Former VW/Audi Owner…First Time BMW and ///M Owner >>>

dj_dub · 03-02-2014, 05:49 PM

I never really introduced myself here…I'm Wendell...long time lurker, somewhat new member. Came from the VW and Audi crowd…but always wanted a BMW and a ///M.

My first love has always been the E46 M3, but at the age of 19, I could never afford it. So I bought what I felt was the best bang for my buck, a new 2000 VW Golf 1.8T 5MT. I loved, wait…was obsessed with that car. Fun to mod, easy to work on, and was pretty damn fast for a little car. I've accomplished so much with that car, multiple magazine features (Eurotuner, European Car, etc), SEMA Car, sponsors etc. No regrets at all. Here it was in it's different stages:

834 by dj_dub, on Flickr

1059 by dj_dub, on Flickr

373a by dj_dub, on Flickr

A_IMG_1459 by dj_dub, on Flickr

3860RAWedit by dj_dub, on Flickr

877edit by dj_dub, on Flickr

3389RAWedit by dj_dub, on Flickr

After I've had my fun with that car…I decided to part it out and move on. Unfortunately, I totaled that car in a terrible crash I'm lucky to have had survived. With no running car, it was time to get something new. I decided on a new 2008 Audi A4 2.0T Quattro 6MT. I got hooked up with this car by a good friend and had a lot of friends with and worked on Audi's so it was a no brainer…plus I wanted a sedan. I had many plans for this car, but modding on a strict budget was my main concern. I was 27, newly married and had other priorities. So I modded this conservatively and with as little money as possible. It was pretty much low and slow. lol Here it was in it's different stages:

IMG_4214a by dj_dub, on Flickr

IMG_4498a by dj_dub, on Flickr

IMG_4459a by dj_dub, on Flickr

IMG_4442a by dj_dub, on Flickr

IMG_4207aa_tonemapped by dj_dub, on Flickr

IMG_0178a by dj_dub, on Flickr

IMG_4354aa by dj_dub, on Flickr

IMG_3031aa by dj_dub, on Flickr

IMG_3012aa by dj_dub, on Flickr

IMG_3040aa by dj_dub, on Flickr

So funny story how I acquired my current car…It was a few days after Christmas 2012. Decided to take my wife out on a lunch date. Before we left, I did a quick dealer search for local E90 Ms. There was one I really wanted to check out that day. We ate, had a few drinks and decided to go bowling. Played a few games, had a couple more drinks and I brought it up to her. I said, "Baby, they have a M3 sedan at the dealer right now…can we go check it out?" lol She said okay, so off we went…lucky me! We got to Fremont BMW and there she was, my dream car…2010 E90 M3 6MT Space Gray/Fox Red. Did a test drive and immediately fell in love. After 4 hours total at the dealer, we made a deal. I traded in my Audi on the spot, they gave me what I wanted for it and I paid not a penny more for the M3 than I wanted. Win win! I was able to come back to the dealer and get some mods off of my Audi as well including the wheels…can't get much better than that!

Anyways, I couldn't be more than happy to join the BMW crowd and finally acquire my dream car, a M3. After over 12 years of dreaming of owning a M3, I finally got one. I believe everything happens for a reason and it was the right time for me to own this car being settled and more financially secure. I'm having more fun than any of my cars modding and driving this thing! I'm constantly smiling and can't stop staring at it. I have another car as a daily driver, but can't help myself and drive this as much as I can! Haha I've made countless friends with the VW/Audi crowd, some of which are my best friends till this day for over 10 years. I hope to do the same with some of you. I'm already off to a good start meeting some of you in person and becoming friends. I don't plan to ever sell this car so I'll be around here for awhile. Hope you enjoyed my little introduction…cheers!

Here's the day I traded in my Audi and got my M3:

IMG_1684 by dj_dub, on Flickr

IMG_1686 by dj_dub, on Flickr

IMG_1687 by dj_dub, on Flickr

A few days old and so stock…

IMG_0801aa by dj_dub, on Flickr

Finally lowered a month later…

IMG_1217bb by dj_dub, on Flickr

New wheels a little things…

IMG_2076a by dj_dub, on Flickr

IMG_3907aa by dj_dub, on Flickr

Performance mods up next…

IMG_2433 by dj_dub, on Flickr

IMG_2450 by dj_dub, on Flickr

IMG_2453 by dj_dub, on Flickr

Interior gets some love…

IMG_3961aa by dj_dub, on Flickr

IMG_3958aa by dj_dub, on Flickr

How she sits today after recently installing my new lip…

IMG_4205aa_tonemappedWP by dj_dub, on Flickr

IMG_4255aa_tonemappedWP by dj_dub, on Flickr

IMG_4249aa_tonemappedWP by dj_dub, on Flickr

IMG_4300aa_tonemappedWP by dj_dub, on Flickr

Mods on deck for this year:
Innovergn/Forcewerkz CF Side Skirt Extensions
Arkym CF Rear Diffuser
OEM CF Spoiler
OEM CF Mirror Covers
Black Painted Roof
Shaved Bumper Reflectors

