15000 members - 11/04

12000 members - 03/04

10000 members - 10/03

9,000 members - 07/03

7,000 members - 01/03

5,000 members - 06/02

3,000 members - 12/01

Many of you know I’m running a VW dealership that proudly sponsors ClubB5.  In my role, I have a unique perspective as I’m fighting the norm every day.  I used to hear "this will void your warranty, etc."  Now I hear "What’s next, Tim?!"  Now everyone at my store is mod friendly.  We reference the vortex and ClubB5 to all of our customers as a place to learn about the good and the bad.

My wife will tell you that Volkswagen is the most important thing in my life – other than her that is!  I have worked for Volkswagen for almost 13 years now and have had many VW in my short life including a Rabbit diesel, a Fox, a 95 Jetta.

My first Passat was a ’99 and while I knew immediately that I wanted one, we couldn’t keep up with demand and I had to wait it out for 14 months.  After that long wait I became a happy owner of a Satin Silver Passat GLS 1.8T.  I loved that car.  I hooked it up right away with painted lowers, grill, Neuspeed chip, exhaust, etc.

Fast forward to 2001.  When the first B5.5 rolled off the truck I knew it was the car for me.  Heck, it should be – I ordered it!  Reflex Silver, black leather, manual transmission.  Everything that bugged me about my last Passat was improved in the new one.  It had the upper scale look that I wanted and with the Passat’s popularity, it would stand out in a crowd.  So I bit the bullet and decided that this time I would go all out.

It seems as if every time I change something, the car just keeps getting better and better.  I am determined to have the whole package.  Not just a car that looks good but one that performs exceptionally while it is dropping jaws.

With that in mind I sought after the best equipment.  Stoptech has been a great help with the car.  They have answered all of my questions, came through with solutions to problems.  I have three sets of pads (one set for show, one for race and one for street).

I have been tracking the car regularly at Gingerman in Michigan and have had no problems hanging with the big boys – E36 M3's, E46 M3's, S4's, S2000's, Boxster’s, etc.  I am not saying that I am faster but I am saying that they aren’t that much faster!  The Passat has been an all around joy.

If there is one mod that I would say was the make it or break it on my car, it would be the 18 x 8.5 BBS CH's.  They are just an all around knock out set of wheels.  I catch people staring at them at red lights.

I have made a lot of good friends here on ClubB5.  I really enjoy having all of you as my support group.  My dealership has grown a lot this year because of all of the praise we receive from the enthusiast world.  We will continue to do things the right way and we are going to have nothing but fun the whole time.

Next year will be a big year for me.  I am going to try and make it to both big east and west coast shows.  My wife has already given me the thumbs up.  I look forward to meeting all of you guys and gals in person.

I would like to send a shout out to my boy’s at Stoptech, Evolution Motorsports, Dubwerks, Tirerack, Femi, Jonboy, Edsel, James, David, Mike (play on pimp!).  And special thanks to all of you at ClubB5 for all of your assistance and for helping me spend so much money last year!

Happy New Year, everybody!  Let’s have a great 2003.

Engine:

Evolution Cold Air Intake
PES Stage 3 Heat Shield
GIAC X-CHIP 1.3 Bar
Audi TT 225 Injectors
Polyeurothane Snub Mount
Hyperboost DV
UUC Short Shifter
Borla Cat back exhaust/2.75 Plumbing
Color Matched Engine Cover

Suspension & Brakes:

H&R Sport Springs
O-Bar Lower Anti-Sway Bar
P&P Motorsports Front Brace (Color Matched)
Stoptech Big Brake Upgrade/Hawk Ferro Carbon Race Pads
Rear Stainless Lines/Cross-drilled Rotors/EBC Green Stuff Pads

Interior/ Audio:

JBL 400 Amp
Denon 400 Amp
Sony MD EX Minidisc Player
1 JL 12”
UUC Rob Knob
Autometer 30lb Boost and Air/Fuel Guages
Sparco Pro 2000 Seats/Schroth Harness'

Exterior:

Kamei Upper and Lower Eyelids
ABD Badgeless Grill
Votex Front Spoiler
Painted Sides and Rear Valance
VW "R" Badge with Factory Race Graphics

Wheels and Tires:

18 x 8.5 BBS CH (Challenge)
Kumho Ecsta 712’s

 This site is not affiliated with Volkswagen of America or its parent company VW AG.