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ulf Profi-Schrauber

Joined: 04/13/2002 Posts: 11058 Karma: +18 / -0 Location: Saarland 2023 MG ZS Premium Support
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13-12-2003, 13:51 Subject: Dry Weight Ranges for DZR Vessels |
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Hello,
In the case of the DZR (presumably a type of vehicle inspection), the vehicle weight is always an unknown variable.
I'd like to try to shed some light on the subject and have been looking through the Polo catalog to see what optional extras are available and how the unladen weight can vary.
I once roughly estimated the difference of about 190 kg between the minimum and maximum empty weight as follows:
Air conditioner = 50 kg.
4 doors = 25 kg.
elFH + ZV = 20 kg
Largest radio with navigation system = 20 kg.
Headbags = 15 kg.
Fog lights = 5 kg.
Larger rims (compared to standard rims) = 10 kg.
Sunroof = 10 kg.
Easy Entry seats = 10 kg.
Textile doormats = 5 kg.
ESP = 5 kg
Two-layer paint (metallic, etc.) = 10 kg.
Electric mirror adjustment + heating = 5 kg.
Total = 190 kg.
(The 25 kg figure is taken from the current Ibiza catalog for 4 doors, as the Polo data doesn't provide that information.)
IMO, such rough guidelines should not only apply to the Polo, but should be applicable to all passenger cars.
What do the experts say about it?
Please also provide compensation offers along with any corrections, so that the total weight of 190 kg remains the same.
-> Example: Climate control = 40 kg (instead of 50), but with a sunroof and Easy-Entry seats, each weighing 15 kg.
Once this list has been discussed, I would like to incorporate it into the DZR description so that users can determine the actual weight of their vehicle more accurately than before. Gruß Ulf
_________
MG4 Electric
Translated on 08-09-2026, 9:36.
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Thomas Profi-Schrauber

Joined: 04/17/2002 Posts: 329 Karma: +2 / -0 Location: Darmstadt
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13-12-2003, 14:57 Subject: Dry Weight Ranges for DZR Vessels |
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Hi Ulf,
Quote: |
IMO, such rough guidelines should not only apply to the Polo, but to all passenger cars.
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Not necessarily. The larger cars often have many more features that can add to the weight. I'm not 100% sure, but I think that even the items you mentioned, for example, are made with different materials and sizes in a Passat compared to a Polo, and therefore weigh more accordingly.
Quote: |
Air conditioner = 50 kg.
4 doors = 25 kg.
elFH + ZV = 20 kg
Largest radio with navigation system = 20 kg.
Headbags = 15 kg.
Fog lights = 5 kg.
Larger rims (compared to standard rims) = 10 kg.
Sunroof = 10 kg.
Easy Entry seats = 10 kg.
Textile doormats = 5 kg.
ESP = 5 kg.
Two-layer paint (metallic, etc.) = 10 kg.
Electric mirror adjustment + heating = 5 kg.
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Largest radio with navigation = 20 kg
It might be the same with the Polo and Ibiza, but when I look at the largest radio system in the Passat, it has 8 speakers, amplifiers, a subwoofer, navigation, etc.
That definitely weighs significantly more than 20 kg. In our Golfs back then, we had this Nokia sound system with an equalizer, subwoofer, amplifier, and active speakers.
Fog lights = 5 kg
"Those, in my Golf, certainly don't weigh 5 kg. I'm thinking of the NSW units themselves, the cables, and the switch. I think they're still lying around at home... I mean, I'm not sure. I'd be happy to put them on a scale and add a correspondingly long cable. Or have these things, like everything else, gained weight in newer cars?"
If you look at the cheap items sold at ATU, they probably don't weigh even a single kilogram.
Electric mirror adjustment + heating = 5 kg
"Another thing. I don't know how many times someone has ripped off my rearview mirror, but those little motors behind the glass and a few cables? I'd be surprised if it adds more than 1 kg of extra weight. But, as I said, I'm talking about my car."
2-coat paint (metallic, etc.) = 10 kg.
Textile doormats = 5 kg
That really surprises me. Especially the paint!
Air conditioner = 50 kg
To maintain around 190 kg, I think you should probably prioritize using the air conditioning.
Looking at all the parts and, above all, the effects on the "surrounding components," the air conditioning system results in a larger engine block, a longer timing belt, and different engine mounting brackets.
4 doors = 25 kg
It might actually be even more. After all, you could then also use the rear electric side windows and central locking. So, if you don't reach the 190 kg with the air conditioning system, it's better to add a few more pounds here as well.
What's still missing here is the upholstery. Leather or fabric. I would assume that leather upholstery adds an extra 5 kg of weight from the start. Heated seats? Power-adjustable seats?
Headlight cleaning system with headlights that can be adjusted for height, or even xenon headlights with ballasts? These are also a few extra kilograms, for example.
Front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive?
An automatic transmission certainly weighs more than that uncomfortable "mixer"!
To get a relatively accurate result, it's important to consider the specific vehicle when evaluating the weights. You shouldn't treat the air conditioning system of a Lupo the same way as the air conditioning system of an A8, for example. I doubt they use the same components.
You could even turn that into a real philosophy.
I'm looking forward to seeing the other responses!
Greetings.
Thomas. -----------------------------------------------------
Golf 3 TDI AFN Bj. 1997 -verkauft
Audi S2 ADU Bj. 1993
Polo 86c 2F 1W Bj. 1994 - verkauft
Audi A3 TDI ASZ Bj. 2001
Translated on 08-09-2026, 9:44.
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Golfmann Guest
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13-12-2003, 16:06 Subject: Dry Weight Ranges for DZR Vessels |
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Hello everyone.
2-coat paint (metallic, etc.) = 10 kg.
Textile doormats = 5 kg.
That really surprises me. Especially the paint!
For my Golf 3, approximately 3 kg of paint was used per coat, just for the exterior.
Assuming the entire car is being painted, I think you can easily reach 5 kg per coat. And compared to single-color paints, the new paints with multiple layers of topcoat or clearcoat can quickly add up to 10 kg.
Just remember where the Silver Arrows got their name from.
The floor mats and fog lights are really heavy. Each would weigh 2kg.
Translated on 08-09-2026, 9:50.
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Gremlin Guest
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13-12-2003, 17:05 Subject: Dry Weight Ranges for DZR Vessels |
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2-coat paint (metallic, etc.) = 10 kg.
Textile doormats = 5 kg
That really surprises me. Especially the paint!
Find out how the 'Silver Arrows' came to be.
and the paint isn't just on the outside of the car, but everywhere. Even in the cavities and other spaces, there's at least a primer and a base coat of paint.
CU Gremlin.
Translated on 08-09-2026, 9:52.
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Thomas Profi-Schrauber

