2mAns Daily Driver Thread - who knows what it is today...

[2mAn]

You need a high clearance 4x4 in LA

the weast side ain't as bad, but once you cross the 405 on the 10 east, it turns into indiana jones

What apolcylptic terrain did you think I needed that vehicle for?

[MrBurgundy]

You need a high clearance 4x4 in LA

the weast side ain't as bad, but once you cross the 405 on the 10 east, it turns into indiana jones

[2mAn]

If you guys knew how I drive this thing... its actually pretty amazing the wheels lasted as long as they did. Had I not just bought a bunch of tires going through this nonsense I likely would've had 17" wheels... but that has sailed.

Anyways, I also am ~93% sure I know when the driver front wheel cracked. This only matters if you live on the West Side of Los Angeles, but that lip is not something you want to hit at speed.. IYKYK

[MrBurgundy]

[MrBurgundy]

Literally the same size wheel and same tire as before.. 215/40 tire, but the RIMZZZ definitely look bigger

*looks back at BBS rims that are cracked*

[econti]

Type of setup you'd see from someone with 3 baby mummas and overdue child support but he took his tax return straight to the wheel shop

(I can't hate on the hustle)

[2mAn]

JEEZUS, those are sum RIMZ alright. RIP if you hit any potholes.

Literally the same size wheel and same tire as before.. 215/40 tire, but the RIMZZZ definitely look bigger

[JasonWilson48]

JEEZUS, those are sum RIMZ alright. RIP if you hit any potholes.

[2mAn]

I'm a big fan of the CH look, but not worth the pain lol.

Yea I had saved a single CH that I would've happily purchased, but that would've only made sense if the cracked wheel was one of the rears. I can explain why, but lets just say I am happy to have a matched set of wheels that only required a matched set of hubcentric rings that I already owned.

[Northern]

I'm a big fan of the CH look, but not worth the pain lol.

[2mAn]

Amazing how some wheels totally change the look of the car.

Thoughts on the look vs before?

The BBS Reps were very much an OEM+ look that I really liked, albeit the terrible finish... The new wheels are very much BRO I GOT 18" RIMZZZ .... but with the drop it doesnt look horrible. Much easier to clean and I THINK they are lighter... At a total of $550 for the wheels, installed with the Michelin tires I am happy to move on.

The other cars are also needing my attention so I would like to move beyond this. I really want to sort out 2 minor items of the backup camera and adding the bass, so some time in the trunk is likely to be coming soon.

[Panici]

AFTER

Amazing how some wheels totally change the look of the car.

Thoughts on the look vs before?

[2mAn]

Quick storytime about the wheel fiasco. A few posts above this you'll see the 2 blowouts on the pass side... well, after that things were relatively fine, but my driver front kept having a slow leak. After a few 'refills' back up it finally gave out. I had kept the bubble tire as a 'just in case' and replaced the dead tire with the bubble tire. Well, while I was there I asked the guys to balance the tire and they took my money and kinda hinted that I should buy new wheels... The tire was flat again a short time later, beginning the 'refill' headache again. It seemed the old valve stem was the problem so I asked my car-guy neighbor to swap out the stem for me (free.99) I thought I was good... Shortly later, after one drive where I discovered the tire was low again on my way to work another tire was dead. Another Michelin Pilot Sport arrives and I have it installed. Tire guy asked me if he wanted me to dunk it in the bath to bless it and low and behold... a crack. I SHOULD have discovered this, but I wasnt really dealing with the on & off that was going on these last few weeks...



Long story short, it was time to get new wheels, as I wasnt going to spend another $1 on these replica wheels. Decided to buy another set of wheels and while I wanted to go down to 17" wheels to gain some rubber, and perhaps some mpg but since I had new-ish tires, 18s it was. A few options later for the ballin on a budget status, I present to you .... my new wheels.

BEFORE


AFTER

[2mAn]

2 used Michelin Pilot Sports and the car is right back into daily abuse...

I was going back through this ENTIRE Daily Driver thread laughing at my intelligence.

I came across this on the last page and figured I should do another for Year #3 of ownership.

BTW Nobody anticipated this length of ownership. Some GOOOOOD VAG here friends...

As I am about to enter Year #2 of ownership, that means I can justify putting some more money into this car. Luckily it really has been trouble free so it doesn't need a whole lot. Usually Year #2 is when I get bored of a car and look to replace it, but so far this has been great and I cant picture a better Daily Driver for me. Its mostly things to just make the car feel less like a sh!tbox.

Heres my 2026 "wish list" feel free to share your input:

(1) Kerma Q-Pro tuner with a tune that I can remove during emissions time, which will roll around in late next year. How will this work while I have the zip-tie mod? ($500?)
Purchased the tuner, but need to send it to Kerma to put a BRM tune on it... maybe this year?

(2) Get a full size spare BBS CH wheel / refinish all the wheels to a proper finish, perhaps go bronze finish? Maybe have a better matching setup lol ($1000+?)
Was really thinking about doing this, once again... maybe this year??

(3) I found a 12" subwoofer box that fits in the trunk cubby location. ($300+?)
Still nothing here, though I did get my hands on a cheap bazooka lol

(4) Fix the back-up camera (No-cost, just fixing wiring)
Maybe this year!.. especially if I end up in the trunk to install the subwoofer

(5) Oil change at 240k (No-cost, already have it ready)
FINALLY SOMETHING ACTUALLY DONE!

(6) Polish up the paint, black wrap on roof since its roasted. ($$$?)
Nope, its worse and IDGAF

(7) Tint the windows ($$$?)
HEYYYY, I actually did this!

(8) Get a second key. ($165)
Maybe this year!...

So I basically changed the oil and tinted the windows... 2.5/8 is a fail!... but I also had to replace a water pump and do another timing belt so that ate up most of its allocated $$$.

So my 2026 list picks up where 2025 left off.
(1) Oil change ASAP, followed by a second oil change in the summer (Looks like ~$130 for this and the parts on #2)

(2) Minor cooling system issues addressed (Thermostat & Coolant flange replaced so maybe no more coolant leaks finally)

(3) Fix the back-up camera! (Free.99)

(4) Subwoofer??? I would love some bass back there.

(5) Second Key!? (Hopefully its still ~$165)

(6) Full Size spare? (~$300)

[Northern]

Wheel has a bit of a bend? or just the picture?

That rear is shredded. Was it flat or rubbing?