[Barr_end]

With this post being start of yet another page of my ramblings, now making 65..
Think it maybe best to reveal the fresh look, using some of the only photos I have so far + get the spec list in at the top as it's minorly different, so all up to date.

However I will attach a video link prior to that as I really don't feel like photos truly capture how this looks! Wait till the end
Video link to show actual colour - CLICK HERE by James Barr, on Flickr


Colour shift in shade vs low sun vs bright mid day is vastly different, but oddly think my favourite is the shade, still looking close to it's old look but so glossy!
Obviously for those who've seen previous pages / know the car, it being white previously, can has never been so deep/reflective/glossy
Genuinely still not used to seeing it sat there like this. The finish for a wrap is mega!
You can still tell it's a wrap with the small amount of orange peal, but still very impressive finish and people have asked when did I paint it 😂

None of this would of ever been done without the huge help from Alex @Monstagraphics, we go way back and help each other out plenty, but think the favour swing is currently in his favour 😂
If anyone reading can check his youtube or socials out, I would appreciate it alot as he's trying to grow:
Alex's YouTube / Alex's Instagram / Monstagraphics Facebook / Monstagraphics Instagram
I will go into more details in another post on how much effort we went into along side the obvious exterior colour change

Spec:
Performance- Engine / Tuning:
•3.5” trackslag downpipe
•Milltek Catback exhaust
•Custom pro-ram induction
•Toyosport cooler/custom 2.5” piping
•Creation motorsport muffler delete & discharge pipe
•Forge silicone charge pipe join
•Samco silicone DV return line
•Forge silicone coolant hoses
•Murray clamps throughout
•OEM Rev G diverter valve
•Loba high pressure fuel pump
•Audi RS4 fuel pressure return valve
•AEM V2 meth injection
•AKS runner flap delete
•NGK Iridium BKR7EIX
•Custom metal oil filter housing
•Mocal Oil cooler kit
•AKS bsd oil pump assembly
•BBT Anti-Surge core & ported hotside
•R-tech remap 381hp/425ftlbs - stock ECU
•Billet engine caps & dipstick

Chassis:
•HPA performance Haldex controller
•Helix SMF/paddle clutch & braided clutch line
•Coolerworx shifter tower
•Forge short & relay shifter & dieselgeek slider bush
•Draft 42 solid shifter bushings
•AKS solid shifter mount bushes
•Vibratechnic engine & dogmount
•JBX central prop bearing
•Custom Intermotiv Stealth 2 way coilovers (10k/F 12k/R)
•Cloude9 magride delete modules
•Audi 8S TT front hubs
•Superpro anti-lift kit & front polybushes
•Tyrol front subframe locking kit
•Powerflex polybushed rear subframe & diff bushes
•Superpro polybushed control arms
•Whitline Rear anti-roll bar & adjustable links
•Ultraracing front strut bar
•AP racing 9660/5000R calipers, AP 368x36 floating discs, RayBesto ST45 / ProjectMu H21 pads
•CB 2 piece rear discs & EBC pads
•Braided hoses & Castrol SRF fluid
•Custom brake cooling ducting
•JR SL01 18 x 10.5 / 275 Michelin PS5

Exterior:
•Wrapped gloss black green metallic
•Genuine Audi TTRS front bumper and black edition grill
•Custom chassis mounted splitter & tunnels
•Custom Vented bonnet
•Gravity+ carbon canards
•Alsatek carbon vented front wings
•Alsatek carbon wide rear arches
•Ingo Noak rear diffuser
•Custom fog/rainlight
•Custom 4” exhaust tips
•TRC side skirts
•Speed Engineering Big Swan-neck Wing
•Carbon fibre mirror blanks
•Dynamic mirror lenses
•Black badges

Interior:
•Cobra Evolution Profit seats, alloy sidemounts & sliders
•Cloude 9 seat adaptor bases
•TRS 6 point 3 inch ultralight harnesses
•SW Motorsport cage
•Cloude 9 rear seat delete & net
•Flocked Dash - top, bottom & ends
•OMP Boss & Sparco 353 flat bottom wheel
•Alpine X802D-U 8” headunit •Focal audio speakers & tweeters
•Audi 8V S3 heater vents
•Cloude9 vent adaptors
•Stack boost gauge
•Stack oil pressure gauge
•Digital multi-temp gauge
•Custom clock/dial details
•Red interior illumination SMD LEDs resoldered to white
•All bulbs changed to LED & double boot light mod
•Carbon fibre ~ centre console, glove box trim, grab handles, pull handles, interior mirror, clock besile & handbrake

And finally some photos!

