My Garuda: VW Polo 1.2 TDi Ownership Review (2L Kms Crossed)


Thread Starter #31
Joined
May 23, 2014
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coimbatore
My Modifications and Maintenence

Things done do far
  • Noodle mat
  • towel type pure cotton seat covers from Koyas CBE
  • Suspention Upgrage
  • general Service
  • Stebel Horn

Noodle floor mats and seats
From Koyas , 3.5 k for seats , 1.5k for mat
View attachment 212453
View attachment 212454

Suspension Upgrade :

Upgraded to old 165mm GC hight Stock to 175mm Kit.
which is the current suspension for 1.5 tdi
i purchased TRW Brand.
You can find all the parts in Boodmo parts site. i bought for 6k in Aadithya autos cbe.
View attachment 212455
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also i have researched and got prices for parts for polo .find the attached images
View attachment 212459

General Maintenance:
View attachment 212460
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View attachment 212462

Service has been done in Castrol Pit stop Near 3m car care stanes CBE.
well knowledge persons and equipment, with less labor costs.

find the clear pricing catalog which i collected.
View attachment 212464
Major mistake I made.
Review of TRW SHOCKS

Hi guys, here I am giving a review of TRW SHOCKS after 30k KM's of driving, the worst quality shocks ever, they are cheap OEM replacement with no OEM TUNING to it, the compression and damping ratios are same in these TRW SHOCKS which are good for linear spring rate coil overs, with a stiffer spring setup, the VW 2011 to 2013 are German spec. Springs with different non linear rate with 10 mm less height when loaded compared to the 2013+ Polo and vento, and the dampers used in stock are German made and indian made too, but tuning of compression and rebound are same, to test it remove the damper and hold it between your shoes and try to give a spring action, you must feel easier compression and harder rebound or when you try to pull up it resists harder than compared to compressing it, when I tested the TRW it's same pressure and there was very little resistance to it on both cycles and the fact every mechanic or any one will say if the shock return to original position after compressing it's a good and if it doesn't its shot..
Which is totally bogus for new gen gas filled shocks, even if the valve or oil breaks down inside, the gas filled in outer tube will make it come back, so don't fool around with these concepts, all you need to check is compression and rebound forces , spring will take care of rebound.. the valve inside the struct is more important than the returning rate.

When I decided to change the shocks , there started the whole new confusion for me.

The part no of the original struct was
6RF413031C
Available in boodmo without image for 2.3k pc.
Spring colour code 2 white 2 blue
Which is no longer available
The current 2015+ has 6RF413031B + 4 orange coaded springs
Available at boodmo for 1.7k pc

The actual European spec struct part is
6RF413031AJ , which is 14k in boodmo 1 pc. Also used in GTI, AND AUDI A1 etc.

So for mean while I decided to put my original shocks back with the link rod, which all I thought where shot because the mechanic told me that they where gone.

After changing I noticed 10mm lesser ground clearance and when I push the bonet down it comes back and stays , it doesn't go little higher and come down, which was happening on my TRW, on these TRW shocks when ever I go to a speed breaker, whole bonnet will go up and down and compress back and then come back to stable position, which was annoying and never gave a settle ride at highways.

Now after changing the old ones, I was surprised with the handling and amount of body roll it controlled, I got goose bumps after knowing how OEM parts make hell of a difference..
Also coming to the link rod part
The part I swapped was a Chinese in pics above, which easily bends if you stand up on the rod portion keeping it in floor, where as the OEM ones where sturdy and dint bend at all.

These are the small things makes difference.

A caution to all VW polo and vento owners up there, the link rod with bent sheet metal type is no longer available, in market, only few stocks are available in few stores, try to get one before it's long gone, because you need to import it if not.

Right now I am so much confused to either go for
Same OEM 6RF413031C i need to import.
Or 6RF413031AJ 28k
Blisten b4 10% higher damping to OEM tuning 35k
Blisten b6 30% higher damping to OEM tuning 50k
Even KONE ones are there.

Melay and Monroe brands are also available but tuning is I'm not sure..
If you want a old stable yet comfortable tuning the compression must be soft and rebound must be high damping, which might not be same in all other brands .

I don't understand why aftermarket struts not giving us the damping and rebound values for customers , so that we can get the ones which we like for our needs.

Coming back to the suspension, a important point which I missed is the springs , these are the main issue makers
The old age ones are 10mm lesser in height and had different spring rate , while new gens have 10mm higher to increase ground clearance and bit harder rate to compensate the difference. But the dampers too have 10mm height difference to adjust to it.

Ryt now I am searching for a better solution on this, shower me your thoughts on this.
 

