View Full Version : DIY - Remove Front Grill on a MKV GTI
Justin Fox
15-04-2010, 03:34 PM
Hi all,
I decided to remove the front grill today to replace it with a new one which doesn't have the 4 euro plate holder bolts in it.
The part number for a new GTI Gril without holes isl:
1K0 853 651 H VW8 - no license plate holder
It'll cost you $202.50 (I got mine from Barloworld, it was in stock).
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4058/4522637266_39b3719f01_o.jpg
Pop the hood and remove 2 of these torx head bolts at the top.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4035/4522005245_8d649142c5_o.jpg
Get down on the ground and remove 2 of these screws at the very bottom of the grill.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2721/4522637444_851555d227_o.jpg
Unlatch these 2 tabs at the very top.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4522005449_85778a8097_o.jpg
At the very top on the very edges unlatch these tabs, they're a little tricky to get off, very fragile too so be careful not to snap them off.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2799/4522637642_6288f43341_o.jpg
The grill should now just come off if you pull towards you and up carefully. Be patient with it, you'll be fine.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4522637814_55efb324f8_o.jpg
The top grill has the euro holes, bottom one has none. You get the GTI badge on the new grill (nice!) but no VW emblem. Apparently you can turn the VW emblem anti-clockwise and pull but since the grill was off I simply pushed the tabs in from the back to be safe.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4522637914_7184ce689f_o.jpg
I ended up using very strong 3M outdoor double sided tape but I also screwed the plate in just to be on the safe side.
Paolo
15-04-2010, 03:39 PM
thanks for this Justin! its very simple to replate it aye? removing and reinstalling the whole front bumper is where it gets hard! well not neccessirly hard, more time consuming and frustrating. You have given me inspiration to go down your route with the custom plates, but probably next year =P
LOL nice DYI... i have 4 grills in my garage at the moment!!! i could have sent you one...
Justin Fox
15-04-2010, 04:14 PM
LOL Byza I'm sure you could do this with your eyes shut!
yeah this is very easy. I might get a new front grill too, didnt realise they were that cheap. Mine has holes in it too, and although Ive covered the front with CF wrap, you can still see them. Ive mounted the plate very low to show off the 'carbon' but this means you can see the holes.
Big Yellow
15-04-2010, 04:26 PM
Nice work justin! Car is coming along nicely!!
Wish i could get a holeless grill for that cheap!!
LOL Byza I'm sure you could do this with your eyes shut!
unfortunately yes i can... good work mate...
Justin Fox
15-04-2010, 04:41 PM
To be quite honest guys I was expecting this grill to cost more like $600+
I am so glad they're selling them cheap as it's most likely a very common piece to replace due to losers backing into us with towbars. And it also changes the way I look at Euro cars being more expensive in parts than Japanese cars.
Pharkus
15-04-2010, 04:59 PM
due to losers backing into us with towbars in cars that will never tow anything in their lives, because towbars are better security against bad parking than rear parking sensors
Fixed that for you =)
Surprisingly cheap. If there were any other position or way to mount the plate on an R32 but on the grille I'd be tempted to get the holeless R32 piece.
Big Yellow
15-04-2010, 05:01 PM
Fixed that for you =)
Surprisingly cheap. If there were any other position or way to mount the plate on an R32 but on the grille I'd be tempted to get the holeless R32 piece.
They cost over $1k from the dealers!!
Pharkus
15-04-2010, 05:04 PM
When are you getting yours redone Terrence?
Do you know if they stock the R32 front grill hole less?
Big Yellow
15-04-2010, 05:17 PM
John, hopefully before i go to sydney, but just going to get my holes patched and painted at a panel beater.
AP they dont stock them in aus. Its a special order piece hence the price!
Frenchie
15-04-2010, 05:30 PM
We love holeless grilles !! which reminds me.
Nice DIY Justin.
Pharkus
15-04-2010, 05:39 PM
We love holeless grilles !! which reminds me.
Nice DIY Justin.
Tempted to run around with a holeless R32, no plates on the front. Given I don't drive around that often and what are the chances of getting done. And if you get fined I wonder what the penalty will be for no front licence plate.....?
On the plus side, it would look good.
