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For the longest time, I struggled to determine the direction I wanted to go in terms of modifying Dieter. Right out of the box, the Golf R32 is an excellent platform for an "all-around" car, with a surprisingly satisfying blend of performance and creature comforts. As such, there were very few things I actually felt motivated to change--and I certainly didn't want to upset the balance between performance and comfort. I have settled on taking the "OEM Plus" approach. Accessories are selected because they're either OEM or seem to offer an OEM-like quality in appearance and functionality. Some items go a bit beyond the OEM flavor, however...and that's where the "Plus" part comes into play.
Exterior
OEM European HID headlights
Australian VW lexan headlight protectors
Freedom Designs smoked bumper markers with Autolumination 194 amber LEDs
OEM smoked fender markers
"5-brakelight" mod - add bulbs to rear fog positions and wire them to activate with the brake lights
VW Sharan (stubby) antenna
OEM blue tinted aspherical mirrors
35% Llumar tint
X-Pel clear bra (protective film)
OEM steel skid plate
OEM jacking pads
Interior / Electronics
OEM R-Line Monster Mats
OEM European headlight switch, with daytime running lights disabled
OEM European rheostat switch (for manual adjustment of the headlights' vertical aim)
Valentine One radar locater, hardwired, with remote display
Exhaust "flapper" switch - allows me to bypass the solenoid-driven baffle in the exhaust to make it loud all the time
Removed rear center headrest for better rearward visibility
PhatNoise (a.k.a. PhatBox) digital music player - interfaces directly to stock Monsoon stereo
OEM "Gorilla Gear" cargo mat
OEM mini torch flashlight
Engine
INA Engineering Street Density transmission and motor mounts
Schrick 268/264 cams
EVOMS V-Flow cold air intake
GIAC 91 octane cam software
Wheels / Suspension
Winter: 17"x7" Borbet Type CA wheels with 205/50VR17 Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D tires
Summer: 17"x8" SSR GT2 wheels with 225/45ZR17 Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Pole Position tires (each wheel+tire is 14lbs lighter than stock!)
Bilstein Sport shocks/struts
OEM European R32 springs
VW Motorsport upper strut mounts/bearings
OEM Audi TT spare tire
Drivetrain
Haldex Performance Part - OEM upgrade from the company that engineered the AWD system that provides a more proactive response from the rear