New to VW/Polo GTI 1.8

[PlymouthArgyle]

Hi UK Polos,

I’m a new VW owner. I just purchased a ‘16 plate manual Polo GTI. After owning it for just under a month, I love it. It really shifts but i’m sure you guys know all of this anyway.
I have a couple questions for anyone who can answer them.

First of all,
After a journey and switching the engine off, there is a humming from under the bonnet? I’ve looked online and i’ve seen a few people suggest it’s probably the turbo cooling down.

Secondly,
When I picked the car up, all of the diamond cut alloys were scuffed. Although not majorly, the biggest being around 5 inches. They do hurt your pride a bit, i’ve read diamonds can only be refurbed once or twice & with this in mind, would it be better to buy some alloys, fit them or get them refurbed (any rough estimates) Although I’m not sure where to look for aftermarket alloys.

Thirdly,
The stock tyres were Bridgestone s001’s, which I actually just replaced like for like as they were quite worn in.
After a bit of reading these probably weren’t the best choice but I’ll know for next time now.

Fourth,
It’s coming up to it’s first MOT. Is it better to take it to a specialist VW garage or my local retailer?

Is there anything that I may have missed or might be oblivious too? Like I said, this is my first VW and Polo.

Many thanks guys.

[SRGTD]

Hi PlymouthArgyle; welcome to the forum.

I’ve had my GTI from new since March 2016 and it still puts a smile on my face when I drive it.

• The humming noise you mention is normal and I believe it is related to the turbo cooling down (think the noise is an auxiliary pump).

• I personally think diamond cut alloys are more trouble than they’re worth;
  • they’re susceptible to white worm corrosion and IMO not really suited to winter use on the UK’s roads. In fact, many of the after market alloy wheel retailers specifically state on their websites that diamond cut wheels are not suited to winter use
  • they’re more expensive to refurbish than a power coated alloy
  • they’re easily damaged by careless or inexperienced tyre fitters and poorly maintained tyre fitting equipment
  You’re correct that there is a limit to the number of times diamond cut alloys can be refurbished and this is usually a maximum of two times. This is because the refurbishment process involves re-cutting the face of the wheel on a diamond cutting lathe, which removes a layer of metal from the wheel. Any more than two refurbishments can affect the structural integrity of the wheel. If you decide to get yours refurbished, then a couple of companies that regularly get mentioned and recommended on various forums as being very good are Lepsons (www.lepsons.com) and Pristine Wheels (www.pristinealloywheels.co.uk). Typically you’d be looking at £80-90 plus VAT per wheel for a good quality diamond cut refurbishment, and there may be additional charges for removing and refitting the tyres. Some places offer special deals on courier rates.
  
  I’ve put a set of powder coated alloys on my car (17” VW Motorsport; 17x7J ET46) in anthracite/gunmetal colour. If I was going aftermarket, I’d probably go for something like 17” BBS SR in Himalaya Grey (not the diamond cut version). There are a number of on line retailers selling aftermarket alloys such as Rimstyle (www.rimstyle.com) and Wheelbase Alloy Wheels (www.wheelbasealloys.com), and there are plenty of new replicas or used alloys for sale on sites such as eBay. If buying replicas, be aware that many of these are cheap Chinese imports that are unlikely to have been subjected to the same stringent safety tests as alloys from reputable manufacturers.

• I’ve seen the other discussion thread about tyres. Michelin Pilot Sport also get good feedback on one of the Golf forums, so these would also be worth considering, in addition to the alternatives to Bridgestone mentioned in the other discussion thread.

• I’ll be taking my car to the VW dealer for its MOT as I have a VW service plan and the MOT will be due at the same time as the service.

Enjoy your car! .

[PlymouthArgyle]

Hi PlymouthArgyle; welcome to the forum.

I’ve had my GTI from new since March 2016 and it still puts a smile on my face when I drive it.

• The humming noise you mention is normal and I believe it is related to the turbo cooling down (think the noise is an auxiliary pump).

• I personally think diamond cut alloys are more trouble than they’re worth;
  • they’re susceptible to white worm corrosion and IMO not really suited to winter use on the UK’s roads. In fact, many of the after market alloy wheel retailers specifically state on their websites that diamond cut wheels are not suited to winter use
  • they’re more expensive to refurbish than a power coated alloy
  • they’re easily damaged by careless or inexperienced tyre fitters and poorly maintained tyre fitting equipment
  You’re correct that there is a limit to the number of times diamond cut alloys can be refurbished and this is usually a maximum of two times. This is because the refurbishment process involves re-cutting the face of the wheel on a diamond cutting lathe, which removes a layer of metal from the wheel. Any more than two refurbishments can affect the structural integrity of the wheel. If you decide to get yours refurbished, then a couple of companies that regularly get mentioned and recommended on various forums as being very good are Lepsons (www.lepsons.com) and Pristine Wheels (www.pristinealloywheels.co.uk). Typically you’d be looking at £80-90 plus VAT per wheel for a good quality diamond cut refurbishment, and there may be additional charges for removing and refitting the tyres. Some places offer special deals on courier rates.
  
  I’ve put a set of powder coated alloys on my car (17” VW Motorsport; 17x7J ET46) in anthracite/gunmetal colour. If I was going aftermarket, I’d probably go for something like 17” BBS SR in Himalaya Grey (not the diamond cut version). There are a number of on line retailers selling aftermarket alloys such as Rimstyle (www.rimstyle.com) and Wheelbase Alloy Wheels (www.wheelbasealloys.com), and there are plenty of new replicas or used alloys for sale on sites such as eBay. If buying replicas, be aware that many of these are cheap Chinese imports that are unlikely to have been subjected to the same stringent safety tests as alloys from reputable manufacturers.

• I’ve seen the other discussion thread about tyres. Michelin Pilot Sport also get good feedback on one of the Golf forums, so these would also be worth considering, in addition to the alternatives to Bridgestone mentioned in the other discussion thread.

• I’ll be taking my car to the VW dealer for its MOT as I have a VW service plan and the MOT will be due at the same time as the service.

Enjoy your car! .

Hey, thanks SRGTD.

Thanks for the quick answers. I don’t think i’d even bother looking at wheels on Ebay/Gumtree, I wouldn’t know what to look for so i’ll definitelty check out those websites.
I like the BBS’s you mentioned!

My Polo is black, so i’m going to try and go for something similiar to break the colour up. I’m still unsure about taking it to the dealer for the MOT and service, we have so many garages down this way in Marshbarton, a few being specalists too.