Is this the most modified VW Mk8 GTI in North America? | American Tuned ft. Rob Dahm

The Volkswagen GTI has sent many a VW nerd down the tuning rabbit hole. But for a tuning shop, every new model generation means a bunch of new products to bolt on, try out, and beta test. TG Tuning Correspondent Rob Dahm goes to Texas to check out BMP Tuning’s Pomelo-yellow GTI, the most heavily modified Mk8 GTI in North America - apparently - all in the name of finding the best bolt-ons available.
Subscribe to Top Gear for more videos: bit.ly/SubscribeToTopGear
WATCH MORE TOP GEAR:
First Looks: bit.ly/TGFirstLooks
First Drives: bit.ly/TGFirstDrives
American Tuned ft. Rob Dahm: bit.ly/TGAmericanTuned
LISTEN to the Top Gear Magazine Podcast: topgear.podlink.to/Podcast
Sign up for our newsletter: www.topgear.com/newsletter-si...
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:27 Mk8 GTI Walkaround
02:26 Modding
05:09 Talking to Autrey
06:48 Dyno Shop
09:18 Drive
11:43 Rob’s Drive
13:43 Conclusion
MORE ABOUT TOP GEAR:
Welcome to the official home of Top Gear on KZbin. Here you'll find all the best clips from your favourite episodes, whether that’s Ken Block drifting London in the Hoonicorn, Chris Harris in the latest Porsche 911 GT3 or classic Top Gear clips from Clarkson, Hammond and May. You'll also find the latest performance car reviews from the TopGear.com crew, our brand new series American Tuned with Rob Dahm and the fastest power laps from our in house performance benchmark: The Stig.
This is a commercial channel from BBC Studios.
Service & Feedback www.bbcstudios.com/contact/co...

[@TopGear]

Name your top 5 Golf/Rabbit tuning parts below

[@Stadpad]

my favorite parts i have are: 6 piston calipers, carbon fiber steering wheel, euro spec GTI seats, carbon fiber vented hood and my new engine 😂

[@TiagoIsraelcarxstreet09]

please put subtitles in Portuguese

[@seanhauer2861]

Adjustable air ride is my favourite. The part they missed was the L.E.D. Volkswagen logos on front and back which I've seen and looks INSANE at night.

[@BMPTuning]

Thank you guys so much again for the opportunity, it was great meeting you all and as a follow-up, we might or might not have blown the factory motor since this was shot! 😅 #bmptuning

[@eclpzze4166]

Quick question guys. Will MK7 golf suspension fit the MK8? TIA! ive purchased a lot from BMP!!

[@esu2537]

​@@eclpzze4166 Yes most coilovers for the mk7 fit the mk8. Alot of mk7/mk7/.5 parts fit, for example if you have a manual you can get a mk7 short shifter and it'll fit on the mk8.

[@eclpzze4166]

@@esu2537 perfect because i have my airlift bags and soon ill be buying a mk8 gti and i still have my intake, upgraded hpfp and intercooler ready to install haha

[@Bawla187]

😮

[@callumbillington8395]

You added a bolt on air filter and blew the engine up 🤔 -tuning- 🤣

[@-El_guerito]

Need to try tunedbyai for my next spoiler design.

[@Tiligent]

As a fellow mk8 driver this is my first GTI I’ve ever had & I wanted one since I was 14. I’m 28 now with a 2022 SE DSG & I’m so happy & so excited to get into modding / tuning I love doing my research on others this video was awesome thank you so much BMP! PS this is the HOTTEST HATCH AROUND 🔥

[@mirzamehmeti7263]

I know Autrey from way back and his cars have always been super clean and he’s a super nice guy too. Awesome episode

[@unitronic]

Autrey and the team from BMP Tuning certainly didn’t hold back with this GTI. Some nice Unitronic upgrades on display as well! 👏

[@bigk13]

Rob, you are an absolute asset to the Top Gear team. I have been a fan on and off for many years and can say you are my favorite to watch. Very well spoken and such a passion for the automotive industry. Keep it up, I'll be in the passenger seat the whole time. I'm a former owner of a tuned GTI and this video is getting me all riled up again to make some HP with my current current ride (Kona N). Oh...... 1) Wheels and Tires 2) Tune 3) Intake 4) Muffler Delete 5) Seat Time

[@Vesper778]

I'm glad with this direction that Top Gear is going, it is more relevant and connected with viewers. It is also surreal because I chat with Autrey all the time occasionally when I order stuffs from BMP and also from the GTI Facebook group that I'm with. Bravo.

[@CorpseExplosion]

Very diverse round up of cars this season! Really enjoyed every episode.

[@ShodakonFury]

I will never understand why so many cool looking builds are always thrown off or ruined by those roof carriers. This goes especially for VWs and Audis as they’re notorious for them.