Joined: 04/17/2002 Posts: 329 Karma: +2 / -0 Location: Darmstadt
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13-12-2003, 18:53 Subject: Dry Weight Ranges for DZR Vessels |
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Hi,
 Yes, yes, I know the "Kratz" story about the Silver Arrows.
It's actually quite logical. I myself bought a 5-liter bucket of paint for a friend back then, and the weight does add up in the car.
Greetings.
Thomas. -----------------------------------------------------
Golf 3 TDI AFN Bj. 1997 -verkauft
Audi S2 ADU Bj. 1993
Polo 86c 2F 1W Bj. 1994 - verkauft
Audi A3 TDI ASZ Bj. 2001
Translated on 08-09-2026, 9:53.
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christians Profi-Schrauber

Joined: 09/05/2002 Posts: 2105 Karma: +17 / -0 Location: Sauerland
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13-12-2003, 20:40 Subject: Dry Weight Ranges for DZR Vessels |
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Hi,
"25 kg for four doors is realistic. I checked the owner's manual of my old Audi 100 Type 43: 64 kW diesel engine: 2-door: 1230 kg, 4-door: 1250 kg. Of course, that was back when there was no side impact protection." Gruß Christian
A6 BPP, Ex-A6 AKN (Gurke), Ex-Audi100 92 AAT (5Zyl.)
Translated on 08-09-2026, 9:54.
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ulf Profi-Schrauber

