My new trendline finally arrived :) but it needs some aftermarket love!

[Transition]

Hey guys, so after a few weeks of waiting, finally got my November-built black manual trendline! Really loving it but I am definitely noticing a big difference in terms of comforts between this and the tsi the dealer had lent me. As such, I feel I really need to update a few things and was hoping maybe you guys have some suggestions/answers?

- head unit upgrade (the bluetooth touch adapter is terrible and I want bluetooth music that doesn't sound like it's coming out of a tin can). I found someone selling a revision A of the rcd510 that was pulled out of a Tiguan by his dealer when the owner upgraded to an rns510. Do I need some unlock code when I buy it or should it work plug and play? I realize I will likely need to vcds the bluetooth to not require the touch adapter. I'll have to find someone in Adelaide to do that.

- I need to get a centre armrest. Any suggestions? I found a few on aliexpress.com but would prefer to buy local if I can. No idea who would carry one at a reasonable price tho.

- the car needs some mags and lowering, seriously. It looks pretty hokey right now with the caps and riding so high. What specs should I be looking at and where should I look? Hoping not to spend more than $1500 on rims and wheels if possible.

- will be tinting the car, any suggestions for Adelaide? I want to go as dark as possible, what is legally allowed?

- any performance suggestions that won't break the bank? The car in manual is heaps more fun than the auto tsi but I'm missing that turbocharger pick up. Anything that might boost the hp a bit?

This is my first car in Australia (and my last car was 10 years ago in Canada) so I apologize for the stupid questions. I'll post pics soon but am a bit embarrassed when I compare my car to your guys' beauties! Haha, maybe when I get some mags and lower it with some tinting :p

Anyways thanks for any input guys!

[Cainus83]

I know its a little too late, but if you're already looking to make interior, wheel and performance upgrades, then maybe you should have stronlgy considered the extra $2k for a TSI. You will spend far more on aftermaket upgrades.

[Transition]

Yeah agreed but there was a $5K difference as I got this car for $16k drive away. It's my first year working so cash flow is tight until pay starts rolling in and I needed the car for work. So I'll do gradual upgrades as I can afford them but nothing too much. The interior is the big one for now (tint, rcd510 and centre armrest which all up should cost $8-900). The wheels and performance will have to wait for a bit.

I reckon I'll probably move up to a golf in a few years once my economic situation has stabilized (I'm a junior doctor so the income will grow with time).

[car_nut]

I realize I will likely need to vcds the bluetooth to not require the touch adapter. I'll have to find someone in Adelaide to do that.

- the car needs some mags and lowering, seriously. It looks pretty hokey right now with the caps and riding so high. What specs should I be looking at and where should I look? Hoping not to spend more than $1500 on rims and wheels if possible.

- will be tinting the car, any suggestions for Adelaide? I want to go as dark as possible, what is legally allowed?

Congratulations on the new Polo.

Codes: send a message to moderator 'transporter' (Miro) - he may be able to help you out.

Wheels: depends on your taste for wheels but after much shopping around I found what I wanted at Demon Tweeks in Wales. My 18" wheels (exactly same as VWR wheels, around $550 ea here) were just over $1200 shipped.
Motorsport, Motorcycle & Car Equipment, Accessories, Tuning & Clothing | Sparco, Alpinestars, Arai, Recaro, OMP - Demon Tweeks

Window tint: went to a place down Lonsdale way. Looked at the max. legally allowed and could hardly tell the difference from std. GTI, your car may be different though. Should be less than $300.

Lowering: you need to do some research on the forum. There is a sticky named "Lowered and aftermarket wheels reference (WARNING! You will suffer Polo envy in this thread!)". Most go for H & R's 25/40. I went for the 'softer' option of Eibach, very pleased with outcome.

Good luck with the mods.

[dening]

For an armrest try calling a wrecker like ASV they would have access to a wrecked model somewhere in the country and can just get it sent to their premises on grange road.

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[brad]

Hey guys, so after a few weeks of waiting, finally got my November-built black manual trendline! Really loving it but I am definitely noticing a big difference in terms of comforts between this and the tsi the dealer had lent me. As such, I feel I really need to update a few things and was hoping maybe you guys have some suggestions/answers?

As the others have said - you would have been better off buying the 77tsi.

- head unit upgrade (the bluetooth touch adapter is terrible and I want bluetooth music that doesn't sound like it's coming out of a tin can). I found someone selling a revision A of the rcd510 that was pulled out of a Tiguan by his dealer when the owner upgraded to an rns510. Do I need some unlock code when I buy it or should it work plug and play? I realize I will likely need to vcds the bluetooth to not require the touch adapter. I'll have to find someone in Adelaide to do that.

RCD510 will be $180+ for the less well regarded Delphi unit but I'm not sure your existing BT & the RCD510 will achieve the outcome you desire. Not sure about how much a pro will charge to fit / code, etc

- I need to get a centre armrest. Any suggestions? I found a few on aliexpress.com but would prefer to buy local if I can. No idea who would carry one at a reasonable price tho.

Aliexpress or ebay

- the car needs some mags and lowering, seriously. It looks pretty hokey right now with the caps and riding so high. What specs should I be looking at and where should I look? Hoping not to spend more than $1500 on rims and wheels if possible.

Keep an eye on the For Sale area for wheels/tyres

- will be tinting the car, any suggestions for Adelaide? I want to go as dark as possible, what is legally allowed?

30% visible light transmission IIRC. There are plenty of tinting threads with recommended installers in ADL.

- any performance suggestions that won't break the bank? The car in manual is heaps more fun than the auto tsi but I'm missing that turbocharger pick up. Anything that might boost the hp a bit?

None. It's an NA engine isn't it? You should have got the 77tsi. You can spend a lot of $$ for very minor gains.

Use good fuel. Keep it maintained. Put your foot down harder.

[Hillbilly]

I wouldn't bother with a centre console I find its a real pain as my elbow keeps hitting it when driving Even my wife who is quite a bit shorter than me dislikes it. We have the top pulled back permanently.
Would prefer it wasn't there at all.

But no I wont sell it LOL

As far as the tint is concerned you may get away with the back windows darker but best to keep front door glass legal.

As well if you do them too dark you cant see out at night very well.

As others have said buying the cheapest and then buying parts aftermarket will cost a lot more in the long run and you will still have a base model regardless

[dening]

Yeah forget about performance mods you'll waste what money you have for little return, enjoy your lovely new car for what it is, and don't worry about people telling you that you should have bought the more expensive model.

There are springs and wheels in the classified section right now(if they arent gone already) that will sort you out very cheaply.

With your stereo and Bluetooth needs, maybe look into an ANS 810 unit or whatever version, might be right up your alley.(look in the classifieds for the links to info)

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[AndrewBurns]

The armrest is kinda nice for highway cruising with cruise control but otherwise it's always up for me. It covers the handbrake and gets in the way of the shifter when it's down. Pretty stupid design really but I suppose that was the only way they could get it in there with the car being so small, I'd rather a small car with a crappy centre console than a large one honestly.

[brad]

As far as the tint is concerned you may get away with the back windows darker but best to keep front door glass legal.

As well if you do them too dark you cant see out at night very well.

It's SA. Last I heard they were quite anal down there about VLT, even on the rear windows. IIRC, when privacy glass first came out they had inspectors trying to knock back the factory tint as being unroadworthy - LOL.

Personally, I just let my tint guy guide me on what I can & can't do.