Volkswagen parts reviews

Filters, I'm parcial towards Mann products, if you can find them. Never a problem with Wix.

I ditched my 19s for the factory (Canyon) 17s on my V8. Mounted up Bridgestone Dueller A/T Revos (265/65/17) about 3K mi ago. I can't say enough good things about this tire -- second truck that we've put them on and they're doing great. Super in rain, snow, and the usual winter muck!

My VW dealer uses Castrol Syntec 5W-40 that meets the VW 502 standard.

FWIW, I used Amsoil in my old Mk4 GTI VR6 and in my R32 with no issues.

I used Amsoil in my old Mk4 GTI VR6 and in my R32 with no issues.

My local NAPA always has my oil filter in stock. It's a good quality WIX filter.

When I bought my (new) 2002 Jetta, I did quite a bit of research on the various synthetic oils for turbo diesel engines. I came away the most impressed with Mobil Delvac-1 in the SILVER jug. The numbers that were available online seemed to suggest that this was one of the better choices. I've run Delvac-1 since my Jetta's first oil change. Not the cheapest synthetic out there, but I've been happy with what I've seen.

Here's my review of the Koni FSD / Weitec 30mm (1.2\") lowering springs setup. Cliffs notes: Koni FSDs & 1.2\" lowering springs (Eibach, Weitec, whatever) are the muthaf&^kin' bomb. Buy 'em if you're looking for the best handling (not looking) setup for a Mk IV. Koni isn't full of crap. These dampers work exactly as advertised. They have excellent small bump sensitivity, dispatching railroad tracks, cobblestone roads, and cracks in the pavement with muted thuds. The car sails over bumps that would rattle my teeth with the Bilsteins. What is WEIRD is that despite this smoothness, there is little loss of communication through the steering wheel, and absolutely no increase in squat, dive, or roll vs. the Bilsteins. The added travel due to less lowering has made the car less jittery on bumpy corners as well. In short, it is fabulous. Very trackable, and probably better for road courses than the Bilsteins.

The GTI would have performed much better on the summer tires, those all-seasons really are terrible.

Get a dealer filter, or Mahle or something, don't get a Fram. I use a Fram on my 66 Mustang 289, but not on my 1.8T.