For years, I’ve been immersed in the world of European cars, specifically writing about them almost daily. However, I’ve always gravitated towards BMW, Porsche, Subaru, Mazda, and Nissan. Volkswagen and Audi? They just hadn’t clicked for me – until I experienced Euro District 2020 in Jeffersonville, Indiana. This event, and the passionate community surrounding it, completely shifted my perspective, revealing the true appeal of VW and Audi culture, and the integral role of companies like Ecs Tuning Com within it.
Arriving at the hotel, the sheer volume of VW, Audi, and even a few BMWs in the parking lot was the first sign that this event was something special. The lot was overflowing with meticulously crafted vehicles, a preview of the main show the next day. Even at this early stage, the unique charm of Euro District was palpable.
While some of our crew opted for an early night, I was eager to soak it all in. I spent the evening mingling with fellow enthusiasts, exploring the diverse builds, enjoying a few drinks, and making new connections. Before my “VW awakening,” my attention was immediately drawn to a bagged Alpine White E30 convertible – a beautiful BMW, and yet, even it felt slightly out of place amidst the rising tide of VW and Audi enthusiasm. An E30 Touring and E34 Touring did catch my eye, along with several aggressively lowered E46s. But these BMWs were clearly not the main attraction. Little did I know, just a few hours later, I would be fully immersed in the captivating world of VW.
That evening, I met Pat, an attendee who had driven all the way from New Jersey in his stunning MK3 Golf 5-door. Initially, a MK3 Golf might not have screamed excitement to me, but Pat’s story was anything but ordinary. He had actually crashed his Golf en route to the show. Incredibly, despite a 70mph detour through a ditch and field, the damage was minimal: some curb rash on his passenger-side wheels and a broken throttle body. He managed to limp the car the remaining miles, manually manipulating the throttle cable to park it in the lot – a temporary resting place.
This incident became my unexpected gateway into understanding the Volkswagen community. In the BMW world, such a mishap could go either way. You might find support from seasoned vintage enthusiasts, or you might be left scrambling on Facebook Marketplace, hoping to find overpriced parts just to get back on the road. But here, at Euro District, the response was overwhelmingly positive and proactive. Word of Pat’s accident spread quickly, and almost everyone was pitching in to locate a replacement throttle body. This immediate support and collective problem-solving was a revelation, and hinted at the strong community spirit I was about to fully encounter.
Pat, despite the wheel damage, was just happy to be at Euro District. Over beers, he began to educate me as we walked the lot, pointing out VWs that I would have previously overlooked. His passion was infectious as he highlighted rare components, unique color combinations, and subtle details. This keen eye for detail was a recurring theme among the Volkswagen enthusiasts I met, a level of meticulousness that, while present in the BMW community, felt amplified and more deeply ingrained in the VW world. While BMW builds often revolve around similar themes, VWs seemed to unlock a deeper level of technical exploration, specialized parts, and boundless creativity. Intrigued by this newfound appreciation, I headed to bed, eager to experience the main show with fresh eyes.
Saturday morning, the official show day, was buzzing with anticipation. Our ECS Tuning booth was ready, our cars were cleaned after the drive, and the “impromptu” show grounds began to fill up. “Impromptu” because just two nights prior, the original venue had cancelled. In a remarkable display of adaptability, the event was swiftly relocated to the hotel parking lot and surrounding areas. In my experience with BMW events like the E30 Picnic or Oktoberfest, a venue change would have sparked significant grumbling, and potentially caused many attendees to drop out. But at Euro District, there wasn’t a single complaint. The VW community simply embraced the change, a testament to their laid-back and accepting nature. It was a refreshing contrast, and reminded me of the open-source spirit often found in the world of computers.
BMW owners, I realized, often resemble Apple users. We appreciate the initial build quality and user-friendliness, are fiercely brand-loyal, and resistant to change. VW and Audi enthusiasts, on the other hand, are more like PC users – drawn to the endless customization, the vast hardware ecosystem, and the creative freedom offered by the platform.
VW owners take a factory car and transform it with their personal vision, while BMW owners tend to maintain more of the original “BMW-ness.” Neither approach is inherently superior, but until Euro District, I had firmly identified as an “Apple/BMW” person, blind to the appeal of the “PC/VW” world. Walking through the show, however, I felt myself drawn into the VW enthusiasm, ready to dive in headfirst.
