My Golf at 238,000 miles. (340K worth of pics)

K5ING · September 18th, 2004, 19:43

I've been getting a few requests lately by people wondering what my car looks like after all of my miles. I took these a couple of days ago (9/16 I think) after putting on my new plates.

Just boring and dead stock on the outside except for the 5 brakelight mod and the "Chicago" rear bumper cover. Also forgot to wash the dead bugs off of the front first.

But here she is in all of her glory. Enjoy!

P.S. Now that you know my plate number, the first TDIClub member who spots me on the road, and gets my attention, gets a free cup of coffee (or your favorite beverage) and lots of TDI talk.

oilhammer · September 18th, 2004, 19:47

I've seen this car in person, and it still looks good! Just goes to show if you take care of something it will last.

Heck, my '91 looks pretty good after 350,000 miles

K5ING · September 18th, 2004, 20:07

Quote:

I've seen this car in person, and it still looks good! Just goes to show if you take care of something it will last.

Heck, my '91 looks pretty good after 350,000 miles

Thanks!

I really hate to admit this, but I don't give my car's exterior the care it deserves. It was a "working car" most of it's life, and I treated it as such. I kept the mechanicals in good shape, but I've never waxed it, has only the carport for protection, and it gets washed only when I can't stand looking at it any more. In my world, that is a thick enough coating of dirt to be able to not only write your name, but to see it from 50 feet away.

It's also spent most of it's life at 65 to 75 mph with that speed's risks of FOD from insects, rocks, and other vehicles. The windshield took a BIG hit from a rock (you saw the results of that hit I think), but I was lucky because it hit in the bottom-right corner. It's since been replaced. I've been VERY lucky in that it's never made contact with another car, and there isn't a single scratch on the car. Both drivers of the car are very good, defensive drivers. Also, I had a bra on the front for the first 200K miles. The only reason I removed it was because the dogs discovered it would make a good chew toy.

I sometimes hear people complaining about VW's paint, but I've been impressed. Maybe it's the color.

But I really should get out there and wax it.

steam4 · September 18th, 2004, 20:57

Quote:

P.S. Now that you know my plate number, the first TDIClub member who spots me on the road, and gets my attention, gets a free cup of coffee (or your favorite beverage) and lots of TDI talk.

Get back up here to Illinois and I'll take you up on that!

K5ING · September 18th, 2004, 21:02

Quote:

P.S. Now that you know my plate number, the first TDIClub member who spots me on the road, and gets my attention, gets a free cup of coffee (or your favorite beverage) and lots of TDI talk.

Get back up here to Illinois and I'll take you up on that!

You already did, Dave! But you bought. Thanks!
I'll get the bill next time.

fantomasz · September 19th, 2004, 10:57

[quote
I really hate to admit this, but I don't give my car's exterior the care it deserves.

[/QUOTE]

go to detailing schop or bodyshop and they will clean,wash,polish,wax etc for 100$

gimmer · October 17th, 2004, 16:55

What is a 5 brake light mod and a Chicago brakelight mod? Looks GREAT by the way. I hope to get that many miles on mine too!!

dieseldorf · October 17th, 2004, 17:07

Oh, don't start washing and waxing now...you're likely to spoil the car!

Jeff, does anyone believe this more strongly than you:

Quote:

There is NO reason whatsoever that these cars cannot be absolutely bullet proof with PROPER servicing.

- - dbw

Good luck as you head towards the 1/2 million mile mark.

WEBDZL · October 17th, 2004, 19:27

Yes please explain the 5 brake light mod,and the "Chicago" rear bumber cover.I have looked around and can not find info on this mod.thankyou...or where info can be found.

I have made my fourth payment and have 16,600 miles and am really enjoying it.And there goes the factory warranty....

K5ING · October 18th, 2004, 08:12

Quote:

Jeff, does anyone believe this more strongly than you:

Quote:

There is NO reason whatsoever that these cars cannot be absolutely bullet proof with PROPER servicing.

Good luck as you head towards the 1/2 million mile mark.

I've already had quite a bit of good luck as I found out this past weekend. MOGOLF went to do a timing tweak to my Golf at OldNavy's GTG, and found that the timing belt tensioner was in BAD shape. Just ONE of the problems found was that the stud holding the tensioner to the engine block was backed out to the point where the tensioner was actually wobbling!

Proper servicing, to me, is listening to the gurus on here, and attending GTG's whenever possible. Don't rely on independent or even VW shops to do the job right. The above problem was caused by a well respected VW/Audi tuning and repair shop that apparently had more experience with gassers than with TDI's. They totally botched the job.

As for the 5 brake light mod, it involves wiring up the rear fog lights (unused on US models) to come on when the brakes are applied. It's a very simple mod that can be done in about 15 minutes, and excellent instructions can be found here.

The Chicago cover is no longer available as far as I know, but looks like this....

WEBDZL · October 21st, 2004, 23:28

Thankyou so very much for the info,I looked and looked and could not find this info.The rear lights will be my next project,I like that rear bumber cover I once sat something there and slid it 1-2 inches and now have a slight scraches there,need to rub out sometime...Also I was very surprised about how good the paint and finish holds up on these VWs

cool cars and very happy with mine....