2017 VW Alltrack - Nimble9's first Euro Car aka the DadWagon

Hello and welcome to the dadwagon build! (no, I'm not a dad yet, but I DO have the dad bod on lock)

Up to date photo here:

9/30/2021




I had been loving my 2007 Subaru Forester X for the past 3 years, but the time came to upgrade to a newer daily.

I had been searching for something that had good mpg, awd, and tons of space. I first test drove a Lexus IS250 AWD but I'm far too large to fit in it very comfortably, so I narrowed it down to a 2017 Subaru Outback 3.6r and a 2017 VW Golf Alltrack. The Outback had more features but was like driving a recliner or a nerf ball, especially with that CVT. It was literally less fun to drive than my Tacoma.

Subaru Outback Test Drive



The Alltrack was a 1 owner car, bought brand new in Harrisburg and always maintained at the dealer. An average of 12,892 miles driven a year with thorough and complete service records felt reassuring, and it was accident free with a clean title all according to the CarFax. The clean records and very good price with all of the features (driver assist, upgraded fender stereo) all drew me to this car. After the test drive on the Alltrack my mind was all but made up and I put a deposit down.

Alltrack Test Drive



Needless to say I bought the Alltrack after the Faulkner Volkswagen completed the DSG service, New spark plugs, and Moon roof maintenance.

Current Mods here!

Exterior

• 15% Ceramic Tint w/ Banner from The Tint Shop LLC
• Weathertech window rain vents
• 1up flush mount bike racks
• OEM Estate Side Spoilers

Wheels and Tires

• 18x8 +34 VW OEM Prisma's (off VW Atlas)
• 225/45r18 Kuhmo Majesty Tires
• 10mm ECS Spacers for the rear

Interior

• -

Suspension

• -

Engine and Exhaust

• Integrated Engineering Cold Air Intake V1
• CTS Turbo Inlet Pipe

Misc:

• OEM CarGo blocks

Removed Mods:

• OEM+ Intake - grill inlet opened, snow guard removed, silicone inlet pipe, K&N drop in filter

Future mods here!

• Headlights - https://www.bmptuning.com/products/bec-hid-eds-lp-style-headlights-mk7-5?variant=18311244480630
• Stage 1 tune to go from 170 hp and 199 tq to 250 hp and 293 tq. - https://www.getunitronic.com/ecu-tuning/vw-golf-alltrack-18L-TSI-2017-stage1plus or JB4 Piggyback
• Turbo Muffler Delete - https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-parts/turbo-muffler-delete-pipe/019330ecs01kt/
• Downpipe -
• Coilovers - https://www.ecstuning.com/b-solo_werks-parts/mk7-gti-solo-werks-s1-coilovers/s1vw012~sow/
• Rear sway bar and end links
• Euro Switch - https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bremmen...qom-RYYGvscwOPu6fwlUpMnZES4Sbxd8aAjuBEALw_wcB
• - OEM Euro Variant/Estate Rear Fin Spoilers 5G9-805-945-041 & 5G9-805-946-041 - http://e-acca.com - ordered some cheapies on ebay
• LED foglight conversion - https://deautokey.com/product/new-de360-complete-led-fog-light-kit-fits-2015-mk7-golf

VCDS Links

• https://sites.google.com/a/naturaln...ds-how-to/comfort/enable-fob-with-car-running
  
• https://www.golfmk7.com/forums/inde...oors-from-outside-with-engine-running.348209/
  
• https://www.vwvortex.com/threads/what-do-i-need-for-vag-com.4058520/
  
• https://www.totalcardiagnostics.com/learn/scan-modify-audi-volkswagen-using-vag-com/
  
• https://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/

 

Maintenance records here!

• 51,155 | DSG Service, New Spark Plugs, Moon Roof lubed and Drains checked
• 59306 - 3/19/2022 - Heinst oil filter, liqui-moly 5w-40
• 65705 - 10/12/2022 - Heinst oil filter, liqui-moly 5w-40 and tire rotation
• 68,557 - carbon cleaning and haldex service
• 69516 - 3/26/2023 - Heinst oil filter, liqui-moly 5w-40 - full drain new OEM Corteco plug
• 73445 - 10/22/2023 Heinst oil filter, liqui-moly 5w-40
  

 

FOR MY OWN RECORDS:

Faulkner Volkswagen Listing



CarGurus Listing



Original listing images:









































The keen eye folks will have noticed a few things, like the headliner showed no signs of leaks, the car was not detailed before these photos, and the rear passenger vent tab was missing.