Joined: 04/13/2002 Posts: 11058 Karma: +18 / -0 Location: Saarland 2023 MG ZS Premium Support
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14-12-2003, 12:22 Subject: Dry Weight Ranges for DZR Vessels |
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Thomas wrote: | | I think that even the things you mentioned, for example, are dimensioned differently in a Passat than in a Polo, and accordingly weigh more. |
Hi Thomas,
It might be.
But I'd like to get things sorted out for the Polo first, at least to some extent (also out of a certain personal interest  ).
After that, it is still possible to implement correction factors for larger vehicles.
Quote: | It might be the same with the Polo and the Ibiza, but when I look at the largest radio in the Passat, it has 8 speakers, amplifiers, a subwoofer, navigation, ...
That certainly weighs significantly more than 20 kg. In our Gölf cars back then, we had this Nokia sound system with an equalizer, subwoofer, amplifier, and active speakers. |
Sure, car audio can get really heavy. For example, I would estimate that a subwoofer adds about 10 kg (approximately 22 pounds) of extra weight.
However, for a "standard" system with 8 individual speakers that doesn't really aim for high-end performance, I think 20 kg is a suitable weight range.
Quote: | Fog lights = 5 kg
These, in turn, certainly don't weigh 5 kg on my Golf. . . . Or have these things, like everything else, gained weight in newer cars?
Well, I think the thick glass marbles used as lenses in the newer lamps (like in the Polo) are a bit heavier than those in the older models...
| Electric mirror adjustment + heating = 5 kg Quote: |
Here's another thing. I don't know how many times someone has ripped off the mirror, but those little motors behind the glass and a few cables? I would be surprised if that adds more than 1 kg of extra weight. But as I said, I'm referring to my car.
Okay, I'll agree to a reduction of 3 kg, but don't forget the electronics, switches, and the corresponding wiring harness...
| 2-coat paint (metallic, etc.) = 10 kg.
Textile doormats = 5 kg Quote: |
That really surprises me. Especially the paint!
Paint can weigh quite a bit... but I'm not entirely sure. Maybe just a 5 kg 8Odifference | compared to regular paint is enough...
 4 doors = 25 kg Quote: |
It could potentially be even more. After all, you can then, for example, also use the rear electric folding headrests (eFH) and central locking (ZV). So, if you don't reach the 190 kg with the air conditioning system, it's better to add a few more pounds here as well.
Hmm, I would consider the elFH at the rear as an extra item (with the same weight as the one at the front).
According to the manual, the difference in weight between the 2-door and 4-door versions of the Golf 3 is 30 kg.
What's still missing here is the upholstery. Leather or fabric. I would assume that leather upholstery adds 5 kg of extra weight from the start. Heated seats? Electric seat adjustment? |
Now that you mention it... yes, leather is likely heavier than fabric.
2 x heated seats... Does anyone here know what the hardware looks like?
Quote: | | Headlight cleaning system with height-adjustable headlights, or even xenon headlights with ballasts? These are also a few extra kilograms, for example. |
OK, dafür würde ich auch 5 kg ansetzen. A"Any other opinions?"
Quote: | Front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive?
An automatic transmission, | surely weighs more than an uncomfortable "mixer"! Quote: |
Sure, but automatic transmissions usually already have corrected weights included in the catalogs.
By the way, I started a similar thread on the Gute-Fahrt forum. If anyone wants to take a look:
| http://dk-community.de/gute-fahrt/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6833 Gruß Ulf
_________
MG4 Electric
Translated on 08-09-2026, 9:59.
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Jan6K

Joined: 04/12/2002 Posts: 4741 Karma: +107 / -0 Location: Hagen
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14-12-2003, 12:33 Subject: Dry Weight Ranges for DZR Vessels |
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Hi,
Regarding the weight of the seat heaters... please refer to my technical article on the subject. The original parts essentially look the same. So, you have four mats weighing less than a kilogram in total, plus two wiring harnesses and the control unit, which is usually integrated into the switch during original installation. All together, it's probably around 2-3 kilograms.
Best regards,
Jan. 1Z5 CFHF  / AHB H4D 
Translated on 08-09-2026, 10:04.
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ulf Profi-Schrauber

Joined: 04/13/2002 Posts: 11058 Karma: +18 / -0 Location: Saarland 2023 MG ZS Premium Support
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14-12-2003, 12:50 Subject: Dry Weight Ranges for DZR Vessels |
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Jan6K wrote: | | regarding the weight of the heated seats... | Altogether, maybe 2...3 kilograms.
Thank you }. Gruß Ulf
_________
MG4 Electric
Translated on 08-09-2026, 10:05.
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Bertil Profi-Schrauber

