Cam's MKV GTI

[Cam]

Howdy all,

I have a stock white MKV GTI. Manual + Sunroof.
You wouldn't believe how hard it was to find a white MKV Manual GTI in good condition when I was looking late last year. It was just an awesome bonus that it came with a sunroof.

Last year I owned a 2007 MKV 2.0L Comfortline which I loved, but upgraded to the GTI for something a bit more sporty. Not so much the power but the handling and brakes...oh and I absolutely love the GTI's front end and all the extras inside (sporty seats, steering wheel, pedals, dash etc)
:p

I haven't got huge plans for it modding wise, I like it just the way it is.
I'll be getting a tune of some sort and perhaps an exhaust. I'd like a set of OEM VW Charleston rims that are found on the Fahrenheit and Edition 30 models but they're pretty rare. They're possibly my favourite wheel for the GTI, except for the black BBS CH but they're too expensive. Charleston here:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/4283261926_b9bff6809f.jpg

So far I've installed an RNS510, bluetooth kit, iPod cable, mudflaps and a bonnet protector...lol

Anyways, here are some photos.
I'm a bit of a pic whore I will admit, but I can't help it!
:icon_cheesygrin:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4364596423_1c3e0961bb_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4365332212_3d370306e5_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2730/4364593245_957e420a22_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4055/4365337616_356d6dc022_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4364591379_eb59d512d7_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2768/4342076926_23e4ebdf11_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4364653307_0d7478cd23_b.jpg

[JohnnyG]

Very nice pics & car Cam

[Justin Fox]

Pic whore? Awesome! Mooooaaaaaarrrr!!!!!!!!!

Lovely car and lovely photos too, so crisp!!!

[SUGA]

I CAN believe how hard it is to find a white MKV, they are a rarity! Awesome choice of colour!!! Pic WHORE more!!!! :)

[Frenchie]

Looking good Cam........Those Charlestons would look great on.! Start putting those hard on dollars away for your mods :)

[Cam]

Thanks everyone!
Don't worry Justin there will be plenty more pics.
:icon_cheesygrin:

Suga, I definitely know there aren't many white :Rs around.
There are a few more white GTI's but on the market they were mainly RS or TR. There is just something that I really like about white. Some think its plain, but personally I think the opposite....I think they stand out really well. Especially with the grill. When my Dad was ordering his GT Sport in 2008 he asked for white, manual with a sunroof and there was only 1 in Australia. It happened to be a canceled ordered as well. We were just really lucky.

Thanks Frenchie. I read somewhere the charleston's where made by a company called Ronal. I've only seen a few sets for sale (US forums) but hopefully something will come up. I think they're gorgeous.

At the moment the plan is to pay the car off as much as possible then look at doing some of the mods. Temptation will probably give in before that hehe.

[shida]

Agree with everyone - the pics are AWESOME!!!
I love these Golfs in the white as well!!

[bigwill]

looks good cam,
great photos! love the RNS510!

[sir_camel]

I am tempted by a white 3 door MkV everytime one drives past. They look amazing. Great photos too.

[Cam]

Thanks Shidi, bigwill and sir_camel.

I absolutely adore it.
Every time I park the car at work and start to walk away I look back for one quick final glance. Every....single....time!
I'm in love...hehe

Nearly walked into a pole once though while looking at it, wasn't so pretty...lol
:rolleyes:

bigwill, only had the RNS in for a few weeks. Its great, had one in the GT sport for a few months prior to me installing mine.
Had to wait to pick my brother up today so I chucked in a movie (2 Fast 2 Furious....it was the first one I could find) and had that playing for 10-15mins lol. Few people walked passed the car wondering what was going on.

[10d]

Took you long enough, Cam.
Keep' em coming.