[@Fanaleds-software]

Same here. Awesome R8, and then this huge roof carrier added. Same with this one. I don't understand.

[@paa_p]

The only question i have is why would you do all this work on a GTI instead of an R?

[@petekelly225]

He owns a store and it’s a way to showcase parts that he sells. He also has an R that’s he is collaborating with Unitronic on

[@paa_p]

@@petekelly225 Aah thats makes more sense

[@shockesta]

Alot of people think the gti is worse than r, but thats not entirely true, since gti is a bit cheaper because it lacks power and awd, that isnt a bad thing, a gti cuz its fwd, the weight is more towards the front end which makes cornering better, and the gti is lighter, which can mean sometimes that a tuned gti beats an r because it doesnt have more components since no awd making it lighter, and yea gti can in some situations be more fun that the r, and more intresting to drive and launch cuz again no awd. Tho the golf r launch is super fun the gti is funner in the corners.

[@paa_p]

@@shockesta Well ofcourse its worse right? It might be “fun” for corners but the AWD handling will always be safer right?

[@oskar6661]

And on the ugliest GTI ever made...in a piss-ugly colour...(and sadly I say this as a VW Golf guy)

[@tmanonzune]

Pretty awesome! VW Group makes tuning and moding their cars so accessible so props to them (specifically Audi in my case).

[@rickt.223]

1 car, 1 million opinions. I own a final-year, Cornflower Blue MK7.5 GTI with many (not all) upgrades purchased from BMP. Great shop with outstanding customer service. I’m generally not a fan of the MK8’s aesthetics. However, I’m slowly accepting it in the R variant as something I’d like to add next to my MK7.5. I just saw a glimpse of the MK8.5 GTI and am very curious about how the R might have been updated. Thanks for the entertaining video. I really enjoyed it…

[@chrisreeves2490]

I also have a cornflower blue mk7.5 gti there sooo fun

[@clarenceperkins3115]

Oh this is awesome! BMP is full of wholesome dudes!

[@DailyOwnSupercars]

Thought it was a R but for a Gti this thing looks incredible,great work.

[@mrkryptic9425]

This car was my way into the modding of the Mk8 Gti and I really enjoyed you guys covering it.

[@Nuggetfinatic2166]

As an Aussie who’s really into cars and modifying them, it’s super cool to see flow designs splitters and diffusers in such a big market like the US! Having had a few of their splitter and diffuser kits on my cars they are indestructible and look super cool 😆

[@BMPTuning]

They are so awesome to work with, such good people!

[@Nuggetfinatic2166]

@@BMPTuning are you guys making more sets of those custom Pretoria’s?? One of the best looking wheels I’ve ever seen! Would love to get my hands on a set in say 18’s or 19’s 😍

[@Lewis_Treff97]

That's one of the nicest mk8 Golf. Colour coded roof boxes always seem to work too.

[@jacksonm.6549]

I'm from South Africa, where we have the biggest VW community outside of Germany. The only Golf I've seen on an American show was the one driven by Penny in The Big Bang Theory. This video was such a pleasure to see! I thought Americans were all about muscle cars and big SUV's.

[@ic3dragons223]

Many ppl like hatchbacks and have their communities.

[@zcat1006]

I love actually communicating with another human from a different country. You soon find out the perceived perception is not set in stone. Not everyone here is fat and driving bread vans !!

[@user-rb1yf4he9q]

I run Unitronic stage 3 software in my DSG equipped MkV. Along with installed LSD, suspension mods, and various lightening mods I really have a blast either in the men twisties or running a time attack lap.

[@seanrobinson1780]

Very cool build. Curious though for the money put into it, wouldn't the R have been a better base so you can take advantage of AWD?

[@MajesticMalice]

Hell yeah, great to see BMP here 🎉🎉🎉

[@yousmoketrim135i]

Top Gear talking about "bolt ons" culture is what I neeeeed. Thank you Rob 🤝

[@TopGear]

🤝

[@R19Robbin]

Bro got a matching roof box 🔥🔥

[@vr6gls]

Been a customer of BMP tuning for years. Aubrey is an awesome guy. Great episode Top Gear! 👍🏾

[@MEatRHIT2009]

Seems like a fun car but those rear brakes look about 3 sizes too small.

[@BMPTuning]

They are larger than factory, fwiw.@@MEatRHIT2009

[@sibat82eg]

Autrey** I'm sure it was probably auto correct lol

[@ImCrackedAF]

you dont need large rear brakes, all they do, at least on the golf platform, is engage the parking brake. the fronts do all of the actually braking@@MEatRHIT2009

[@TheKingkingg]

Looks awesome, I might do something similar to my type S

[@MoisesEduardo-gy6py]

Never seen a stock GTI do burnouts, nice work!

