My MKV build? It keep getting better..

[Ben from RI]

Updated


So here's my story..

Recent posts on the MKV forum about the lack of old fashioned build threads and plethora of one liners accompanied by a couple shots (which I am guilty of) got me thinking I would like to do one and keep it updated. Now I know this isn't like the mkIII builds where much of the thread is dedicated to how to's and chop and weld but I think it would be cool to have a semi organized timeline of my pride and joy.

Comments, questions, Share it.

I've only been in the MKV world for a little more then two years. First car was a mkiv Jetta that was short-lived after a run in with a wall of snow and ice. This was replaced with a 03 GLI. In 2008 the GLI started having issues. Naturally when I saw that a new car was in my future the first thing I could think was, NEW, RELIABLE, VW (I realize the later two are antonyms but we can all dream) After a year of looking around and saving the 2009 models were released and I had to make the decision GTI / GLI. I opted for the first simply because I wanted some change and a hatch seemed cool.

Now let me go off for a second to explain financing. Most people don't take the time to discuss this but as a 21 year old with a brand new car and a substantial amount of money invested it's something I take pride in, just as much as the car. Contrary to what some would believe the car is mine, and paid for. I was lucky enough at age 14 to find a job in the kitchen that offered not only an above average hourly rate but a chance for growth. By age 16 I was in charge of scheduling and placing orders with food providers. Come college this made me a prime candidate for a job in a kitchen, in the summer. I lucked out and found a job at a beach club in Rhode Island and continued to work. Beacuse of my busy schedual at a young age I didn't have much time to spend and had a nice chunk saved up That being said. Downpayment made. a year later, car paid off.

Now back to business during the downfall of the GLI I spent time looking at MKV options. I ended up grabbing a 2009 Candy White GTI with the huff and sunroof package. I made an effort to find a CW with a votex kit but the STEELership couldn't find one and I was getting impatient. So I was left with the black lowers (which later would become part of the master plan)

Now I have to confess after issues with my mkiv's with rubbing and all kinds of other issues I planned on keeping my GTI bone stock, reliable and perfect for drives from RI to NY for school.

I realize I'm rambling and this is my first build sorry if I'm doing it wrong but I'll let the pics talk from here..

The day I bought her, brandy new




Now as I stated above this car was going to be unscathed and kept stock, I mean the minor cosmetic touch up here or there.. but stock none the less.. Until late last year when an opportunity for a set of coils arose.. and who could pass up some low low...





Now, this is where it gets interesting. The coils I purchased were listed as used. Needless to say the seller was being far more then truthful. I got what I payed for. The front struts were a little out of shape and the rears were blown a week after install when I went for an alignment. I put up with the bounce in the rear and the creaks in the front with occasional checkups to be sure nothing was bent, or moving. Felt like I was punishing myself for making a premature purchase. But it was done and I was lower (you try and tell me you've never driven around with a noise in your VW here and there and made and excuse to make it feel better.

After that I had little surge in income and I made some purchases from ECStuning. I had been bitten and this was the begging of the end.

1. Badgeless FK grill
2. R-line Lower Grills
3. Black slotted style lower/center grill






Now I found myself in an all too familiar position. A lowered vw with more money then I would have wanted invested... I told myself I have a little more money laying around..save.. ah F*ck it

The next purchase was a set of 12'' JL W1 subs which barely fit in the trunk and made the car loud (you can bet that was fun with two blown rear struts)


Eventualy the subs have to go.. I needed room.. THIS IS WHERE IT GETS FUN



With the help of some friends (Chris and Eric) and Will@bagrides I started pressing buttons.


PLAN:
REALITY:



After this point moding the car wasn't..."well I guess I'll do just this one last thing" It turned to "once I get the paycheck I'm headed straight to the tank to cash that b*tch and buy.." You get it.

You'll notice the above picture is on some different wheels... Well since the coils were installed every bit of the car has been funded by selling wheels and other parts.. makes me feel a little better that not every check was going into the car.

Of corse with wheels in and out of my garage weekly I needed a set of my own..



Went with the Keskin Kt-1's 17 x 8.5/10 Gotta admit I have a real passion for the Futuras but... I got a taste for caviar and a tunafish wallet.



With the awkward offset of 32 on a 17x10 wheel out back that didn't leave much room for play and even with 2 deg. of camber I was left with allot of poke.. but whos gunna complain




Now for a while I was happy.. I was on air, had a classy set of wheels but I was constantly bothered that I could go lower had it not been for those wheels. I didn't spend the kind of money I did to be limited on how low I could be in the back by some rubber..

Then came broke_down 2010.. I knew the big boys were going to be there and I wanted something special to catch peoples attention so I played with camber and with a little lube on the tires..





