Canberra VW Get Together

Took part in a small get together today with fellow GolfMkV.com members. Eight of us met up for lunch in Manuka, then cruised a short distance to the Kingston foreshore to take some quick snaps. And quick snaps the proved to be, with the rain bucketing down soon after our arrival! A good cross section of Golf Mk5 models were represented, including GTIs, a GTI Pirelli, R32s, and an Audi S3 just to mix things up a bit :) Unfortunately I couldn't join the cruise part of the day, but I did follow the group down Adelaide Ave and Cotter Rd, which was cool in itself. And I was surprised at how many Kingston restaurant-goers looked up and smiled as we drove past, although that may have just been the awesome sound of the R32s' exhausts :)

Larger photos are available here.

Golf GTI at Mt Panorama, Bathurst

Our Golf GTI parked on the famous Mt Panorama circuit at Bathurst, NSW. We visited Bathurst on the return leg of a Christmas road trip from Canberra to Brisbane. The circuit is a public road, and anyone can drive on it (albeit at a maximum of 60Kmph). What a pity the road isn't more along the lines of Germany's Nurburgring...

DIY: building an (inexpensive) GTI mount for TomTom One satnav, plus hardwiring to the fuse box

I thought I'd write a quick guide describing the way I created a mount and hardwired my Tomtom One satnav to the fusebox. It's pretty basic stuff really, and no doubt there are much more elegant ways to do this. Having said that, it all cost me next to nothing, and so far the mount has been very stable and the Tomtom charges and works perfectly. I figure it beats spending a lot of money on a proclip...

All I used/bought was:

• A cigarette lighter adaptor: female cigarette lighter socket on one end, two wires/alligator clips on the other end (from Jaycar)
• A 3 Amp fuse (small size)
• Some black cable ties (various sizes)
• An old stubbie holder (black!)
• A small rubber ball, flattened on one side (not shown!)
• Little plastic bracket thingys (x 2) - as shown in photo!
• Some velcro
• Some black electrical tape

The mount:
I took the Tomtom windscreen mount apart, and placed the small rubber ball into the hole where the windscreen mount normally connects (with the flat side of the rubber ball facing out). I cut up the plastic bracket thingys to make them smaller, and attached them to the Tomtom's mount using the screws provided. I then cut up the stubbie holder, and wrapped a piece around the GTI's console (I figured it would protect the plastic from getting scratched). I then threaded cable ties through the holes in the plastic bracket thingys and wrapped them around the stubbie-holder-protected console. The cable ties work really well, fastening the mount solidly to the console. I then took another piece of stubbie holder and wrapped it (horizontally?) under the mount to hide the main cable ties, although of course I used some more cable ties to fasten the additional bit of stubbie holder! But overall it looked much neater this way. Of course, as I went along I trimmed the plastic ties once I had fastened them. Now you might think it all looks a bit dodgy (especially in one of the photos), but everything is hidden nicely behind the Tomtom mount... that is unless you want to get down in the footwell with a torch :)



The hard-wiring:
The female cigarette lighter attachment I bought from Jaycar had two wires attached ending in alligator clips. I removed the alligator clips and stripped some insulation from the wires. I then connected the earth wire to a screw (as shown), and I wound the power wire around the leg of a 3 Amp fuse and pushed it into an empty spot in the fusebox. You can see in one of the photos- it's the pink fuse in the top row. I had previously tested this empty fuse spot with a test light to make sure it was only powered when the ignition was turned on. Of course, make sure that you plug the fuse the right way around, otherwise you will end up powering the Tomtom bypassing the fuse entirely :)
Next I plugged the Tomtom's car charger into the female cigarette adapter I had just wired in. I ran the cable from the fusebox up behind the dash and behind the interior plastic trim until it emerged between the driver's seat and centre console. I fastened the cable in place at various points along the way using some electrical tape. Oh, and I decided to use some velcro to hold the cigarette lighter adaptor firmly in place in the fusebox, so that it wouldn't add yet another vibration/rattle to the GTI's dash :)

Changing the Tomtom's welcome screen:
I couldn't resist creating a custom VW welcome/splash screen for the Tomtom. It's really simple- just follow these instructions.

I think the most expensive item was the female cigarette lighter adapter- I can't remember its exact price, but definitely < $20. Everything can be removed if necessary, and I haven't damaged the original Tomtom mount or power cable (or my GTI!) in the process. Mounting the Tomtom down low works well for me... it doesn't get in the way of anything, and I can still clearly see it when driving (for the most part I just follow the voice instructions). I think the mount is less obvious down low, which is better for security. And if I'm parked in a dodgy area I can easily throw something over the mount to cover it up :)

I hope that this guide can assist those not-so-technical people like me out there :) Oh, and of course, you follow these instructions at your own risk... I am not responsible if you break your Tomtom, fusebox or GTI :)

Golf GTI's in Canberra: Easter get together

Sunday 23rd of March, midday.  Telstra Tower car park, Black Mountain, Canberra.  This was the meeting place for an Easter get-together and drive for Canberra members of GolfMkV.com's Australian Forum. It was also the first chance for many new forum members to meet in person, rather than online using their pseudonyms.  Eight guys made it to the get together- one in a superbly-modified MkIV Golf GTI, with the rest in MkV Golf GTIs of various configurations and colours.  We expected a ninth-member to show up, but an unfortunate screw-in-tyre incident prevented him from attending.  Members who made the get together included: CiaranGTI / minigolf / GTI-racer / Kirium / thefullarchie (all the way from Brisbane :) / Bunty (couldn't come on the drive) and the MkIV GTI guy who's name escapes me for the moment!  Oh, and of course me, Ferris :)

Note: larger versions of some photos are available here.