Before I put a deposit down I was assured the vent tab would be replaced no problem. Well 2.5 hours before I was scheduled to pick it up they called and said the tab is part of an entire vent assembly that costs $300 and because they did a lot of extra maintenance for me for free, they couldn't go through with the repair on the rear vents as well.

Strange because I was told they were going to order the part earlier this week, but I can't complain as the price I would have paid to have the DSG serviced along with fresh spark plugs and a moon roof service would be significantly more.

The best part is I already had a backup plan if they bailed on the vent tab - Venttabs.com has a product that almost zip ties on and replaces a missing or broken tab for $13 shipped!



Vent tab install video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpXCsGM0G3k

These things are clever and I'm glad they exist! Anyways, only 2.5 hours before I pick up my new daily!

 

Future mods here!

• Stage 1 tune to go from 170 hp and 199 tq to 250 hp and 293 tq. - https://www.getunitronic.com/ecu-tuning/vw-golf-alltrack-18L-TSI-2017-stage1plus
• Diverter Valve - https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-par...diverter-valve-spacer-black/025254ecs01-01~a/
• Turbo Muffler Delete - https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-parts/turbo-muffler-delete-pipe/019330ecs01kt/
• Intake -
• Turbo Inlet -
• Downpipe -
• Coilovers - https://www.ecstuning.com/b-solo_werks-parts/mk7-gti-solo-werks-s1-coilovers/s1vw012~sow/
• Rear sway bar and end links

Useful Links!

• VCDS - https://www.ross-tech.com/
• JB1 / JB4 - https://burgertuning.com/products/jb1-jb4-group-1-vag-tuner
• VwVortex Lowering Options for Alltracks - https://www.vwvortex.com/threads/lowering-options-for-alltrack.8939825/
• MyMk7 (guy who tests everything) - https://mygolfmk7.com/

 

Goals but in Night Blue Metallic:



Suspension:
034 Camber Plate Mounts
034 Dynamic+ Springs for Golf R
Bilstien B4 Struts/Shocks - Golf R
TT Rear Spring Pads

Wheels/Tires:
18x8 BBS CH
et40
245/40/18

 

Officially mine and I love it!

 

Spent a few hours Saturday getting the Alltrack to where I want it.

started with a much deeper detailing job



Cleaned the exhaust tips







Redid the interior and washed and waxed the outside but forgot to take photos. I purposely went through a touch less car wash to test the panoramic roof for leaks and none appeared so that’s great.

Also sport mode in this thing is fun af. I really like this car, and now I just have to build my tools around it

 

Fully support this purchase! I've had 2 DSG equipped VW's they're the smoothest, most responsive AT I've ever owned. I did not realize you could tune that turbo for so much more power!

 

Thanks! And agree I love the DSG. I think it’s like 8 millisecond shifts, and the DSG farts with a modified exhaust are funny. I learned that happens from retarding ignition when shifting is taking place, and that’s the unburnt fuel in the exhaust igniting.

As far as tuning these things can make a decent amount of power stock with a tune, and even more with supporting mods. The day warranty is up hellllooooo tune!

 

Tint Notes:

Horst Sign in Myerstown PA - $350-$400 for every window including brow, booked until mid September

Hostile Customs in Bernville PA - $399 +$60 for a brow for ceramic or $285+ $60 for standard, booked until August 16th

Ozone Tint in York PA - won't pick up the phone but they did a great job on my Forester for around $200 IIRC

ITG Glass company - Carbon tint, $75 per window plus $50 for a brow WAYYY overpriced at 9 windows on the wagon at $725 total

The Tint Shop LLC - Can literally get me in, $440 for everything with ceramic tint, $240 with standard tint.

 

My friend is putting his back to stock to sell. 2017 like yours - only 30,800 miles.

Any interest in the Golf R HID Projectors?

 

Those prices are CHEAP! What kind of film?

 

No idea I guess I should ask lol

 

I'm picky about films. LOL!

Do you know what %'s you're planning on having installed?

 

I like 15% on everything and maybe a darker brow like 5%.

Tinted windows have saved me a bunch of times when driving home and I have a migraine. That's actually the main reason why I always get it done

 

Yeah feel free to PM me! they're PnP right?

 

Needless to say, I found a shop that had an opening today lol



15% ceramic tint all the way around in a few short hours

 

LOL! You went straight from beater to prized possession! LOL!

 

haha I don’t think I own anything I consider a prized possession, but now that I’m older I’m more “buy once cry once” lol

15% ceramic tint all the way around

 

So I need to design some brackets to hold my existing Thule sidearm bike racks to be surface mount using the factory bars.

With the moon roof open this is how much clearance is available: