braunkrautwagen

[braunkrautwagen]

Day 31 - Lighting Upgrades

Replaced the OEM single bulb mirror marker lights with sequential LED units in smoked housings. Blends in nice when not in use, and much more visible when in use!

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Medula Badidea

A glimpse in to the mind of a lunatic (me, this is me.)

Me: I just bought this awesome car, it ticks all my boxes... Manual, fun to drive, room for family, great gas mileage. I’ll do a few tasteful mods to really tailor it to my liking and be good!

Also Me: Buy another car, a 30 year old German car and SLAM IT! Break necks (and oil pans).

Also Also Me: No buy a 60 year old car, lift it and put knobby tires on it and jump stuff!

The first step is admitting that you have a problem... right?

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[braunkrautwagen]

80k Mile Service

Scheduled service:

Oil Change

Fuel Filter Change

Engine Air Filter

Cabin Air Filter

Even though I bought the car from a dealer at 72k I wanted to know what went into the car and when, and to get on the 10k service interval schedule. I’m glad I did. The engine air filter was a K&N, which is notoriously problematic with TDI engines! Out the that garabage... I also purchased VCDS and a HEX-com cable to be able to perform diagnostics and service resets AND to save $$$$ by not going to a dealership.

(Pay no attention to the dirty garage...)

Also installed an ECS Street Shield aluminum skid plate, in preparation for lowering (which will have to wait until after vacation).

I’ve also started logging my mileage and service with Fuelly, so I will begin updating that here whenever I fill the tank.

And of course no successful wrenching session is complete without a victory beer!

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Photoshoppery

Those that know me know that I don’t believe in keeping a vehicle stock... From the factory vehicles are designed to have mass appeal, but I am not the masses. I prefer for my vehicles to be more unique, and tailored to me. The first step with all of my projects is suspension adjustment and wheels, and so I did a little “test” in photoshop...

I plan on upgrading to an 18”x8” wheel because that will allow me to maintain factory accuracy on the various meters in the vehicle. It also give the wheel-well a more “full” aesthetic. The next element will be a 1.5-2” drop, eliminating wheel gap and stiffening the suspension for a tighter handling ride.

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Day 0007

First week, and every day I enjoy driving more and more!

One of my observations is in relation to the transmission. Gears 1-4 are real gears, 5th is a fuel sipper, and 6th is a fuel miser! I am so accustomed to driving gasoline 4-cylinders that I forget about 5th and 6th... I sure that will impact my initial data on fuel mileage, but I’ve still managed a 45.3mpg day!

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Day 0006

I had not realized how much I missed driving a manual transmission.

It’s more engaging, more rewarding, and more fun. Unfortunately for people like myself, manual transmissions are going the way of the wooly mammoth. Fortunately there is a group of like-minded automotive enthusiasts who are dedicated to keeping these rare creatures among us.

“We are the guardians of a dying art. The purveyors of a craft born of necessity, but beloved for its spirit. We travel with purpose regardless of our destination. Every corner an opportunity for the perfect downshift, every stop a new starting line. We find joy in those fleeting moments between ratios; the crescendo of rpm, the gentle click of the gate, the building inertia in our chest as the drivetrain becomes whole again. We are the masters of our machines. We are The Manual Gearbox Preservation Society!”

And so brings about my first modification to my TDI SportWagen...

A subtle and tasteful proclamation of my dedication to preserving manual equipped vehicles and carrying on the art form, passing the skill of manual shifting to a new generation as well as the joy that accompanies this primal man-machine interface.

#vw #volkswagen #golf #jetta #mk6 #sportwagen #tdi #manualpreservationsociety

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I’m not sure what I love most about my SportWagen, but this is certainly one of them!

#volkswagen #vw #mk6 #sportwagen #tdi

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May 15th, 2009 - Day 0001

2011 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI

Toffebrown with Cornstalk interior

6-speed manual

Purchased from Volkswagen of Marietta with 78,000 miles on the odometer.

My previous “fun car” was a 1985 Toyota Corolla GTS. It was a raw, pure driving experience but lacked modern amenities and any creature comforts. It only had two seats, no AC, no power anything... and was a 10 year automotive love affair (don’t worry, my wife was well aware of this “mistress”).

With a growing family and a lengthy commute the Corolla became increasingly impractical, so in 2017 I decided to sell it and use the money for a down payment on our first house. Darn responsible adult decisions!

Dependable as my truck was, it wasn’t exactly fun or sporty. Actually it was the far opposite of sporty. The real nail in the coffin was the fuel mileage. I commute ~80 miles round trip each day, and when I finally realized how much I was spending on fuel my wife and I knew we needed to look for a more efficient alternative.

So now I’m picking up in the exact place where I left off with the Corolla... Literally. This is the same spot where I took my “for sale” pictures.

I’ve picked up a couple extra doors. And it has more than 2 seats. And an actual interior. And AC. It’s a big step up in creature comforts and is an absolute blast to drive! The VW “Jetta” SportWagen ticks all my boxes. It’s the same chassis as the GTI, and handles better than a wagon should. A 6-speed manual gearbox means that I am reconnected with the driving experience. And most importantly...

... TDI. Incredible fuel mileage, between 35-40mpg! This is my first diesel vehicle, and it has radically challenged my perspective on diesel vehicles. Although only rated at 140hp, 236ft-lbs of torque makes up for it when it’s time to move!

Now I get to DD my “fun” car! And there are improvements and upgrades planned. A few subtle aesthetic enhancements, a bit more power... And a blog documenting the build and maintenance of my new “toy”!

#vw #volkswagen #golf #jetta #mk6 #sportwagen #tdi