Golf GTI Edition 35 Mk6 : fitting Front fog light grille scoops

 From AliExpress theyve been sitting in a box for 3 years!

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002782099782.html

I bought them for £89 they are now £14.60 !

Ive always held off fitting them for fear of breaking something.
But this week I needed the box they were in and my front bumper is now having lacquer delamination so thought why not!
Lets try and fit them without removing the bumper.....
(the internet says you can)

I broke the original grilles getting them off, but fitted the new ones easily.
Good quality to be fair.
They are gloss black and ABS (not plastic like the originals) so pretty brittle.
Ideally you want something in the middle grille to be gloss as well,

fitted with fogs on

fitted with fogs off

fitted

how I got the original grilles off

what it looks like behind the grilles.
Note the original 3 tabs in the middle.
these are only present on the original grilles, not on the replacements

the original grille broken (note the 3 tabs)

first rideout of 2024 : BMW S1000R Matlock Bath via Cat N Fiddle 120 miles

out via the A50 , across Cat N Fiddle then through to Matlock Bath
stopping for bacon/sauage bap and latte at The Riverside Kiosk (always open early)
 https://maps.app.goo.gl/dT6HXkhuhBj3BnzBA

dry at home
wet on the way up CatNFiddle then low level fog!

BMW S1000R rideout to Lakes 11/11/2023 : 197 miles

197 miles.
Full thermal inners on my textiles as well as a thermal vest!
Started off on the dark and limited my speed to keep the wind chill down
Up to Preston way to meet Antony then up round some of the Lakes


Usual stop for breakfast at the Cafe at Hawkshead (The Osprey / Fishing centre) on Esthwaite Water
what an incredible breakfast pannini (Sausage Bacon and Black Pudding)
Inside and with a real fire to warm the frozen hands

Way colder than expected down to -0.5 at one point!

Still a fantastic winter run

BMW S1000R last ride of 2023 29/12/2023 : trip to J&S Northwich 47 miles

 

with a new MOT I can least ride the bike now,
small gap in weather meant a quick trip to see out 2023

https://jsaccessories.co.uk/stores/northwich

47 miles roundtrip, felt chilly although it was still 8degC

lots of nice bikes (many 23 plate ones) out

BMW S1000R UK MOT 2024 : from 12,427 miles 25/11/22 to 16,604 miles 21/12/23 : 4177 miles

 

UK requires yearly MOT test
large number plate goes back on

Princess Street Motors 

12,427 miles 25/11/22 

16,604 miles 21/12/23

thats 4177 miles  (of which 1500 was the NC500 trip link)

for comparison

link to last years https://johnoldfield.blogspot.com/2022/09/draft-year-of-motorcycling-in-review.html

I did 3174 miles in 2021-2022

Golf GTI Edition 35 : 2 new front tyres Michelin Pilot Sport 5 225/40/18 at 60,500 miles

last time new front tyres (PS4)  fitted were at an MOT in Aug 2021 

Car is now at 60,500 miles

Large screw in the sidewall ended the right front PS4
tread approx 4mm ! 

So the PS4 fronts have lasted 10,000 miles for 50% worn (from Aug 2021 MOT at approx 50,000 miles)

I always replace in pairs

So move to the new (ish) Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Fitted from Tyres On the Drive (Halfords)

Used them last time , great service again.

PS5 new starts with >7mm tread

PS5 new things.

greater tread life (higher wear rating 340 vs 320)
fancy sidewall
bit noisier
Wear2Check indicator 3 'holes' representing 25/50/75 % wear 

PS4 : C A 71db
PS5 : C A 72db

PS5 fact sheet