[@GregsTurtleHaven]

I miss my modified 24v vr6 GLi. Something about Vw’s and tuning them is so rewarding and they look fantastic with even the slightest exterior mods tweaks.

[@daytoncorl271]

Yeah dude😏my cars FBO, I fully bolted on Stage 3+ E85 19” rims

[@Helstrong]

AUBREY! Great dude, super helpful. Living the dream, brother.

[@axe2grind244]

I have an ‘03 VR6 that I love. Yea it’s a little boxy, may smell like crayons and it’s got a big 6cyl lump up front but it sounds amazing and drives amazing.

[@STAG162]

Here's a conundrum - do you go for a new car that you can modify at will, with parts available for it everywhere, or do you have a retro car that barely has any support for parts (even from similar/wrecker cars), let alone aftermarket? The retro car retains the cool-factor (especially those with pop-ups) because they're barely seen on the roads anymore. Kids love them, but they always love something they can't get access to. But getting a newer car gets them neck-deep in debt once they get the mods going. I was lucky enough to get my 4th gen Celica modded when its mods were being phased out. It still looks cool and snaps necks wherever it goes.

[@edwardramos9666]

Very unique! fun video to watch.

[@jan-louisvondempter1533]

This is so clean looks amazing 🔥🔥🔥

[@travis7537]

Yo I just gotta say that roof box that's color matches the car is so sick!!!!!! Peeps don't under estimate the roof boxes those should be optional at dealers , awesome ride good job bro! I have this vid in my favs now tha k you

[@enjoyvride]

Overall excellent video, but I really miss the static shots where you can fully appreciate the beauty of the car and take in all of its details without awkward pausing. I started filming some cars for that reason. ;)

[@Cherub77]

Anyone know the size of that Thule box?

[@markusmcgee]

Dallas has almost destroyed my Golf R suspension lol. Going to go stage 1 or 1.5 someday.

[@twentieth_r]

That APR intake has some manufacturing issues. Mines been on my 20th Anniversary R for 3 months, it's plastic is too brittle. The cold weather has caused breakages on the filter mounting lip, which my turbo would have eaten if I hadn't spotted it, taking the intake off to do the charge pipes. (This is the only time it's been taken off since installed). The open ended mounting point that rests in the grommet between the battery and the driver side light assembly also broke, just gently pulling it off the mounting grommet. Pipe is also soft - very soft, especially when you've been driving hard for a bit - it feels significantly more squishy than when it's cold.

[@CLCIII]

Really nice build! I would definitely rock the look, but skip the harsh ride and just enjoy the airbags as intended for looks and comfort.

[@RazzmanMK8]

Wow i didnt expect BMP to be on top gear.

[@Wormweed]

That's a really nice looking Golf!

[@williamk1800]

I used to have VWs and Autrey/BMP was always awesome to buy from, and chat with.

[@Statimtek]

Nice. So are roof boxes a thing now in the custom car world? I see a lot of them at custom car shows in the UK and Europe. Seems like an odd feature and it takes away from the car’s profile.

[@Smitleyjd]

Bigger turbo? Was hoping to see at least mk7 IS20 power numbers considering mk8 has better fueling. Disappointing seeing as my mk7 made just over 350 wheel stock turbo just hpfp

[@giftndinisathomas2554]

Blow off valve is the best bro 💪🏾😎😉

[@gotenianiki]

Without that weird hood and all the decals, this will look very mint.

[@LARGE_COKE]

Im from the UK, is 93 Oct the standard pump fuel over there? Can you get 99 Oct at pump? (I know you guys can get E60-85) As I can see a considerable difference in tuning from that 93 compared to 99 that we use as a standard for pump fuel map here. (Specifically talking GTI's here my friend has a MK8 stage 2 and is running 380 hp at crank and it is no where near as modified as this but I'm assuming power is not his goal with this build.)

[@ChutneyGames]

They are actually about the same European measurement for octane and American are different

[@paulbaker4941]

That box on the top😂😂😂

[@zachogdahl210]

American tuned should really do an episode on aardema braun and their hand built race engines. The v12s they have built are incredible.

[@Nelbone]

Autrey is a class act. Bought many things through BMP and their service is top notch.

[@grecoconduris6716]

Thanks for sharing, very interesting. Not a dig at this vehicle, but I'm genuinely interested. Why go to all the trouble of all the handling mods that are race car like and then put it on air suspension?

[@BMPTuning]

This was on air before the additional suspension mods were added, we had intended to swap a set of KW V3s on the car after SEMA but purchased a Golf R instead - so a lot of the suspension goodies on this car will go to the R and this will remain a pretty thing instead of a track thing :D

[@grecoconduris6716]

@@BMPTuning oh I see, thanks of the reply.

