2011 Volkswagen Golf TDI – Wide, Diesel, and Full of Soul

Daniel Paul

2011 Volkswagen golf tdi 

Instagram: @Widedzl

Photographer: Alex Lafferty 

Instagram: @Shootautography

Performance Stats:

The TDi puts down around 220 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque, riding on Air Lift Performance suspension for a perfect balance of show and go.

From Pittsburgh Roots to Diesel Passion

I’m Daniel Paul, a low-key, Pittsburgh-born car enthusiast who prefers to let my Volkswagen Golf TDI do the talking. I’ve been a Steelers fan for as long as I can remember and grew up surrounded by cars thanks to my dad — mostly classic American muscle — before finding my way into tuner culture.

I’ve always loved tinkering with things since childhood. Whether it was taking apart toys just to see how they worked or experimenting with projects in the garage, I was hooked on figuring things out and making them my own. That curiosity evolved into a passion for modifying cars — the perfect blend of creativity, mechanical skill, and personal expression.

I’m naturally shy and more of a homebody, but I’m always ready to help out or listen when someone needs it. Every project I take on is a reflection of my patience, vision, and craftsmanship. My builds are my voice — and this Golf is my loudest statement yet.

Where It All Began

It all started with my dad. Some of my earliest memories are of him bringing home car magazines, tinkering in the driveway, or surprising me with toy cars I’d line up for hours. He surrounded me with machines — mostly older American classics — and that planted the seed. I didn’t just see cars as transportation; I saw them as something to connect with.

By the late ’90s, I stumbled into the tuner scene and found a whole new universe — bright colors, wild body kits, individuality. It was completely different from the muscle car world I grew up around. I absorbed it all, but I didn’t get my first tuner until 2013. That car’s been with me ever since, evolving right alongside me.

That same passion shaped my Golf build today — a mix of those driveway days with my dad and the creative freedom I found in tuner culture. Every modification blends heritage and innovation — old-school influence meets modern engineering.

The Build — 2011 Volkswagen Golf TDI

I’ve always been drawn to Volkswagens — their engineering, community, and the way each car becomes an extension of its owner. When I found this Golf TDI, it was a clean daily driver, but to me, it was a blank canvas.

Over the years, it’s become something truly unique — part performance machine, part showpiece. Under the hood, it runs a Malone Stage 3.5 tune with a Borg Warner CR170 turbo, Darkside Developments front-mount intercooler, and a custom 3-inch quad-exit exhaust. Together, they deliver the kind of diesel torque that makes every drive addictive.

Visually, the Golf underwent a complete transformation: a custom widebody, distinctive wrap, and Air Lift Performance suspension for that perfect stance. The custom wheels tie everything together, giving it a commanding presence before it even starts up.

Inside, the factory trim was replaced with a full suede interior, upgraded audio, and hand-finished details you won’t find in any other car.

Every choice has been about balance — aggressive yet clean, functional yet artistic. This build doesn’t just sit pretty; it performs. It’s earned multiple ‘Best Euro’ titles, first-place finishes, and even features in Performance VW Magazine.

This Golf tells my story in metal, fabric, and fuel — a story built from countless late nights and endless passion.

The Details

Engine

• Malone Stage 3.5 Tune
• Borg Warner CR170 Turbo
• Darkside Developments Manifold & FMIC
• Rawtek 3” Downpipe & Midpipe, Custom Quad Exit Exhaust
• Custom Race Pipe, DPF & EGR Delete
• Neuspeed Turbo Discharge Pipe & Power Pulley
• Bosch 4 Bar MAP Sensor
• Euro Spec Short Throw Shifter
• Spulen Dogbone Mount, Torque Solutions Pendulum Mount
• S&B Air Intake with Inlet Hose
• Forge Motorsport Billet Washer Neck/Cap, ECS Billet Dipstick & Oil Cap
• Carbon Fiber Engine Bay Dress-Up with Purple Hardware

Interior

• Full Custom Suede Interior Wrap
• Status Circuit Composite Seats with Pink PRP Harnesses
• NRG Harness Bar, Rear Seat Delete, Fire Extinguisher Mount
• Zencarbon Carbon Fiber Steering Wheel, Suede Shift Boot
• Metallic Candy Purple Air Tank with Magenta Flake
• Custom Venom Carbon Floor with Embossed TDI

