Yup, sunrayman {knowingly} bought a (highly) modified 2019 VW Golf R in LA (Lower Alabama) in Feb 2023. While oh-fish-u-al-lee street legal (titled, registered & current license plate), I had to have it delivered to NW FL via enclosed trailer since its lowered stance would not traverse a deck of playing cards without scraping its chin spoiler! After spoiler removal, re-installation of some stock height springs and some other civilizing measures all accomplished by a local (NW FL) VW repair shop, I had a hoot driving it last summer.
This spring, it became UNreliable. It would die while underway (as the Brits would say), & would not restart immediately. It would usually restart after no less than 2 hours, and sometimes as long as 36 hours. It is currently not starting after several weeks.
My current local mechanic, Nate, formerly worked @ the local VW dealership (which declined to work on the engine saying it had to many after market parts–they however did fix defective interior items under Warranty). Nate now works @ independent local repair garage. Nate has diagnosed the problem as a “ghost” in engine software. The engine receives conflicting instructions and reacts by shutting down. He does not have the capability to fix/reprogram it. He found a VW performance shop in Tampa that can. I shipped that Golf R to them.
Me? Tired of the tribulations, I bought a new Golf R on the next Saturday. I was once again enjoying “Happy Motoring”.
sunray
a man telling an unfolding story
p.s. I got the car fixed & sold it to a dealership in Tampa earlier this month!
{IMAGINE a smiley face here for the conclusion of this saga}
p.p.s. The ghost was caused by intermittent failures of both the aftermarket fuel pump & fuel pressure regulator. Shameless plug for that shop:
Vast Envisions Performance Shop
6028 W Linebaugh Ave, Tampa, FL