Your favorite Mk-4 TDI Mods

What are your favorite ALH / MK4 mods ... Survey says ???
A day doesn't pass when I don't drive my MK-4 Golf.
I love the glass headlight lens ... so clear
The rear hatch auto-lock delete is always sweet ( I lock it when I need it) I hate having to use a key or the door switch just to open the hatch.

The 2" lift kit and the VAG Bosal tow hitch ... it doesn't get any better.

The EGR delete and the stage -2 tune ..11MM pump ... PP 520 nozzles what a kick to drive !

Herm TDI said:

What are your favorite ALH / MK4 mods ... Survey says ???

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Power mods and Audi TT bushings

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1.5"/2" lift with custom rear springs for towing.
Stage 4 tune with VNT17. A smaller tune with VNT15 would be a good option.

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WildChild80 said:

Power mods and Audi TT bushings

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Yes... the TT bushings do tighten up the front end...nice (the car should have left the factory with them)

Herm TDI said:

Yes... the TT bushings do tighten up the front end...nice (the car should have left the factory with them)

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Absolutely, I have poly in one and TTs in the other and prefer the TTs hands down, just as precise and not nearly as harsh

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Where's the Limited Slip Diff? I love my Peloquin, couple that with the
17/22 and the RC4 and it's FUN to drive. The key suspension upgrade for
me has been the front top strut tie bar, no need for upgraded bushings,
stiffen the body and reduce chassis flex. With the Golf I've got a rear bar
as well.

Rrusse11 said:

Where's the Limited Slip Diff? I love my Peloquin, couple that with the
17/22 and the RC4 and it's FUN to drive. The key suspension upgrade for
me has been the front top strut tie bar, no need for upgraded bushings,
stiffen the body and reduce chassis flex. With the Golf I've got a rear bar
as well.

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It's on the list, just saving money for build a house or vacation to Italy and then a house...

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WildChild80 said:

It's on the list, just saving money for build a house or vacation to Italy and then a house...

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Might be a while before you get to Italy, hell, I can't even get across the
Canadian border to my cottage. I'd cheerfully quarantine in the middle of the St. Lawrence.

Of the items you've listed, tune for sure. But what's missing is suspension upgrades: rear sway bar, better dampers, and better (lighter) wheels and tires.

Another vote for the Audi TT bushings. Also would suggest urethane sway bar bushings. And a good set of tires with grippy tread compound.

I bet most people here including myself, despite actually having them, wouldn't be able to feel the difference between tt and regular bushings.

What these cars really should have left the factory with are Bilstein TCs.

Rrusse11 said:

Might be a while before you get to Italy, hell, I can't even get across the
Canadian border to my cottage. I'd cheerfully quarantine in the middle of the St. Lawrence.

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Yeah, sadness...was stationed there and am wanting to go back...

One day things will open back up and things get normal again, at least that's what keeps me going anyway...

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three spoke wheel, rsb, bilstein hd's, vinyl door cards. I do have a six speed but hardly ever use the extra gear.

Power Memory Drivers Seat

The one I helped develop: Installing Power Memory Drivers Seat.

If there is only one driver, its not such a big deal, but with a 5' wife (I am just under 6') it was nearly impossible to adjust back and forth between the two of us.

Audi TT bushings, IP injectors and tune, Monroe air shocks for heavy loads, new wiper arms that don't have worn out hinge pins...

I voted for tune, but if you do much high speed urban driving, you're gonna want some metal underneath.

It's difficult to say that one upgrade is the best. My wagon was completely stock and in need of replacing wear items. One upgrade alone each made an improvement, but all upgrades combined really complete the package and make the entire driving experience better. Here is a list of upgrades that I have done to my BEW TDI:

E-Codes with glass lenses and fog lights with wiring harness and Euro switch.
Malone Tune Stage 1.5 with dynamic EGR.
SB Stage 2 Endurance Clutch with Single Mass Flywheel.
Suspension complete refresh with upgraded springs/shocks and TT bushings.
Upgraded rims with Michelin Super Sport tires.
New touch points: 3-spoke steering wheel, GLI leather parking brake lever, new leather shift knob, new brushed aluminum door levers, TT pedals and footrest.
Removed the sticky-touch from all interior plastic panels and deep cleaned the interior.

The car drives a lot better than it did when I purchased it in worn-out stock condition. Plus, with new-old-stock touch points, the interior feels and looks new.

