It’s been awhile but the car is relatively sorted out now. Still rubs quite a bit but it’s somewhat drivable now haha.
Pretty happy overall with the outcome. I wasn’t 100% on the rims off the car and indoors, but the finish really sparkles in daylight and I’m liking it a lot more on the car.
Drove it to Jacky’s for an oil change and got a good look under the car too..first time in like years lol.
Pretty stoked how the burn on the J’s Racing titanium test pipe is turning out.
I love how small bits from the VAG parts bin are all interchangeable… picked up a coolant and oil cap from a Porsche 911 (991) and they fit great on my Passat. The coolant and oil cap from an R8 fit as well, though it’s much more expensive than the Porsche ones I purchased. It’s not much but it’s a subtle touch to the very boring engine bay. Various aftermarket intakes for the MK5 R32 also fit the Passat apparently, I’m eye-ing a Gruppe M for the R36 Passat, looks like it’ll fit… but it’s also stupid expensive so I’m not quite sure I want to drop that kinda coin on the daily.
Got the wheels and tires mounted and balanced at Speedstar during the past week and installed (well, tried to) them yesterday. Unfortunately, the fronts require a small spacer to clear the Endless caliper, just 2 or 3mm. It’s also a little more aggressive than I would’ve liked (the fronts anyway). I used a 5mm spacer and it pokes just a tad. Nothing a little more camber can’t fix but, it’s a bit more aggressive looking than the rears. The rears ended up fitting fine, had to shave/cut my rear quarters, where there’s a corner and it couldn’t be rolled. But it looks as though it fits, hopefully not too much rubbing issues. I have a set of SPC shims coming in soon so I can get it all aligned and run a bit more negative camber all around.
I’m actually not wow’ed by the wheels on the car, unfortunately. Perhaps I should’ve went with a brighter silver like the old SSR Type C / Competitions I have. In any case, I like them – no doubt about that. Just not as impressed as I thought I would be with them on. I’ll judge again when the car is dialed in and everything fits.
Caught up with DC a few days ago the day he got his car back from the bag install, forgot exactly what he went with, except that he’s running Autopilot V2 management. Pretty sick, makes me want to bag the Passat but that’ll have to wait.
It’s been pretty warm the last couple days in Toronto, seems like spring is finally here! Had to do an obligatory spring car wash, and met up with the new owner of my old E46 to take some pics (albeit crappy cell phone pics with a Note II). Can’t wait to drop the Passat on the H&R Sport springs I’ve ordered. 
Wow… I guess Nakai-san really liked Timmies when he was over in Vancouver. lol
Check out the write up on the Level One Japanese chapter: http://www.stretchandpoke.com/worldwide/
