UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Right, I've been doing a bit of investigation (sad git alert) . I know we've been over this one before but as far as I can tell these are a list of changes in the 2003 model of the new polo.

Altough Some of them may just be standard on the SE or Sport.

Possible extras on 2003:

1. Rear aero wiper
2. Curtain airbags
3. Rear discs?
4. Silicon damped grab handles?
5. 3 blink touch indicator?
6. VIN number display on front windscreen
7. ECU cover
8. Black steering wheel badge (although this vary's)
9. Rear windscreen wiping when reversing
10. Dual tone horn?
11. Left vent on front grille
12. Air recirculation engages when reverse is engaged (added by dxg)

Ones with ?'s maybe be only on SE or Sport

Possible extra's on sport model that have always been there:

1. Aluminium bonnet & boot struts

There you go. Feel free to add any more.

James.

Do you mean 2003 model cars - i.e. ones sold last year, but sold as "2003" cars??

I'm asking this, because my car has quite a few of those things; bought in August last year, it's only an SE, but was "2003" spec.

Also, I'd add "air recirculation engages when reverse is engaged" to the list, perhaps the "whatever's below the SE" doesn't have this - don't know.

How do you know if you've got a dual tone horn - do you need to take the lower grill out to look for two sounders, or is there another way. All I can say is mine's very loud - I was even using it today!!

Yeah, 2003 spec cars! from August 2003 onwards I think.

The dual tone horn... It's hard to describe until you've heard both. The dual tone has, supprisingly, 2 tones at the same time and sounds a lot more beefier than the other.

Like I said, I'm not 100% sure on the list above but from reading other posts and testing it on 2 different cars that's what I have found out.

I'll add 'air recirculation engages when reverse is engaged' to the list! see if anyone with a 2003 model below SE doesnt have it.

"Aluminium bonnet & boot struts"

I don't have the above on my April 03 Polo.

From August 2003 onwards the cars are deemed 2004 spec. Model year changes every August, after some weeks of tweaking (workers get a break for holidays) in the production line.

Speedlaw wrote:From August 2003 onwards the cars are deemed 2004 spec. Model year changes every August, after some weeks of tweaking (workers get a break for holidays) in the production line.

Sorry, meant from August 2002 onwards...

Oh right. Kinda missed the earlier conversations too, I wasn't being a smartalec or anything!

OK, so this is on a 2003-spec SE, delivered 9th Aug 2002

So, according to Speedlaw, my car would probably have been built just before the summer holidays - to give time for delivery (but with next year's spec changes??), Maybe that explains all the problems I've had - I mean, do you pay full attention when you're just about to escape from the rat-race for a couple of weeks??

Anyway,
1. Rear aero wiper -- no (but I have one now )
2. Curtain airbags -- no > just driver, passenger and seat sides
3. Rear discs? - yes
4. Silicon damped grab handles? - yes
5. 3 blink touch indicator? - yes
6. VIN number display on front windscreen - yes
7. ECU cover - yes
8. Black steering wheel badge (although this vary's) - no > blue
9. Rear windscreen wiping when reversing - yes
10. Dual tone horn? - probably
11. Left vent on front grille - yes
12. Air recirculation engages when reverse is engaged (added by dxg) - yes
1. Aluminium bonnet & boot struts - yes for boot - can't remember what's on the bonnet

Ok, my car is a 2003 model made in January 2003.

About the list:

1. Rear aero wiper - no
2. Curtain airbags - no, just 2 'bags and the side ones are not available even as option, let alone the courtain ones.
3. Rear discs? - no, only in 2-litre models
4. Silicon damped grab handles - yes
5. 3 blink touch indicator - yes
6. VIN number display on front windscreen - Brazilian law requires VIN numbers to be etched in every glass surface
7. ECU cover - no
8. Black steering wheel badge (although this vary's) - no, mine's blue too
9. Rear windscreen wiping when reversing - yes
10. Dual tone horn - yes
11. Left vent on front grille - yes
12. Air recirculation engages when reverse is engaged (added by dxg) - yes
13. Aluminium bonnet & boot struts - never seen that in any Polo so far.

All Brazilian Polos lose the standard ABS (optional over here) but get 'Climatic' air-conditioning - 'Climatronic' is an extra £150.

Oh, and I just found out my car's code is 9A1, not 9N!!

@ ciden

What are S. African Polos? 9N's or 9A's?

Cheers,

May 2003 model:

1. Rear aero wiper - yes
2. Curtain airbags - no
3. Rear discs - yes + ABS and EBD
4. Silicon damped grab handles - yes
5. 3 blink touch indicator - yes
6. VIN number display on front windscreen - yes
7. ECU cover - yes
8. Black steering wheel badge (although this vary's) - no, mine's chrome/dark silver
9. Rear windscreen wiping when reversing - yes
10. Dual tone horn - yes
11. Left vent on front grille - yes
12. Air recirculation engages when reverse is engaged (added by dxg) - yes
13. Aluminium bonnet & boot struts - no, No S. African Polo is fitted with 'em.

...oh and Babe, S. African Polo's are 9N's