Deluxe MK4 Panzer Plate and FMJ Side Skirt Combo

Two weeks after my warranty ended on my 2002 Beetle TDI we hit a “traffic control” hump a little too fast and busted a hole in the transaxle. That was a $2500 repair using a salvaged trans.

Soon after that little incident I ordered a Panzer Full Metal Jacket Skid Plate. I installed it myself. The parts fit perfectly. I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard the sicking sound of metal scraping against pavement as I’ve gone over humps, etc. The Panzer has many scrapes and gouges but it’s still going strong here in 2025! No damage to the engine components since!

After a shop did a timing belt replacement for me earlier this year the passenger side panel lost the bottom Dzus pin that holds it to the Panzer. I pulled into a parking lot this week and the loose side plate contacted the running AC motor and my heart sank since I figured the awful noise was the compressor failing. Nope just the plate banging against the AC but only when the AC is running. Thank goodness!

Now where am I going to find the replacement fastener? I didn’t even know what it was called! Guess what? Diesel Geek has the Dzus pins for one dollar each! They even tell me the part number so I can get it from the dealer! Who does this anymore? Thank you Diesel Geeks!

FYI I was smart enough to order two Diesel Geek “Love Handles” door repair back in the day. My door handle broke spectacularly a few years back and the passenger side broke this year. The Love Handles are both installed now and they work and fit perfectly! And they look like a million bucks! I get lots of compliments! Thank you guys so much for what you do!

I put my Diesel Geek skid plate on my 2004 R32 back in 2018. It has soaked up quite a few hits over the years. The surface is scratched, but it has never bent. It is still easy to get on and off. I have an HPA turbo kit and the passenger side panel doesn't fit with the oil return line, but before I installed that kit everythin fit great.

I Have had this installed for close to a decade now and it does not have a mark one it!!!
Just after i installed it Ottawa got one of it's worst winter storms, travelling back home following a tractor trailer, he dropped of a massive chunk of solid ice of the mudflap at about 45 mph, couldn't go left or right out of the snoe lane ruts or I'm in the ditch with family in car!!! Hit it straight on and WOW what a thud, with everyone else asking "what the heck was that?". My response was nothing to worry about,....but I was. looked at all the gauges, ok, kept on going home (another 300miles). Got home and went to wor the next day and put her up on the hoist, NOT A MARK!!!!
Money really well spent, Thanks Jim!
Cheers Brother,
Dave U

When this kit arrived I was very impressed with the parts even as they sat next to my car. As I installed everything, the quality of the parts, final fit and finish on everything impressed me. I did the install mostly by myself. Get the car on ramps for sure. If you don't want to rest the skidplate on your chest while you thread in a few bolts, get a buddy to help.
Rivnut install went very well, instructions and videos were good. All recommended tools did the job and the subframe caps were a nice touch other skidplates probably don't include.

Now for the GOOD stuff. After this sucker was installed I had a road trip and we were all over the place. Well, I didn't mean to do this, but I PLOWED into a huge paved bump after crossing a cattle guard. I knew the guard was there going one way, but forgot on the way back out! Going 30-40mph, I touched the brakes but too late: BAM, BANG!! The impact bashed the car up pretty high even the rear hit, and I coasted to the side of the road as we thought I'd just obliterated my new skid plate, or worse; annihilated my oil pan. I'm lucky the airbags weren't triggered.
I shut the car off and looked under the front; TIS BUT A SCRATCH! Well, it was many scratches, but they weren't gouged very deep and the skidplate basically deflected the pavement and saved the day. Since then I've had numerous light scrapes, but it looks great underneath still and gives me peace of mind, even now that the car is lifted 3".

I have spent $$$$ over the years replacing the plastic "skid plates" on the underside of my 2004 R32 (which I have owned since new). I wish I had purchase the panzer and side skirts right from the start. Everything was easy to install and the fitment was perfect. The modifications to the R32 plastic was simple (don't be afraid). The customer service is very informative and friendly. Bravo DieselGeek!