 

[Barr_end]

Well with the above going down more like a lead balloon, seemingly following the trend of this entire forum.
Maybe a long waffling update isn't worth the effort 😂

I'll just throw time line well out of whack as it's minimal typing, with fact got to test the new track wheels on & try a test drive!
Very very pleased once complete and thought have a little fun which can be seen below
Good comparison of what they would look like on the same chassis (with daily having 8J front end set up) in a different frock & wheel/tyres that do fit it....

 

[MT-V6]

Trimming the bumper tabs might not stop that from rubbing 😂

 

[jimojameso]

I enjoy all the updates mate. Keep them coming. There is a definitely a few of us who really enjoy this build thread so please don't let the lack of engagement put you off doing the detailed posts. I really enjoy them

 

[dgrose]

I enjoy reading the updates too... even though I have just got a mk3, I still pop back here to read this thread
Dave

 

[Barr_end]

Trimming the bumper tabs might not stop that from rubbing 😂

Think this will need to be marked down as the best comment of the thread 😅
Proper made me chuckle 😂

I enjoy all the updates mate. Keep them coming. There is a definitely a few of us who really enjoy this build thread so please don't let the lack of engagement put you off doing the detailed posts. I really enjoy them

Just feel like the forum as a whole is slowly falling off! Think I have moaned about it before 😂
It is a task to organise my brain to actually write things all down, whilst trying to contain it, but which still ends up in rambling waffle

I enjoy reading the updates too... even though I have just got a mk3, I still pop back here to read this thread
Dave

I appreciate the forum thread hop over, I might need to take a nose in the MK3 one myself now and again

 

[Barr_end]

It's been a while! I need to pull my finger out and do some typing

 

[jimojameso]

You do!

 

[Barr_end]

Let's give this go...
Might be a fair bit of rambling test to follow.

Little jump back in time to actually around post #1273, when the car was actually receiving its refreshed look which first meant stripping it back, a lot! Not just the old vinyl.

In short – almost every bolt on panel was removed! Bonnet being the only exception, all be it being moved on its mounts. Bumpers, wings, doors, over arches, boot lid, spoiler, splitter, even the drivers side skirt.
All in an attempt to improve things but mainly, to hide the cars true colour – white.

So now the front of the door shuts sprayed black, rear was wrapped, same for the boot shut. Additionally the boot and drivers door were swapped out at this point. Now meaning the bonnet, both doors and the bootlid are all black and not original to the car. Which makes every removable panel other than the side skirts being from another vehicle.
Resulting in unless the bonnet is open and looking within the engine bay, or reg checked the car - I don’t believe you would know the car is white.

Some might consider this pointless, but for me, not having any blatant contrast with a door or the boot open just completes the entire visual and really does add to overall package. I’ve always believed that minor details matter.

As some may know, this strip down along was a large amount of effort, on top of the already fun job needing to wrap the car properly.But then adding to things you find along the way. Such as minor visual defects to bigger issues. Also making minor improvements, it got even longer!

The previous damage taken on the Donington trackday from that rogue boost pipe, seemingly only the splitter/air dam, was not the case. Stripping this down, the damage hidden, actually heavily cracked and damaged the OE bumper splitter under the ‘fog’ grills. Behind the air dam.