Suspension

• Air Lift Performance Series Front Bags with Adjustable Camber Plates
• Rear Slam Series Struts, V2 Management
• 3” Frame Notch, Adjustable Sway Bar & End Links
• Polyurethane Bushing Kit

Braking

• Front: Brembo Stage 3 4-Pot Calipers, EBC Red Stuff Pads, ECS 2-Piece Rotors
• Rear: GTI Calipers, V4 Cross-Drilled Rotors, ECS Stainless Lines

Exterior

• Vinyl Frog Grey-Purple Wrap with Rear Quarter Livery
• Venom Carbon Purple Carbon Panels and Paisley Print Accents
• Ingo Noak Widebody Kit, MK6 GTD Front Bumper
• VLAND LED Headlights, Euro Spec Golf R Sequential Tails
• Custom Carbon Mid-Hatch Spoiler, Votex Skirts, Sequential Mirror Signals
• Auto Pop Hatch Kit, Euro OEM Spoiler

Audio

• Pioneer AVH-1330NEX Head Unit
• Alpine Type R Subwoofer, Kicker 1200.1d Amp
• Alpine SPE-6000 Speakers, Factory Tweeters

Wheels & Tires

• ESR Forged LP5 Multi-Piece Wheels
• Front: 18x9.5 ET+14 | Rear: 18x10.5 ET+2
• Lancaster 255/35R18XL Tires

Built by Hand, From the Heart

The short answer? Me.
This Golf has been a hands-on project from day one. I’ve done nearly all the work myself in the garage — mechanical upgrades, custom wrap, interior — because I wanted every inch to reflect my vision.

A few close friends have helped along the way — lending tools, helping with tricky installs, or just being there for those long nights in the garage. That’s what makes this build special — it’s not just my work, it’s a shared passion.

The only outside involvement was the custom tuning by a small shop in Pennsylvania that’s no longer around. Everything else — every bolt, every panel, every touch — was done by my own hands.

Future Plans

A build like this is never truly finished.

Next up is a stronger clutch to fully unleash the torque this setup’s capable of. After that, I’m eyeing an even more aggressive tune and possibly a water-meth injection system to push performance and efficiency further.

Visually, I’m thinking about a fresh wrap, a more track-inspired aero package, and lighting upgrades to make it pop at night. Down the line, maybe a bigger turbo setup and fueling upgrades to see just how far this TDI can go while staying streetable.

For me, the thrill is in the evolution. Every time you think it’s “done,” you find a way to take it further.

Shout Outs

Huge thanks to:

• Alex Lafferty (@shootautography) – for capturing my car perfectly.

• Matthew Pagac – for sharing his Volkswagen knowledge and support.

• Greg Thomas at Thomas Automotive Repair – for keeping the vision running strong.

And to the companies that played key roles:
ESR Wheels, Malone Tuning, Darkside Developments, and Air Lift Performance — each contributed to making this Golf what it is today.

Dream Car

I can’t pick just one dream car — there are too many. But I’ve always loved the idea of owning an old air-cooled Volkswagen, Audi, or Porsche.

The Volkswagen Thing has always stood out. Its quirky design and simplicity are pure charm. I’d love to slam one to the ground and give it that perfect weathered-meets-custom vibe.

For now, though, my diesel is my dream. It’s part of who I am.

Some Great Magazines:

• Stance Auto Magazine Japanese Classic Cars Vol2: Modified Japanese Classic JDM Cars Magazine

• Stance Auto Magazine July 2025: A Worldwide Monthly Modified Car Magazine

• Modified Car Magazine The JDM Magazine: The World Wide Modified JDM Car Magazine 

• Stance Auto Magazine The 90's JDM Classics - June 2025: A look Back At The 90's Classic JDM Cars On Stance Auto

• Stance Auto Magazine Modified BMW'S 2025: The Modified and Tuner BMW Car Magazine

• The RWB Porsche Magazine From Stance Auto: Akira Nakai The Man Behind The RWB Builds

• Stance Auto Magazine JDM Classics The 90s

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