Highlights included Brock (@dasvwswag) and his daughter’s stunning BBS-kitted MK2, a testament to collaborative craftsmanship. EV Garage’s (@ev_garage) pristine VW lineup was equally impressive, showcasing meticulous detailing that extended to hardware most enthusiasts overlook. It was no surprise that @jesusmondragon7609’s immaculate MK3, part of the EV Garage display, took home the “Best in Show” award, boasting a shaved bay, intricate interior, and perfect fitment. The show featured a spectrum of static and bagged MK2, MK3, and MK4 Jettas, Golfs, and GTIs, all of which, in this context, became undeniably appealing. Guided by Pat and his friend Josh, I began to truly appreciate the dedication poured into these builds.
Beyond the cars, the people were equally captivating. The VW community at Euro District was welcoming, relaxed, and genuinely enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge. Humility was widespread, with camaraderie outweighing competition. While every community has its “elitists,” they were scarce here. Most attendees, from seasoned veterans to newcomers, were approachable and eager to connect over their shared passion for automotive creativity.
Another refreshing aspect was the DIY ethos. Most VW owners at Euro District performed the work on their cars themselves – from sourcing rare parts through channels like ecs tuning com, to assembly, fabrication, upholstery, and fine-tuning. Many were mechanics or engineers by trade, a stark contrast to the BMW scene where outsourcing modifications is more common, especially among older enthusiasts.
While I personally modify my own vintage BMWs, and value the hands-on approach, I recognize that many BMW owners prefer to have work professionally done. But there’s an undeniable connection forged through the challenges and triumphs of DIY car building, a bond that the Volkswagen community at Euro District clearly understood.
As the day progressed, I found myself gravitating towards the VW builds, even bypassing BMWs. I walked past an E30 Touring to admire a rusty squareback Type 3 and a Volvo 144 with a striking ITB setup, alongside a Westy van ready for adventure.
Even the “barn find” style builds fascinated me. The unrestored patina, the perfectly aged surfaces – they held a unique charm. I was particularly amused by a diesel VW Caddy pickup with an exhaust stack poking out of the bed, a quirky juxtaposition of ruggedness and deliberate care. It highlighted the VW owner’s ability to see beauty and potential where others might see scrap.
Euro District 2020 was the perfect introduction to the VW world. The welcoming owners, the positive atmosphere, and the high caliber of builds were instrumental in sparking my newfound appreciation for these cars and their community. It was an experience unlike any other, and I’m already planning to return next year. The sense of community, in particular, has stayed with me.
Remember Pat, the MK3 Golf owner with the broken throttle body? By the end of the show, thanks to the VW community’s network, a local enthusiast located a replacement part just fifteen minutes from the hotel. Neither Volkswagen, nor even parts suppliers like ecs tuning com could have provided a solution that quickly. But the VW community did. Pat’s car was repaired and ready for the drive back to New Jersey before sunset.
Stories like Pat’s are what make car culture so rewarding. Communities like the one at Euro District remind me why I’m passionate about cars. The creativity and dedication on display inspire me to push my own automotive boundaries. Discovering this new facet of car enthusiasm has ignited a fresh excitement, and I’m eager to explore this passion further, likely starting with acquiring my own Volkswagen project.
Finally, as the ECS Tuning team packed up and moved our cars for a waterfront photoshoot, it all clicked. My Euro District experience mirrored my first Phish concert. I had heard about the devotion, seen the videos, but hadn’t truly understood the passion until I witnessed it firsthand. Euro District made a profound impact, and I left with a clear motivation to become part of this incredible community. Even as a dedicated BMW enthusiast, I couldn’t resist the pull of the VW world after this event.
ECS Tuning extends sincere gratitude to Dinah and Brad of Eurotrash Apparel, and everyone involved in making Euro District 2020 such a remarkable event. We were honored to be part of it and eagerly anticipate next year. After the challenges of 2020, this weekend was a much-needed boost for everyone. Thank you to all attendees, to Gary, Dave, Matt, Cheyanne, and Destiny – the ECS Tuning crew – for their hard work and good spirits. And thank you to Pat, Josh, Donny, Ben, and everyone else who helped me discover and appreciate this incredible automotive subculture.
