New Member from Colorado

[richpike]

Hi Everyone - I'm a new member from Colorado.

I've been a German car fan ever since my Dad gave me his restored 1969 Opel GT to drive in high school. I've still got it, but it is in bad need of a new restoration. Currently, I have a 2004 Infiniti G35x (I know, not German ) and a 2004 Volkswagen Touareg (German ). Before my G35x, I had a 2000 BMW 323Ci - unfortunately its reliability left a little bit to be desired.

I've done a number of do it yourselfs and reviews (hardwire install of a Passport 8500, air filter change on the Touareg which is arguably one of the most frustrating things I've ever done, reviews on new tires, etc) that I had documented and posted on a forum I used to frequent quite a bit (www.germantechnik.com) - unfortunately, it is no longer in existance so I'll do my best to recreate them over here.

Happy to be here.

-Rich

 

[Zafiro]

Welcome to this excellent board

 

[dOmInIX]

Welcome here! Enjoy your stay, it's a great forum!

Seems like we're getting more and more members here, way to go!

 

[donau]

Hi Everyone - I'm a new member from Colorado.

I've been a German car fan ever since my Dad gave me his restored 1969 Opel GT to drive in high school. I've still got it, but it is in bad need of a new restoration. Currently, I have a 2004 Infiniti G35x (I know, not German ) and a 2004 Volkswagen Touareg (German ). Before my G35x, I had a 2000 BMW 323Ci - unfortunately its reliability left a little bit to be desired.

I've done a number of do it yourselfs and reviews (hardwire install of a Passport 8500, air filter change on the Touareg which is arguably one of the most frustrating things I've ever done, reviews on new tires, etc) that I had documented and posted on a forum I used to frequent quite a bit (www.germantechnik.com) - unfortunately, it is no longer in existance so I'll do my best to recreate them over here.

Happy to be here.

-Rich

Welcome Rich It is interesting how a job like changing an airfilter can be tough in some cars. I am not familiar with the Touareg airbox setup, but I can appreciate the thought. Last weekend I changed the fuel filter (amongst a number of other things) to my current car that is a rear engined Porsche. Well, I couldn't believe what a job that turned out to be. Must have taken me about 4 hours to get that thing done due to where it's located and all the things I had to remove to get my hands and wrenches in there. Not to mention how badly it was stuck due to whatever. Had to use a healthy doze of WD-40. This surprised me because for example in an old Anglia I used to have, it took exactly 30 seconds to change the fuel filter.

So, I can appreciate the do-it-yourself issues you have experienced with your cars.

Looking forward to reading your posts on this board

 

[richpike]

Welcome Rich It is interesting how a job like changing an airfilter can be tough in some cars. I am not familiar with the Touareg airbox setup, but I can appreciate the thought. Last weekend I changed the fuel filter (amongst a number of other things) to my current car that is a rear engined Porsche. Well, I couldn't believe what a job that turned out to be. Must have taken me about 4 hours to get that thing done due to where it's located and all the things I had to remove to get my hands and wrenches in there. Not to mention how badly it was stuck due to whatever. Had to use a healthy doze of WD-40. This surprised me because for example in an old Anglia I used to have, it took exactly 30 seconds to change the fuel filter.

So, I can appreciate the do-it-yourself issues you have experienced with your cars.

Looking forward to reading your posts on this board

Thanks donau

Below are a couple pics of the Touareg and G35x.

-Rich

 

[Mr. M]

Welcome, another VW owner!

I heard the Touareg is loaded with problems, how is yours coming along?

Do you have the V8?

 

[Centurion]

Welcome Rich. What type of performance increases have you gained from your mods?

 

[donau]

....Below are a couple pics of the Touareg and G35x...

Nice cars and beautiful sceneryThanks for sharing!

 

[drronh]

Welcome, and yes those are beautiful pictures. It's nice to see somewhere that isn't totally flat.

 

[Michael]

Welcome.

What part of Colorado?

I go to Colorado every year.

 

[Deutsch]

welcome. look foward to the technical contributions you'll be making here.

 

[klier]

Welcome man!

I have friends living in Golden Co (right next to Denver), and I can safely say Colorado is fantastic to live in, and a Touareg seems like a fine choice for those mountains

 

[audi_rudy]

welcome!
you have some very nice cars there and you live in a very bueatiful place. Enjoy your stay here

 

[siko]

Welcome to the fold

 

[richpike]

Welcome, another VW owner!

I heard the Touareg is loaded with problems, how is yours coming along?

Do you have the V8?

Thanks for the welcome.

The Touareg (in general) is a car that has lots of problems. However, we have been very fortunate (so far) with our Treg. The worst thing we've had happen iis a couple cracked wood trim pieces (replaced under warranty).

The Treg is actually an incredible car - basically everything is controlled by a microprocessor of some sort. Even when I change the radio station, it goes to a cpu which then tells it how many clicks I changed on the knob. Sort of scary, sort of cool

And we do have the V8 - great engine, but even with 310HP and 302lbft of torque (and a 6-speed auto!) it still isn't the quickest thing. They just weigh a LOT (~5500lbs).

-Rich

 

[richpike]

Welcome.

What part of Colorado?

I go to Colorado every year.

I'm in Colorado Springs. The G35's pic is on a ridge overlooking Garden of the Gods (in Colorado Springs). The Treg's pic was up in Vail.

-Rich

 

[richpike]

Welcome man!

I have friends living in Golden Co (right next to Denver), and I can safely say Colorado is fantastic to live in, and a Touareg seems like a fine choice for those mountains

We are definitely fortunate to live in Colorado - beautiful area, great weather (especially in Colorado Springs - we are actually sheltered by Pikes Peak where we live so we don't get that much snow, but still have four distinct seasons). The only thing that stinks is the altitude. At 6000ft a normally aspirated car is down about 20% in horsepower (because of the lower cylinder pressures caused by the thin air).

-Rich

 

[richpike]

And thanks to everyone else for the warm welcome! I definitely look forward to being around here often.

-Rich

 

[Yaz]

Wow, another U.S. member
Welcome! Beautiful pictures of your cars. I love Infinties for their exhaust sound, very sporty.
How does the t-reg handle offroad?

 

[richpike]

Wow, another U.S. member
Welcome! Beautiful pictures of your cars. I love Infinties for their exhaust sound, very sporty.
How does the t-reg handle offroad?

You are definitely right about the Infiniti's exhaust note - the 3.5L VQ engine sounds amazing (and so do their V8s). Can't wait for the Nissan GTR to come stateside!

You know, I've never gotten to take the Treg offroad. I bought it for my fiance' and she drives it a lot more than I do. There is actually a killer rally coming up for Touareg drivers in August, but I'm not going to be able to go (it is being put on by clubtouareg.com). Some day I'll get it offroad - apparently they are one of the best sport utes for going offroad and I do live in Colorado!

-Rich