The Volkswagen Golf GTI MK7 R is one of the most popular hot hatchbacks on the market today. It is known for its sleek design, impressive performance, and all of the new technology features. However, for those who want to take their MK7 R to the next level, there are plenty of modifications that can be made to enhance its performance, appearance, and overall driving experience.
Here are some of the mods I would do to my Mk7 R to make good power while keeping reliability.
Tuning Software
One of the first things I would recommend when looking to modify your Mk7 R is a tune. Deciding what tune you would like to go with now is important because some of the following upgrades may or may not be required. A stage 2 tune is fairly inexpensive and makes great power while keeping the reliability of the 2.0 and no it doesn’t require a turbo upgrade.
My tuning software of choice would be an EQT stage 2 tune with a Cobb access port. This allows for data logging, custom tweaks to the tune and the option to remove the tune at any point.
Suspension upgrades
The next modification after adding power to the MK7 R is upgrading the suspension. This can include adding lowering springs, coilovers, sway bars, and more. Lowering the car can improve its handling and appearance, while adding sway bars can improve its stability and reduce body roll. Sway bars are fairly inexpensive and give a noticeable difference while coilovers are much more expensive but completely change the feel and look of the car.
My choice for suspension would have to be coilovers. Coilovers offer a wide range of adjustability including ride height, camber, dampening and spring rates. These can range in prices from $500-$2000+ but for a nice set of coilovers we would recommend the Bc racing BR series coilover priced around $1200.
Wheels and tires
Upgrading the wheels and tires is another popular modification for the MK7 R. The stock 19 inch wheels that come stock look good but with the small sidewall can ride a little rough. We recommend downsizing to 18 inch wheels, as well as upgrading to high-performance tires. Upgrading the wheels and tires can improve the car’s grip and handling, as well as its overall appearance.
Choosing the right wheel and tire combo is personal preference and depends on your driving conditions. We would recommend a high quality sport tire for this build as we want to get all that power from stage 2 down to the ground. A set of aftermarket wheels will lower the weight of the car and you can pick from many different styles to suit your preferences.
Brake upgrades
Brake upgrades are another popular modification for the MK7 R, although the stock brakes work well there is always room for improvement. This can include upgrading the brake pads, rotors, and calipers. Upgrading the brakes can improve the car’s stopping power, as well as its overall performance.
For this build we will just be upgrading the stock pads and rotors for a high quality set of drilled and slotted rotors with high performance brake pads.
Exterior modifications
Finally, exterior modifications are a popular way to enhance the appearance of the MK7 R. This can include adding body kits, spoilers, and other aftermarket parts. Adding these modifications can give the car a more aggressive and sporty look.
The maxton design kits are the go to for this platform. They have an aggressive look with great durability. Pricing isn’t to bad although if your in North America shipping and exchange rates will inflate that price listed.
In conclusion, the Volkswagen MK7 Golf R is a great car in its stock form, but there are plenty of modifications that can be made to wake the car up. Whether you’re looking to improve its performance, appearance, or overall driving experience, there are plenty of options available. Just be sure to do your research and work with a reputable mechanic or aftermarket parts dealer to ensure that your modifications are safe and reliable.