My fellow CW GTI owner, :-)

[Paolo]

always loved candy white gti's especially colour coded ones! but ESPECIALLY apmitchels and sugas!!!
if i had another chance, white would be the way to go for me.
but the Pirelli didnt come with that option, so looks like the next car will be white!

great car Cam! now start modding it >D

[Cam]

Some more pics taken today.
The pics were taken on a small beach/boat ramp in Swan Lake near Sussex Inlet. Not many people know about it as its tucked away down behind houses and a dirt road.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2705/4392054446_2fcf58aeda_o.png
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2681/4391283471_c2b88db0f3_o.png
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/4392050346_6fbcc526d6_o.png
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4058/4391280515_2b94432e11_o.png

[RobR32]

Love the pics cam.
I think you love your new camera aswell?
How is the move going?
Any time for a cruise?

[kao7ik]

nice track selection !! state of trance

[nath_mk6]

Hey Cam that B&W on the beach would look awesome if you could get it with just the burnt looking tree and the gound etc, no water, I reakon it would look so desolate as a whole like you were parked in a post apocalyptic place :)

[R32Perth]

Nice pics Cam

[Cam]

Thanks Rob!
Yeah the D90 is great. Still only touched like 1% of its capability. Going to venture into manual mode when I get a bit of time and try some different settings.
Looking to get a tripod too, would make a lot of difference for taking vid and pics.

Move is nearly there, the big day is next thursday. Flat out at the moment with work as well but maybe in around 2 weeks I should get some time back for myself.

Thanks kao7ik. Love Armin's work, if I'm on a long drive theres nothing better than having the sunroof open with a state of trance playing. So relaxing lol.

Nath, I thought I could get more out of that picture but wasn't sure how. I reckon that would look awesome!
I need to get a polarizer to make the sky a bit more intense. The shot was taken at around 4pm with a lot of glare. It was hard to get the right exposure for the sky.

Maybe John can have a play if he gets bored lol. He is the photoshop miracle worker
:p

[Cam]

Thanks R32Perth
:)

[chris32]

Looks good cam, I love CW

[Cam]

Thanks Chris
:)

[zz2]

car looks great Cam, but whats with your wheel arches? thata chrome strip?

[Cam]

Yeah chrome strips.
Breaks up the gap between the guard and the tyres.
:p

[G-rig]

Nice GTI Cam, some good upgrades there too.

The Chrome strips are different.

[Cam]

Thanks Greg.
Yeah they are different, I'll try and get a few better photos from side on next time the car has a wash. Its filthy at the moment, poor thing.

[G-rig]

Know what you mean. It's been raining up here everyday for the past 1-2 weeks, outlook is showers for the next week too so hard to bother washing it.

How good is the RNS510!

[Cam]

Love the RNS510. Its the nicest addition to the interior of the MKV I think. So much more classy
:p

Oh nearly forgot to mention, I had the tints re-done but darker. They look really good now. Here is a crappy phone pic I took early last week.

http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/7459/photoxu.jpg

[Cam]

Alos found a better side pic of the car with the strips.
(Pic taken before I had the tints done btw ;))

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4034/4343324160_326c333a9e_b.jpg

[G-rig]

Looks good, what tint did you get (was it 20%)? If I got a CW I'd probably want reasonably dark tints too (unless I got my reflective tints again which i love as well).

The new gen touch screens really lift the interior. I couldn't believe the POS (RCD500) we got with the car. So junky looking like what you'd see in a corolla. I've installed an RCD510 6cd touchscreen in my car (for the sale).

[Cam]

Yep 20%
The guy who did them for me tinted the back window slightly darker. You can still see through the back but its hard.
All still legal though.

I think the car originally had 35%, it wasn't dark enough for me.

Yea the crappy RCD monochrome screens they have in the MKV GTI and R32s isn't very good. Cheapens the car a lot.
Must be why VW now include the RCD510 with MKVI GTI's as a factory fitted option.

[nath_mk6]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/4392050346_6fbcc526d6_o.png


Hey Cam, do you have the original of this shot? I'd like to have a play with it in PS along the lines of my comments when you posted it, hopefully now my skills in PS are developing I can have a good go at it. PM me if it's cool and I'll give you an email to send the full image to :)

[nath_mk6]

Hey Cam, just took the jpg off the website and played with it a little, a few things you cant do when its already B&W, but it was a good learning experience for me.

