It Runs Again

Three days after writing about getting scammed, the engine is finally back in the car. That feels pretty good to write. After finishing the engine, the next job was getting it installed, and connecting everything again. Once it was sitting where it belongs, I connected the wiring harness to the

I Got Scammed

So, it has been about a month since the last update. And yes, a lot has happened. Some of it good. Some of it very bad. And some of it so bad that it honestly deserves a huge title like this one. Because at some point during this rebuild, I

Maintenance

Is the engine done yet?

Spoiler alert: No. However, something else came in the mail.

Maintenance

Engine Rebuild Progress and New Wheels

The timing tools finally arrived, the top end is apart, and progress on the rebuild is finally moving again. As a bonus, a fresh set of OZ Formula HLT wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tyres just showed up at the door

Maintenance

Waiting, waiting, waiting...

While we're still waiting for the timing tools to arrive, work on the engine hasn't stopped completely. According to the tracking, the tools are apparently in the country now, but the only update we've had is still just "Shipped from France", which

Maintenance

Stripping the Engine Down

With the engine safely out of the car, today’s job was all about stripping away the extras and getting down to the important parts. By the end of the day, the engine was pretty much down to just the cylinder head, the block, and the oil pan. Everything else

Maintenance

Engine Out: Finally Starting the Overhaul

The GTI is finally in the workshop and the engine is out — but not without a few snapped bolts, broken AC lines, and a reminder that rust never makes anything easy

Long time, no see?

It’s been a while. The last post went up in August. It’s now January. Not because I’ve lost interest in the golf — quite the opposite — but because life has been busy in ways that don’t leave much room for writing. The past months have been filled

Photo Dump

Small photo shoot

Here are a few photos I shot of the golf after giving it a thorough clean

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Photos

Scorpion Resonator Delete

VACN Featured

VACN 2025

Photo dump and a few clips from the VW Audi Club Norwegen's car meet

Maintenance

Installing Floor Mats, Emblems, Logos, and DSG Service

It was finally time to install all the new parts that had been piling up since the last post. The car’s been gradually improving, and this round of changes made a big difference—both visually and mechanically. I started with the floor mats. The original ones were in terrible

Car Meets Featured

Two Very Different Car Meets

From a tight-knit VAG meetup to a wild supercar flex-fest, I finally got the GTI out into the world—and got a clear vision of my dream car.

Photo Dump Featured

Cruising with Friends & Interior Transformation

Took the GTI out for a scenic drive with friends and gave the interior a complete makeover—check out the results in the photos!

Maintenance Featured

Brake Fluid Leak and a Caliper Headache

Nothing like discovering a brake fluid puddle the day before your first car meet. Time to rebuild (or replace) a leaking GTI caliper—fast.

Maintenance Featured

Injector Trouble and a Real Fix

After weeks of battling misfires, a dodgy seller, and some painful re-installs, I’ve finally taken steps toward fixing the injector issue for good.

Maintenance

Injector Trials & Wiring Woes

Swapped out injectors and battled wiring mishaps while chasing a stubborn misfire

Maintenance

Genuine Bosch Injectors and Salty Roads

Found genuine Bosch 0261500037 injectors, but a stripped manifold thread and a persistent vacuum leak are keeping me busy—just another step in the journey to restore this Edition 35 to its factory glory

Back on the Road

With a new ECU, smoother shifts, and winter-ready tires, the GTI feels closer than ever to its original factory perfection.

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Photo Dump

Winter Ready Cars

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Maintenance

The Pain of Tuning My GTI

Maintenance

Replacing the Smoked Rear Lights

Fed up with the 'riced up' look of smoked rear lights, I swapped them for original GTI Mk6 lights, giving the Edition 35 a more refined and color-matching appearance

Maintenance

Fixing My GTI’s Exhaust

Restoring the original exhaust on my 2012 Golf GTI Edition 35 has made it quietly refined for commutes while delivering a satisfying growl when pushed

Maintenance Featured

Smooth Drive with "New" Injectors

After a journey of repairs and new injectors, the GTI is finally road-ready—here’s a look at what went into getting it back on track and the results from its first test drive

Maintenance

Breathing Life Into the Engine

After countless hours and parts sourced from everywhere, the GTI’s engine rebuild is almost complete—here’s what we’ve done so far and what’s next on the journey