Joined: 04/15/2002 Posts: 5628 Karma: +108 / -0
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14-12-2003, 21:26 Subject: Dry Weight Ranges for DZR Vessels |
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Hi Ulf,
The AHK (trailer hitch) that I removed weighed 20.7 kg (without electrical components). The one I installed now weighs 20.0 kg. All these figures were taken from the relevant test reports and are part of the TÜV (German technical inspection authority) approval documentation (so they should be correct).
Given that I'm currently obsessed with weighing things (I'm weighing all the accessories for my car), it's hard to imagine how much even small items can add up in terms of weight. Gruß Bertil
Skoda 5E5 CZDA + Mini R50 W10 + VW ID.3 + Fiat Ducato 250 + 161 DX
*** Technische Anfragen per PN werden von mir nicht beantwortet! ***
Translated on 08-09-2026, 10:06.
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ulf Profi-Schrauber

Joined: 04/13/2002 Posts: 11058 Karma: +18 / -0 Location: Saarland 2023 MG ZS Premium Support
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14-12-2003, 22:35 Subject: Dry Weight Ranges for DZR Vessels |
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Bertil wrote: | | The AHK (trailer hitch) that I removed weighed 20.7 kg (without electrical components). The one I installed now weighs 20.0 kg. |
Hi Bertil,
Wow  ... I would have estimated the weight of that AHK to be around 10 kg based on my gut feeling. Gruß Ulf
_________
MG4 Electric
Translated on 08-09-2026, 10:07.
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Dan.jel Guest
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15-12-2003, 1:47 Subject: Dry Weight Ranges for DZR Vessels |
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'Subwoofer, 10 kg.'
For the VW system, it's correct, but for people like me, it's way too little weight.
My system weighs approximately 130 kg due to the larger battery, cables, mounting hardware, fuses, amplifiers, enclosures, and subwoofers.
Here's a picture of some things I'm currently testing out temporarily:
http://www.goffel.de/buntesgemisch/mini-CIMG0430.JPG
Unfortunately, I have to compensate for the higher weight with a bit more engine power...
Why are the textile floor mats so much heavier than the rubber mats? I can hardly imagine that.
Translated on 08-09-2026, 10:08.
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Roger Profi-Schrauber


Joined: 10/11/2002 Posts: 3035 Karma: +88 / -0 Location: Rodgau 2017 Volkswagen Golf Premium Support
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15-12-2003, 13:52 Subject: Dry Weight Ranges for DZR Vessels |
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Hi,
I think the idea with the paint is excessive.
Especially considering that all colored water-based paints have been multi-layered for years. A single layer of water-based clear coat will not achieve the desired gloss; therefore, always use a clear coat layer. For example, for a Golf III in "flashrot" (a specific red color), there are repair kits that always include both a clear coat and a top coat. Therefore, the difference compared to a base coat is likely to be minimal. I would estimate a difference of 0 kg for metallic paints. The difference is certainly offset by the sunroof, which, with its mechanics, reinforcements, motor, and wiring harness, likely weighs around 15 kg, which is not an excessive amount.
Regarding the use of the 5-liter bucket, it's important to consider that a significant portion of its contents is water or solvent. After the water or solvent evaporates, the weight will appear different.
Ulf can, however, take comfort in the fact that the car gets lighter with each polishing process  ... Gruß
Roger
MJ 2018 GTI Performance DLBA
Translated on 08-09-2026, 10:10.
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olbetec Schrauber

Joined: 08/14/2002 Posts: 76 Karma: +4 / -0 Location: Garbsen bei Hannover
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15-12-2003, 18:35 Subject: Dry Weight Ranges for DZR Vessels |
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25kg is not enough weight for the 4 doors.
"And how one can assume a weight of 5kg for the software and the small sensors (acceleration, yaw rate, steering angle) is beyond me..."
Also looking for weights as well.
Stay cheerful.
OlBe. Fabia I TDI, EZ06/01 (1,9/74kW, ATD)
Octavia II TDI DSG EZ11/06 (2,0/103kW, BMM)
Translated on 08-09-2026, 10:11.
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Gremlin Guest
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15-12-2003, 19:58 Subject: Dry Weight Ranges for DZR Vessels |
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Well... sensors, connectors, cables, valve block. It could easily add up to 5kg.
CU Gremlin.
Translated on 08-09-2026, 10:12.
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WarLord Guest
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15-12-2003, 20:45 Subject: Dry Weight Ranges for DZR Vessels |
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@Ulf
I think 20 kg is too much for a single-family home and apartment building. Most of the weight comes from the power windows themselves. The electric ones probably weigh only slightly more (instead of a crank, there's a motor, and the few switches and wiring harness don't add much to the weight).
Best regards, WarLord.
Translated on 08-09-2026, 10:12.
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