Polo Bonnet

[xtturbo]

Hey Guys,

Wondering if anyone knows where I can get a polo bonnet from? I've got a GTI, is the gti bonnet the same as the standard?

I want this for aesthetic mods, give the polo a slightly meaner appearance, and I'm not really interested in any negative remarks please guys. I've got limited money, and I value the fact that my drivechain is under warranty while I'm a student.

The idea is to graft an early wrx style scoop to the front. I'll be doing this properly (not just stuck on), and might even link up a cold air intake if room allows. At any rate, the cool air directed down over the rear of the motor certainly would not be doing any harm... those turbos get damn hot!

Like I said, not interested in your opinions on aesthetic mods unless they're positive... Some people just want a unique car, and its not always feasible or even ethical to spent heaps of money on track components... These are street cars and buck for buck, money is better spent on looks. You get to keep warranty, you get to meet emissions guidelines (which is really an ethical responsibility), you're not as tempted to drive as if you were on the track (and hence save money on fines), and your car still manages to stand out.

So, that said, anyone know where I can get a bonnet? Colour isn't super important, as I'll repaint it in 2k (in a booth, of course).

Cheers,
Jarrad

[Petrina Polo]

Money better spent on rims or suspension if a more aggresive look is your thing...

But remember dude, we have a small hatchback... it may never have the road presence that a Ford GT will have no matter where you put scoops.

Love it for what it is.

Bear in mind by your own admission (no negative comments) that you acknowledge people on the street might laugh at it. Unique sometimes isnt a good thing. A car came flying past my house with writing all over it, peace, circles everywhere, rainbows etc....its unique yes but it it appealing???

...............But if your heart is set on the WRX scoop then maybe try a panelbeater, they may be able to make up a fibreglass bonnet for you?

[JCM308]

Money better spent on rims or suspension if a more aggresive look is your thing...

I'd have to agree with Petrina here. It would be much better for you to spend cash on a nice set of rims than to much around with the bonnet. I don't think it would be a cheap part to replace anyway. Suspension will definately void your suspension warranty but wheels won't void a thing.

Another thing you could do is get window tint and gloss B pillars. This changes it up abit also and are a relativly cheap option (I've had mine on for a while and VW has never said anything about them). Also a stubby antenna makes it look less like a dodgem car and looks the goods imo

[xtturbo]

..............But if your heart is set on the WRX scoop then maybe try a panelbeater, they may be able to make up a fibreglass bonnet for you?

Bonnet shouldn't be too expensive, Fiberglass is extremely painful to work with, and warps relatively easily so I tend to avoid it. Nothing like factory pressed steel!

Another thing you could do is get window tint and gloss B pillars. This changes it up abit also and are a relativly cheap option (I've had mine on for a while and VW has never said anything about them). Also a stubby antenna makes it look less like a dodgem car and looks the goods imo

I'm not really a fan of the gloss B pillars. Wheels I would like but after bending a set of 20s on a pothole (different car) I'm a bit reluctant to go much bigger on the polo... 16" is a good size, 17 i would possibly do but definitely not 18s.

My previous car for those who are interested: http://members.optusnet.com.au/xtturbo/pics/ute.jpg

[xtturbo]

Bear in mind by your own admission (no negative comments) that you acknowledge people on the street might laugh at it. Unique sometimes isnt a good thing. A car came flying past my house with writing all over it, peace, circles everywhere, rainbows etc....its unique yes but it it appealing???

Take a look at my previous car, it was pretty unique but I think I managed to keep it quite tasteful.

There is a history of 'hot hatches' with scoops, WRX, Nissan Pulsar GTiR etc.

I think the majority of cars that get laughed at are the excels with a poorly done job... I certainly won't be seeking to emulate that... Finish quality is everything when it comes to aesthetic mods - they have to look factory or better...

[JCM308]

There is a history of 'hot hatches' with scoops, WRX, Nissan Pulsar GTiR etc...

That's true. There are a number of hot hatches that have bonnet scoops but they also have a reason for them (TMIC).

If you are determined to go the path of a scoop then can I suggest a mk4 liberty bonnet vent as it would look a little less outlandish but different enough for the car to stand out in a good way.

[xtturbo]

That's true. There are a number of hot hatches that have bonnet scoops but they also have a reason for them (TMIC).

If you are determined to go the path of a scoop then can I suggest a mk4 liberty bonnet vent as it would look a little less outlandish but different enough for the car to stand out in a good way.

Hehehe, the "reason" debate is always and interesting one. Because even the factory "reason" isn't always that great... for instance... why not FMIC? Usually, because it costs more... is that a good "reason"? What about WRX/GTiR owners who go the FMIC route? Should they take their scoops off?

I wouldn't get an outlandish one. the 9n polo is a very conservative car - it can trace its design lineage back to the 90s. This is why I want a bonnet to play with - so I can see what kind of scoop would look good, where to place it, etc. Its just a bit of fun really; doing something that no one else has.

I mean why is it that we value a factory creation over our own? Factories usually have design teams and people trained in aesthetics, but they also have design considerations such as budgets etc... As long as one applies a bit of common sense and 'looks around'/'does their homework', there is no reason they can't customize their car in a way that looks decent. Take a look at the street machine community, many of those cars have aesthetic qualities way beyond what a factory would ever be able to offer. People have gone as far as smoothing out all spot welds etc, in places so far from obvious as the underside of wheel arches!

We've also gotta look at our own prejudices... Why is performance so highly valued in cars? It almost pointlessly consumes petrol, money, time etc. Take another example; none of us here go around dating girls just because they can run the 100 metres faster than the other girls...

[seangti]

something worth bearing in mind is how this will affect airflow in your engine bay. Subaru's with a frontmount should close off the hole on the bonnet as it affects the flow through air in the engine bay, resulting in higher underbonnet temps (i.e. causes turbulence so the air doesn't flow).

Will this have such an effect on the polo??? NFI

A more aggressive front end could come from painting the bonnet, front bar, change the grille etc... each to their own.

[RhysQ]

If you are gonna get it properly done, can i advise to look into getting a letterbox style bonnet vent off the liberty's or new wrx's, and custom fit it to a polo bonnet. That would look tops and suit the modern style. Would cost more to fit but would look 1000 times better.

IMO an old style wrx scoop would look odd on a new style Polo.... just wouldn't suit. The car is too small for it. I know you said no negative comments but i gave you an alternative, so i'm off the hook

if you want aggresive, here's my car (now sitting much lower than this)

[Petrina Polo]

Is this a serious thread?

Are you some rexnet guy coming over to have a crack at the Polos. Ive heard the WRX people are having cheap shots of late.

Post a pic of your Polo Gti?