Car Gadgets & Features

[MrTomOates]

What type of gadgets, necessities or cool features have you purchased for your POLO's?

I never really purchased any gadgets for my previous car, but with it getting close to delivery day for myself and probably a lot of you; have you gone out and purchased some gadgets for your new car?

The only gadget of such I had in my previous car was probably the dash cam, never really set the date or time - just installed it for obvious reasons. I had an infotainment system built into the car as stock so an additional iPhone charger was lobbed into the car and kept there but that's about as much as it got for any cool additional gadgets.

I've gone and purchased the following so far;

- x2 0.3m iPhone chargers for the car to have for the 2 USB ports at the front.
- x1 Universal charger for the back seat USB port with lightning, USB-C and Micro USB for anybody with different phones for the back seat USB port.
- Just a standard Apple charger for the 2nd USB port at the back seats.
- Looking at having the VW rubber front and back mats with a boot load liner.
- Purchased some LYNX car fresheners (found them in Asda )

They're not really gadgets of such but I've not even received the car yet but I am prepared

Really interested in what people have purchased or have always used as a cool gadget for your car.

[MrTomOates]

If there's any cool gadgets listed by any of you guys, I'll probably end up picking up some if they interest me.
Spending spree incoming...

[lancslad1985]

My car came with a genuine vw/Apple cable so didn’t need that. I use auto finesse air fresheners as they come free with my detailing orders

The only thing I’ve bought was a defender pouch for my keys. I’ve stood next to the car with them in the pouch and it will not open. Think it was £5 off amazon.

[MrTomOates]

My car came with a genuine vw/Apple cable so didn’t need that. I use auto finesse air fresheners as they come free with my detailing orders

The only thing I’ve bought was a defender pouch for my keys. I’ve stood next to the car with them in the pouch and it will not open. Think it was £5 off amazon.

Ooooo, this sounds like something I'd need. Is it due to keyless entry that you got yourself the pouch?

[SRGTD]

No gadgets I’m afraid, but things that I consider to be important (to me) when I get a new car.

With my current car, one of the first things I bought was some touch up paint. Driving a car with visible stone chips would play havoc with my car OCD, and stone chips are unfortunately an inevitable consequence of owning and driving a car. However large or small the first stone chip is, it is always the worst one!

I also use a new car as an excuse to treat myself (and the car) to some new cleaning and detailing supplies as I like to try products I’ve not used before.

I got a pair of VW rubber mats for the front footwells the day I picked up my current car. VW carpet mats aren’t the best quality IMO, and rubber ones are more practical (especially during the winter months) and durable.

New wheels were also on my list, as the car came with diamond cut alloys which I’m really not a fan of. Didn’t get the wheels until I’d had the car a couple of months though as the choices are vast, and I needed to be sure I bought the ‘right’ set.

[S_94]

Some of the things I've done/fitted in the first year of ownership:

• Race Design Diffuser

• Race Design Front Splitter

• Race Design Spoiler (soon)

• GTI Door Lock Covers

• Hydraulic Bonnet Struts

• DSG Paddle Extenders

• Michelin Pilot Sport 4 Tyres

• 4D Plates

• Dashcam (front)

Some of the things I always have in the car:

• Tyre Pressure Pump

• Ice Scraper

• Emergency Escape Window/Seat Belt Smasher

• Alcohol Gel (useful after shopping/gym etc.)

• Tyre Pressure Gauge

Regarding the keyless entry. When you get out and lock the car with the fob, there's a small sort of indent on the handle. Press that within 5 seconds (I think) and the car will stop listening for the wireless signal. You'll need to actually use the fob next time you use the car. I'd still recommend a Faraday pouch for the keys just for peace of mind.

All this will be in the handbook when you get the car.

[lancslad1985]

My car came with a genuine vw/Apple cable so didn’t need that. I use auto finesse air fresheners as they come free with my detailing orders

The only thing I’ve bought was a defender pouch for my keys. I’ve stood next to the car with them in the pouch and it will not open. Think it was £5 off amazon.

Ooooo, this sounds like something I'd need. Is it due to keyless entry that you got yourself the pouch?

It is. I’ve tried the pressing the indent and the car does indeed flash and then it won’t open if you try it then and there. However, when I’ve gone out next morning it’s opened with keyless. So just a safety thing for me as the pouch works very well.

[S_94]

My car came with a genuine vw/Apple cable so didn’t need that. I use auto finesse air fresheners as they come free with my detailing orders

The only thing I’ve bought was a defender pouch for my keys. I’ve stood next to the car with them in the pouch and it will not open. Think it was £5 off amazon.

