What Is The SINGLE MOST Important Mod For YOUR Car? Wheels? Tires? Exhaust? DISCUSS!

What Is The SINGLE MOST Important Mod For YOUR Car? Wheels? Tires? Exhaust? DISCUSS!
Though I have not entirely come clean about it, I daily drive a 2012 Volkswagen Golf 2.5 and I adore it. When I first picked it up brand spankin' new from the dealership about a year ago though, I knew I was going to have to make this vehicle my own.

It was just a bit...how do you say...LAME in stock form.

After getting it seemingly right and going mod crazy with only 900 miles on the odo, I figured that I was done. That was until today, when I finally added a new set of springs to the vehicle -- special thanks to my friends at Redline Speed Worx -- and my God, what a difference.

I am finally happy, it just took 14,000 + miles to figure it out.

That said, there's a plethora of mods to choose from. With some cars, like Honda Civics and Ford Mustangs you can literally look through parts for days and weeks; however, I would guess that there is ONE item above all that takes the cake when you're about to take a walk on the wild side.

So, my question to you, Spies, is what is that mod?


veyron1001veyron1001 - 8/31/2012 11:46:02 PM
+2 Boost
Suspension.

Pretty cheap and will not hurt resale value as you can put the old ones back in.


610looper610looper - 9/1/2012 2:24:31 AM
+1 Boost
totally agree...suspension work will enhance the handling, the acceleration, the braking, the steering, the cornering, etc..also if you have friends who ride with you, they're combined weight won't have such a bad effect, on shock bottoming & rebound compared to pre-suspension work.... h&r sport springs/ bilstein or koni sport shocks


MorePowerMorePower - 9/1/2012 12:28:26 AM
+2 Boost
Brakes!


PatronusPatronus - 9/1/2012 12:31:13 AM
+1 Boost
Exhaust, (then wheels if the stock ones are ugly).


sold2earlysold2early - 9/1/2012 7:20:08 AM
+4 Boost
I'm a big fan of fake chrome portholes on the fenders. That and the plastic eyelashes around the headlights.


W208W208 - 9/1/2012 9:50:00 AM
+4 Boost
Hood scoop. Second to that, roof scoop...Autozone style.


quizzquizz - 9/1/2012 3:53:01 PM
+1 Boost
In order of preference:
1. Suspension
2. Tires/wheels
3. Short shift kit + fly-wheel upgrade (manual)
4. Chip programming (automatics)
5. Exhaust/ventilation

I don't like adding turbos/SC unless I'm ready to really trash that engine for fun.


irishmikeirishmike - 9/2/2012 12:36:05 AM
+1 Boost
It starts with the best tires and build from there


delandelan - 9/2/2012 7:48:43 AM
+1 Boost
My nice fat tires :-)


I95SPEEDINGTICKETSI95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 9/2/2012 10:38:26 AM
+1 Boost
Advanced Driving Lessons for Owner of Vehicle ?


HighDesertHighDesert - 9/3/2012 9:06:13 PM
+1 Boost
Some great suggestions offered. If me, I would reduce unsprung weight with some lightweight wheels and consider changing to performance tires -- save the originals for winter. Upgrade the suspension or at least the shocks -- look at the Golf TDI for ideas as it has a GT suspension close to that of the GTI but without as much lowering. Short shifter is an easy DIY upgrade. Full aluminum bashplate under the engine will protect and also tighten up the chassis. You can try the usual cold air intake and exhaust mods but the 2.5 is a reliable engine, but not a performance engine and you are not going to get a lot of performance gain without a blower or costly machining. But, with the suspension mods you can have a great handling car; so go out and autocross it and improve upon your driving skills.


EyecarehawaiiEyecarehawaii - 9/3/2012 10:48:42 PM
+1 Boost
"What Is The SINGLE MOST Important Mod For YOUR Car? Wheels? Tires? Exhaust? DISCUSS!"

I suspect the answer depends on what you're trying to get your car to do for you. I've always wondered why people take such pains to mod their cars. Most mods tend to be cosmetic and not functional. For example, why get side skirts and a spoiler when they have little effect on overall performance at legal driving speeds? If thin profile tires are such a great idea why don't F1 racing cars or world rally championship cars use them? Are fatter tires really better to have on an economy car? You usually buy economy cars for better fuel economy - why make it worse by adding more rolling resistance with larger tires?

If someone wants a performance oriented VW they do sell a Golf R that's more sporty. My idea of an ideal car is one that doesn't have to be modified for better street performance. If you want to modify it for looks then spend your cash on whatever you think makes it look the best.


skytopskytop - 9/4/2012 9:42:18 AM
+1 Boost
Fixing the lose nut behind the wheel.

AutoSpies must be out of ideas and creativity to fill up this website. This is such an out of play question and belongs on a user forum.


skytopskytop - 9/4/2012 9:43:07 AM
+1 Boost
AutoSpies? This question is Auto News? What is wrong with you?
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