Volkswagen Golf R: A Tuned Masterpiece
Follow Ernie Coltrain’s personal journey with his 2013 Volkswagen Golf R. From humble beginnings to a tuned masterpiece, this is car culture at its best.
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Ernie Coltrain
2013 Volkswagen Golf R
Instagram: @mk6_ej
Photographer: John Ponthieux, Ayerook, and Christina Rivera
Instagram: @johnnyp_productions @ayerook @ __street.media__
Performance Stats:350 hp, 380 - 400 hp with water-methanol injection
Volkswagen Golf R: Meet Ernie Coltrain
Hi, I’m Ernie Coltrain, 27 years old from Hampton, Virginia. I’ve lived here my whole life, and I’m a proud father and husband with a love for all things car-related. Aside from cars, I enjoy gaming and spending time with my car family and friends. Growing up, I didn’t think the car scene would be something I’d get into, even though I’ve been fascinated by cars since I was about four or five years old.
I was always seen as the “book-smart” kid who was least likely to get into something as hands-on as working on cars. My passion for academics—particularly studying meteorology—didn’t leave much room for the mechanical side of things back then.After high school, though, I ended up attending a trade school. That’s where I had to start using both my brain and my hands, which eventually helped me find my way into the car world.
Early Influences and First Cars
My car journey really started when I was 19. I bought my first car, a 2008 Honda Civic Si, from my oldest brother, Gary. That Civic taught me so much about cars. I still own it today, and it’s been a reliable companion through all the years.The first thing that really got me into cars was watching 2 Fast 2 Furious when I was six years old. My oldest brother brought it home on DVD, and from there, I was hooked. Both my brothers were into the Fast and Furious movies, and we spent countless hours playing games like Need for Speed: Underground and Most Wanted.My brothers were a huge influence on me. As teenagers, they owned cars like the 2004 and 2006 Pontiac GTOs, and they encouraged me to chase my car dreams.
One turning point for me was when my brother Casey bought a 2005 Acura RSX Type S. I’ll never forget the first time I experienced the power of the K20 engine. Hearing the I-VTEC scream at nearly 8,000 RPMs at the age of 11 was indescribable. From that moment, I was hooked on Hondas.Years later, my brother Gary bought the 2008 Honda Civic Si that I now own. That car means a lot to me—it’s a reminder of where my journey began.
Why I Chose the Volkswagen Golf R
As I got older, I started looking at other brands and cars. I loved my Civic, but I wanted something with forced induction and an all-wheel-drive platform. That’s when I found my 2013 Volkswagen Golf R.
At first, I was considering cars like the Subaru WRX STI and Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, but the Golf R stood out to me. The more I researched it, the more I fell in love with what it had to offer. The performance potential of the Golf R was incredible, and I knew it was the right choice for me.
Volkswagen Golf R: Build List:
Volkswagen Golf R: Engine:
Unitronic Air intake with upgraded downpipe, 034 motorsport catch can with Upgraded PCV system, ARM Motorsports front mount intercooler, GFB diverter valve + With Forge motorsport atmospheric blow-off spacer, Upgraded high-pressure fuel pump internals, 3 in turbo-back exhaust with magnaflow muffler for quieting, Snow performance water - meth kit with boost gauge, hot/cold side pipes with water-meth bung. Diesel geeks Sigma six short throw shifter. Tuned on Unitronic Stage 2+.
Volkswagen Golf R: Interior:
Completely original due to the car's rarity and already beautiful interior.
Volkswagen Golf R: Exterior:
Golf R comes standard with side skirts, spoiler and rear diffuser, Seibon carbon fiber hood and fenders, Badgeless grille from ECS tuning, 20 percent ceramic tint, Euro Golf R taillights with Euro taillight switch upgrade. Wrapped in 3M 2080 series Green Envy with aero vents cut out to expose some of the carbon components.
Volkswagen Golf R: Wheels:
2015-2018 8V RONAL Audi S3 Wheels - (Considered stock wheels but puts a unique touch on this car.)
Volkswagen Golf R: Suspension:
Airlift performance management system with CP3 bags. Upgraded adjustable sway bar end links from 034 Motorsport.
Volkswagen Golf R: Modifications and Unique Features
One of the biggest changes I made to the car was the wrap. The team at Decal Dev did an amazing job with it. There aren’t many cars that can pull off the color my Golf R has now—it’s definitely unique.
The car also has engine modifications, air suspension, a custom tune, and various exterior upgrades. Some of these mods were already done by the previous owner, who clearly took great care of the car. Since then, I’ve added my own touch to make it feel like my build. This Golf R is the perfect mix of practicality and performance. The air suspension gives it a smooth, comfortable ride, while the engine mods deliver the aggression and power you’d expect from a Golf R
Volkswagen Golf R: The Driving Experience
Driving this car is an absolute blast. It has the luxury feel of an Audi but with the raw power that makes Golf Rs so iconic. Whether I’m cruising or pushing it hard, the car always delivers.My favorite thing is using launch control. It’s such a thrill to feel the AWD Haldex system kicking in when I want an adrenaline rush. This car can handle long road trips with ease and has been a reliable companion on every journey.
Volkswagen Golf R: Maintenance and Reliability
Since buying the car at 103,000 miles, I’ve focused on staying on top of maintenance. I’ve replaced the transmission, differential, and Haldex fluids, as well as the timing belt, water pump, and pulley components.These cars are known for their reliability if you take good care of them, and mine has never let me down. The quality of the build really shows—it’s clear that the previous owner maintained it well, and I’ve continued that tradition.
Future Plans
Right now, I’m in the process of restoring a set of VMR V701 wheels for the next car season. The car used to ride on Forgestar F14s, but I’m excited to see how the new setup looks. Overall, I’m happy with where the car is now. I don’t plan to go too extreme with modifications in the near future, but I’m always open to ideas down the road.
Shoutouts and Final Thoughts
I want to give a huge shoutout to:
And of course, a special thanks to Decal Dev for the incredible wrap.
My dream car? A Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII GSR. Maybe someday, but for now, I’m loving every moment with my Golf R.
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