SL26UK Posted April 27, 2006 Report Share Posted April 27, 2006 I was looking at a Rear Valance by Caractere. I know that ABT stuff are well known, but what about Caractere? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oxfordlad Posted April 27, 2006 Report Share Posted April 27, 2006 Hmm, why dont you just colour code it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted April 27, 2006 Report Share Posted April 27, 2006 I'm a big fan of Abt, but caractere have a good reputation too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted April 27, 2006 Report Share Posted April 27, 2006 I also think with all these things, it's more about who you get to fit them and match the paintwork. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mixit Posted April 27, 2006 Report Share Posted April 27, 2006 I also like the Caractere valence but Red Robin thought the lower section was in fact Gloss Black Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oxfordlad Posted April 27, 2006 Report Share Posted April 27, 2006 How much is one of those Valences out of interest? They pre coloured then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted April 27, 2006 Report Share Posted April 27, 2006 Body kit parts are usually supplied primed ready for colour matching by a pro bodyshop. I am lucky that my VW dealer is next door to an Accident Repair Centre which has many awards for the standard of its work. They do most of any aftermarket fitting. Looking at the Caractere upper pic, I think it would be cheaper, easier and better looking to do what quite a few other TSN GTI guys have done and part colour code the standard OEM valance. Looking at the Caractere lower pic, what exhaust system will fit that ? In case anyone thought that my right-hand twin pipes were false....No, they fully function as exhausts. A phone call to Awesome will establish if the Caractere black areas are glossy. I have seen a photo of a car with glossy black Caractere. Personally I much prefer Abt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SL26UK Posted April 27, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2006 [ QUOTE ] How much is one of those Valences out of interest? They pre coloured then? [/ QUOTE ] Caractere Rear Valance for OE Exhaust = £255 Caractere Rear Valance with Dual Pipe Backbox = £499 Price's from Awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenjyGTI Posted April 27, 2006 Report Share Posted April 27, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I was looking at a Rear Valance by Caractere. I know that ABT stuff are well known, but what about Caractere? [/ QUOTE ] Personally, I have been thinking of going for this bumper It seems quite cheap, I know its the R32 rear end, but I am not interested in making an R32 replica, but I do like the R's rear bumper, as for an exhaust, I'm sure a company like Powerflow could make a nice fitting system to match the bumper. I used them for a custom exhaust quite a few years back for my Clio 172 Sport and you can even customize the sound, which is fab. Just thought I'd add my opinion, as for the Caractere bumper, I would follow others advice here and get your GTi upper bumper section colour coded, then fit this with a nice stainless exhaust such as a Milltek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shao_khan Posted April 27, 2006 Report Share Posted April 27, 2006 Caractere can also be suplied by RSD (www.rsdcars-uk.co.uk) and someone in VWuk mentioned to me the other day that you might very soon be able to buy MK5 parts like that bumper from your VW dealer - no paintwork warrenty issues then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SL26UK Posted April 27, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2006 I was always wondering changing the Rear Valance would that be an warrenty issue? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted April 27, 2006 Report Share Posted April 27, 2006 Great couple of links, VeeDub_GTi . Fischer Motorsport can also supply GTI parts such as open front vents (where the fogs are). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenjyGTI Posted April 28, 2006 Report Share Posted April 28, 2006 Thanks Red, always good to know my advice and links have been well received, especially from a TSN 'veteran' Been thinking of one of the two conversions for a while now, I like the R32 rear look, but would have to go down the custom exhaust route, and I'm not too keen on that. At least if I go for the colour coded upper half of the bumper like you have, I can go for the tried and trusted Milltek exhaust with the 2 original left hand double pipes, then maybe add the RISO carbon diffuser. Also thinking of getting one of those carbon dash fascias for my centre to console to break the grey up a little, so should all match inside and out. Only got to sort out some new wheels now, quite like those new Lionhart LH-1 Rims, gotta fit my Avic-X1R sat nav and DVD tomorrow too Red, so shall have a dash similar to yours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted April 28, 2006 Report Share Posted April 28, 2006 If I hadn't had the opportunity to get my quads, I would definitely be considering that carbon rear valance - It looks very cool. I think that the same company also make some carbon mirror covers for the Mk5 GTI . Have you got a link for the carbon dash fascia you mention ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s1brt Posted April 29, 2006 Report Share Posted April 29, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Great couple of links, VeeDub_GTi . Fischer Motorsport can also supply GTI parts such as open front vents (where the fogs are). [/ QUOTE ] Yeah ,great link! Infact,I've just ordered some of those aforementioned front vents,Robin! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted April 29, 2006 Report Share Posted April 29, 2006 ....Good to hear from you Si - You dipped off the radar for a while. I thought you were selling your GTI ? Those front vents are in my brain too - That slippery slope !! Do you think you'll gain any extra brake cooling with them ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s1brt Posted April 29, 2006 Report Share Posted April 29, 2006 No mate,I'm still in the fold! ... ...But I have to admit I was tempted by that CS for a little while...until I realised just how much money I'd lose on both the GTI and ultimately the M3 too!!! I'm glad I stayed faithful to the marque now,'cos the Golf is just getting into it's stride.I'm even looking at a set of smoked rear lenses and planning a trip to GTI International too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy_Driver Posted April 29, 2006 Report Share Posted April 29, 2006 I see Fischer sell the rear spolier kit - I wonder is this a one off "glued" fit? There was the thread re MRKJM's misfortune with some scum attempting to take the LED kit and the fact that spoiler would have to be replaced and this required new rear hatch etc etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenjyGTI Posted April 29, 2006 Report Share Posted April 29, 2006 Yeah those carbon mirror covers look real good, especially on Red, think I quite like the idea of a fair few carbon bits on my Tornado Red GTi Fitted my Sat Nav today, and the £90 can-bus adaptor I bought from Blaupunkt doesn't work!!!! So had to order another, any idea what CanBus adaptor your installer used Red for your pioneer system?? Oh nearly forgot heres the link for the dashboard kits, they do quite a few and a fair few finishes too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy_Driver Posted April 29, 2006 Report Share Posted April 29, 2006 Great link VeeDub... Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted April 29, 2006 Report Share Posted April 29, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Fitted my Sat Nav today, and the £90 can-bus adaptor I bought from Blaupunkt doesn't work!!!! So had to order another, any idea what CanBus adaptor your installer used Red for your pioneer system?? [/ QUOTE ] ....Tuesday is the earliest I may be able to get hold of him, so I'll get back to you as soon as. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted April 29, 2006 Report Share Posted April 29, 2006 [ QUOTE ] ......and planning a trip to GTI International too! [/ QUOTE ] ....Me too. I'm sure that one of us will start a topic in the Meets forum with a link here, nearer the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenjyGTI Posted April 30, 2006 Report Share Posted April 30, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Fitted my Sat Nav today, and the £90 can-bus adaptor I bought from Blaupunkt doesn't work!!!! So had to order another, any idea what CanBus adaptor your installer used Red for your pioneer system?? [/ QUOTE ] ....Tuesday is the earliest I may be able to get hold of him, so I'll get back to you as soon as. [/ QUOTE ] Cheers RR, you're a star Think I have located a good one anyway link that I shall order, but was just curious as to what make interface you had, that Blaupunkt one was a waste of time, it gave none of the signals it should have i.e. display illumination, switched ignition and speed pulse, I wouldn't advise anyone else buys one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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