Tweaking a B5.5 for DD duty

[HotRodWagen]

Hello everyone, I'm a newcomer to the board, and I recently picked up a 2001 Pssat GLX Wagon to take on daily duty for me. Silver with black leather interior, 175K, excellent cosmetic condition, and a few little mechanical issues typical of a high mileage car. Not planning anything too ridiculous with this one, but I am unable psychologically to drive an all original vehicle, so a few modifications had to happen with the repairs and tune-up.

Here it is as purchased a couple weeks ago:




Rolled her into the shop and started taking things apart. Needed a PCV/vacuum refresh (great PCV kit from ECS!), all the front control arms were busted, so those got pulled.


Got a set of DEPO lights and cheap coils for kicks. sitting on the ramps for loaded/level torquing of suspension bits:


Set down and back together (Painted the badge. I have a spray paint addiction):



Got a little excited with the coils, and already got center hung in the neighbor's driveway during the test run so a may raise up a little. Maybe... but maybe not.


I got a cheap set of Solo-Werks coils, and I know, you get what you pay for blah blah. I'm not tracking this car or anything, so they shouldn't see too much stress, but I haven't used adjustable coils on anything before so I wanted to see how I liked them. So far they're great, rides real nice

Thats it for now! Got some acceleration vibration, probably CV joint/Axle related, so I'd say that will be next. New pictures and fresh updates in the works!

[koidragon1980]

don't go cheap on the axles. Raxles or OEM will give you the best performance and longevity. i had a little bit of luck with the autozone duralast remans, but don't expect them to hold up well after a year. $60-$75 per axle was all i could afford at the time but the boots quickly tore and the joints failed shortly after.

[TheColoradoRed]

That's a nice start! But with great lowering comes great responsibility - she's dying for some spacers.

Welcome to the club

[HotRodWagen]

don't go cheap on the axles.

Yeah that's what I've heard, good advice!

That's a nice start! But with great lowering comes great responsibility - she's dying for some spacers.

Welcome to the club

Thanks man. I'm probably going to get new wheels come spring (don't want nice shiny shoes going into winter/salt season), but could definitely stand to move those out some.

[SleeperWagon]

Sweet!

Can I call your car Rudolph?

[bigbea]

Nice. Plastidip those wheels

[HotRodWagen]

Nothing really accomplished on the car, just snapped a few pics in the driveway and wanted to share!









Loving it overall though, its a great car!

[HotRodWagen]

Little update, threw in an autozone cheapo axle for a quick fix, lasted a solid 2 weeks, now got the Raxle in place.
And one more glamour shot :-)


Edit: forgot i also did an apr snub mount while i was under her. not bad to install, definitely feels less sloppy.

[NEWMAN'SOWN]

Good job, looks very clean.

[Hydro-sweep]

Raise it up a little......you're pan will thank you...

[sirwired]

Your tires are not going to be long for this world with the massive camber induced by your lowering. Either back out some of the lowering or get adjustable CA's. (Or prepare to buy lots of tires.)

[TheColoradoRed]

I think he needs spacers more than he needs to raise it

I say keep it that low, looks good.

[Troy Jollimore]

You're not paying for his tires...

[TheColoradoRed]

I was equally low in my B5 on Rokkors, I didn't go through tires too quickly. My Hankook Ventus lasted a while, even with some slight camber wear

[doyles-1.8T]

Never understood that much lowering of a DD, but it's your $$. Welcome to PW!

[Troy Jollimore]

It's a style thing. Works on most of your roads down there. Up here, I've seen a few try it. They're all back up to near stock height inside of a week or so. Our roads are WAY too bad for that...

[Bdubskii]

Wagon looks nice!

[rolfsent]

Nice e34 in the garage. Also nice wagon.

[Craymac]

Verrah Sexy.

[HotRodWagen]

Thanks for the comments guys! And props to rolfsent for recognizing the e34. One pic of her outside the shop:



So quick question, I have a set of Gruven adjustable uppers in the mail, and I'll be needing to get an alignment. Can most shops/dealerships deal with the aftermarket control arms and the reduced height ok? I know i'll find out soon enough when i just go ask around, but I wondered if y'all had any insight.

Thanks!

[2003silverpassat]

Is that a 4motion?

[HotRodWagen]

nah just fwd

[2003silverpassat]

Damn. Im looking for a lowering kit for the 4motion

[rolfsent]

Very nice e34. I only recognized it because I love the e34 body style and I've had 2. A 1990 535i and a 1994 530i. I have sold both and now I have a 2004 330ci vert w/ sport package, 41k miles and a 02 B5.5 wagon. Are you on Bimmerforums?

[HotRodWagen]

Thanks man, mine's a 95 540i/6spd. My boss drives a 330ci too, its a slick car! yeah i'm on BFc, I'm HotRodBimmer (you probably would have figured that one out.)

[rolfsent]

image.jpgimage.jpgI've always wanted a 540/6. These are mine image.jpgimage.jpg