My 2004 VW Jetta Wagon has a 1.8T motor mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. I purchased this car with 34K miles in late 2007. The wagon was “supposed” to be the new daily driver when my 2001 VW Jetta Sedan started developing transmission issues. I mentioned “supposed” to because every car enthusiast would admit that what was “originally planned” to be a daily driver will almost always end up heavily modified, resulting in the need for another daily driver. In my case, the transmission on the 2001 VW Jetta sedan was rebuilt and the car was kept until late 2008. January 2009, I purchased a 2005 VW GTI 1.8T 5-speed as the daily Jetta Sedan replacement (more on this GTI in a later entry since this is after all, a wagon enthusiasts page).

Year 2008:

1st Round of Modifications in January 2008 include:

Exterior: 

  • OEM Euro 4-motion Lip
  • Dubtecnik Side Skirts (Textured)
  • Caractere Wing
  • OEM Stubby Mirror (Passenger Side)
  • OEM Euro RubStrip (Front)
  • S2000 Antenna 
  • Wheels & Suspension:
    • DZ Exclusiv DZ1 17×8.5 and 17×10
    • H&R Coilovers
    • Neuspeed Front Sway Bar
    • Neuspeed Rear Sway Bar

2nd Round of Modification in Summer 2008 include: 

Exterior:

  • OEM Votex Sideskirts
  • OEM Euro Rear Bumper 
  • Colormatched all the valences
  • OEM Euro HID Headlights
  • Wheels:
    • Tracer Tech 2 Wheels 17×9 and 17×10

Interior:

  • OEM Euro Recaro seats

I ran a set of 17×9.5 square BBS RS (Polished Lips & Silverstone Grey centers) for a little bit in late 2008 to freshen things up. BBS RS didn’t last long as I switched back to Tracer Tech 2 wheels (rarer and better suited the wagon).

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Year 2009 – Year 2010, I was so obsessed on completing the Euro spec and made the following additions:

Exterior:

  • OEM Euro Hatch
  • Full Respray & Body Work

Interior:

  • OEM Dog Cage
  • Nardi Twin Steering Wheel
  • 20th Anniversary GTI Black Visors
  • 20th Anniversary GTI Black Dome Lights & Sunroof Cover
  • Audi TT Pedals
  • Audi TT Dead Pedal
  • New South Performance Boost Gauge
  • Retrim Euro Recaro (Burnt Orange leather)
  • Retrim Trunk Area (Burnt Orange leather)
  • Suede Headliners

Audio:

  • OEM Euro Navigation Headunit
  • JL Audio Subwoofers 12”
  • JL Audio CleanSweep
  • Ample Audio Amplifiers
  • Ample Audio Capacitor Bank

Engine also received FBO treatment and VF-Engineering mounts (all three) and a B&M Short Shifter.

Driving slammed for 2 years got old quick, so air-ride from Airlift was the obvious choice in 2011. I opted for dual tanks and dual compressors; and modeled my trunk setup based on the “Jet-Pack” from the Grand Theft Auto game. Plus, I really didn’t want to cut into the nice smooth leather in the trunk area. The result is what you see here…

The shiny parts didn’t stop in the trunk area. Under the hood also received some shine treatment: polished valve cover, polished manifold, and polished alternator cover. Forge oil cap and Forge coolant cap were also polished. Orange painted Audi S3 covers were also added to match the interior.I was 100% happy with the car at this point…to be continued.

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