What have you done with your Polo so far (and today)

[Corey_R]

The reason many mirrors make objects appear further away, is that you need to get "enough of an image" in the mirror to understand where things are in relation to your car. If the mirror simply displays things in "their correct size" then you often won't be able to see the road or the next lane etc.

The reason for having a "curved mirror" (aspherical mirror) like is standard in a Golf or Polo, is that when adjusted correctly, it elminates your blind spot.

To adjust correctly, sit in your drivers seat, then lean your head towards the driver's door. Adjust the right mirror so you can see the side of your car. When you sit up straight again, you shouldn't be able to see the side of the car. To adjust the left, lean towards the centre of the car, do the same there. If the outside edge of the mirror is reflecting back the mirror housing (i.e. plastic), then you can readjust accordingly.

Whilst this may seem a bit strange at first, this means there is less "overlap" between your internal rear vision mirror and your side mirrors, and as I noted before, removes most of your blind spot. Therefore the need to "look over your shoulder" is largely (or completely) removed.

In my Golf R, I purchased a curved mirror for the passenger side so I don't need to look over that shoulder as much

[ATYPIC]

The reason many mirrors make objects appear further away, is that you need to get "enough of an image" in the mirror to understand where things are in relation to your car. If the mirror simply displays things in "their correct size" then you often won't be able to see the road or the next lane etc.

This statement is rather obscure to say the least.

Would you rather see more of the road or next lane rather than see the vehicle your about to hit in your blind spot and in the lane next to you? I never had a problem with the old mirrors offering 'enough of an image' to depict where things are relative to my vehicle.

What is the point of a mirror giving a wider or expanded view if that view in itself is distorted and misleading for the driver?

Give me the old skool any day.

[Corey_R]

For a given size of mirror glass, the "closer that objects are in your mirror", the less "area" it is that they're displaying/reflecting. It's like the "zoom" on a camera etc. Zoom out, objects appear further away, but you get more scenery. But there is definitely a balance between being "too zoomed out" and having too much scenery, and being too "zoomed in" and not having enough scenery.

I think that the stock Golf and Polo mirrors have a good balance of object distance/area, and I definitely prefer the aspherical glass (the area outside of the "dashed vertical line" on our drivers mirror) which displays cars in the blind spot.


As it is, some people complain that the mirrors on the Golf and Polo are "too small" because the mirrors don't show them enough area of what is around them... I don't understand this personally, but I figure they must come from cars who's mirrors have objects even further away (and therefore display more). Which is heading in the opposite direction to what you feel is better

[Gambit]

Actually it was Friday, changed the oil, and filter at 5k kms. Done and dusted.

[sVWatt]

Actually it was Friday, changed the oil, and filter at 5k kms. Done and dusted.

was that replaced with VAG stock filter and oil ?
Was thinking of doing mine next weekend...

[gavs]

Second presents...

[Gambit]

was that replaced with VAG stock filter and oil ?
Was thinking of doing mine next weekend...

Check the oil thread

Nice one Gavs!
hows it planted through corners now?

[gavs]

Aside from having some of the stiffest rear shocks ever encountered, install was easy and took around 35 mins.

Result? Tyres don't have enough grip now holy crap!

[Gambit]

Wow, those dunlops are pretty damn good.

[gavs]

Need semis now, 225/40 r17 would b nice