I'm thinking I don't like the current 4x4 look (wheel gap) and would prefer a tighter suspension. I really like the 'tight' wheel look found in the BMW M3s:
- maybe 225/40x18s with the correct VW OEM wheel. The 235/35x19s look to big to me (based on what I saw on B5one. I don't want to get into needing to roll the fenders, whatever that means.-
18's would look good and I really like the look of different OEM wheels. Be aware a larger wheel will affect mileage in a negative way a little bit. I went to 17's on my Jetta and noticed a couple mpg's, but to me it is worth it due to how it looks! Good website for all OEM VW wheels and what they are called: http://www.4130-products.com/wheels/
- a slight 'drop', don't know how much, etc. But need to consider car safety (bumps, possible rear passenger, crap in trunk, etc.).
-not too sure what's available, but I'm sure you have options. Do search and then ask a few questions over on the B5one forum to see what peoples feedback are on lowering kits, etc. that they have used. You can also search over on the VWVortex forum. Some of the forum categories over there tend to be young kids with the slam it to the ground mentality, but I assume the B5 forum should be a little more mature Probably not a mod you would want to tackle on your own. Something that I would assume could be tackled with help at a GTG.
- Maybe anti-sway/rollbars, etc. Of course, I would need to consider the impact to shocks, springs (?), etc...
Not too hard to do, but again maybe not something you would want to tackle as a first mod. Front sway bars don't do a whole lot, but a rear sway will definitely increase the handling.
Nervous approaching mods from a one-by-one basis, since there are so many suspension ramifications with even a sligth adjustment
.-Do your homework on suspension first, before jumping in. Realize that it can affect the way the car rides. I would say either of the above mods could be done separately without issue. Someone correct me if I'm way off here.
Also:
-Tint, but IA has a strict policy. Would like to perhaps take a chance with 50% on front sides, with a 20-35% on rear sides, with a 0-20% on the back. Would like this to look good given my car color and not have too huge of a contrast between tint levels. My car is that dark metallic blue-gray (dark slate color, not the bright blue color). I probably could get a MD exception to go with a more aggressive tint, but not sure if worth the hassle or not
.-I doubt you would have a huge issue with 35% all the way around, or 35% in front and 20% in the back. It is actually darker than you think. Good inexpensive mod. I like tint on new cars, so this would be my top thing to do
- I would like to get some custom plates after I buy the tdiclub plate frame. I'm thinking "gotdizl", but would want to ask that tdiclub member if he'd be okay with that or not
.-do it, easy
- Would like a radar detector, but not sure if legal and don't want the 'assembly' to like sloppy (hate wires all over the place, etc
.).-Should not be a problem with legality of a radar detector. Not sure of the states that ban them, but I believe it is few and far between. Again a lot of options, and the installs can all be hardwired so it is not the old look of it suctioned to your window with a cord hanging down.
- would like a chip set, but not sure what this means, and what options are available., Is there an Euro tune chip or something like that? Or, simply better gas mileage, etc.? My car is way past warranty, so don't need to worry about that.-
The two biggest chips tuners on this site are Alligator and Rocketchip. The guy from Rocketchip does travel to different GTG's during the year and can chip your car in person. Otherwise you would have to pull the ECU and overnight it to him, then get back in the mail and reinstall. He travels a lot so he is hard to get ahold of, but from what everyone says, it is a nice tune. He will listen to what you are looking for and create a tune specifically for you. Alligator has the option of you being able to install the tune. They send you a file with the tune and with a laptop, you install it in your car. They seem to be getting very popular as well, and if you want to change something it is just a matter of them sending you a new file to upload to your car. I think KermaTDi is a vendor for Alligator. I would read up in the performance section and then send them a PM with some questions. I don't have a tune myself (Eric-MrErlo does) but this is just what I have gleaned reading here the past few years.
-I like the idea of a rear spoiler lip and some of those body mods, but not sure if it is worth the $ and the impact to the mpg (assuming it adds weight, etc
.).-lots of options there. I personally think less is more sometimes, and again tend to like the OEM look instead of aftermarket. I'm assuming you aren't going for the Fast and the Furious look A small lip spoiler shouldn't really affect mpg's and should be lightweight. Subtle but good looking.
-the venectomy appeals to me, but wouldn't be able to pull that idea off, and need to understand any potential negative impacts (like summer expansion of the fuel, etc
.)...-I assume it's possible do a ventectomy on a B5, and I think it is something you could easily do. Haven't done it myself, but it appears it is about a 5 minute mod. Shouldn't be any negative impacts as diesel does not expand like gasoline in the heat of summer and there isn't the same type of fuel vapor systems in a diesel to screw up like in a gasser. What it will do is allow you to fill it to the brim without having to hit that little white button in the filler neck to let the air escape.
_ I do have somewhat of an annoying vibration at around 2400rpm, I think, so the mufflerectomy sounds appealing, but again, need to know what this means with the B5.5, and what is legal, etc. I do love the sound of the car, especially in winter when it sounds like an dodge 3500 cummings diesel (until it warms up
).-Maybe Eric will pipe up as I believe he has done this. Probably not exactly "legal" because you are modifying the exhaust, but the same would technically apply to an aftermarket perfromance exhaust. I would think there would be a VERY LOW risk of it being a problem from a you're gonna get in trouble standpoint. Only downside I have heard is that on the highway some people have indicated a slight exhaust drone.
-I noticed that since I had all of that TB work done, that my engine sounds 'like it is running faster', and 'sounds different'... it sounds different than before the TB work, so am worried, the stealership made a boo-boo, but just know if I call them they'll say it had nothing to do with their work, etc. and cost me $$$
.-Easiest way to is to find someone local with Vagcom who knows how to use it and have them check the timing. Who here in Omaha has Vagcom?
Guess I'm going for more of a "this TDI belongs on the autobahn look", if that makes sense. Probably would define a target "to-be" state, then work towards that goal over time, considering what work needs to be done in tandem and what work should occur sequentially.
I'm all ears...
thanks!
-Bill