Temu vs German engineering: This MK2 Golf gets a budget makeover

This MK2 Golf just got a full lock set swap from Temu, and yes, the $15 (€13) parts not only fit, they actually work.

That’s everything: ignition barrel, door locks, boot, glovebox, and more.

The entire kit came with extras, felt surprisingly premium, and stands up there with some of the best budget upgrades we’ve seen this year.

The budget build is being done by YouTuber Mini Daily, and the car – affectionately named Harry – has been slowly coming back to life on camera.

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But one part the Golf desperately needed? A new lock set.

The stockist in Germany offered an OEM-style kit for around $34 (€30), plus shipping. Instead, the creator went bargain-hunting on Temu and found a similar set listed for $26 (€23).

After adding it to the cart, Temu served up a surprise offer: $15, with free delivery.

The kit came with multiple keys, a full gasket set, and both chrome and black door handle finishes.

“I don’t know how these companies can actually sell these for that price,” the creator said, as he pulled out each component. And we’re equally surprised a profit can be turned this way.

The $15 kit didn’t come in flashy packaging, but everything inside was impressively put together.

Each part felt solid in hand, with no signs of the janky plastic you’d expect from a knockoff.

Even the locking barrels turned smoothly, with no resistance or awkward play.

For the price of a takeaway pizza, it looked like this was a legit alternative to OEM.

The faulty old ignition barrel came out without too much drama, and the new one slid in after a bit of gentle persuasion. No hammering needed – just some alignment and soft tapping.

Once seated, the key turned cleanly, and the dashboard came to life.

Wipers fired up. Indicators flashed. Even the dash lights were back in action.

There was one minor issue, though, the ignition barrel didn’t fully spring back when the key was removed.

But that wasn’t enough to ruin the vibe, because for the first time in ages, the car fired up without pliers.

So what’s the verdict?

If you’re expecting an OEM finish for a fraction of the cost, this kit might just surprise you.

Everything fit. Everything worked. And everything looked good once installed. 

Sure, German engineering has a legacy behind it, but this was a rare case where the bargain bin came out on top.

It’s not just about price. It’s about value. And this kit delivered. For Mini Daily, that was ‘a positive from Temu’.

This $15 kit did the job and brought a tired MK2 Golf one step closer to its comeback. We’re calling that budget brilliance.

See the full transformation on the Mini Daily YouTube Channel, or watch below:

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