[axe127]

Been a while, here are some updates:

I just finished installing new Zimmerman rotors and Akebono ceramic pads on the front. Getting the driver's side rotor off was a huge pain. After a couple hours of PB Blaster soaking and mallet smashing it finally popped off. The passenger's side came off with less smashing, but it was soaking the whole time I was working on the other one. Here's what the hubs looked like, for reference...



I also recently picked up a heated sport steering wheel. Hoping to get that installed soon. I also bought some brushed aluminum 3M 1080 vinyl to wrap my interior trim.

And I'm still hunting for Saddle brown sport seats, but they're impossible to find.

[Unknown_Car]

I love the color. Car looks good.

[axe127]

Originally Posted by Roma_335i

I love the color. Car looks good.

Thanks! Here are a few more I took a few weeks ago that show the well.

[whyzee125]

Beautiful car! I love the color

[krhodes1]

You did a great job capturing the green of it. So much of the time Tasman just looks gray in pictures. In fact, my roommate doesn't believe me that my car is green - I think he is a bit colorblind.

Car is looking really, really, really good, love the wheels!

[axe127]

Originally Posted by krhodes1

You did a great job capturing the green of it. So much of the time Tasman just looks gray in pictures. In fact, my roommate doesn't believe me that my car is green - I think he is a bit colorblind.

Car is looking really, really, really good, love the wheels!

It really does look like a completely different color in some lights. I actually thought the car was gray when I went to look at it initially after seeing the dealer photos. Glad it turned out to be green!

Thanks, I'm pretty happy with how it's turned out! I think the PE has gotten a bit louder, too, so I'm enjoying that even more now!

[axe127]

I finally installed the sport steering wheel today. It took maybe half an hour altogether. The new wheel has a much better feel - thicker rim, thumb rests, nicer leather. Well worth it!

Before:


After

[Barrique91]

Looks a thousand times better! Love the color, it looks great with the wheels.

[axe127]

Originally Posted by Barrique91

Looks a thousand times better! Love the color, it looks great with the wheels.

Thanks! Barrique is a great color, too. I feel like it's another one of those that totally changes depending on the light.

[axe127]

Last weekend I got a SES light while sitting in traffic in hot weather, and then the revs started jumping up and down. I checked the codes when I got home, and it was just showing 2A87 for a jammed VANOS exhaust solenoid.

I cleaned and swapped the solenoids a few months ago, so I decided to just go ahead and replace them both, even though the code didn't come back all week. At 134k miles, it probably doesn't hurt. I've been starting to have a long crank in cold starts, so hopefully it'll help that, too.

I finally finished wrapping my burlwood trim in 3M 1080 Brushed Aluminum. A few of the corners are a little rough, but overall it presents pretty well. It definitely brightens up the cabin. It's a little lighter than I was hoping, but I think I'll warm up to it. I really need to find some Saddle brown sport seats now!





And a few photos from an evening drive into the mountains on Friday.

[axe127]

Finally, I installed a set of sport seats a couple weekends ago. It took 6 months of searching to find a saddle brown LCI set in good condition with power, heat, and lumbar support.

The only hiccup was that I needed to replace both pre-tensioner and buckle assemblies to get rid of airbag and seatbelt lights, but they swapped eight in from the old seats.

With seats, steering wheel, shift knob, and trim all done, I think I'm finally content with the interior.

[axe127]

It’s been a while since an update. I pulled off the aluminum wrap. I decided I liked the wood look better, actually.

I also had some debris thrown into my front bumper on the highway. Since the bumper was in poor shape anyway, I decided to go MSport. Just got the car back today. Time to do the rear bumper, too, I think...





Before:

[BIGGNS]

YES!!! Beautiful, love your build man. Sorry about the road rash but what a great excuse to upgrade to M Sport. Looks amazing in that color combo

[axe127]

Originally Posted by BIGGNS

YES!!! Beautiful, love your build man. Sorry about the road rash but what a great excuse to upgrade to M Sport. Looks amazing in that color combo

Thanks man! I’m secretly hoping for some light damage to the rear bumper now, lol.

[ZodSlayer]

Hey there, love the car! Say, what kind of roof rail system is that? Looking to buy one for my ole/ wago. Thanks

[axe127]

Originally Posted by ZodSlayer

Hey there, love the car! Say, what kind of roof rail system is that? Looking to buy one for my ole/ wago. Thanks

Thanks! Just the OEM roof rails. They were raised like mine through the 2010 models, and then flush with the roof from 2011+.

[tetsuo111]

Great pics and narrative. Love your journey.

I lived in Denver many years ago, Wash Park. I miss that place everyday.

[leif20]

Do you have any interest in upgrading suspension components to bring it closer to a 'sport' suspension setup? Given that it is xdrive the only option for that is aftermarket. Or have you done that already and I missed it in this thread?

[NYBulldog]

What a nice wagon!

[flgfish]

Were the sport seats a direct replacement? Wiring harness, etc?
Thx

[axe127]

Originally Posted by tetsuo111

Great pics and narrative. Love your journey.

I lived in Denver many years ago, Wash Park. I miss that place everyday.

Thanks for the kind words. Hard to complain living around here - especially with all the great driving roads within minutes of Boulder.

[axe127]

Originally Posted by leif20

Do you have any interest in upgrading suspension components to bring it closer to a 'sport' suspension setup? Given that it is xdrive the only option for that is aftermarket. Or have you done that already and I missed it in this thread?

I went with KW V1 coilovers. I’ve been pretty happy with them. They’re decently comfortable and improved the handling and looks. It still doesn’t handle at all like an M-car, but it’s a big improvement over the worn stock bits.