Hello!

[cameo]

Well, I'd say that this is maybe my 3rd specific car forum that I've joined. I've turned 18 earlier this year, got my lisence (yes!), and am now looking for a car. I've gone through the fads, from minitrucks to turbo'd subys, from nissans to utes, but now, I think that I'm certain that I want a VW.

Dad has always been a fan (he owns a restored '76 Karmann Ghia), and I think some of his passion and rubbed off on me. Basically, what I'd like is a Golf, and with my budget I'm looking at a 5dr '95-'96 GL. From there, I have the whole modding theme planned out. You know, dropping it, putting some deep dishes on, some fender work, maybe some body mods, and some light preformance mods too just give it a bit of 'get go'.

This is probably my inspiration...


I'm just keen to know roughly how much I'd be willing to fork out for my ride to resemble this one; not identical of course, I want to have some personal flares in mine.

And also, how do you go about getting that low, and wide look? I'm assuming that you can drop it by using King springs (super low/low perhaps), and the wideness is just the dish in the wheels?

Thanks, and please excuse my 'noobish' questions.

[golf3]

Dump the car with a set of ride height adjustable coil overs!
KW brand coil overs are height and rebound adjustable, and are around $1900AUD from a supplier in sydney at the moment! Which is actually a very good price for an amazing product!

You'll be hard pressed to get some really nice euro style wheels in Aus, but you could always import them from somewhere like dubmeister.co.uk (remember to take 17.5% of the price off because we don't have to pay their VAT charges!)

The wheels in the above pic are probably a 16x8" rim, on some skinny stretched tyres!

Check out vwvortex.com for inspiration, but remember, their cars are different to ours!

Good luck with the future!

[peedman]

Hey there and welcome. That car is also my inspiration, it depends on how deep ur pockets are to get it looking like that. The problem with having the car that low is that the subframe will scrape over everything and the oilpan can get busted on pretty much anything so going that low would not be practical particularly on aus/syd roads.

If u want low go coilovers as they are adjustable and worth the money in ride quality if u can afford it. Cost about 2300ish installed i think for KW's but if u shop around u can get cheaper stuff thats still good. As with wheels, deep dish is hard to find here without costing a fortune so cant really comment on that until u find a set that u like and look into where they are sold etc etc.

If u can find one get a 3door CL, they would be my choice if i was to buy another mk3.

[bboyskidz]

that or a 3 door VR6!!! sh*t yes! haha i've got a Black 97 4dr CL and frankly it is not powerful enough. take 2 doors away then maybe...

you've definately joined the right forums for VeeDubbers... where are you based? coz there is so many people willing to help out with mods and stuff - one of the stickies in this forum is for all DIY stuff for mk3's - really good thread.

Welcome!

[cameo]

that or a 3 door VR6!!! sh*t yes! haha i've got a Black 97 4dr CL and frankly it is not powerful enough. take 2 doors away then maybe...

you've definately joined the right forums for VeeDubbers... where are you based? coz there is so many people willing to help out with mods and stuff - one of the stickies in this forum is for all DIY stuff for mk3's - really good thread.

Welcome!

Cheers!

I'm based in Melbourne, live along the Sandringham train line.
Coilovers are the go hey? Hmmm, they are a bit expensive, and just thinking about the hours I'll have to work to get that sort of cash hurts!
Are there cheaper options? Springs? i know that the ride wouldn't be nearly as comfortable, but in the end is there that much of a difference?

thanks again

[rayray086]

Welcome cameo! Put up pictures of your dad's Karmann Ghia! Out of all the aircooled, they'd have to be my favourite.

As what everyone has been saying, you'd want coilovers to reliably dump you to the ground. A lot of foreign dubbers use adapters or spacers to give them that wide look. You'd find that quite a number of them use wheels made for Audi, Porsche, and other cars. To get them to fit under the arches with minimal rubbing, you can either roll or pull your guards, the latter being much more expensive. Also, stretching narrow tyres over wide wheels provide much needed clearance. Every millimetre counts!

[rayray086]

Cheers!

I'm based in Melbourne, live along the Sandringham train line.
Coilovers are the go hey? Hmmm, they are a bit expensive, and just thinking about the hours I'll have to work to get that sort of cash hurts!
Are there cheaper options? Springs? i know that the ride wouldn't be nearly as comfortable, but in the end is there that much of a difference?

thanks again

Springs probably won't dump you as low as you want, but they are definitely a cheaper alternative

[cameo]

Welcome cameo! Put up pictures of your dad's Karmann Ghia! Out of all the aircooled, they'd have to be my favourite.

Will do. It's at the shop at the moment, getting all cleared for a roadworthy. The Colorado snow and salt was bitter, and gave him a fair bit of rust!

[99gti]

Welcome aboard Cameo. It's a good time to get a Mk3 as they have come down in $'s a fair bit of late. With a bit of effort, you should be able to source a good one fairly cheap. You just need patience.

As for mods, I'm sure the Mk3 brigade will be able to fill your head with many wonderfull dreams and ideas. Good luck and welcome aboard again

[Water Boy]

Hey Cam,

Its VW NUT and good to see ye joined here, its heaps nicer than Farkin.net and all the people here are cool as...

U and me both will be doing the same thing to our cars... Mine is also that colour and will look pretty much the same, deep dish and on its guts

Cheers James