I edited out the navigation markers and then played with a few small settings such as curves and hue to create this, hope you like it >D

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4449578397_a21320128a_o.png

One of the things I really wanted to do was to sharpen up the foreground with all the tyre marks, but I couldnt work out how to do it without damaging the rest of the effect.

[Cam]

Hey Nath!!

Sorry I never saw your posts until now.
Your edited pic looks so good!
:)

The clouds look awesome.

I took a few more yesterday, in a black and white mood...hehe

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4467921107_d16517894b_o.png

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4467921453_72b891156f_o.png

[RobR32]

This beast will be at this event on Saturday people

http://www.vwgolf.net.au/showthread.php?807-[NSW]-South-Sydney-Cruise-Saturday-8th-May-2010

[Cam]

Lol Rob you could be a promoter!
:p

[MasterKevin]

haha Rob cracks me up haha

[maca]

White + GTI + black tint = sex.

[derek]

likin' the edit nath!

[Cam]

Thanks maca.

Here are some more pics
:)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4547612787_e076bcc16d.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/4548244114_0bcd12e345.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4548235848_fdfa7629d3.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/4547595559_768832444b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4547591301_1d7a954ac8.jpg

[benough]

When are you getting a short shifter Cam?

[Cam]

Not sure if I will yet, I may but not for a little while
:)

Bluefin is installed and I couldn't stop giggling like a girl when I drove it lol.
Much smoother power delivery, heaps more responsive and it pins you back into the seat even more. Love it!

[nath_mk6]

Oooo tune hey, nice one!

Hey you gonna send me the original colour version of that shot, want something to play with in PS this weekend and until I take some shots tomorrow I dont have anything worth editing.

Send me a PM and I'll give you my email if you like :)

[Cam]

Thanks Nath. I've uploaded the file here
:)

http://home.exetel.com.au/cam/DSC_0518.JPG

I should attack it in Aperture as well and we'll compare post processing results
>D

[nath_mk6]

Cool Cam will have a look at what I can produce, o do you have it in colour? easier to edit in colour then transition to B&W

[Cam]

Unfortunately I don't. I was playing around with the post processing settings on the D90. I didn't get another copy
:(

[nath_mk6]

oic tis all good will see what we can do hey?

[G-rig]

Nice work Cam, retune would be fun.

[Cam]

I've only driven it once with the tune so far but all I can say is WOW such an immense difference.
You can hear the engine more, sounds a lot more free. Not as jerky down low at crawling pace (e.g sitting in traffic stop/start), so much more power when you put your foot down. It felt like I was getting the same performance as stock with only half the pedal pressed down.
:)

Very very happy with it. Tomorrow's cruise will be a good test for it. On the way up I want to test economy.

[nath_mk6]

So Cam done all I think I can do with the shot and my skill set

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4586450992_98ae8acfb5_b.jpg
Original shot

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4449578397_a21320128a_o.png
My original edit.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4586433724_538eb3ac8f_b.jpg
My new edit

I took the foreground and removed it to a new layer, problem is that no matter what I did from there I couldn't get the car in its own layer, gave up frustrated. Anyway not 100% happy with it as there are a number of obvious edit glitches but its fun and it took me heaps less time that last time to get the effect right :)

Not sure I like the new edit over the original one I did, but hey o well

[Cam]

Nice editing Nath. I like what you've done with the sky.
Here is my attempt with Aperture. Not as fully fledged as photoshop but its easier for touching up photos
:)

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/7675/dsc05181b.jpg

[nath_mk6]

Looks good Cam

Gotta remember to take those shots in Colour, RAW, can do so much more with them then :)

[HOTHATCH]

Hey Cam, is that St Georges Basin ?

[Cam]

Swan Lake
:)

[RobR32]

Hey Cam here are the photos i took on show and shine day of your car on the M7
I think im a bit to close to your car in some shots which may be because I was drifting into your lane whilst trying to take the photo lol

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4651613998_aa636b5a11.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4650996981_1b4282dc3d.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4650997369_1c59cefc2b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4650997735_0d92cfb00c.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4651618804_33be8d97a7.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4651619190_4a936925fe.jpg

They arent the best
if u want me to delete some from here cause they are that bad let me know ;)