All pics were taken by me…for high res pics and more pics, feel free to visit my website: www.WenzPhotography.com or my Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/70511273@N00/

LarThaL · 03-02-2014, 05:56 PM

Nicely done.

You must have spent a good portion of your life cleaning wheels !!!

Semi-Poor · 03-02-2014, 06:06 PM

Good for you, enjoy it in the best of health.

ZooMMM · 03-02-2014, 06:59 PM

Beautiful cars. Enjoy!!!

dagolfpro · 03-02-2014, 07:02 PM

Looking good Wendell. Still need to see this in person.

okusa · 03-02-2014, 07:06 PM

But you left us hanging. What are your thoughts about each ride?

Someone? · 03-02-2014, 07:06 PM

All your cars looked sweet, i really love SG and it looks great on that Sedan.

MKE_M3 · 03-02-2014, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okusa

But you left us hanging. What are your thoughts about each ride?

+1

jqsmooth · 03-02-2014, 07:35 PM

Great Story! Congrats!!!

Koldun · 03-02-2014, 07:53 PM

The E90 looks sharp in SG, and combos great with Fox Red. Every time I see a SG/FR, I feel a pang of buyer's remorse for getting AW.

Welcome to the crowd!

nicebraces · 03-02-2014, 09:03 PM

Big welcome Wendell and congrats!!! Your great photography skills and fine taste in cars are to admire!!!

tbone28 · 03-02-2014, 09:17 PM

that's a sweet lip

BMRLVR · 03-02-2014, 09:30 PM

I too came from VW/Audi and also had a 2000 Golf 4dr 1.8T 5MT...... Coincidentally I now have an E90 M3 with LM's and an Akrapovic Evolution!

I think our taste must be similar, no?

dj_dub · 03-02-2014, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Semi-Poor

Good for you, enjoy it in the best of health.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZooMMM

Beautiful cars. Enjoy!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibmike

All your cars looked sweet, i really love SG and it looks great on that Sedan.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jqsmooth

Great Story! Congrats!!!

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Koldun

The E90 looks sharp in SG, and combos great with Fox Red. Every time I see a SG/FR, I feel a pang of buyer's remorse for getting AW.

Welcome to the crowd!

Thanks man! Honestly, I would've been happy with either AW/FR or SG/FR…best combos IMO.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMRLVR

I too came from VW/Audi and also had a 2000 Golf 4dr 1.8T 5MT...... Coincidentally I now have an E90 M3 with LM's and an Akrapovic Evolution!

I think our taste must be similar, no?

Haha! Nice dude! …that's really funny! And yes, we have very similar tastes…that's awesome!

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarThaL

Nicely done.

You must have spent a good portion of your life cleaning wheels !!!

Thanks man. LOL Yessir, I have. Good observation! I can't get away from the LM design regardless of how much it sucks to clean them! Haha

Quote:

Originally Posted by dagolfpro

Looking good Wendell. Still need to see this in person.

Thanks Ren! For sure man…I'll try and come out to a DC event next time!

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicebraces

Big welcome Wendell and congrats!!! Your great photography skills and fine taste in cars are to admire!!!

Thank you, I really appreciate all of that!

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbone28

that's a sweet lip

Haha Thanks Terry!

greenmoldy · 03-03-2014, 12:38 AM

If I could get away with it, I would steal every one of those cars

GRUESOM3 · 03-03-2014, 11:54 AM

Hey welcome to the dark side. I've seen your mk4 on vortex before.

I too came from vw, I should say still have them but it's a little more grown up around here compare to that. Enjoy in good health.

Coincidently I too have a 1.8t on LMs and a 4 door e90 with LMs

MuscleDaddi · 03-03-2014, 01:44 PM

Sick car. How do you like the akra?

dj_dub · 03-03-2014, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenmoldy

If I could get away with it, I would steal every one of those cars

Haha! Thanks man…I'll take that as a compliment!

