ralphb (Ralph)

First of all, my thanks to Bryan and the moderators for selecting me for this honor. It was totally unexpected - the previous OneB5 selectees create a standard that's very hard to live up to!

My B5 is a 2001 GLS V6 in Colorado Red. That has always been my favorite Passat color, and it's a happy bonus for me that they are relatively rare. A bit of history: my B5 actually only the 4th car in my life that I'm the primary driver of. Before the Passat I had a 1994 Acura Integra GS-R, before that a 1986 Toyota Celica GT-S, and my first car was a 1976 Chevrolet Camaro.

Compared to most prior honorees, my car is lightly modded. I have a bunch of comfort & convenience mods (euroswitch, steering wheel cover, NB sunglass holder, etc) and a bunch more cosmetic mods (clear corners, grille, antenna, badging, etc). I also have a handful of performance mods, most notably Neuspeed Sofsport springs and Koni sport shocks (the lowered suspension is also a nice cosmetic effect). This latter has been a great addition. I love the handling feel! I'd love an easy, drop-in power boost like the 1.8T can have with a chip upgrade, but I'm satisfied with the power and torque I get with the V6.

Obviously, I keep my cars for a long time, and I hope to keep my Passat for many years to come. It has 126K miles on the clock, and it still runs well. I also try to keep my car looking good. I wash and wax it regularly (I'm partial to the Einszett products), though not as often as I'd like, and it's never been through a car wash.

More/Older pics

Mods

Interior

• Wheelskins steering wheel cover (size AXX)
• Alien Technologies window controller
• First Aid Kit (Johnson & Johnson p/n 8123BH)
• Mikado garage door opener (p/n 06003)
• Euroswitch (p/n 1C0-941-531-A-20H)
• Change dispenser in ashtray
• New Beetle Sunglass Holder (p/n 1CO-857-465-Y20)
• VW Winter Floor Mats (p/n ZVW-179-005)
• VW Trunk Liner (p/n ZVW-380-300)
• Touareg LED torch (flashlight), dash and trunk (7L6-947-175-A)
• Denison IceLink Plus iPod interface and ProClip mount

Exterior

• VW Splash Guards (p/n ZVW-166-307 F, ZVW-166-308 R)
• Bonrath front grille
• VW Warning Triangle
• Fluted clear front marker lights
• Rear VW emblem background painted body color
• Enfig Motorsport "Perfect Fit" S2000 antenna mast
• Polarg G-34 front marker bulbs
• VW "30V" Emblem
• Aspherical blue-tinted heated side view mirrors (1J1-857-521-C & 1J2-857-522-C)

Engine, Suspension, Wheels

• Goodyear Eagle UltraGrip GW2 tires, size 195/65HR15
• Mille Miglia Cello 17" wheels with Kumho Ecsta Supra 712 225/45ZR17 tires
• VW center cap stickers
• VW stem valve covers
• McGard Wheel Locks
• ECS (OEM Equivalent) zinc plated slotted rotors
• Pagid brake pads
• Raxles replacement front CV joints
• Neuspeed Sofsport springs (55.10.36)
• Koni shock absorbers (82 2488Sport (F) 8040 1227Sport (R))
• Subframe brace ("AndyBar")
• Jack Pads (4x 8NO-804-583 & 4x 8NO-803-855)
• K&N Air Filter (p/n 33-2125)

Other oneB5s

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