controller
HPA Motorsports ShortShifter


Exhaust:
Milltek Stainless Steel Back Box
Milltek High Flow Catalytic Convertor
Complete Exhaust Heat Wrap


Brakes/Wheels:
EBC Yellowstuff Fronts
EBC Redstuff Rears
StopTech Stainless Steel Brake Lines
Tyrol Sport Brake Stiffening Kit
EBC Grooved and Dimpled Front Brake Discs
EBC Grooved and Dimpled Rear Brake Discs

 dude! you bought this car from the dealers that are practically on my door step!

Never knew they provided free servicing for cars bought there, thats a good offer though

No one told me

Hafizur

 WOW! What a write up, just spent the last 20 minutes reading it..

The cars come a long long way, it seems like its been a great learning curve.. very impressive Haf, I need to see it in the flesh soon!

adz2k6:

 WOW! What a write up, just spent the last 20 minutes reading it..

The cars come a long long way, it seems like its been a great learning curve.. very impressive Haf, I need to see it in the flesh soon!

Going to Milton Keynes on the 3rd, Backdraft Motorsports

That may be a chance there

 not going santapod this sunday?

adz2k6:

 not going santapod this sunday?

still in two minds regarding that

i may do, but if i do i'll be leaving early

haf1zur:

adz2k6:

 not going santapod this sunday?

still in two minds regarding that

i may do, but if i do i'll be leaving early

we are meeting up at toddington services, j11 M1 at half 8.. meet up or are you going even earlier?

haf1zur:

Never knew they provided free servicing for cars bought there, thats a good offer though

No one told me

Hafizur

never knew that either as my missus got her beetle turbo s from there and has been paying for servicing ever since...... we do however get 30% of servicing and labour and also free MOT's for life. How do you know you get free servicing?

Khalid 

Khalid23:

haf1zur:

Never knew they provided free servicing for cars bought there, thats a good offer though

No one told me

Hafizur

never knew that either as my missus got her beetle turbo s from there and has been paying for servicing ever since...... we do however get 30% of servicing and labour and also free MOT's for life. How do you know you get free servicing?

 

Khalid 

Was going over the documents i got for the car and it mentioned it, wish i read it when i bought it

Looks like an interesting read......loads to go thru though, we bookmark it for a later date

 Some of my favourite pics

Great read mate.. was shocked at how much those billet items cost lol

Sat

Wow! some serious amount of TLC as gone into this, great write up

Haf- you should get some pics up of that battery, was amazed at the size of the thing

Wow fantastic read mate. I got through 1 pack of chocolate digestives and super sized mug of tea - well worth it though. 

Damn how much shoot have you done to your car? and how did you nearly kill yourself with the 50%tints?

Thanks guys, i was going to write a lot more, but didnt have the time, maybe this weekend.

afro gti:

Wow fantastic read mate. I got through 1 pack of chocolate digestives and super sized mug of tea - well worth it though. 

Damn how much shoot have you done to your car? and how did you nearly kill yourself with the 50%tints?

Was pulling out a side road and didnt see a car coming with its head lights blaring and horns a blazing. Decided there and then i will take it off. Both my daughters were in the car as well. Lucky escape i guess, the car was about 2 inchs from mine after it screeched to a halt.

cd123:

Wow! some serious amount of TLC as gone into this, great write up

Haf- you should get some pics up of that battery, was amazed at the size of the thing

That battery is small, a bit embarrased to put pics up what with all those tie wraps.

Oh, heres a teaser of the future:

These will be fitted this weekend, well trial fitted and measured and stuff like that.

Hafizur

!!!TT!!!

Was a good read....took a little while, but got there in the end!

Alot of time and money has gone into this, and its all under cover!! From the exterior, it all looks like a standard .:R.....Well done son!

p.s. your car shifts!!!

Y15HAL:

Was a good read....took a little while, but got there in the end!

Alot of time and money has gone into this, and its all under cover!! From the exterior, it all looks like a standard .:R.....Well done son!

p.s. your car shifts!!!

Thanks

You should of seen it on Sunday, well chuffed

Hafizur

omg... i need more time to read this... brb! lol

Anyways, a little update, after pondering whether to do it myself or take it to a body shop, i finally managed to fit my Carbon Bonnet.

looks pretty cool i think

Comments please

hmmmm, maybe carbon mirrors to match?

JDM spec the R

black roof me thinks or cf vinyl wrap...

black roof, b pillars and mirrors... and your the boss!

I'm not so sure about the bonnet as it goes, the amount of people that stare now its unbelievable.

Though in the dark it looks damn nice;

get someone to photoshop the roof black too... and see if the makes the bonnet blend in

nice write up

teasers look good.

i am liking the carbon but i think you need more black or carbon maybe b pillars and roof as said above?

 Haf, what a detailed write up bro!! good stuff

Turbo'd R32

Amz

whats this pushing anyway? bet it can beat beat me backwards!! lol

Amz:

 Haf, what a detailed write up bro!! good stuff

Turbo'd R32

Amz

 

Twin turbo'd aint it??

 Haf the bonnet looks neat, but id echo others and say you need a little more black to blend it in..

whats the weight saving the carbon bonnet?

adz2k6:

 Haf the bonnet looks neat, but id echo others and say you need a little more black to blend it in..

whats the weight saving the carbon bonnet?

suppose to be 75% lighter

even my 4 year old can lift this one

hafizur

I suppose you could spray the CF bonnet....and still have the massive weight saving!

haf1zur:

adz2k6:

 Haf the bonnet looks neat, but id echo others and say you need a little more black to blend it in..

whats the weight saving the carbon bonnet?

suppose to be 75% lighter

even my 4 year old can lift this one

hafizur

75% lighter!  how much??