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VWVortex.com AUTObiography
Welcome to AUTObiography, our newest Feature at VWvortex that gives our readers a chance to get their rides featured on our site. Readers can submit several photos and fill out our questionaire below. We have the tedious task of selecting which of your witty responses and photos get published. Every Wednesday we'll feature a different reader ride, so tune in each week. Want to see your car featured in an AUTObiography? Just click HERE. We can't promise you that we'll feature every car that gets submitted, but we encourage you to be creative, as that's always a good way to score some brownie points with us. Quality photos won't hurt your chances any, either. Next up is VWvortex member tdimeister's B4 Passat TDI: Q: How long have you owned this car? A: Since October 10, 2000. I remember that date well. It was my first big purchase, and I stumbled upon “her” quite by accident. I was shopping for other cars at the time, and was almost ready to ink a deal for an Audi A4. Fate intervened and I decided that I needed to sleep on such a big investment. Next morning, returning to the dealership to sign the papers on the Audi, Quicksilver, as my Passat has come to be named, “just arrived into the lot.” It was mine within about an hour. It was truly love at first sight. Q: Is there anything unique about the history of this car? A: The manufacture date is the same as my birthday, May 12th. In 1997, the Emden, Germany plant, where most Passats are assembled, had already re-tooled for B5 production. My Passat, like the relatively few other `97 B4s like it, was assembled in Brussels, Belgium. Q: What was your objective with this car? A: As a daily driver that has logged over 250,000 km (155k miles - 160,000 km [100k miles] during the time in which I've owned it), I desired something that would be a comfortable tourer; economical, practical, and stylish. And since I consider this to be my one-and-only “toy,” it also needed to be a hoot to drive and quite adept for the occasional autocross, lapping day, or drag race. Yes, you read correctly - Diesel and performance need not be mutually exclusive words! Q: What tuning style would you describe this car as? (ex. Euro, Bling, OEMplus, Rat Stylz, street racer, auto crosser). A: I would like to think that it doesn’t fit in any mold, just like myself. I was adamant in my vision for Quicksilver that reliability and daily tractability not be compromised. Q: Who helped you build this car? A: Knowledge absorbed and friendships forged over 5 years on VWvortex and TDIClub; the mechanical expertise of Gerry D; body work by Mike at Euro Design; and countless hours of “car engineering talk” with Brian P.
Q: What makes your car special? A: I can’t think of another car that can carry 5 people and their gear in style and absolute comfort; eat alive seemingly quicker, more powerful cars; and all the while getting, on average, 1250 km (775 miles) between refueling. Q: What is your favorite part/feature/function? A: Without a doubt the TDI engine. Amazing economy, great performance in everyday driving, and excellent reliability (Quicksilver has 250,000 km, with original engine internals, as well as the turbocharger). Q: Who or what inspired the direction of modifications on this car? A: Too many people to list specifically, but the many members of both VWvortex and TDIClub - many of whom have also become my closest of friends. Q: What don't you like about this car? A: Lack of glove box, but apart from that, I can’t think of anything. Q: What would you change if you could? A: Myself. I'd like to take even better care of it for all the “daily grind” duty to which I subject it. Q: On a scale of 1 to 10, how satisfied are you with the outcome of this project? A: Like most projects, this one is ongoing - like a canvas that is being painted as time and miles pass by. Taking into consideration the realistic budget on which this car has been put together, I would give it a "9." Q: What would you do to the car if money were no object? A: Syncro conversion with 6-speed transmission and an engine swap with higher output Euro TDI mill. Q: Who has been your biggest critic of this project? A: Actually, I can’t think of anyone - people have been almost unanimously admiring… except perhaps the envious. Q: What do your family and friends say about this car? A: Friends: “Looks like you’ve put a lot into this car.” Family: “You spent HOW MUCH??!!”
Q: What is your favorite place to drive this car? A: Rural highways in cottage country, Ontario, Canada. Q: What is your ideal day with this car? A: Lapping Day at Mosport International Raceway; driving home along country roads with windows down. Q: Who gets to drive this car? A: Just myself, and a VERY carefully selected, lucky few… Q: If your car had a motto, what would it be? A: “Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful, hate yourself because you just got spanked by a DIESEL!” Q: What was your previous project? A: Graduating from university and getting a job to fund this one. Q: What is your next project? A: More engine upgrades; getting a sister Audi Coupe Quattro with a TDI conversion. Q: What one word best describes your car? A: “Me.”
Owner Information: Name- Dave Oh Address- Oakville, ON, Canada E-mail- tdimeister@yahoo.com Occupation- Powertrain Design Engineer Club Affiliations- TDIClub.com Vehicle Information: Year- 1997 Make- Volkswagen Model- Passat Mileage- 250,000 km (155k miles) Original Color- Satin silver Current Color- Satin silver Engine- TDI Engine Modifications- Enlarged fuel injectors, aftermarket ECU chip Exhaust Modifications- 2.5” cat-back straight-pipe Transmission Modifications- Quaife ATB differential, Sachs PowerClutch Suspension Modifications- Neuspeed Sport lowering springs, Neuspeed upper strut tie bar, Neuspeed 28mm rear sway bar, Bilstein HD shock absorbers, polyurethane suspension bushings Brake Modifications- Corrado G60 11” front big-brake kit, Neuspeed stainless braided brake lines, Mintex Red Box brake pads Wheels and Tires- Axis Se7en 7X17” ET40 rims, Yokohama Parada Spec-2 215/40-17 tires Exterior/Body Modifications- Rieger RS4-style front bumper cover, BMW E36 e-code headlamps, Hella MicroDE fog lamps, painted lower valence trim Interior Modifications- Isotta leather steering wheel cover, Redline Accessories leather shift- and e-brake boot Audio/Video/I.C.E.- Kenwood Excelon KDC-MP-X859 CD/MP3 head unit, Kenwood 10-disc CD changer, Infinity Kappa 6.5” component speakers (front), MB Quart 6.5” 2-way co-axial speakers (rear), Blaupunkt 12” sub and matched ported enclosure, BOSS Rage Series REV-885 4-channel amp (300W peak, 175W RMS per channel). Thanks/Props- Paul S (dropFROG): Photos, Gerry D (DIESEL DAZZLER): Mechanical, Mike L (Euro Design): Body work, Brian P (GoFaster): Fun technical discussions, TDIClub.com, (sorry if I unintentionally missed anyone else).
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