Telstra Tower car park, chatting as we wait for forum members to arrive

On our way!  Ciaran's immaculate 'Black Magic' GTI close behind. 

 

First stop along the way, and a chance to snap some photos.  Good range of colours on display.

And a reverse-angle shot.

Across the bonnet of my GTI.  Motorcyclist looks enviously at gleaming GTIs...

The roads were great.  Mostly free of traffic, with some good bends and breathtaking scenery.

End of the road (well, at least the bitumen part).  Time for more chat and photos.

Couldn't resist taking a few more photos of my GTI, especially when it's looking so clean :)

Uh, my GTI again.  Did I mention how clean it is?...

All seven cars that took part in the drive.  Cool MkIV GTI bringing up the rear.

Ready to start the drive back to Canberra.

Model Cars: The Ferris Collection

I love classic cars. The shape and styling, the history, and the uniqueness of certain models really appeals to me. Of course the dream is to one day have a garage full of classics, each car in mint condition and perfectly maintained. The reality, however, is that I don't have the money to create such a collection. Come to think of it, even a large garage would break my budget! Not to mention the full-time mechanic required to restore and look after the vehicles. So, it looks like my dream is destined to be unrealised for some time. That's where model cars come to the rescue. Over the past year or two I have started my own model car collection. It's early days, but I am slowly purchasing new cars... particularly when I pass through Braidwood, where the excellent Car Models of Braidwood shop is located. I've included some photos of my model cars below. Apologies in advance for the average quality of the images- photographing small objects is hard! : )

Chrysler Charger E49

Austin Healy Sprite

Austin Mini Checkmate

Volkswagen Golf Mk1 GTI

Golf engine bay

Car club get-together at Deep Space Centre, Canberra

You've got to love chatting with like-minded car-enthusiasts. I went for a short drive today to meet with members of my work's car club. The meet-location was the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex, about half-an-hour's drive from Canberra.

The drive itself is very enjoyable, with plenty of sweeping bends and little traffic. A good opportunity to blow away the cobwebs from the GTI's 2.0L TFSI engine. Unless you happen to get stuck behind a learner-driver, as I did towards the end of the drive. But nevertheless, the drive was still lots of fun, and highlighted the excellent mid-range response of my Golf GTI, particularly when left in S (Sport) mode.

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While it wasn't a particularly large turn-out, there were some very desirable cars present at the get-together. As you can see from the photos, members turned up in German and Japanese autos, including: a Honda Civic Type R, Mitsubishi Evo VII, Mazda RX-8, Datsun Fairlady 1500, Golf Mk IV 2.0 Sport, and my Golf Mk V GTI. The Civic Type R looked fast even when sitting still, while the Evo VII (with mandatory drainpipe-sized exhaust) would have eaten every car present for breakfast. The highlight for me was the restored Datsun Fairlady 1500. What a beautiful car - it's amazing how a 1960s Datsun can make even Civic Type R's and Golf GTI's look average!

A good time was had by all, and I hope we can add to the number of makes and models at our next Canberra get-together, whenever that may be...

Golf GTI: DSG FTW!

Just for a change, the reality actually lives up to the hype. The Golf GTI's DSG (Direct-Shift Gearbox) is good, very good. After six months of driving I am completely sold on the GTI's DSG transmission.

If you are wondering what the fuss is all about, then check out this (strangely-silent) Volkswagen Group DSG video.

Or alternatively, check out this insane Meccano model recreation of a DSG gearbox.

I reckon the DSG gives me the best of all-worlds. For example, I usually leave the transmission in D for my daily commute. In this mode everything is automatic, although unlike a regular automatic you need to be careful when performing hill starts (the GTI will roll backwards!). D mode delivers the best fuel economy. During my 30km daily round-trip commute I usually average somewhere between 7.5-8.5 L/100km (around 27-31 MPG), which is outstanding. While in D mode you can manually change gear at any time by using the steering-wheel mounted paddles or the regular shifter. Since the regular shifter has been installed the wrong way around, in my opinion (push forward to change up?- I don't think so. It's as bad as pushing the mouse forwards to look up in an FPS), I rely exclusively on the paddles. This mode is great for quickly dropping a cog or two for a quick blast, with full-auto mode being reactivated by simply holding the right-hand paddle for a few seconds.

S mode is crazy. From my observations, putting the DSG into S mode forces the GTI hold a gear right the way to the redline before changing up. This is very cool and definitely lots of fun, and of course delivers some awesome acceleration. It can however be a bit over the top, especially when in heavy traffic or on a quiet suburban street.

