2012 Golf TDI 55K - Tech Package

JD_2012GolfTDI

Well-known member
Joined
May 5, 2019
Location
CA
TDI
2012 Golf Kerma tuned
Hello Everyone! First post here. New car to me, and my first VW & diesel. This is my 3rd turbo car. Previously had a 1987 Mazda Turbo II, and a 2005 WRX wagon.
I'm very pleased so far with the build quality and features. I lucked out finding a Golf with everything I wanted including tint and the extended spoiler.
Thinking of a Polar FIS as my first upgrade, then ECU/DSG tune. Been busy detailing the heck out of this car that's been in the CA desert for the last 2 years as a dieselgate VW buyback! I've only driven it a couple hundred miles but my initial impressions are a great quality, and solid handling/braking. I do hate the dead spot from a stop and can't wait to fix that with a tune. I love the downshifting it does, but it seems to go into neutral a little too soon as you come to a stop which requires a bit of last moment braking. Still getting to know the car, but it sure pulls nicely and the DSG shifting is fast.
http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=131127&title=img-20190505-073832-977&cat=500
http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=131129&title=img-20190507-111747-737&cat=500
http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=131128&title=img-20190507-111553-621&cat=500
http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=131126&title=img-20190502-215149-296&cat=500
http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=131125&title=20190507-062533&cat=500
 
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3L3M3NT

Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2008
Location
Sturgeon Bay, WI
TDI
04 Jetta GLS TDI, 04 RTDI
Congrats on the new to you TDI. :D I've read that a lot of the people that buy a dieselgate vehicle complain of the sluggishness it has and will get an ECU and DSG tune to transform it into a completely different vehicle in the way it drives.

To have the pictures you uploaded to the TDIClub picture serve show up in your post like I was able to below, you have to copy the url (link in the address bar) of the picture and then click on the image icon (the icon 3 over from globe that allows you to hyperlink a url) above the message body. A box will appear near the top of the page and that is where you will paste the url that you copied earlier.

I like to look of rear badge color matched to the color of the car.


I hope you don't mind, but here are the rest of the pictures of your car.










 
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JD_2012GolfTDI

Well-known member
Joined
May 5, 2019
Location
CA
TDI
2012 Golf Kerma tuned
Thanks @3l3m3nt I still can't seem to figure it out. Changed out the fuel filter to complete the 60K service. Took 10 minutes and used VagCom to prime fuel system for 60 seconds.
Also updated some features with the VagCom, 4 blinks for convenience, emergency braking, All windows up/down with remote held, removed door ding with door open, coming home lights to light up driveway, etc for 20 sec. after exiting car, and a few more. Couldn't seem to turn off led running lights when low beams are on though.

Well adjusted to car now. Handling is very good and loves to be thrown into tight lower speed corners. Great balance!
See ya @ 90K!
 
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JD_2012GolfTDI

Well-known member
Joined
May 5, 2019
Location
CA
TDI
2012 Golf Kerma tuned
Quick 2 hour spirited drive in El Dorado County, CA.



 
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JD_2012GolfTDI

Well-known member
Joined
May 5, 2019
Location
CA
TDI
2012 Golf Kerma tuned
Added 15mm spacers to rear wheels, effectively changing the 51mm offset to 36mm with the stock Salamanca 17x7.5 wheels.
 

apeck618

Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2019
Location
IL
TDI
2012 golf 2dr TDI, 6speed
where did you get the rear spoiler for the 3rd brake light???
 

JD_2012GolfTDI

Well-known member
Joined
May 5, 2019
Location
CA
TDI
2012 Golf Kerma tuned
Sorry it's been a long time since I've been on this forum. It was a factory installed option called 'roof edge spoiler' that was on my car when I bought it. I think it really enhances the look, without trying to look too racy.
 

JD_2012GolfTDI

Well-known member
Joined
May 5, 2019
Location
CA
TDI
2012 Golf Kerma tuned
Upgraded the DSG software to support the increased torque. It also improved the shift points for sport mode.
 

JD_2012GolfTDI

Well-known member
Joined
May 5, 2019
Location
CA
TDI
2012 Golf Kerma tuned
These should have been stock. It's the little things...;)

Seat lever inserts found on ebay for around $20

Clear side markers found on ebay for around $20

 
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JD_2012GolfTDI

Well-known member
Joined
May 5, 2019
Location
CA
TDI
2012 Golf Kerma tuned
Kerma tuned made a huge difference!
Boost went from 21 to 25psi.
40-70mph roll-ons went from 6.4 to 5.2 seconds.
0-60mph from 8.2 to 7.1
Gas mileage: 11% increase! 32.79 ave to 36.48
The kicker: CA SMOG was passed. :cool:
 

3L3M3NT

Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2008
Location
Sturgeon Bay, WI
TDI
04 Jetta GLS TDI, 04 RTDI
Upgrade struts and shocks to Koni Yellows
How does the car ride now with the Koni Yellows?

Upgraded the DSG software to support the increased torque. It also improved the shift points for sport mode.
I'm going to guess that it's a lot more fun to drive with a more responsive DSG transmission.

These should have been stock. It's the little things...;)

Seat lever inserts found on ebay for around $20

Clear side markers found on ebay for around $20

Sometime it's the little details that make the difference when you modify your car.

Kerma tuned made a huge difference!
Boost went from 21 to 25psi.
40-70mph roll-ons went from 6.4 to 5.2 seconds.
0-60mph from 8.2 to 7.1
Gas mileage: 11% increase! 32.79 ave to 36.48
The kicker: CA SMOG was passed. :cool:
Talk about a win, win when not only did the tune give you more power, but it also gave you better fuel economy all while passing the CA SMOG check, so it was definitely money well spent.

What are the next upgrades you plan on making?
 

JD_2012GolfTDI

Well-known member
Joined
May 5, 2019
Location
CA
TDI
2012 Golf Kerma tuned
@3L3M3NT The koni yellows were set at one click from full soft, which is still a bit firmer than stock. Handling is definitely more controlled, especially felt a higher speeds through a corner over uneven pavement. Less sloshy and more neutral. Happy with the change. Thinking about steel braided lines for front brakes next...
 

3L3M3NT

Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2008
Location
Sturgeon Bay, WI
TDI
04 Jetta GLS TDI, 04 RTDI

reince

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 13, 2017
Location
GA
TDI
2006 Beetle
Kerma tuned made a huge difference!
Boost went from 21 to 25psi.
40-70mph roll-ons went from 6.4 to 5.2 seconds.
0-60mph from 8.2 to 7.1
Gas mileage: 11% increase! 32.79 ave to 36.48
The kicker: CA SMOG was passed. :cool:
Awesome! We'll check that out soon when we start working on the new Golf project. Waiting for it to return from the installation of the new set of tires from 4Wheelonline plus alignment.
 

DivineChaos

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jul 27, 2019
Location
Minnesota
TDI
mk6 jetta sportwagen tdi
I put some high performance pads on my car. The excessive brake dust is maddening, but it stops on a dime.
 
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