Ooooo, this sounds like something I'd need. Is it due to keyless entry that you got yourself the pouch?

It is. I’ve tried the pressing the indent and the car does indeed flash and then it won’t open if you try it then and there. However, when I’ve gone out next morning it’s opened with keyless. So just a safety thing for me as the pouch works very well.

You have to lock it with the fob and then press the indent to disable the keyless entry.

[MrTomOates]

Some of the things I've done/fitted in the first year of ownership:

• Race Design Diffuser

• Race Design Front Splitter

• Race Design Spoiler (soon)

• GTI Door Lock Covers

• Hydraulic Bonnet Struts

• DSG Paddle Extenders

• Michelin Pilot Sport 4 Tyres

Some of the things I always have in the car:

• Tyre Pressure Pump

• Ice Scraper

• Emergency Escape Window/Seat Belt Smasher

• Alcohol Gel (useful after shopping/gym etc.)

• Tyre Pressure Gauge

Regarding the keyless entry. When you get out and lock the car with the fob, there's a small sort of indent on the handle. Press that within 5 seconds (I think) and the car will stop listening for the wireless signal. You'll need to actually use the fob next time you use the car. I'd still recommend a Faraday pouch for the keys just for peace of mind.

All this will be in the handbook when you get the car.

I think the DSG paddle extenders, ice scraper, tyre pressure pump and hand-sanitiser are things I've added to the basket... and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres are on my wishlist once I need replacement tyres.

[PhilArnold]

Few things I've got on my list / already purchased for mine

VW rubber floor mats front & rear (eyeing up a boot liner)
Discrete dash cam (being moved over from my current polo)
Boot net
Silicone covers for the keys
Pressed number plates
Led rear indicators
Led front fogs (if I can find any that work without errors)
A few liquid air fresheners from waxplanet
Dsg paddle extensions
PS4 tyres, planning to swap these over day 2 after I can get all the wheels weights off myself

[sossidge]

I'm a month into the new Polo Match. (95hp) Love how easy it is to find parking, think it needs another 80 HP. Waddevah.

Add ons: Black Ice air freshener, (big spender - I bought the six pack.) Halford's fridge coolbox, upgraded my old Android to a Moto G8 Plus for the Android Auto.Works well. Rubber mats for the front - country area. Dashcam - Raptor? Stick on motion activated light in the glove box. (Ikea)

I also have a BlueSpark Tuning box from my old car, so sent that off to be changed over to the TSI. Very good boost to about 110+ HP, they say. Made a noticable difference. My insurance company don't insure them, so it's off the moment. I'll put it back when I re-insure next year. Ten minutes to fit.

Happy with about 51 MPG though. Also chucked telescopic wheel wrench, torch and electric tyre pump in the boot. My cars are puncture magnets.

About 1000 miles in, and engine starting to loosen up. Fun drive.

[MrTomOates]

By the sounds of things, I really should be getting these rubber mats and load liner. Adds to the cars appearance and to the practicality, especially at winter.

Reckon they’d add it to the PCP monthly payments if I optioned in for them (I’m at stage 6) or would I have to buy them at the dealership on collection day?

[sossidge]

I got some from Halfords for £15. They don't have VW or Polo on them, but they keep the carpets clean.

[monkeyhanger]

By the sounds of things, I really should be getting these rubber mats and load liner. Adds to the cars appearance and to the practicality, especially at winter.

Reckon they’d add it to the PCP monthly payments if I optioned in for them (I’m at stage 6) or would I have to buy them at the dealership on collection day?

Expect to pay about £70 for front and back VW rubber mats and about another £60 for a load liner. Unless you routinely carry dirty stuff (or a dog) in the boot, I wouldn't bother with the load liner. If you rarely carry rear passengers, I wouldn't bother with rear rubber mats either.

If you do want the whole set, you can get some German made"Gledring" OEM fit rubber mats from "Driveden". Full set of 4 mats is £35 and the load liner is £36. Paid about £94 for a set of 4 mats, load liner and flap over rear bumper protector (for our labrador jumping in the boot) for my A4 - Audi official ones were about £235.

The Quality of the Gledring set was excellent, great fit and click onto the locating pins in the car.

[Simonz]

Some good ideas there. Those mats look a good buy and better value than dealer prices.
I would add mud flaps as well considering the bad weather ahead.

Also don't forget the wiper blades - the standard fit ones can be poor and a lot of people upgrade to Bosch