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Right now I am so much confused to either go for
Same OEM 6RF413031C i need to import.
Or 6RF413031AJ 28k
Blisten b4 10% higher damping to OEM tuning 35k
Blisten b6 30% higher damping to OEM tuning 50k
Even KONE ones are there.

Coming back to the suspension, a important point which I missed is the springs , these are the main issue makers
The old age ones are 10mm lesser in height and had different spring rate , while new gens have 10mm higher to increase ground clearance and bit harder rate to compensate the difference. But the dampers too have 10mm height difference to adjust to it.

Ryt now I am searching for a better solution on this, shower me your thoughts on this.
Valuable piece of info there.
Also do let us know what you end up with.

I own a 2019 Vento 1.6L mpi with 10K on the odo and find the suspension setup to be too soft which causes a boat like ride on highways when loaded and with rear passengers.
I thought of swapping the struts with the TRW ones but after seeing your review i'm rethinking my decision.

The older EU struts have a part no. 6R0413031AJ and is it a good choice to makeup for a solid ride?
Are the springs be replaced too along with the struts?
 
Joined
Nov 15, 2012
Messages
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Location
Bangalore
Thanks for your review!
I was planning to upgrade to TRW or Monroe with stock spring. Your post was an eye opener.
I am now with the impression, meddling with OEM parts is a risky business.
I am not happy with Vento (2019 1.2tsi) suspension, as I was driving old gen Figo and Fiesta. Spolied by fords handling, feel and feedback. But Ford's engines can't come anywhere near VW engines in terms of performance.

Question:
Is Bilstein B6 with stock spring a good option?
or better to go with B6 with correct sprint upgrade too?

do you know of any reputed mechanic/workshop in Bangalore suitable for this upgrade?

B6 is now 75ks. It's is a huge investment for me.
 
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Major mistake I made.
Review of TRW SHOCKS

Hi guys, here I am giving a review of TRW SHOCKS after 30k KM's of driving, the worst quality shocks ever, they are cheap OEM replacement with no OEM TUNING to it, the compression and damping ratios are same in these TRW SHOCKS which are good for linear spring rate coil overs, with a stiffer spring setup, the VW 2011 to 2013 are German spec. Springs with different non linear rate with 10 mm less height when loaded compared to the 2013+ Polo and vento, and the dampers used in stock are German made and indian made too, but tuning of compression and rebound are same, to test it remove the damper and hold it between your shoes and try to give a spring action, you must feel easier compression and harder rebound or when you try to pull up it resists harder than compared to compressing it, when I tested the TRW it's same pressure and there was very little resistance to it on both cycles and the fact every mechanic or any one will say if the shock return to original position after compressing it's a good and if it doesn't its shot..
Which is totally bogus for new gen gas filled shocks, even if the valve or oil breaks down inside, the gas filled in outer tube will make it come back, so don't fool around with these concepts, all you need to check is compression and rebound forces , spring will take care of rebound.. the valve inside the struct is more important than the returning rate.

When I decided to change the shocks , there started the whole new confusion for me.

The part no of the original struct was
6RF413031C
Available in boodmo without image for 2.3k pc.
Spring colour code 2 white 2 blue
Which is no longer available
The current 2015+ has 6RF413031B + 4 orange coaded springs
Available at boodmo for 1.7k pc

The actual European spec struct part is
6RF413031AJ , which is 14k in boodmo 1 pc. Also used in GTI, AND AUDI A1 etc.

So for mean while I decided to put my original shocks back with the link rod, which all I thought where shot because the mechanic told me that they where gone.

After changing I noticed 10mm lesser ground clearance and when I push the bonet down it comes back and stays , it doesn't go little higher and come down, which was happening on my TRW, on these TRW shocks when ever I go to a speed breaker, whole bonnet will go up and down and compress back and then come back to stable position, which was annoying and never gave a settle ride at highways.

Now after changing the old ones, I was surprised with the handling and amount of body roll it controlled, I got goose bumps after knowing how OEM parts make hell of a difference..
Also coming to the link rod part
The part I swapped was a Chinese in pics above, which easily bends if you stand up on the rod portion keeping it in floor, where as the OEM ones where sturdy and dint bend at all.

These are the small things makes difference.

A caution to all VW polo and vento owners up there, the link rod with bent sheet metal type is no longer available, in market, only few stocks are available in few stores, try to get one before it's long gone, because you need to import it if not.

Right now I am so much confused to either go for
Same OEM 6RF413031C i need to import.
Or 6RF413031AJ 28k
Blisten b4 10% higher damping to OEM tuning 35k
Blisten b6 30% higher damping to OEM tuning 50k
Even KONE ones are there.