This needed repairing, along with the entire front bumper needing to be flat sanded, primed and flattened again to remove as much of the stone chipping as possible. Unfortunately the new gloss wrap highlighted these and made it look like the surface of the moon with some green wrap applied over the top.This was taken to the Bodyshop that also did the boot lid and drivers door. Whilst this was off, tried to add additional air guiding behind it in addition to what had been done previously.
One of the front carbon wings had developed a small crack in its eadge, from what/where unknown. Some fibreglass work there, additional fittings glued in and remade fresh mesh covering the vent holes and these were ready for another coat of vinyl.
Bonnet vent had to be removed out of the giant hole and this was more fun on reassembly.
Spoiler was removed from the boot lid and was all swapped over, drilling cutting etc. Hopefully finally waterproofed completely! (writing this months on, seems to be the case) with some taller water sealing.
One of the wide arch fixings I had glued had also cracked, not on the side that saw the impact last year. This again was just another small job that needed addressing with the car in pieces.
Rear bumper ended up being swapped out entirely, this had some pretty annoying damaged caused from loading/unloading car on low loader from the crash. Rear diffuser fins pushing up and denting the lower lip of the S-line bulge. The replacement still needed prep work from a poor respray and I did try and smooth the number plate screw holes myself due to deadlines and unfortunately, this hasn’t come out to a standard that I am massively happy with. Plus then needed the internal chopping no one can see behind the wide arches.
Door hinges, or at least ones that could be were all swapped for black ones, to minimise the items that would need wrap/paint. The upper car side is not, unless the dash is removed and after doing that once, not doing it again! Or drill through the support bar which again did not fancy.

There are probably some details I am missing from that already long list – but there was plenty done before/whilst the new vinyl was being laid down!

Then came putting that all back together, which was also more fun.

‘New’ rear bumper also came with a rear diffuser which wasn’t many textured layers of poorly painted black that I had to cover with plastidip – it again isn’t the best but is gloss black and better than what currently had. So swapping the fins and rain light into this
Rest of it was fairly straight forward and usual, other than the bonnet vent…
Stuck this down with tiger seal and a lot of it yet with 24 hours, half of it was pealing off! Literally have no idea what’s happened with it, used that so many times over the years on various things and it is usually a complete pain to get off. This was the direct opposite. So few days later I had to get some windscreen adhesive from a dreaded car part supply, but I needed it then and there and all I could get my hands on.

There is probably alot more, my Dory brain is forgetting. But there is more than enough text there to explain how much fun me and Alex had. Alot of people wouldn't be able to see or recognise just how much work goes into these things

EDIT: Actually there is, 2 more import things that forgot! Headlights & PPF
In the damage of the front bumper, also found the drivers headlight brackets had seen some abuse - actually thinking this maybe from someone hitting the car, but anyways. These were addressed as was the state of the light lenses themselves. As you can see, we already had enough on our plate, so the bodyshop sanded and prepped these back for me. Previous poor yellow & black headlight tints had destroyed the drivers top coating and all of this is now gone!
To protect further, the headlights & the front canards were covered in PPF! Which is nice little finishing touch to really
Plan to PPF the front, but with no time or front bumper template, still currently waiting on the company to sort this.

But as always, comes with a MASSIVE thank you to Monstagraphix for going above and beyond as always and couldn't be happier with the new look - which I got more and more worried closer the deadline come to it be finished.
He did alot of good work and helped massively.
Pictures aren't fun or pretty, more just to try and support the huge amount of text & then 2 favourites on the day it rolled out which likely are already posted:

 

[jimojameso]

Wow you did go to a real level of detail to make the wrap look as good as possible! Great work. Would love to see this car in the flesh one day.

 

[MT-V6]

Not sure how I missed that last post but very good work there! And a nice choice of colour that suits the TT well

A minor detail would be to paint the shark fin. Mine was also unpainted matt black even thoughy car is black, so I had it colour coded. It's in my thread somewhere. Just note that the primered part is different to the unpainted one, so I sourced one just to make the job more straightforward for the bodyshop

 

[Barr_end]

Wow you did go to a real level of detail to make the wrap look as good as possible! Great work. Would love to see this car in the flesh one day.

