Building the ULTIMATE VW Golf Alltrack in 10 Minutes

[@Pain_Tin]

It's always a pleasure to watch the transition. Happy for you. May I ask what was the winter tire set up? Thanks

[@BrendonWagner]

I’m glad you enjoyed! I run a 215/55/17 vredestein quatrac pro as my “winter” on the stock wheels. They’re severe snow rated all seasons, but because we rarely get snow and the vredesteins handle deep snow and wet very well, I don’t have a true “winter” setup

[@Pain_Tin]

@@BrendonWagner Thank you for your respond. What about the Sparco Wheels and tires, which model are they? Looks like some sort rally type I can't figure it out.

[@oloyolo6711]

Awesome journey dude!

[@BrendonWagner]

Thank you!!

[@dzenannj]

I follow you on tiktok and this just showed up on my feed on youtube! Awesome man!!

[@BrendonWagner]

Hahaha that’s awesome, thanks!

[@tomg.4287]

Yeah that is a very sweet daily indeed 👍

[@BrendonWagner]

Thank you!

[@weareinflames]

Beautiful colour. Any tips on a newbie buying one? Things to look out for? Sneaky models/year to avoid? May get a 17 alltrack or a 19 sportwagen. Ill test drive them both but would love any notable differences of gains or losses in any aspect. Cheers.

[@BrendonWagner]

Thank you! Main things to note for the Mk7 gen (at least in the US) - 2015-2017 is MK7, 2018-2019 (for wagons) is mk7.5, which is the facelifted model with various updates - alltrack is AWD, sportwagen S can be had with awd from 2017-2019, mechanically the same from a powertrain standpoint but keeps regular golf wagon suspension and body (ie. alltrack has 55mm struts which is the same as GTI/R, sportwagen has 50mm like the regular golfs) - main issues on these platforms are panoramic sunroof leaks and (less frequently) water pumps and turbo actuator failure. Overall very reliable - being a german car, look out for solid maintenance records, for example, oil changes at the most every 10k miles, (if auto) DSG every 40k miles, haldex (AWD system) every 3 years, etc. Hope this helps and lmk if you have any other questions!

[@weareinflames]

@@BrendonWagner You're a gem, brother! Thank you. I might have more soon enough lol cheers man!

[@BrendonWagner]

@@weareinflames glad I could help!

[@ordinarycitizen5998]

Bro that's a nice trip to reach your goal!

[@BrendonWagner]

Thank you!

[@brodyvanunen]

Hey mate, love the build! Could you give me the specs of the tires and rims you used at the start of the video for off-roading?

[@BrendonWagner]

Thanks! They are Sparco Dakar wheels (17x7.5 et45) on a 225/55/17 Falken Wildpeak A/T tires, running all factory suspension components

[@rabo27]

Man!!! New sub from Mexico Hope to get ine soon and yours is an inspiration

[@BrendonWagner]

I appreciate it! Best of luck with your endeavors and goals!

[@Splendid_Lad]

Awesome wagon!

[@BrendonWagner]

Thank you!

[@FelipeBindo]

Awesome build man, keeping OEM+ its nice, just one question dude, it is a 1.8 Liter with a IS38 ? they dont make a 2.0 Liter EA888 Wagon in the states right ?

[@BrendonWagner]

Thank you! Correct, it’s a 1.8 EA888, the US unfortunately only had the 1.8 and eventually 1.4 gas engines, with a 2.0TDI in 2015

[@rosseaton89]

Are you still able to fold the R back seats down using the pull handles in the cargo area?

[@BrendonWagner]

There is a way to retro fit them by cutting and removing the seat backing and then restitching them, but I didn’t so my handles don’t do anything now

[@Robinscrypto]

Had an old spare turbo lying around from a mk7, threw it it, man the turbo lag is real, could only imagine what is38 would be like! Awesome build though.

