New 2012 Flash Red Match - new bulbs and bodywork adjustment

[MattS]

Hey there

I got my 1.4 5-door Flash Red Polo Match back in May and I've found these boards really useful and interesting.

I thought I would share some of the really basic mods i've done as well as ask some advice from you knowledgable folk

Only difference from base Match spec is Knight Alloys which I think look awesome, hoping to lower it soon too.



I took it back to VW last month to get some bodywork adjustment under warranty. There was a fairly large gap between the nearside headlamp and the top grill. So much so that bugs and other crap got lodged in it during motorway journeys. The nearside wing/fender was also substantially higher than the bonnet too. The parts/service guy seemed unconvinced when I explained it to him, but changed his tune when he saw it and after comparing it to other polos on the forecourt. Now they seem fairly even, though not completely. Has anyone else found this?

I recently changed all the front headlight bulbs. Dipped and Main Beam H7 are now Ring Xenon Ultima bulbs, which are a big improvement over stock. I used to have Philips X-treme Vision H4 in my Aygo, and these seem just as good, but the light seems slightly whiter, both on the road and in the reflector. I also changed the indicator bulbs to Philips Silver Visions. They look so much better! I put some LEDs in for the sidelights as I tend to flick these on during the day instead of the dipped beam DRLs. They look cool but the Ring Xenon Ultima bulbs are still a bit yellow, so they don't really match, but I'm not too bothered.

After changing the bulbs I noticed that the front edge of the bonnet seems wonky and not parallel with the nearside of the top grill, can anyone else see this? Do you think it's worth taking it back to VW? Is it possible that when it went in for the previous adjustments they raised and bent the bonnet this side in order to meet the height of the wing, rather than lowering the wing to match the bonnet? I only wonder as I didn't notice it before. I'm not very familiar with the methods for bodywork adjustments... This photo was obviously taken when I had the headlamps out
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/145/polo3k.jpg/

Thanks so much in advance for any help, and all the best,
Matt S

[jimbo_tdi]

Nice Polo buddy, really like the Knights alloys... Shame to hear about the panel gaps as I thought VW were quite good with that sort of stuff... Did you buy new? If not it may have been in an minor collision and repaired on th cheap? Just an thought. If not then I would certainly take it back to VW as the panel gap does look very odd!

Nice car all the same!

[CANDYMAN]

What have you got on the headlights? Are you in the uk?

[jimbo_tdi]

What have you got on the headlights? Are you in the uk?

Do you mean in the link? The headlights have been removed

[CANDYMAN]

Hahaha it was late last night that i saw the pics i thought you had like a red film on the lens. Lol

[MattS]

Thanks a lot Jimbo Yeah I did buy brand new in May, think I will call VW and arrange for them to fix it. I'd heard good things about VW quality as well, the used Polos on the forecourt of the dealership seemed to have far smaller shut line gaps and the panels seemed better put together, ditto for the 6r's I've seen on here. I think I will push for them to check it all over. Thanks a lot for your advice and sorry for the confusion Candyman for the record I live in London

[jimbo_tdi]

It is a really nice example, main weakness from VW is customer service though! Luckily I have a really good one who go that extra mile for you! I'm debating whether to get the Knights or get some Navarre ones... Decisions decisions!

[MattS]

Thanks Haha yeah I know! After a bit of complaining and sending photos of the problem to them they have booked it in. Just before the adjustment warranty expires too So hopefully it will be sorted. Ah thats lucky, my local VW is okay, you just have to be persistent. Ah the Navarre alloys are really nice too, depends if you like the silver and black of the Knights, and the downside with the Knights is that they're diamond cut or something like that, so if you curb them up and want them restored, the car's off the road cos they have to be sent away for repair, and its more expensive to repair them than standard alloys. The salesman was really trying to put me off them!

[Boyracer_2011]

Very nice mate, have you got any pics with ya headlights on? I was thinking about either getting the Xenon Ultima bulbs or hids... Cheers

[MattS]

Ah I dont atm mate, I'll do my best to take some tomorrow, hopefully on an unlit road so you get the full effect, but to be honest, if its white/blue light and brightness you're after, the Xenon Ultimas won't come close to HIDs, they're decent bulbs, and better than stock, but they are still a bit yellowy and certainly don't match my LED sidelights

All the best,
Matt S

[CANDYMAN]

Just check your adjustment warranty as it is only 3 months!!!! So you got car in May so august/september it run out. Just don't want them to slap you with a bill.