Thank you, we certainly tried! It does get about, I am just not one for shows much anymore and it'll never be a minter as it gets abuse 😂

Not sure how I missed that last post but very good work there! And a nice choice of colour that suits the TT well

A minor detail would be to paint the shark fin. Mine was also unpainted matt black even thoughy car is black, so I had it colour coded. It's in my thread somewhere. Just note that the primered part is different to the unpainted one, so I sourced one just to make the job more straightforward for the bodyshop

🤷‍♂️😂 I have no idea, I know isn't great photos of the green, still but there's few of them down this last page

Interesting you should say that... It's not actually unpainted - It is still my original white one!
It's been plasti-dipped black when the satin went down and been the same ever since.
Now you're mentioned it, would be nice to have it in gloss to be fair, I do want to do this...
However, with the cage, it is a complete faff of a job to do 🙄

 

[Barr_end]

Forgotten updates as always, so will try and actually post things
While back did manage to find the rattle! Only mid way through July 😅
This is a nice win! Doesn't always need to be big mods - little things have always made bigger picture, especially if it's peaceful.

Although it did take a pretty large effort and was somewhere I really wasn't expecting. Trying to find it, I fully stripped the rear of the car out as much as seemed sense...

No passengers seat, seat delete, rear doorcards, boot cards, boot floor, boot lid trim...
Did any of this make any difference? Nope 🤦‍♂️
As soon as moved car on the drive, knew this hadn't 'worked' - small test drive definitely confirmed.
When pulling back in, noticed I could trigger the noise purposely. Quick jab on the brakes / deceleration triggered. So grabbed the misses and asked her to do the same thing, which was so helpful.
Then could even manage to replicate the noise again by purely putting weight on/oof the rear axle.

Long story short, this led to finally finding the cause of the noise... The trailing arm bush bolt.
Still now, not 100& sure how this has happened, both bolts had paint pen marks and showed we torqued them up on rebuild & that was around 3k miles & a track day ago
Only possibility which is plausible, both brackets I repainted with textured paint and maybe the bolts were tight on the high spots, then the paint was pressured down and allowed the bolts to become loose?
Well this was actually really awkward to fix as the bolt being loose and backing out, actually caused it to be stuck within the hole inside the chassis

With this side fixed, nice bit of Loctite and more of an FT torque spec - it would have been silly to leave the other side, good job did.
The passengers side was also loose, finger tight but not unwound. Rinse and repeat of the other side and noise was sorted.

But the work on the car continued - Seemed wrong not to take advantage of them being out the car to improve on the rear doorcards yet again.
To be totally fair, I was happy with the work done on V2 doorcards, just the doorcards themselves were fairly damaged / poor condition before starting.
So chopped up yet another set and made my final set & I mean it, I hate doing interior work 😅 chaulk it up below rear end refurbs & widearches.
these may not be perfect... But doorcards V3 have turned out really nicely and I am more than happy with them.

Additionally, completely uncaptured, I sprayed inside behind the doorcards with bit of satin black paint & reinstalled the cloth sound deadening
So now when there is a slight angle you could see through / past the cage to behind, I feel like its impossible to actually see anything but darkness

Now the noise is sorted, have actually driven the car a large amount in last month or so!
It is highlighting more and more how I do NOT like the Vibratechnic engine mounts though - these will be coming out to test it without again

 

[Barr_end]

As always, still behind on updates!
Even had a track day yesterday, which was interesting to say the least. I shall try get it up to date in a proper timeline

 

[Barr_end]

Let's try keeping the updates in line

One thing I did miss off the end of the wrapping update, I actually had my windows retinted.
The black bootlid that was swapped on had no tint on it at all - keen eyes may of spotted this as in some shots nothing on the hatch at all, with the side quarter windows being dark as shit 😅
So redid the rear 3 - reducing the tint level alot this time. Believe the rears were either 80 or 95% previously.
The entire car is now 50% - I do actually much prefer it on the TTS - being able to see through the car, but only just is nice. Enough to see the cage and etc, but not being open like a goldfish bowl 😂

As said in the last update, other than very minor odd things, mainly just been a lot of driving – with the noise gone it was much nicer to drive, all be it with this vibration and noise from the Vibratechnic mounts.
I actually even took a lot (still not a lot) photos than I usually would whilst floating about using the car
So this will be a nice short post of mainly more random photos of the green I have taken, maybe even a following post due to 10 picture limit - but they likely pretty poor like usual.