One of my favorite mods is having my cluster needles always lit. With dark window tint they are all I can see at times.

My euro wood steering wheel...
The six speed with ltd slip
The extensive soundproofing. This is probably my favorite.

Everyone who buys a MK4 TDI needs a tune from malone. Was kinda peeved that I was driving around stock for so long not realizing the potential.

Six speed

[QUOTE="Herm TDI, post: 5602284, member: 7130"
The rear hatch auto-lock delete is always sweet ( I lock it when I need it) I hate having to use a key or the door switch just to open the hatch.
[/QUOTE]
Hello Herm,
any chance you have a link or instructions on the hatch auto-lock delete?
would really like to make this change on my ‘00 Golf
Thanks

Passat extending sun visors

Replacing the Monsoon in the 03 JSW with a Kenwood was a bit of work but I loved the radio & NAV.
Took it out when I sold it and am just about finished installing it in my 14 JSW.
One more call to Crutchfield before I install the Delirious radio adapter.

1. Skid plate.
2. Shocks and springs, I went for Koni Special Reds and towing springs, 23mm front swaybar.
3. Bosal type euro towbar.
4. 16" light wheels.
5. Base tune with a mild nozzle upgrade.
6. Auto > 5spd swap, with Peloquin LSD and a .66 5th, changed within a couple months to a .717.
7. Top front strut tie bar, rear internal cabin brace.
8. 2.5" Exhaust, catless, single resonator.
9. 17/22 & 26psi Stage 4 tune, SBC Stage 2 End clutch.
10. VR6 front brakes, 288mm, rear TT Qtro brakes , 242x20mm. All new bearings.
11. .230 Wuzetem nozzles, though .216 would be plenty with hindsight.
12. PD150 intake and EGR Delete.
13. Upgraded SMIC, and vented fender liner.
14. Bigger airbox, yet to install, lol, the Jeep has been keeping me busy.
15. A new set of front seat covers need to be attached.

So the above is approximately in order over 4+years and 65k miles.
Basic maintenance and a couple of minor repairs not mentioned, alignment, alternator pulley, battery, etc.
No, I don't want to add it up, but with the trouble free service and a joy to drive, I no longer care that I'm
"over-capitalized". Cheap to run and insure, plenty fast enough to get me in trouble, handles well enough
to keep me out of it. All new bushings are OEM rubber, still should do the rears, I'll go with the Cupra one of these days.

I'd do it all again if I had to start from scratch, probably a different turbo, but the goal around the same.
Pushing 180hp/300'#s is plenty for a DD. And I've been very happy with the General Max AS05 tires, their
"ultra performance" all season. A touch oversize zeros the speedo, and spacers gives a tad wider stance.
Like the braces, a subtle improvement that grows on you.

Malone tuned
Glass lenses
16 inch wheels
1.5 inch lift
Skid plate
Koni FSDs
Ricaros
Oil bypass system
Spin-on CAT 2 micron fuel filter
FrostHeater

Love 'em all and brings a smile every day!

ESP retrofit. Cheaper than doing an LSD but helps keep wheel spin down when it's rainy, since these engines like to be torque monsters.

Nero Morg said:

ESP retrofit. Cheaper than doing an LSD but helps keep wheel spin down when it's rainy, since these engines like to be torque monsters.

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What was involved in that?

ToxicDoc said:

What was involved in that?

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Replacement clock spring for steering angle sensor, yaw sensor install, defeat switch on dash, replace abs module with ESP ABS module, and run a bunch of wires. Honestly wasn't that bad. Took me a weekend to do. Only really works on canbus cars (2002+)

Improve headlights (glass lenses, Jetta to Golf conversion, DIY HID, etc. anything to get some actual/better light)
Better OEM seats (I like the leather high bolster, heated can be nice depending on location)
Better OEM/Audi steering wheel (3 spoke from most any of the chassis of early 2000's era, the more substantial wheel provides a better feel)
Auto-dim rear view mirror (rain sensing and adding auto-dim sides would be great too)
Better audio (OEM or aftermarket, whatever meets your needs)
Better brakes larger front/vented rear (OEM parts/pieces from other MKIV/TT MK1, I'd suggest doing this when maintenance work on the brakes is due)
Tune (this could arguably be first)

I tried to limit the list to "mods" (creature or feature) and not Maintenance items (aside from maybe the brakes)