Quote:

Originally Posted by GRUESOM3

Hey welcome to the dark side. I've seen your mk4 on vortex before.

I too came from vw, I should say still have them but it's a little more grown up around here compare to that. Enjoy in good health.

Coincidently I too have a 1.8t on LMs and a 4 door e90 with LMs

Thank you! ...That's awesome! Another VW guy with the same great taste! hehe

I haven't been on Vortex in so long…although I should soon. I still have MkIV parts to sell off of my Golf, including the 1.8T engine! lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuscleDaddi

Sick car. How do you like the akra?

Thanks dude! I love it…it was the one thing I really wanted to splurge on for my car. Great sound and power gains. With my current setup, it's loud when it needs to be and doesn't drone at all.

GotE46M · 03-03-2014, 03:30 PM

Car looks great.

dj_dub · 03-04-2014, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GotE46M

Car looks great.

Thank you!

E92M3GT · 03-04-2014, 09:14 PM

Good taste !

Staszek · 03-05-2014, 09:02 PM

Gorgeous Golf and welcome! I had two VR6s before I went BMW

03-02-2014, 05:49 PM	#1
dj_dub IG: @dj_dub 1808 Rep 1,452 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW E90 M3 - SG/FR 6MT Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: SF Bay Area to Las Vegas iTrader: (4) Garage List 2017 Porsche 991.2 C2S [0.00] 2001 MBZ ML430 [0.00] 2006 BMW E46 M3 Vert [0.00] 2010 BMW E90 M3 [6.00]	Former VW/Audi Owner…First Time BMW and ///M Owner >>> I never really introduced myself here…I'm Wendell...long time lurker, somewhat new member. Came from the VW and Audi crowd…but always wanted a BMW and a ///M. My first love has always been the E46 M3, but at the age of 19, I could never afford it. So I bought what I felt was the best bang for my buck, a new 2000 VW Golf 1.8T 5MT. I loved, wait…was obsessed with that car. Fun to mod, easy to work on, and was pretty damn fast for a little car. I've accomplished so much with that car, multiple magazine features (Eurotuner, European Car, etc), SEMA Car, sponsors etc. No regrets at all. Here it was in it's different stages: 834 by dj_dub, on Flickr 1059 by dj_dub, on Flickr 373a by dj_dub, on Flickr A_IMG_1459 by dj_dub, on Flickr 3860RAWedit by dj_dub, on Flickr 877edit by dj_dub, on Flickr 3389RAWedit by dj_dub, on Flickr After I've had my fun with that car…I decided to part it out and move on. Unfortunately, I totaled that car in a terrible crash I'm lucky to have had survived. With no running car, it was time to get something new. I decided on a new 2008 Audi A4 2.0T Quattro 6MT. I got hooked up with this car by a good friend and had a lot of friends with and worked on Audi's so it was a no brainer…plus I wanted a sedan. I had many plans for this car, but modding on a strict budget was my main concern. I was 27, newly married and had other priorities. So I modded this conservatively and with as little money as possible. It was pretty much low and slow. lol Here it was in it's different stages: IMG_4214a by dj_dub, on Flickr IMG_4498a by dj_dub, on Flickr IMG_4459a by dj_dub, on Flickr IMG_4442a by dj_dub, on Flickr IMG_4207aa_tonemapped by dj_dub, on Flickr IMG_0178a by dj_dub, on Flickr IMG_4354aa by dj_dub, on Flickr IMG_3031aa by dj_dub, on Flickr IMG_3012aa by dj_dub, on Flickr IMG_3040aa by dj_dub, on Flickr So funny story how I acquired my current car…It was a few days after Christmas 2012. Decided to take my wife out on a lunch date. Before we left, I did a quick dealer search for local E90 Ms. There was one I really wanted to check out that day. We ate, had a few drinks and decided to go bowling. Played a few games, had a couple more drinks and I brought it up to her. I said, "Baby, they have a M3 sedan at the dealer right now…can we go check it out?" lol She said okay, so off we went…lucky me! We got to Fremont BMW and there she was, my dream car…2010 E90 M3 6MT Space Gray/Fox Red. Did a test drive and immediately fell in love. After 4 hours total at the dealer, we made a deal. I traded in my Audi on the spot, they gave me what I wanted for it and I paid not a penny more for the M3 than I wanted. Win win! I was able to come back to the dealer and get some mods off of my Audi as well including the wheels…can't get much better than that! Anyways, I couldn't be more than happy to join the BMW crowd