Melay and Monroe brands are also available but tuning is I'm not sure..
If you want a old stable yet comfortable tuning the compression must be soft and rebound must be high damping, which might not be same in all other brands .

I don't understand why aftermarket struts not giving us the damping and rebound values for customers , so that we can get the ones which we like for our needs.

Coming back to the suspension, a important point which I missed is the springs , these are the main issue makers
The old age ones are 10mm lesser in height and had different spring rate , while new gens have 10mm higher to increase ground clearance and bit harder rate to compensate the difference. But the dampers too have 10mm height difference to adjust to it.

Ryt now I am searching for a better solution on this, shower me your thoughts on this.
What are the product codes for your stock polo's front and rear shock absorber and coil spring. I have a 2013 vw polo 1.2 tdi which clocks 96k and its time to change the front shocks. I changed rear shocks last year to gabriel, since my local mechanic convinced me to go for gabriel over 6rf413031g . But after driving for 5000km , im not satisfied with its damping action. Its very stiff.
 
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What are the product codes for your stock polo's front and rear shock absorber and coil spring. I have a 2013 vw polo 1.2 tdi which clocks 96k and its time to change the front shocks. I changed rear shocks last year to gabriel, since my local mechanic convinced me to go for gabriel over 6rf413031g . But after driving for 5000km , im not satisfied with its damping action. Its very stiff.
I have Polo Dec 2013 1.2. 140k done. Need to replace front and real shocks. Mechanic is asking to go for Gabriel and Monroe or Rane. Not sure which one i should go for.....
 
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Mechanic is asking to go for Gabriel and Monroe or Rane.
Monroe or Gabriel are OEM manufacturers for suspension parts for some cars in India so getting similar quality as OEM parts is possible. Just that if purchasing groom these brands, ensure they are not counterfeit.

What is the price that VW is quoting for versus prices when purchased using Gabriel or Monroe parts?
 
Thread Starter #38
Joined
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Hi all sorry for the long gap, car was left with family as i moved to Bangalore and running a EV startup inGO. i will resume as there are quite a few updates.

I had gone for Blisten b4 and ride is better now, have driven more than 50k kms and doesn't seem to be worn. import from Sparto and go for it!

Will update all the replacements and updates made on the car, as it has crossed more than 2.5L kms and riding as butter till now.

by the way Boodmo is stocking AJ varient of struts with better cost again. Link
 

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Thread Starter #39
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Well well where do i start, the car has been used for shuttle service for past 3 years, which is kinda sad to see Polo used like this, thanks to my friend who runs a DIY workshop who atleast serviced the car for essentials alone as few parts were giving up, ill pin down the changes and cost done Kms wise so you can understand the events.

1.2L kms Water pump gave up. ( changed it for 5k along with timing belt kit from INK 9K)
1.5L kms
6121d1a1-bfe1-4b35-9c27-ebc1baa15f82_49485c31-3f38-416f-92d3-38a546f5f1af_2048x.jpg


1.8L kms
  • Frontal damage hit on a deep pit, ( radiator damage along with plastic frame) Radiator replaced with front Frame
  • New front bumper with grills
WhatsApp Image 2024-07-24 at 3.10.37 PM.jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2024-07-24 at 3.10.37 PM (1).jpeg


1.95L kms-
WhatsApp Image 2024-07-24 at 3.22.24 PM (1).jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2024-07-24 at 3.22.24 PM.jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2024-07-24 at 3.22.19 PM.jpeg


condition of car now!

WhatsApp Image 2024-07-24 at 3.22.20 PM (2).jpeg
WhatsApp Image 2024-07-24 at 3.22.21 PM.jpeg
WhatsApp Image 2024-07-24 at 3.22.22 PM.jpeg
WhatsApp Image 2024-07-24 at 3.22.20 PM.jpeg
WhatsApp Image 2024-07-24 at 3.22.20 PM (3).jpeg
WhatsApp Image 2024-07-24 at 3.22.20 PM (1).jpeg
WhatsApp Image 2024-07-24 at 3.22.21 PM (2).jpeg


I was almost in thoughts of selling the car, market cost was around 2.5 to 3L, but after calculating i had already spent more than a lack of repairs on major parts, which would give life of another 5 years, as new cars are almost 5 time the price, had decided to take over and maintain as overall cost would be much lesser to maintain than sell and get a new car, i had understood value of a diesel car with good engine with VW quality,

As car was kept idle and was not taken care at all, above is the condition, will be trying to bring it back to its prime.
 
Thread Starter #40
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