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…

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 shape—rugged, worn down, and the passenger side had a warped spot that stood out horribly. The new GTI mats, direct from VW, are a brighter gray than I expected, but I think they'll darken with use and a few washes. The old driver side floor mats. These are the original that came with the car, but I felt it would be cool to have floor mats that reflect the car.The brand new original GTI floor matsNext up were the emblems and badges. The car came with blacked-out VW logos and a red front GTI badge. No badge at all on the rear. It looked cheap and completely wrong for a special edition car. So I removed the black logos and replaced them with proper chrome OEM logos. I also installed matching chrome GTI badges on the front and rear. The change is subtle but it brings the car back to its factory-correct look—and honestly, it looks way more refined. The final job was the DSG service. Since it’s unclear when the transmission was last serviced, and it’s approaching the 100,000 km mark, this was overdue. We drained the oil, replaced the filter, and refilled it with OEM fluid. The DQ250 can be tricky to level correctly, but we followed the proper procedure. Shifts now feel smoother—especially at low speeds—and I’m

Installing Floor Mats, Emblems, Logos, and DSG Service

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

After weeks of wrenching and troubleshooting, I finally got to enjoy what this project was all about—driving. A few friends and I set out for a group drive through some scenic routes, and it was honestly one of the best experiences I’ve had in the car so far. The weather held up, the roads were dry, and the GTI felt sharp and eager. It was the kind of day where you forget about all the frustration and rusted bolts and just enjoy the payoff. The sound of the EA113 under load, the DSG downshifts—it was just perfect. Everyone brought something different to the group: some were heavily modified, others nearly bone stock, but all had their own personality. Before the drive, I finally got around to giving the interior a proper deep clean. The leather seats were treated, plastics were polished, carpets vacuumed, and every last bit of road dust and snack debris was banished. It’s honestly the cleanest this car has felt since I bought it. I used some of my go-to interior products, which I’ll go over in a future post. I'm planning a dedicated “how to clean your interior” guide for anyone looking to bring their cabin back to life—especially helpful if your car’s been neglected or daily-driven through harsh seasons like mine has. More drives are definitely coming soon. After all the time spent under the hood, it feels good to finally be behind the wheel with some clean leather under me and twisty roads ahead.

Installing Floor Mats, Emblems, Logos, and DSG Service

Cruising with Friends & Interior Transformation