and finally acquire my dream car, a M3. After over 12 years of dreaming of owning a M3, I finally got one. I believe everything happens for a reason and it was the right time for me to own this car being settled and more financially secure. I'm having more fun than any of my cars modding and driving this thing! I'm constantly smiling and can't stop staring at it. I have another car as a daily driver, but can't help myself and drive this as much as I can! Haha I've made countless friends with the VW/Audi crowd, some of which are my best friends till this day for over 10 years. I hope to do the same with some of you. I'm already off to a good start meeting some of you in person and becoming friends. I don't plan to ever sell this car so I'll be around here for awhile. Hope you enjoyed my little introduction…cheers! Here's the day I traded in my Audi and got my M3: IMG_1684 by dj_dub, on Flickr IMG_1686 by dj_dub, on Flickr IMG_1687 by dj_dub, on Flickr A few days old and so stock… IMG_0801aa by dj_dub, on Flickr Finally lowered a month later… IMG_1217bb by dj_dub, on Flickr New wheels a little things… IMG_2076a by dj_dub, on Flickr IMG_3907aa by dj_dub, on Flickr Performance mods up next… IMG_2433 by dj_dub, on Flickr IMG_2450 by dj_dub, on Flickr IMG_2453 by dj_dub, on Flickr Interior gets some love… IMG_3961aa by dj_dub, on Flickr IMG_3958aa by dj_dub, on Flickr How she sits today after recently installing my new lip… IMG_4205aa_tonemappedWP by dj_dub, on Flickr IMG_4255aa_tonemappedWP by dj_dub, on Flickr IMG_4249aa_tonemappedWP by dj_dub, on Flickr IMG_4300aa_tonemappedWP by dj_dub, on Flickr Mods on deck for this year: Innovergn/Forcewerkz CF Side Skirt Extensions Arkym CF Rear Diffuser OEM CF Spoiler OEM CF Mirror Covers Black Painted Roof Shaved Bumper Reflectors All pics were taken by me…for high res pics and more pics, feel free to visit my website: www.WenzPhotography.com or my Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/70511273@N00/ __________________ CarboProject CF Plenum \| Dinan CF Intake \| ESS Tune \| RKP X-Pipe \| Akra w/CF Tips \| MFactory CF DS \| CSF Cooling \| AST 5200 \| Hotchkis F/R Sways \| SPL/Ground Control/Fall-Line Arms \| DEFIV Diff Brace \| StudioRSR Rollcage \| 3-piece BBS RT88 \| Michelin PS4S \| Brembos F/R \| Recaro Profi SPG XL \| CAE Ultra Shifter \| Perf Elec Wheel V2 \| BAVSOUND \| GT4 CF Front Lip/Canards/Rear Wing \| Arkym CF Rear Diffuser \| Forcewerkz CF SS \| Varis CF Lower Tray \| Turner Skidplate \| BayOptiks Headlights Last edited by dj_dub; 03-02-2014 at 05:57 PM..
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03-02-2014, 05:56 PM	#2
LarThaL Colonel 338 Rep 2,940 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: West Springfield, MA iTrader: (0)	Nicely done. You must have spent a good portion of your life cleaning wheels !!! __________________ **Audi S6 Audi S3 * Porsche Cayman GTS* --Former BMW M3 owner**
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03-02-2014, 06:06 PM	#3
Semi-Poor Lieutenant 158 Rep 595 Posts Drives: 2017 M2 Coupe Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Northeast USA iTrader: (0)	Good for you, enjoy it in the best of health. __________________ *2017 M2 Coupe Black Sapphire Metallic*
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03-02-2014, 06:59 PM	#4
ZooMMM Second Lieutenant 14 Rep 271 Posts Drives: Black/black E93 M Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (1)	Beautiful cars. Enjoy!!!
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03-02-2014, 07:02 PM	#5
dagolfpro Colonel 248 Rep 2,271 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: SF Bay Area, CA iTrader: (9)	Looking good Wendell. Still need to see this in person. __________________ 2011.75 E90 AW \| DCT \| ZCP \| ZCV \| ZCW \| ZP2 \| Prem Sound \| Moonroof \| BMW Apps \| Mods List: Evolve Exhaust \| M Perf Steering Wheel \| Tint \| Lux \| Hardwired V1 \| KW V3 \| Volshlag CP \| Brembo BBK \| BBS FI \| Yokohama AD08 R\| Schroth 4 Point Harness \| Challenge GT Diffuser \| OEM GTS Wing\| GTS Lip\| I lied earlier, I wasn't done with mod, but I swear, I'm done now, no more mods...
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03-02-2014, 07:06 PM	#6
okusa Lieutenant Colonel 854 Rep 1,682 Posts Drives: 2011.75 E90 M3 - SSII Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (7)	But you left us hanging. What are your thoughts about each ride? __________________ Instagram: @okusa916