 

[Barr_end]

 

[jimojameso]

Great pictures! The car looks amazing now! Good work

 

[MT-V6]

Looking good as always. The glossy wrap actually makes it look a little less aggressive I think, but in a good way. The aggression is in the body, and the colour makes it look a bit more "polished" than the previous matt

 

[Barr_end]

Looking good as always. The glossy wrap actually makes it look a little less aggressive I think, but in a good way. The aggression is in the body, and the colour makes it look a bit more "polished" than the previous matt

I think I know what you mean, the colour makes the car itself look little more classy / finished but lost the aggression of the satin not entirely. Which quite lot of people have echo'd
Had alot of comments since swapping colour on how nice the car is


------------

Realised I never actually actually followed up with any kind of proper post or multiple photos of the track wheels actually fitted to the TT - Just the laughable ones of them on the daily sat far too out of the arches.

This was something I was never expecting to happen, the exact spec of wheel & tyre I wanted to come up for sale second hand. Chances seemed so low with what I needed in 5x112 fitment, but it did!

Being a 18 x 11 wheel, ending up as 2Forge ZF6 ET32
Then wrapped in 295/30, which ended up being a Yokohama A052.

Having previously run 2Forges, I was happy knowing these would be decent wheels.
ZF6 would not have been my choice in all honesty, I was looking at the ZF5 again just in this wider spec.
Additionally I was not aiming for black wheels at all either, I wanted to try silver or similar shade of grey to the current JR's. But I must say I don't even dislike the black wheels, just always loose the wheel design with black.

I was looking at 2 tyres ideally, either the AD09 or the A052, so these coming with all be it balding / fairly used A052's was ideal.

Now here comes the kicker, wheels £1100 cheapest I could find them at time, tyres depending on stock & supplier £1400-1600. I didn't even pay half that cost and they were delivered 3 hours to me in person and even come another x2 usable but again worn tyres. Could not remotely say no!

So here we are, back to 2 sets of wheels and one to really take advantage of the wide arches
Still can't believe how wide the 295's are, even being used to 275s, they are vast

So here are a few more of those test fit photos...

 

[Duncan Poundcake]

I think I know what you mean, the colour makes the car itself look little more classy / finished but lost the aggression of the satin not entirely. Which quite lot of people have echo'd
Had alot of comments since swapping colour on how nice the car is


------------

Realised I never actually actually followed up with any kind of proper post or multiple photos of the track wheels actually fitted to the TT - Just the laughable ones of them on the daily sat far too out of the arches.

This was something I was never expecting to happen, the exact spec of wheel & tyre I wanted to come up for sale second hand. Chances seemed so low with what I needed in 5x112 fitment, but it did!

Being a 18 x 11 wheel, ending up as 2Forge ZF6 ET32
Then wrapped in 295/30, which ended up being a Yokohama A052.

Having previously run 2Forges, I was happy knowing these would be decent wheels.
ZF6 would not have been my choice in all honesty, I was looking at the ZF5 again just in this wider spec.
Additionally I was not aiming for black wheels at all either, I wanted to try silver or similar shade of grey to the current JR's. But I must say I don't even dislike the black wheels, just always loose the wheel design with black.

I was looking at 2 tyres ideally, either the AD09 or the A052, so these coming with all be it balding / fairly used A052's was ideal.

Now here comes the kicker, wheels £1100 cheapest I could find them at time, tyres depending on stock & supplier £1400-1600. I didn't even pay half that cost and they were delivered 3 hours to me in person and even come another x2 usable but again worn tyres. Could not remotely say no!

So here we are, back to 2 sets of wheels and one to really take advantage of the wide arches
Still can't believe how wide the 295's are, even being used to 275s, they are vast

So here are a few more of those test fit photos...

View attachment 540215
View attachment 540216
View attachment 540214
View attachment 540213
View attachment 540212
View attachment 540217
View attachment 540211
View attachment 540210
View attachment 540209

Are there spacers on those wheels?