Join us for another episode of VW ID Talk! In this episode, Jeremy and Jan do a deep dive into their personal builds: a customized 2025 VW ID. Buzz and a highly modified VW ID.4.
We discuss how to achieve the “OEM Plus” look, integrating European-spec parts onto North American vehicles, and the challenges of modifying electric vehicles on the MEB platform. From enabling Matrix headlights and swapping tail lights to 3D-printed interior hacks and suspension lowering, we cover it all.
đźš— Featured Mods in this Video:
- ID.4: Matrix High Beams, GTX-style honeycomb lights, Euro animated tail lights (amber turns), tactile steering wheel buttons, and custom 3D-printed interior trim.
- ID. Buzz: Rotiform 22″ wheels, H&R Coilover lowering (2.5-inch drop), Van Style front spoiler, custom painted trim, roof rack mods, and a MagSafe charging integration.
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A transcript, cleaned up by AI and edited by a staffer, is below.
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Transcript:
Hi, I’m Jeremy. This is my 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz. I’m a longtime Volkswagen owner, and today we’re going to talk about modifications to the ID. Buzz. I’m joined by Jan—he has an ID.4.
Jan:
I’m Jan. This is my sixth Volkswagen, and actually my first electric one.
You might be wondering why we’re bringing two seemingly different cars together to talk about modifications. The reason is that both vehicles share the same underpinnings: Volkswagen’s MEB platform. Because of that, they share many components and design elements, including styling cues like the headlights. A lot of modifications can apply to both cars, although many parts are only available in Europe. That said, we’ve already done some European-spec mods.
Let’s start with my ID.4, then we’ll look at what Jeremy has done to the Buzz.
ID.4 Exterior Modifications
We’ve already talked about the lighting. The headlights themselves are stock, but I’ve enabled the matrix high-beam functionality. There’s a full episode explaining how to do that if anyone wants the details.
You may notice the GTX-style honeycomb light pattern. It isn’t very bright, but it adds to the light signature. Both cars share this hexagon theme. In newer model years, Volkswagen has refined this design slightly. There’s also a GTX version of the Buzz that includes accent lights in the lower honeycomb area.
Unfortunately, the GTX lights remove an air curtain that helps manage airflow and reduce vortices, which is something I actually like about the original bumper. The GTX bumper reminds me a bit of Bart Simpson—especially the side elements. In black, it’s less obvious, but I still prefer the original, more “smiley” bumper design.
On the sides, I’ve changed a few things as well. The front fender emblem is blacked out, similar to what Jeremy did on his Buzz. I also removed a secondary trim piece. The side moldings are not OEM but are paint-matched to the body color, so they blend in nicely.
The wheels are OEM, but I modified the finish. Inspired by a Chattanooga-built ID.4, I wrapped the silver trim sections in black using leftover wrap material. Originally, this entire trim area was silver. Now it looks factory, and the texture matches the mirrors nicely. I used the same material to add subtle contrast against the gloss finish.
The taillights are one of the biggest modifications. I’m a big fan of animated taillights and amber turn signals. These European-spec taillights aren’t available in the U.S., so I retrofitted them. They have beautiful animations and amber indicators. The Buzz already has more advanced lighting from the factory, including configurable animations.
ID. Buzz Exterior Modifications
Moving to Jeremy’s car, some changes are obvious from the outside and others are more subtle.
The headlights are factory units, and the hardware for matrix high beams is present, but the functionality isn’t enabled in North America. One thing U.S.-spec ID. Buzz models do get is the illuminated front Volkswagen emblem, which stays lit with the parking lights.
The front spoiler is from Van Styles in the UK. I wanted something simple—more of a classic duckbill design rather than aggressive canards—because I’m going for a neo-retro look rather than a race-car aesthetic.
I’ve also installed a dashcam that looks nearly factory. One small but useful mod was upgrading from 28-inch to 30-inch wiper blades. They sweep closer to the dashcam lens, keeping more of the view clear in the rain.