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03-02-2014, 07:06 PM	#7
Someone? Perception is King 131 Rep 1,703 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: May 2013 Location: Michigan iTrader: (8)	All your cars looked sweet, i really love SG and it looks great on that Sedan. __________________ Perception and Reality are Two totally different Things.
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03-02-2014, 07:35 PM	#9
jqsmooth Captain 160 Rep 773 Posts Drives: M6 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (2)	Great Story! Congrats!!! __________________ 2008 E64 M6 2011 E92 l SSII l Fox Red - 145k and Totaled. 2012 Toyota Prius C - 145k and Totaled. 2002 Nissan Pathfinder - 301.6K and Junked. 2000 Mitsubishi Montero Sport - Rolled & Totaled. 1995 Cadillac Fleetwood - RIP.
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03-02-2014, 07:53 PM	#10
Koldun Banned 10 Rep 656 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	The E90 looks sharp in SG, and combos great with Fox Red. Every time I see a SG/FR, I feel a pang of buyer's remorse for getting AW. Welcome to the crowd!
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03-02-2014, 09:03 PM	#11
nicebraces ///M 62 Rep 1,124 Posts Drives: '13 E93 M3/'14 Cayenne Turbo S Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: South Florida iTrader: (12)	Big welcome Wendell and congrats!!! Your great photography skills and fine taste in cars are to admire!!!
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03-02-2014, 09:17 PM	#12
tbone28 vvvvvvvvvvvvvv 333 Rep 2,305 Posts Drives: ^^^^^ Join Date: May 2012 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (18)	that's a sweet lip
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03-02-2014, 09:30 PM	#13
BMRLVR Grease Monkey 295 Rep 2,646 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3,1994 Euro E36 M3/4 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada iTrader: (3)	I too came from VW/Audi and also had a 2000 Golf 4dr 1.8T 5MT...... Coincidentally I now have an E90 M3 with LM's and an Akrapovic Evolution! I think our taste must be similar, no? __________________ 2011 E90 M3 ZCP - Individual Moonstone/Individual Amarone Extended/Individual Piano Black With Inlay:LINK!!! 1994 Euro E36 M3 Sedan - Daytona Violet/Mulberry:LINK!!!
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03-03-2014, 12:38 AM	#15
greenmoldy Private First Class 15 Rep 110 Posts Drives: 2011 e93 M3 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (0)	If I could get away with it, I would steal every one of those cars
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03-03-2014, 11:54 AM	#16
GRUESOM3 Major 1092 Rep 1,318 Posts Drives: 3 NA cars and 1 Turbo car Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: NJ iTrader: (4)	Hey welcome to the dark side. I've seen your mk4 on vortex before. I too came from vw, I should say still have them but it's a little more grown up around here compare to that. Enjoy in good health. Coincidently I too have a 1.8t on LMs and a 4 door e90 with LMs
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03-03-2014, 01:44 PM	#17
MuscleDaddi New Member 2 Rep 18 Posts Drives: 2013 Frozen Blue M3 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: North Carolina iTrader: (0)	Sick car. How do you like the akra?
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03-03-2014, 03:30 PM	#19
GotE46M Lieutenant 58 Rep 435 Posts Drives: Few M cars. Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: O.C, Socal iTrader: (2)	Car looks great.
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03-04-2014, 09:14 PM	#21
E92M3GT Second Lieutenant 114 Rep 217 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Guatemala iTrader: (0)	Good taste !
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03-05-2014, 09:02 PM	#22
Staszek Schumacher 791 Rep 2,282 Posts Drives: E30 325is,E93 M3,X7M50,F06 M6 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lake Forest, IL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW M3 [9.20] 1990 BMW 325is [9.00] 2022 BMW X7 M50 [10.00] 2018 BMW M6 Gran Coupe [9.93]	Gorgeous Golf and welcome! I had two VR6s before I went BMW __________________
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