May be trading the Phin for a GTI 337, updates later today..

SKareKrow · 08-06-2002, 09:37 AM

formerly dennisA4 · 08-06-2002, 09:50 AM

And i don't like silver on any car, that rules out the 337. ;o)
Keep us updated. That thing hauls major ass!

woofpup · 08-06-2002, 10:01 AM

docjan_uk · 08-06-2002, 10:07 AM

woofpup · 08-06-2002, 10:12 AM

like in our U.S.-spec two-door-only GTIs.

The flaw is that the top of the door forms a sort of curved lip that goes over an outer, smooth rubber, weather stripping. This is well and good until the chassis on the car flexes, causing the door to move different in relation to the door frame. This causes that top part of the door to rub against the weather stripping, causing a rubbing/squeaking noise. It's especially bad on the two door models because the doors are so long. Dealers and owners just get around it by putting silicone lubricant on the weather strip, but of course, that doesn't last forever.

The other problem with the doors is that this flexing also causes the door striker to rub against the inside plastic housing in the door that it closes into. This causes a horrible creaking, even with lubrication after a while, and dealers end up having to play around with striker alignment until it goes away. It's difficult to get it in that sweet spot position while still having the door shut and line up properly AND without making the rubbing at the top worse.

cbell · 08-06-2002, 10:15 AM

My '96 GTI VR6 had the squeeky doors bad, like where the door met the frame, and the plastic they used was hard as hell and would make the worst noise, drove me nuts. The car also had 17'w/35 series on full suspension, sway bars, and stress bars front to rear, so the ride was tight but way too much noise.

I too really like the 337 GTI and if it would've come out before my new A4 I probably would've bought one, but now that I've gone Audi it would take alot to go back to the VW.

cbell · 08-06-2002, 10:16 AM

You hit it right on, drove me nuts

woofpup · 08-06-2002, 10:17 AM

Singletrack · 08-06-2002, 10:48 AM

YZ · 08-06-2002, 10:54 AM

This is my 4th dub, a 337... and I've never heard of a door design flaw. That's bs.

08-06-2002, 09:37 AM	#1
SKareKrow AudiWorld Super User Account #: 21336 Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 7,685	May be trading the Phin for a GTI 337, updates later today..

08-06-2002, 09:50 AM	#2
formerly dennisA4 AudiWorld Super User Account #: 28728 Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 9,279	Those things are awesome, just don't know if I could go back to the poorer fit/finish of vw And i don't like silver on any car, that rules out the 337. ;o) Keep us updated. That thing hauls major ass! __________________

08-06-2002, 10:01 AM	#3
woofpup Senior Member Account #: 19819 Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 5,424	Yeah - my major gripe about my old GTI? The horrible design flaw of the doors.

08-06-2002, 10:07 AM	#4
docjan_uk Member Account #: 29947 Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 16,990	please elaborate..i like hearing bad things about cars :p __________________ ----AWOT braintrust member # 1----

08-06-2002, 10:12 AM	#5
woofpup Senior Member Account #: 19819 Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 5,424	It's not too bad on the four door VWs, but the two doors really show the flaw (more) like in our U.S.-spec two-door-only GTIs. The flaw is that the top of the door forms a sort of curved lip that goes over an outer, smooth rubber, weather stripping. This is well and good until the chassis on the car flexes, causing the door to move different in relation to the door frame. This causes that top part of the door to rub against the weather stripping, causing a rubbing/squeaking noise. It's especially bad on the two door models because the doors are so long. Dealers and owners just get around it by putting silicone lubricant on the weather strip, but of course, that doesn't last forever. The other problem with the doors is that this flexing also causes the door striker to rub against the inside plastic housing in the door that it closes into. This causes a horrible creaking, even with lubrication after a while, and dealers end up having to play around with striker alignment until it goes away. It's difficult to get it in that sweet spot position while still having the door shut and line up properly AND without making the rubbing at the top worse.

08-06-2002, 10:15 AM	#6
cbell New Member Account #: 37111 Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 22	I understand My '96 GTI VR6 had the squeeky doors bad, like where the door met the frame, and the plastic they used was hard as hell and would make the worst noise, drove me nuts. The car also had 17'w/35 series on full suspension, sway bars, and stress bars front to rear, so the ride was tight but way too much noise. I too really like the 337 GTI and if it would've come out before my new A4 I probably would've bought one, but now that I've gone Audi it would take alot to go back to the VW.

08-06-2002, 10:16 AM	#7
cbell New Member Account #: 37111 Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 22	Re: It's not too bad on the four door VWs, but the two doors really show the flaw (more) You hit it right on, drove me nuts

08-06-2002, 10:17 AM	#8
woofpup Senior Member Account #: 19819 Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 5,424	Your ride with the GTI 337 will be MUCH harsher than the A4, just as a warning to you :)

08-06-2002, 10:48 AM	#9
Singletrack AudiWorld Super User Account #: 25380 Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 16,037	I don't know, I really dig the interior of the 337 with those cool Recaros. __________________ 2008(9?) S5 - ordered 3/29/08 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STi 2000 A6 2.7T - Sold "On the run from Johnny Law; ain't no trip to Cleveland."

08-06-2002, 10:54 AM	#10
YZ New Member Account #: 35959 Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 31	What design flaw of the doors??? This is my 4th dub, a 337... and I've never heard of a door design flaw. That's bs. __________________ ---------- YZ '02 GTI 337

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