Pow!.. lipz

Thats how she currently slips though the Keskins are up for trade... and I think they will be gone soon.. (get your offers in quick )

To wrap up the 2010 season a buddy and I shot a few spots and ended up getting a feature with Canibeat. Canibeat check it out


Will now be posting updates as new posts, sorry for the change and need to scroll..

[GrkPranksta69]

It looks nice, really like the progress from stock.

[the4ringer]

what a transformation. so much for keepin it simple, haha. but looks great. you have plans to paint the lip kit or leave it as is?

[Ben from RI]

Truth be told I spent the cash and purchased a whole votex kit brand new and unpainted only to trade it away for two sets of wheels. I see alot of people running them.. I'm going to keep it simple, for now

[OVRWRKD]

The photos from broke.down get me every time

[Ben from RI]

OVRWRKD
The photos from broke.down get me every time

I wish my wheels were half of what yours are tho..

[Residentevol]

Love the tranny stance man...so few are brave enough to pull it off Something about the way the fender slides in there between the lip and tire just makes me warm inside...

[Ben from RI]

tranny and warm inside.. two things you don't hear in the same sentence too often, and thank you

[OVRWRKD]

Kt 1's are classic! It doesn't take much to set them off, all I did was polish my lips and throw on some new bolts.

[jettaboy2001]

Lookin good. You have put in lots of money ,time and love in that car

[27psigti]

what size tire and brand are you running in the back looks like a perfect stretch.

[powdub]

[justn868]

fill that notch, and it will be perfect

[dotkyo]

stock.... hahahaha

[Grist]

fill that notch, and it will be perfect

This.

[Ben from RI]

in the werks

[Ben from RI]

wheels are officially gone this weekend

[got_vdub]

Looks great. Stance is spot on

[kgspeed700]

can you remind me why i decided to sell those wheels to you? cause i have second thoughts about that every time i see ur car

[Ben from RI]

hah sorry brotha

[opzrabbit17]

Looks great...

[ShadowWabbit]

Just goes to show how te right whes can really MAKE a car

What's next for wheels?

[DuBasicsV]

beauty

[Ben from RI]

updated

[sticky euro]

Now let me go off for a second to explain financing. Most people don't take the time to discuss this but as a 21 year old with a brand new car and a substantial amount of money invested it's something I take pride in, just as much as the car. Contrary to what some would believe the car is mine, and paid for. I was lucky enough at age 14 to find a job in the kitchen that offered not only an above average hourly rate but a chance for growth. By age 16 I was in charge of scheduling and placing orders with food providers. Come college this made me a prime candidate for a job in a kitchen, in the summer. I lucked out and found a job at a beach club in Rhode Island and continued to work. Beacuse of my busy schedual at a young age I didn't have much time to spend and had a nice chunk saved up That being said. Downpayment made. a year later, car paid off.

Truth

I'm the same way ben, but I couldn't afford a gti or air ride so kudos ...Sort of a nice badge of honor to say you paid for it yourself. I love seeing peoples faces when I tell them the Jetta is paid for by me and me only.

Keep it up

[steeLh]

Looks sick man, keep the updates comin'!

[Y0ungDUB]

DUE WERK SUN

[Ben from RI]

updated

[JavaDub]

well done sir. i dig it

[Ben from RI]

9/13/10-

Well as of this weekend I have all my wheels sold excluding stockies



My piggy banks looking pretty fat and I'm in the market for a serious set of wheels for next season. At this point my possibilities are pretty much limitless.

Suggestions ; )

[sticky euro]

lower it

[Ben from RI]

9/15/10
Spent some big bucks this week:
1. Wheels for next season Sorry no teasers here, gunna have to wait on those.
2. Forge Twintake
3. **** load of Meguiar's products (I usually buy in bulk, big fan of all their products)


Still in the market for:
1. New grill / front end setup. Thinking of going with a with the chrome Jetta shield and the fogs with chrome accents. Not sure what I'm going go for yet but the Fk badgeless and the R-Line Fogs are up for trades now.
2. euro lip
3. Maybe chrome mirror enclosures

Will have pic updates soon, I know these updates are pretty much useless but figured I'd put it on record.
Stay classyy

[sirswank]

man, you're a regular wheel whore!

in for how the air ride handles our winters. if you has no problems, i may be pulling the trigger come spring....

[Ben from RI]

well.. I'm in NY for school now, and the cars with me but once snow time comes the cars hitting the warehouse where it will stay above a cool 60 degrees at all times. But.. I will be wippin' it around in the snow here and there just for kicks

[doug0309]

I wonder if anyone rolls around with stretch tires and slammed through our winters? I rolled around hammered last winter but had blizzak snow tires so it was all good, until the snow kept packing around my alt and making the belt slip and car die