[s-cars] Questions from a new guy, VERY LONG sorry

[Djdawson2 at aol.com]

In a message dated 2/19/04 8:15:25 PM Mountain Standard Time, 
jhboult at hotmail.com writes:

>   -  time for new brakes.  I am broke and have no time.  Rotors are worn 
> and need new pads.  What and how much would a decent set of replacements 
> cost?  Could i trust a standard brake place to change them? I would like 
> something a little beefier than stock.

Broke and no time?  How'd you ever afford the old suburbanite luxury liner in 
the first place?  Stock pads... $40-50.  Stock rotors, $50-60 each.  Now, 
when I was your age, time was no excuse to not work on my own car.  Changing your 
pads and rotors should take you about 30 -45 minutes... even if you did it in 
a parking lot with the factory jack.  And certainly a standard brake place 
could change them.


> 
>   -  Oil.  I have been using Mobile1 15w-50 with MANN oil filters.  
> Remember i'm in Texas, and it gets hot as a mother down here.  Is this good 
> to use?

I'm sorry you're in Texas... it's happened to the best of us.  That oil is up 
to the task.

> 
>  -  Suspension.  I have stock everthing.  I would like to lower slightly, 
> for performace and decrease that huge gap in my wheel wells, but keep a some 
> 
> what smooth ride. H&R w/ bilsteins?  But the rear tires rub the trim in the 
> wells when the car is loaded down all ready, would lowering make it much 
> worse? or better because it would give as much?  Tires are 235/45-17.

My personal preference is Eibachs with Konis... but I'm in the minority.  
Great handling with a compliant ride.  You shouldn't have rubbing with that tire 
size unless your offset is incorrect.  35-38mm works great with a 17x8 rim.  
Of course, if you'd treat your girlfriend better than your car, she probably 
wouldn't be quite so big... in which case she'd fit in the front seat, and the 
rubbing would go away all together.

> 
>  -  Exhaust.  I know there have been many heated debates about this.  But I 
> want something a little more aggresive sounding withnice looking tips.  
> Stebro?  Muffler only?

Personally... for the buck (since you're broke), I'd go for center muffler 
removal.  Pull it and have a muffler shop weld in pipes to the rear muffler.  
Sounds pretty good.

> 
>  -  Paint.  My car was originally from CO.  Boulder area, so has a hell of 
> a lot of paint chips.  Plus fading on roof, even after compounding and 
> waxing.  The front bumber is almost more white than it is black.  Is it 
> worth it to repaint?  How much would a decent paint job cost?

Define decent...  A high quality paint job will run you $4-8k.  I'd fix the 
brakes first.

> 
>  -  Headlights.  I would like the headlights to be more intense.  Just want 
> replacement bulbs, but what kind will give a whiter, brighter look?  PIAA?  
> cost?

Can't help you there.  I've never found a stock replacement bulb that I 
thought made an appreciable difference.  Other folks may have some ideas.

> 
>  Guess that's about it for now.  Again, I apologize for the length.  But i 
> figured i'd give a run-down of yet another satisfied S-car owner out there.  
> 
> In the College Station, TX area, feel free to email me.  Never seen another 
> S6 anywhere in the south, but i know they are there.  Thanks for the time on 
> 
> the questions,
> 
> Jonny Boultinghouse  '95 S6 MTM 1+


Good luck, and don't take my smart-ass remarks too seriously.  Oh, and 4 
speeding tickets?  You're practically a virgin.
Dave in CO