blakwag (Mario)

It all started when I picked up the latest issue of Consumer Reports somewhere around February of 2001. At the time I was driving a 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Jeep was a big headache. I was tired of the horrible gas mileage and the whole SUV craze was getting old for me. The fact that the Jeep was in the shop once a month didn't help either. I needed a car that was going to match all aspects of my lifestyle. I average around 10-15 snowboarding trips per year and I wanted a car with the space of an SUV, but with the handling of a coupe or sedan. I soon realized that the perfect match for me would be a station wagon but the looks of the Saturn and Subaru Legacy just didn't do it for me. The Volvo V70 was my first choice but the price wasn't even close to what I could afford. When I read the review on the 2001 Passat Wagons, I was convinced that this was the car for me. So on April 29, 2001, I finally purchased my 2001 Passat Station Wagon (Variant) GLX 5-speed from Puente Hills Volkswagen located in the sideskirts, oh, I mean, outskirts of Los Angeles.

I never intended to modify my B5 when I first got it. I didn't even know what "B5" meant much less the term, "Variant". My intention was to run this car down to the ground via road trips and the like. Then my friend introduced me to VWVortex. I was totally engulfed. I spent hours at a time on this site. I felt like Neo in the Matrix, absorbing information without end. I just couldn't get enough information from members such as Stargazer, JonBoy and others. Some of my first mods included crystal clear corners and side markers, a Kamei grill and a rear upper spoiler. Shortly after, I was introduced to ClubB5. That's when my wallet really started to thin rapidly. Soon I was spending close to $1000 at a timeÉHIDs, full suspension upgrade, tire/wheel package and more recently a Phatbox. I soon realized that this project was never-ending. I often said to myself, "okay, this is the last mod", but who was I kidding.

After the cosmetic mods slowed down a bit, I started up with the performance mods. As you all know, the V6 is limited in performance mods compared to the 1.8T. I found myself seeking advice from the other V6ers such as VWGUY4EVER (Ronny), JonBoy (Jon) and a few others. Performance mods to date are a GIAC chip, Brospeed exhaust and EVO intake. I'd love to get the PES Supercharger but can't picture myself spending that much at once, but it's nice to dream.

In March of 2003, I found this site. Very cool group of people who many I've seen on ClubB5. I've met some of the coolest people on all of the B5 boards. To sum it all up, I've lived on B5 boards for the last 2 years. My love for my B5 has bound me to these sites and I don't regret one bit of it. I'd like to thank all my B5 & B5.5 brothers and sisters for all the ideas and support. Here's a list of my mods. Happy modding!

Mods

Engine:

• GIAC
• EVO Intake
• Brospeed Catback by Bosal

Transmission:

• Neuspeed Short Shifter

  Interior

  • 5 Speed Manual Transmission
  • Tan Leather Interior
  • NB Sunglass Holder
  • Dash Trim Kit

  Audio

  • Phatbox

  Exterior

  • Votex Front Chin Spoiler
  • Kamei Rear Upper Spoiler
  • Bonrath Grill
  • Crystal Clear Corners & Sidemarkers
  • Jetta Blue Mirrors
  • Debadged Rear
  • In-Pro Tinted Tails
  • Custom Painted Rear VW Emblem
  • Yakima Racks

  Wheels

  • Flix Abyss w/ Falken Azenis ST115 225/40 R 18

  Suspension:

  • Neuspeed Bilsteins Sports (set at very bottom)
  • Eibach Pro-Kits
  • Neuspeed Rear Sway Bar
  • Andy Lower Front Tie Bar

  Brakes

  • Mintex Red Box on rears

  Electrical:

  • EuroSwitch
  • Driver's Side Rear Fog Light
  • Alientech Window Controller
  • Hella OEM HIDs

  

   

  Other oneB5s

   

  
  

  B5one is a licensed club of Volkswagen