[@BrendonWagner]

Thanks! Boost starts to kick in around 2700rpm which isn’t horrible but compared to the stock kicking in at 1400ish it’s definitely an adjustment

[@Robinscrypto]

@@BrendonWagner definitely. I only went is20 for now cause that’s really all I need. Stock clutch for now just got my Sportwagon less than 2 weeks ago lol. Is38 will come after everything supporting! Awesome build though gives me something to look forward too!

[@BrendonWagner]

@@Robinscrypto That's great! I've never driven an IS20 one, but I think it's probably the best of both worlds in terms of tuning these cars. Less turbo lag but enough power to be satisfied

[@Slowwagonftl]

Sadly IS38 + DP will never pass where I live… so Uni STG1 93 it is… Mines lowered, got a THICC rear sway bar and intake… and OSRAMs lol. Oh and a “OEM” short shifter kit ❤ Trying to decide if I should continue doing more stuff to my Alltrack or buy a used Sportwagen, strip it, coilovers brakes tune exhaust and send it at the track 🤔

[@BrendonWagner]

That’s unfortunate, what state do you live in? The build sounds good! I’m also debating on taking mine to the track haha

[@FlowStateNewOrleans]

I had a 2017 SEL that I put the IS20 in and some other minor mods. I sold that and bought a Stinger GT2 in 2020 and now I'm back in another Alltrack that has stock turbo and tune. Have you driven one with an IS20 in it to compare the two? If so, what do you think? Eventually, I'll upgrade some of the hardware on this one. Thinking about doing IS38 this time.

[@robertbennett5812]

i’ve had both on mine. downpipe and inlet pipe is all that’s really necessary, but an intake can add some fun noise and there are lots of other little upgrades you can do. the is20 is honestly a lot more fun around town as the spool is faster, but the is38 gives a true “big turbo” feel, it’s laggy with a really exciting high end and makes the car feel special. my current alltrack has an is20 and i like it a lot

[@BrendonWagner]

I haven't driven an is20, but like Robert said, I think the is20 is better for a daily and around town because the is38 does take some time to spool up

[@StealthGTI]

What size is your Thule cargo box? Thanks!

[@BrendonWagner]

I don't have the exact specs (I bought it used on Facebook), but it measures out to be around 6 feet 9" long and just under 2 feet wide

[@StealthGTI]

@@BrendonWagner - Thanks! That's the 11-cu/ft box. I have a 16 cf box by Yakima. It's quite large on my small GTI. The 11 may be a better fit for me; plus, it'll leave enough room for some of my crazy antenna stuff. It looks great on your car. Take Care! -Scott

[@BrendonWagner]

Thank you, you too!

[@joshbradford5017]

I’m just curious how much was it to have the is38 and clutch installed?

[@BrendonWagner]

I had the turbo, downpipe, clutch and intercooler installed at my VW dealership for just over $1,000 (they charged me labor +10%). Cheapest indy shop would have charged me around 2200 if I remember correctly

[@Bukovaty]

nice look

[@BrendonWagner]

Thanks!

[@TofuShop]

what clutch/flywheel did you go with? how does it feel vs stock? any chatter when city driving?

[@BrendonWagner]

I have the Southbend stage 2 daily clutch, I had a bit of chatter for the first few hundred miles when pressing in the clutch, but after a couple of weeks of driving it went away and now it’s perfectly smooth. I think it’s a great weight, not heavy at all but the perfect balance of having weight and also being very easy to drive

[@dianawagner5383]

Awesome!

[@badfordf150]

I miss my Mk7 AT. Unfortunately a moose decided it was a good idea to walk in front of me at 3am going into work one morning.

[@BrendonWagner]

That’s very unfortunate, I’m sorry to hear that

[@M_747]

❤👌👌👌

[@kevingrah32]

I crashed my tuned 2017 Alltrack, HPA is38, HPA six piston front brakes, unitronics cold air intake, unitronics inner cooler, unitronics downpipe, ST coilovers

[@BrendonWagner]

I’m sorry to hear that, it sounds like you had a great setup!

[@gpeaes]

Manual? Yeah not the ULTIMATE. I've had many manual high HP turbo cars, but for this car manual aint it. Sorry.