[@av_balls]

Hot hatches all day everyday 🔥❤️ What a stunner that car, damn!

[@Amigothemango]

It looks so clean. Bravo to the guy who owns it!

[@elbotsito-th4gp]

Rob is goals!

[@user-mn8lz7gf6d]

love the look.

[@bebespurs]

Who knows, what those railings are? They look slick!

[@urbanstrencan]

Would love to see their take and work on Cupra Born EV :)

[@MetalJesusRocks]

At 13:42 that’s the sound of the dreaded “Travel Assist” error. Ask me how I know 😜

[@mcrumley86]

Do you need to worry about replacing the clutch on a manual mk8 with a stage 1 or stage 2 tune?

[@Trippymk8]

More like for stage 3 & up . I’m e85 stage 2

[@BMPTuning]

Yes, anything beyond Stage 1+ I would highly recommend a replacement clutch to avoid unwanted strandings lol

[@nomsi4263]

Content like this is good

[@gruppegee]

Thumbs down for the air suspension, defeats the entire purpose of a hot hatch for me

[@Maticus_]

Oh hey, I probably helped finance that car a little bit 🤣 I don't know how this took me three months to find. Love hanging out with the BMP crew.

[@mahmoudminkara]

Looks Amazing. Can take better looking Rims in black.

[@APRtube]

MK8's looking great! #goapr

[@helensansor2008]

Rob always pushes the limits.

[@Cannibust]

Probably the first yellow car I think looks sick. Good watch.

[@barrywilliams9698]

Why do they always drop the air lift suspension so low when its parked. Makes it look like its broken down waiting for a tow truck.

[@jaimegonzalez4773]

THATS MY SHOP!!!! LETS GOOOOOOOOO

[@Bawla187]

Those rims🔥🔥🔥

[@gangapurnasandagomi9454]

Rob is doing great ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

[@Freddy_Confetti]

The baby shyt green is nice

[@lowrideza]

South Africa Approves... Nice

[@tustyram1756]

Beautiful car💯

[@raphiology]

no fan infront of the dyno when doing pulls. of course its gonna heatsock even with the biggest intercooler

[@Alphatec-sk8qh]

What the name of the wheel, i need it

[@septopus3516]

No race harness? No bucket seats?

[@myshots101]

Never stiffen your suspension to that extreme if it's a daily driver, your kidneys will thank you. I guess I'm just old too.

[@Mbamwene]

how much can i buy it the way it is

[@user-ul4wy2lx2m]

If I had money I would totally improve my mk7.5 with all the bells and whistles. This is over the top 😂. I did put a k *n air filter and apr rotors and red stuff pads but others than that it’s stock 😊

[@thepiratepenguin_]

Not a huge fan of the Mk8 GTI in stock form, but this one is very nicely built.

[@arctictruck10]

Needs a lower profile cargo box

[@tshegofatsosekgothe1694]

Love from South Africa

[@paparrinafp5357]

Excelente 👌

[@rjaybruhh]

*_We can't ever have this on California 😭_*

[@sigerfjording]

the best mod must be the numberplates

[@YG-nq9yc]

come to chatsworth or phoenix boss

[@omerbarbash8520]

what he put on the roof of the car?

[@United_Wings]

Omg, its beautiful

[@ryanloughlin3485]

I love my MK8 so much its so much fun to drive, after the warranty is up im tuning the crap out of her lmao

[@christopherbarker9133]

Did this GTI have a upgraded turbo?

[@BMPTuning]

At the time of this recording, there were not available turbo upgrades, but now there is software/support for Garretts PMax turbo as well as the Golf R turbo swap made by Continental :D

[@carlossebastianriosfelix3492]

This thing rips, wife said no more mods for me :/

[@sufianqureshi]

shoutout bmp🎉

[@jacobkaunda2906]

I love it when a car look that aggressive

[@EmihleSibiya_144]

This is litteraly every single Golf in South Africa 😅

[@videowsatcher]

Great build but, a knocking stiff suspension wouldn't be for me.

[@TheJamesLykins]

So Rob works at Top Gear now?

[@JorgeCabrera-zh7yr]

Not a fan of dyno tuning street tuning will always be best its where the car is going to 100 percent of the time

[@ryankeegan1542]

Just curious - How much does the build stand you at?

[@BMPTuning]

Are you referring to $ spent? Cause thats something I usually try and avoid LOLOL

[@ryankeegan1542]

Yeah just wonder how much you'd have to put into a project like that to get it to that standard.... looks n sound awesome 👌

[@BMPTuning]

We are pretty easily in at the entire cost of the car new or more at this point, but I would say if you were to get a MK8 GTI most people would be in the 5-10k range in mods and be happy.@@ryankeegan1542

[@vinreddy]

If less is more, imagine how much more more could be.