There is one remaining mode, and this is the one I use most often when wanting manual-control. When in D mode, push the shifter to the left and you will have complete manual control over gear changes... just like a conventional manual but without the clutch pedal. This is my favourite mode of all. It delivers precise and near-instantaneous shifts when pulling on a paddle. The closest thing I can compare it to is changing gears in a console driving game using the controller's shoulder buttons. It is that quick and seamless.

So, DSG seems to have all of the advantages of both manual and automatic transmissions, but without any real downside to speak of. And with a 7-speed version on the horizon, it looks like it's only going to get better...

(images from vw.com and matey-matey.com)

Tracking delivery of my VW Golf GTI

Thanks to Wallenius Wilhelmsen's excellent tracking website, I was able to see exactly how (and when) my Golf MkV GTI travelled across the world from Germany to Australia.  To perform the query all I needed was my GTI's VIN number.  I've included a picture of the results below (VIN number and some other details have been removed! :)

I thought it would be interesting to go on a virtual-tour by visualising the trip using Google Maps.  My 2007 3-door GTI was manufactured at Volkswagen's sprawling Wolfsburg factory in Jan 07.

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It was then transported across Germany from Wolfsburg to Bremerhaven

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In mid-Feb at Bremerhaven it was loaded aboard Wallenius Wilhelmsen's ship MIGNON

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And was then transported to Sydney Australia, arriving at the end of March 

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Finally, the GTI was transported 300km from Sydney to Canberra. 

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...where it remains today.  All pretty fascinating, don't you think?

Golf GTI on your Xbox 360

It's probably old news by now (given that SEGA Rally for Xbox 360 was released back in Sept 2007) but I was overjoyed to find that the game features a Golf GTI. It is beautifully modeled, and perfect in every detail. It looks like the GTI has gained an aftermarket stubby antenna, similar to the one I ordered from parts4euro.com. The game itself is fun, being a good blend of arcade racer and driving simulation. Actually, there really isn't much simulation in the game, that is unless you count the simulated mud and dirt. The mud realistically splatters your car during a race, until you decide to drive through a puddle (a kind of DIY car wash). And the dirt road cleverly deforms over time, leaving tyre tracks and indentations in the surface. A cool idea, although I couldn't really tell the difference as I blasted around the track chasing down the opposition. My only real disappointment with SEGA Rally is that the Golf GTI is too slow when compared with the WRX and Evo. It's a pity for VW fans that SEGA brought this dose of reality into their game...

Buying a MkV Golf GTI: delivery checklist and tips

When the day finally arrived for us to collect our new Volkswagen Golf GTI, I naturally wanted the car to be perfect.  Thankfully everything went smoothly, but had the GTI not been up to scratch I am sure I would have identified any problems with the help of my pre-delivery checklist.  Compiled largely from info provided by the friendly guys on the Australian Golf MKV Forum, along with tidbits picked up from the web, I am sure that the following tips can help you spot any problems before you hand over any cash...

• Check that the dealer has completed a pre-delivery inspection (PDI) report, and that it is signed-off
• Make sure the car you receive is the one you ordered (including all options)
• Check that the instruction manual and paperwork are all present
• Take the car out into the sun to look over the paint for flaws
• Look through the interior, making note of any scratches, loose panels, dirty carpet or missing mats
• Make sure you get your VW bottle opener! (it doubles as a divider for the GTI's cupholder :)
• Make sure all electronics work (wipers, all speakers, trip computer etc)
• Ensure that the trip computer is set to your preferred language (ours was initially set to German!).  It's possible that this setting can be changed by the user on 2008 model GTIs, however it is only switchable by the dealer on 2007 GTIs like mine.
• Check to make sure the suspension spring spacers have been removed
• Make sure that the car has the correct amount of registration as agreed
• Check that the spare tyre and jack are present

This list isn't exhaustive, but it should help you to feel a bit more confident when handing over your hard-earned money.   ...especially when all you can think about is getting the car out of the showroom and onto the road!

Golf GTI Mk5 line-up

I couldn't resist taking photos when I saw my GTI sandwiched between two Candy White 5-door GTIs in a car park recently.  Candy White was actually our number two colour choice, just behind Tornado Red.  

Enter the GTI

We finally did the deed a few months ago. After a lengthy period researching different makes and models, we settled on a new 2007 MkV Golf GTI.  And what a brilliant car it is!  DSG automatic gearbox, Bi-Xenon headlights, and with just three doors- which is more than enough for the two of us.  It's nice to be back in a car with character (not to mention power) once again, after driving very-reliable-but-dull transport for the past several years.  Actually, the Toyota Camry was an excellent car, but it just wasn't something you could get excited about.  More about my previous cars later, although I suspect that I'll enjoy writing about my old '265' 4.3 litre Chrysler Charger more than the Camry :)Along with cars, I also plan to use this page to chat about games.  The Xbox 360 and PS2 are my current consoles of choice, however I reserve the right to reminisce about other consoles and computers I have enjoyed over the years (Wii, Amiga, C64 etc).  

So there you have it- cars and games.  What more could anybody want?