New Car = No / Modify Existing = Yes

[RichLCR225]

Hi people, I just thought I would tell you about some recent thoughts I have had with regard to my car as I wondered if anyone else ever has similar ideas!

I have owned my 54 plate Platinum Grey LCR since new and just after the car turned two years old I started thinking about a new car with all the features that my LCR doesn't have, for example, cruise control, better handling and xenons.

You know how it is, I got a bit bored with my car/envious of people with shiny new cars.

After many test drives and loads of research I drew up a short list:

Golf R32 - £12k to £14k to change = Dreamland

Golf GTI - Didn't actually get my heart racing that much!

Subaru Impreza 2.5 WRX = Leon IMO looks much better + plasticky interior

Used Audi A3 3.2 V6 - Worried about potential used car problems

Used Mitsubishi Evo 260 - Fuel and servicing costs + the FQ owners don't seem to have a high opinion of these entry level EVO's!

Hours and hours I spent trawling the internet for information on these cars reading reviews and thinking to myself do I really want to get rid of my wonderful LCR, the first 'new car' I have ever bought.

My conclusion has been to keep my LCR as after spending time on this excellent forum and reading some very useful threads from knowledgeable people, I have realised that everything I want can actually be done by choosing some carefully selected mods and using trusted and recommended garages and contacts. I am now really enjoying planning what mods to do first and speaking with like minded enthusiasts for advice on how to improve my car.

Has anyone else done this kind of thing, what mods did you do to your car to keep those new car ideas at bay?

 

[cliveyp]

Definately the right choice! Occasionally i look at Astra VXr's and Focus RS's and think i wouldn't mind one, but then, i get in the LCR and decide i'm completely happy. Absolutely no thoughts to sell mine in teh next few years.

If i was you, i'd start with the re-map, filter and DV, almost makes it feel like a different car!

 

[Ju.]

I've had mine over 2 years now and have no plans to change it in the near future, every time I drive it I love it!!!

The modding bug got me a long time before you though .

So far I've done the following mods

APR switchable through Cruise control with 3 different maps
Dynatwist with Cupra Championship CAI
Hyperboost DV
Samco Upper and lower Boost hoses
Samco TIP
Silverline X coilovers
Eibach Front/Rear anti roll bars
S3 strut brace
Dog bone mount
Forge shortshift

All the above have had a positive effect on the car so would recommend any of them and if your anywhere near Bradford then your welcome to come and sample them

 

[UncleFester]

Agreed with the above. Rather than wait till i got bored, i just did mine in the first 6 months on the basis that i knew i'd do it anyway so rather than do it over 2 or 3 years and sell it just as i finished it, i'd have all the changes i wanted done for the entire period of ownership.

Ok mine is a derv and not an LCR but I think i've improved things along the same lines as anyone else irrespective of engine type.

CC Ph1 Remap & green panel filter ( company largely irrelevant)
Allards Helix friction disc to replace stock item.
Eibach Prokit shocks and springs
Eibach 25mm F+R Anti Roll bar kit
OMP Upper and lower front brace & Custom rear brace
312mm Disc Conversion with EBC Red stuff and Braided hoses
Red cloth Recaro interior from a MK4 Golf - airbags connected - favourite mod
W8 light - cool and easy mod
S3 illuminated vents - as above
Centre Armrest ( is a must for long drives) - think i'm the only unbroken mr rabbity
Powerflex Dogbone bush upgrade
Powerflow decat and debox.
18" RS6 Wheels with Toyo T1-r tyres
A little bit of audio
HID Kit - stock lights are quite simply no comparison to these.
Bonnet seal - minor mod but keeps the engine bay SO much cleaner.

I really should give you a shout next time i'm at my folks place in Northallerton

 

[Dodson]

Hi mate, very good choice, i own a Leon Cupra and im no where near thinking of selling it yet, there is just so much potential for the 1.8T engine!

Usually i get rid of my car after 10mth - 1yr, ive had this 14 month now and im still in love!

My mods are in my siggy!!

 

[ajoellew]

I think you've made the right decision. For looks alone I don't there are many more handsome beasts about than an LCR, especially Platinum Grey which is a great colour. It's also nice to drive around is something a bit exclusive, since I bought my LCR 2 months ago I've only seen 3 others on the road. In a few years LCRs will be looked upon as classics, mark my words. And won't it be nice to own a mint example with a few subtle mods, that can still run rings around the latest hot hatches.

