eberleb (Brian)

My Passat journey began in May of 2002. I had just returned from a deployment to the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. At the time, I already knew what I wanted for my first new car: a Subaru WRX. It was surprisingly within my budget, had four doors (important when you're expecting a child), and was a blast to drive. Only one problem, the wife hated it. You married folks know how that goes. If she ain't happy, you ain't happy. So I looked at the Accord (no manual V-6) and the Galant (no manual), and was feeling empty about my choices. I decided to test drive the Volkswagen Jetta and did not like the way I felt in it. I was just too darn tall. So since I was already at the VW dealership, I decided to try the Passat. I fell in love with the car after the on-ramp to the freeway in San Diego. The performance coupled with the leather and elegance of the interior sold me. A week or so later, my Passat passed port inspection and I drove her home.

While hunting for MY Passat I stumbled upon a B5 that already had the Votex body kit and the sport suspension kit installed. I decided that I wanted a similar look, so I started hunting for a body kit. After a couple months I was ready to give up when I talked to a salesman at the dealership who told me about a Passat forum called ClubB5. So the search for a body kit resumed. One of the first people I met on ClubB5 was Julian (DJJewelz). He gave me some helpful hints, referred me to this site; and I loved his whip so I tried to model my car after his. I wanted to do some of the things he had done, and wanted to omit others in the name of personal preference. So I got some of the body kit done and then the Òmod bugÓ had officially bitten me.

The exhaust and some rims were next. After that I tinted the tails and went 30% all around on the windows. I figured that was enough. My car had gone from stock to slightly personalized.

I keep telling myself that I'm not going to do anything else, that there's just one more thing that I really want. I told that to the wife the other day. She asked me if once I got my new grille, if I'd be done. Of course I told her the list of things that were left to do and I, myself was amazed just how long that list is. Let's see, there's the ICE (which I have none of), the lowers I want painted, the intake, the K04, some new 18's, and the list just keeps going on.

My B5 isn't even two and a half years old and it is not the same car I picked up from the dealer. Her first home was San Diego, and then we moved here to Memphis and I spent some time in Newport, Rhode Island. I was so looking forward to meet some of you guys but my Navy schedule was just too demanding for free time.

Although the journey is nowhere near being over, I'd like to thank all of you for the questions you've answered. Without sites like this where I can get ideas and answers to issues, I would still be getting raped by the dealerships, and in all likelihood I'd still probably be searching for that body kit! I am truly honored to be chosen as the OneB5 for October. Thank you and happy modding!!!

Mods

Interior:

• Fuzzy Dice

Engine/performance:

• GIAC IBE Switch Chip
• Magnaflow 3Ó catback system
• Alessio Turbo 17x7.5 wheels
• Eibach Pro Kit springs
• Koni Adjustable shocks

Exterior:

• Zender front apron
• Kamei upper eyelids
• Votex rear wing
• Jon's Tinted Tails
• NB Turbo badge
• Chrome door handle strips from HKPassat
• 30% window tint
• Europlate

Other oneB5s

B5one is a licensed club of Volkswagen