The corner lights are rest-of-world parts sourced through Parts by Topher. In the U.S., these areas have amber reflectors, which I’m not particularly fond of. This cleans up the look.
The wheels are Rotiform BTLs—22×10 up front with a 35 mm offset and 30 mm in the rear. The car is lowered on H&R coilovers, about 65 mm (roughly 2.5 inches) front and rear. This is actually my second set of springs. The fitment is exactly where I wanted it, with almost no visible fender gap.
The side skirts were wrapped and then color-matched with paint to match the Mahi Green body color. I did the same treatment front and rear.
Up top, I installed a roof rail system from Turkey that uses the factory mounting points. I added crossbars and a cargo rack, then refinished the rack by painting the corners silver and switching from chrome to a brushed finish to better match the wheels.
The rear D-pillar emblems were wrapped in pearl white. They’re slightly off-white, but in summer light they pop just enough while remaining subtle from a distance. The badge shown here is specific to the First Edition models.
Interior Modifications – ID. Buzz
Let’s move inside.
The Buzz has powered sliding doors, though I’ve disabled the foot sensors to avoid accidental activation.
Inside, I added a second center console with 3D-printed cup holders. These consoles are removable and can be placed in three different positions. I also added a small piece of matting between the floor mats to hide the factory clips, which I don’t love visually.
We don’t get parcel trays in U.S. models, but this setup allows for a rear tray if you want to eat or place drinks in the back. The tray itself is a BMW accessory, rebranded with Volkswagen logos sourced from Etsy in the UK.
The coat hanger is also a BMW accessory that attaches to the headrest posts and works in nearly any vehicle without obvious branding.
Up front, the dashcam housing sits neatly below the mirror and looks OEM. I’ve added rubber inserts in various storage areas to protect the factory surfaces, which can be scratch-prone.
One Easter egg I added is a factory-style detail that Volkswagen stopped including after the 2024 model year. This part came from Parts by Topher, and I helped test-fit it before it went on sale.
Interior Modifications – ID.4
On my ID.4, I’ve focused heavily on tactile controls. I prefer physical buttons on the steering wheel and center console so I don’t need to look down while driving.
I added tactile window switches and physical buttons below the infotainment screen. These are OEM Skoda parts and include climate and lock shortcuts. The monitor surround and several switch enclosures are 3D-printed parts that I experimented with until they fit perfectly.
One mod the Buzz can’t have is the frunk storage solution. I added a snap-in organizer from Austria that holds charging cables, snow socks, and adapters. There’s also a Skoda spout that makes pouring fluids much cleaner.
The Buzz, unfortunately, doesn’t have a usable frunk. Opening it is usually a joke at car shows—it mostly contains washer fluid and wiring for the illuminated emblem.
Phone and Software Mods
I installed a MagSafe phone charger using a 3D-printed bracket from the UK, wired into the factory USB-C port. It’s clean, has no visible wiring, and sits right next to the screen.
Because the factory wireless charging pad tended to overheat phones, I added a small, quiet fan to move air across the charging area. This solved the issue.
Software-wise, the Buzz is running version 5.4, which took several days at the dealer to install. OTA updates exist in theory, but meaningful updates still require dealer visits. There are rumors of future features like dog mode and camping mode, but timelines are unclear.
The ID.4 has older software and likely won’t receive newer themes or UI updates. While software updates have been slow—and one even bricked my car temporarily—I still love how the car drives. It’s quiet, relaxing, and travel assist works exceptionally well.
Final Thoughts
Both of us agree that Volkswagen did an excellent job with the design of these cars. The interiors are airy and comfortable, and the electric drivetrain makes them calm and enjoyable to drive.
The Harman Kardon sound system in the Buzz is particularly impressive, offering good sound staging and clarity rather than exaggerated bass. While some owners criticize it, I think it’s well-balanced and true to live sound.
The suspension setup on the Buzz strikes a great balance between low stance and comfort. Even with a 2.5-inch drop, it remains usable and compliant.
Jeremy, thanks so much for showing us your car and walking through all these details.
Thanks for watching—please subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode. Bye.