 

[Nathanio]

Cruise control can be added to the LCRs quite easily. IIRC wiring is already there (or needs a minor bit adding) and a new stalk. Am I right in thinking one of the sponser companies on here do the conversion inc fitting?

 

[RobM]

Cruise control can be added to the LCRs quite easily. IIRC wiring is already there (or needs a minor bit adding) and a new stalk. Am I right in thinking one of the sponser companies on here do the conversion inc fitting?

A few of them offer it. JKM do, I think Aweaome do too and I'm sure most VAG specialists offer it these days. Costs between £200 and £300 depending on engine type

 

[Ju.]

Costs between £200 and £300 depending on engine type

Or about £80 if you do it yourself

The LCR (and all 1.8T's IIRC) needs an extra loom to extend the wiring into the ECU

 

[ElasticTangent]

A few of them offer it. JKM do, I think Aweaome do too and I'm sure most VAG specialists offer it these days. Costs between £200 and £300 depending on engine type

Yeah, Awesome GTI do it for £149.

 

[RobM]

Yeah, Awesome GTI do it for £149.

For what car? Everywhere else has a price difference between petrol and diesel so if they do it all for the same price, that's pretty amazing!

 

[ElasticTangent]

Good question. The price is in the Leon section with the APR remap prices.

http://www.awesome-gti.co.uk/seat leon/engine.html

The APR software is for the 1.8T engine so I assume the LC and LCR.

Great guys at Awesome btw although a bit of a drive for you RobM.

 

[LCR64]

I ve had similar thoughts, bought the LCR from new and now had it 12 months. I ve looked at the S2000, STI PPP and Evo options.
Test drove the STI PPP and loved it but god its a drain to drive, relaxing and comfortable its not!
I only do 6k miles a year so running costs are manageable and I live in a semi rural location but something struck me the other day as I sat in traffic, I only get to use the power of the LCR maybe a couple of times a week due to rush hour, speed cameras/humps, the ever growing retired population of old dears on the road etc, that even if I had the STI PPP or EVO what would be the point??
Bragging rights aside it did nt make sense. The LCR performs so well because its just so flexible and performance wise it really comes into its own when its operating the wrong side of the speed limit at 70mph and way beyond. It s a great all rounder but because its so subtle its easy to forget it can really shift when you need it to. The looks will take years to fade and as you ve discovered the mods will keep it up to pace with all the newcomers. You ve made the right choice, stick with it and bring on the mods, or do like I m doing and spending the money I ve saved myself on a motocross bike or a kart!!!

 

[dj_hektik]

Good choice. The features you are looking for can easily be added to an LCR.

JE Design make "Real" xenon headlights - projector lenses, auto levelling and washers.

You can add cruise control. Search and you'll find guides and the parts you need.

Handling - this can easily be accomplished using the right parts - go for something good along the lines of H&R, Bilstein, Eibach etc, get an LSD from Quaife or Pelloquin, and better tyres. Would transform the car if setup correctly.

Other than that this forum is full of mod ideas from the mild fabia wiper to the extreme engine swaps and rollcages. Good luck!

 

[RobM]

You're lucky really, as everything about the car is good as standard but can be improved using off the shelf parts.... all for a reasonable price too!

Spend £1500 on the suspension to get Eibach springs, Koni FSD dampers, front and rear anti roll bars, dogbone mount and put some money aside for the little bits and bobs that come along with it.
Spend £500 on a Stage 1 remap as well as £400 on some good tyres and you'll have a very fast car that can actually use it's power.

Then spend £70 on a HID kit, or more on the full replacement light set as mentioned above. Spend £70 on a Forge short shifter and spend £200 on cruise control and you'll have the luxuries you want too.

Now let's be honest, all of that is far below the cost of trading the car in for something different yet I bet it would tick every box on your requirement list and will make the car feel very different to drive, so it would be fresh and new again. And I've not got OTT either, there is SO much more you can do if you wanted to or had the money.... LSD's, big turboi, full exhaust system, stage 2 remap.. the list is endless.

Whatever you do though, enjoy it