B Dizzle Fizzle (Bryan)

I spent way too much time since 1997 (and a half) since the B5 came out wanting one. I would claw at my window when I drove by one. My father knew I felt this way about them, and played with me at my college graduation, joking that he had bought me one as a gift. Even though I knew he was kidding, the whole drive home, I kept interrupting my friends in the car to say, "No, he couldn't have...could he?"

Well, with interest rates as low as they were in 2002, I decided to jump in and buy one...so, I settled on a 2002 GLS 1.8T in Blue Anthracite with a black velour interior and the lux, cold weather and Monsoon package. I have not been let down since.

I love this car...obviously since I ended up starting a club around it. I want to thank everyone who has inspired me over the years to mod this thing, and helped me with lots of repairs and improvements. A big thanks to Ron Lee for all he did since day one with the car and the club.

Mods

This is my B5.5 when it was about 4 days...no mods yet

Here's a NiteVision shot from my Sony DSC-F707 on a rainy night in late September

Here is my B5.5 with the In.Pro chrome sideview mirrors from Parts4VW.com to simulate the S4/S8 look of Audi. They were a little tough to get on, but nothing any novice with some guts can't handle. Check out ClubB5.com's forums for instructions.

This is my B5.5's European 20 Valve badge from Parts4VW.com...this was a super easy mod...the badge came in a perfectly spaced frame so you just align it with the deck lid, peal off the tape backing and stick it on.

Here's the super bad-ass tint job Randy at Superior Window Tint in North Hampton, NH, did for me. It's Llumar 38%, which mixes with the factory tint to bring me to 32% (within the margin of error for the MA legal limit) of charcoal tint to contrast even better with the chrome accents on the B5.5.

I went with a $15 solution that totally nails the W8 chrome interoir belt-line look. This is a chrome accent strip throughout the beltline (all 4 doors and the dash). Here's a little shot of the exterior to get things rolling...this is with my new Sony DSC F707 digital camera.

Simple little touch inside...who needs a grab handle on the driver's side? Not me, but I do need more interior storage, so I picked up a New Bettle Sunglass Holder (OEM part) from Parts4VW.com for a mere $15.

My new Jetta blue tinted side view mirrors from Dana Automotive (thanks Paul!).

I finally picked up some new rims...they're Mille Miglia Evo 16 inch rims with Kumho Ecsta 716 205/55 R16 tires.

Here's my Kamei Sport Grille, all painted, and ready to go. I installed it at the Get Together I put together on November 11th, 2002 for ClubB5.com.

This little mod, a full, padded, leather wheel cover, took like 4 hours to stitch (including cutting out the snaps on the spokes, and custom-stitching those)! It feels awesome, though.

I was lucky enough to have a great set of instructions from Jwil at ClubB5 for the hard stuff, but the simple stuff was REALLY hard...considering I know nothing about wiring. But, I swapped my map light/dome light panel for a nicer, back-lit one that comes in the new Passat W8, and I'm very happy with it.

Here's mine at night

I installed the Mikdao Technology in-dash garage door opener, replacing a dead button I had...very slick. I'm kinda glad I didn't get HomeLink.

Thanks to Danny at AutobahnX, who is the coolest, most professional guy I've dealt with so far, I got a new spoiler (my old one got STOLEN!)...and I'm happy again! Subtle and svelt...just what I want.

Finally, I got HID Bi-Xenon headlights...they're OEMs from Germany, made by Hella...I had to take off the front end, but it was worth it. I have Philips VisionPlus bulbs in the high beams, and Silver Visions in the turn signals (not in pictures).

I picked up a Honda S2000 antenna from a fellow ClubB5 member who is selling his car, and parting it out as he goes. I had some shiny, aluminum heating duct tape from something I was working on, and did this:

After many nights trying to get a better translation of the German instructions, and trying to clean up the seam after rejoining the two halves, I finally mounted my Audi A6 chrome trunk accent piece. Who knows how long I'll leave it on, but I'm pretty let down after all the work and anticipation.

I the OEM Aluminum Sport Trim that's offered in Europe, and went to work on it. Under the bronze paint and black webbing is really nice aluminum. I stripped off the paint, brushed the aluminum, clear coated it, and voila!

After a few months of having them sit on my table, waiting after I painted them, and then finally installing them, my eyelids are finally on!

I said I'd never chip or put in a suspension. Well, I've now done both. This is now 1.25" lower, riding on Koni 3 Way Adjustable Sport Shocks and H&R OE Sport springs...veddy nice.

These are a VW add-on to make it look like I have a real exhaust! No, they're a nice little addition.

This is the spoiler from a BMW M3 cut, rejoined, and painted (by me!) to fit onto my rear window as a wind diffuser.

I was able to pick up a set of ultralight OZ Superleggera rims on Toyo Proxes T1-S rubber from my buddy, Mike...all I can say is, I was all wrong getting the 16s with all season rubber I used to run.

Other oneB5s

B5one is a licensed club of Volkswagen