Other option, which is still not in accordance with the road rules is that there is a place that scans your plates and produces a durable sticker version. Porsche guy at my old building had a mini version of Vic euro plates just stickered onto the front of his Porsche. Said he'd gone 5years without being picked up on it. (BTW after seeing my R32 he went and bought a white one for his daily)
Justin Fox
15-04-2010, 05:41 PM
Dealer said the R32 one was $160. I will call them tomorrow to double check if they have holes, or not. I have a feeling you guys are in luck and it will not have holes! I'll be grabbing one for SUGA if so.
Big Yellow
15-04-2010, 05:46 PM
Dealer said the R32 one was $160. I will call them tomorrow to double check if they have holes, or not. I have a feeling you guys are in luck and it will not have holes! I'll be grabbing one for SUGA if so.
If it is, get one for me and ill pick it up when i get to sydney.
For $160, i think they are only talking about the silver skin. As a replacement grill with plate holder is $235 or something like that when i checked. I got the holeless grill part number of ecs and gave it to my dealer and he told me to sit down before he told me the price!
Pharkus
15-04-2010, 05:50 PM
If it is, get one for me and ill pick it up when i get to sydney.
For $160, i think they are only talking about the silver skin. As a replacement grill with plate holder is $235 or something like that when i checked. I got the holeless grill part number of ecs and gave it to my dealer and he told me to sit down before he told me the price!
x2. Thanks for picking it up for me Terrence =P
Let us know, cos I would be keen to have a spare down the track. My one has some miniscule marks where passing rocks have thought to give my car a bit of a kiss as I've passed them by. PM me to let me know how you want payment Justin.
Justin.... do what i do, change grills when your board....!!!! i have 3 different fronts when i am bored!!!!!!!!!
standard equals stealth, badgeless and Status!!!!!!!!
http://i39.tinypic.com/wk06bp.jpg
Justin Fox
15-04-2010, 05:59 PM
OK guys I just called Barloworld, parts guys was super helpful. Here's the news:
- No such thing as a grill for an R32 without holes.
- There is the option to buy a Japanese front grill which has a Japanese front plate holder
The Japanese plates are smaller than the Euro plates but I'm not sure a slimline front plate will cover the holes.
Prices, excluding gst and excluding the plastic plate holders are:
$353 Japanese grill (with holes for Japanese plate holder)
$199.50 Aussie grill (with holes for Euro plate holder)
Fill the holes then get resprayed maybe?
Pharkus
15-04-2010, 06:04 PM
OK guys I just called Barloworld, parts guys was super helpful. Here's the news:
- No such thing as a grill for an R32 without holes.
- There is the option to buy a Japanese front grill which has a Japanese front plate holder
The Japanese plates are smaller than the Euro plates but I'm not sure a slimline front plate will cover the holes.
Prices, excluding gst and excluding the plastic plate holders are:
$353 Japanese grill (with holes for Japanese plate holder)
$199.50 Aussie grill (with holes for Euro plate holder)
Lemme search the US or vortex forums. Pretty sure they were able to redeem a holeless grilled for their R's froM VW of America as some states don't require you to display plates on the front. Count me out at this stage then Justin, I'm sure they will still have these pieces as spares down the track. More after the holeless version.
Big Yellow
15-04-2010, 06:07 PM
Lemme search the US or vortex forums. Pretty sure they were able to redeem a holeless grilled for their R's froM VW of America as some states don't require you to display plates on the front. Count me out at this stage then Justin, I'm sure they will still have these pieces as spares down the track. More after the holeless version.
Like i said i already have the part number for holeless grill. $600us from ecs and $1k from local dealer.
Cheaper to just patch holes and repaint!
Justin Fox
15-04-2010, 06:08 PM
100% guys, sorry to get you all excited. :(
Frenchie
15-04-2010, 06:52 PM
Unless you spend big dollars or have connections in the US then this is the only way to have a hole free grill.
Excuse the king size borders >D
http://www.golfmkv.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=57163&d=1262826086
What flexibility !!
http://www.golfmkv.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=57165&d=1262826086
stephen8512
15-04-2010, 08:24 PM
Unless you spend big dollars or have connections in the US then this is the only way to have a hole free grill.
Excuse the king size borders >D
http://www.golfmkv.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=57163&d=1262826086
What flexibility !!
http://www.golfmkv.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=57165&d=1262826086
from the reflection of the grille it looks like u were trying to do splits or something C! hahahaha!
Im prob gonna have to hit you up on where you got this done. I've been wanting to do the same thing to my grille too....(leave the horizontal slats chrome, but black out the main parts). Planning on silver/black theme for my car :D
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.1.7 Copyright © 2012 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.