NZ R33 Long Term Build

[R3N3]

2 hours ago, r32-25t said:

67k in Australia, think I’ll skip that one 

80k in NZ so 74k AU in todays exchange.. 

[soviet_merlin]

4 hours ago, R3N3 said:

I know there’s only 250 units coming to NZ, not sure about AUS.. I actually haven’t driven the GR Yaris or the GR Corolla but assume it would be fun.. you?

My wife was actually not happy, as I was going to get the Corolla as my work car and replace my kodiaq. She can’t drive manual, so would be confined to her kia carnival haha.

Haven't driven it but would love to try it. I mean the GR Yaris is homologation so that makes it cool by default.

At that price tag it's pretty much competing with the Civic Type R. Personally I'd probably lean towards that more.

Have you considered getting your wife to learn to drive manual? I have been pushing for that with my partner. We did a few hours on a parking lot and she's had 10 lessons with an instructor. The problem is that we only have the Stagea and it's not very forgiving to drive for a beginner. And I care about the car a lot. So she hasn't really driven much since. But the intention is there!

A modern manual would be super easy. Pretty much drives itself

[R3N3]

1 minute ago, soviet_merlin said:

Haven't driven it but would love to try it. I mean the GR Yaris is homologation so that makes it cool by default.

At that price tag it's pretty much competing with the Civic Type R. Personally I'd probably lean towards that more.

Have you considered getting your wife to learn to drive manual? I have been pushing for that with my partner. We did a few hours on a parking lot and she's had 10 lessons with an instructor. The problem is that we only have the Stagea and it's not very forgiving to drive for a beginner. And I care about the car a lot. So she hasn't really driven much since. But the intention is there!

A modern manual would be super easy. Pretty much drives itself

I have considered it yes, however, she has a habit of seeking out stationary objects… so I’m not really mad she can’t drive the skyline or future manuals..

[R3N3]

So I nearly pulled the trigger on a 2020 RS4 this week (facelift one)… However, one of my main concerns is that it will then hard to justify spending money on the skyline… so I’m gonna wait till it’s “finished” haha

The new muffler has arrived:

twin 3” tips that fill the muffler cutout nicely.

also, I got a slow puncture/leak in the kodiaq and liked how it told me. It is also nice to see tyre pressures etc. so I got the Haltech TMS kit:

I went with the stem-cap style ones, as I didn’t like the idea of having to remove tyres and to replace the other ones when the battery died (no replaceable battery).

 

[R3N3]

A bit of weld porn:

I decided to modify the hypergear dump pipe (that came in the kit), as I wanted the dump to step up to 3.5” diameter at the wastegate merge, to minimise any flow restriction (albeit very minimal restriction at my current power levels).

exhaust should be done next week.

[soviet_merlin]

9 hours ago, R3N3 said:

So I nearly pulled the trigger on a 2020 RS4 this week (facelift one)… However, one of my main concerns is that it will then hard to justify spending money on the skyline… so I’m gonna wait till it’s “finished” haha

The wagon? Very nice, I'm a fan! They seem a great mix of looks, performance, comfort and enjoyment. Without the ridiculous price tag that the RS6 has. Looking forward to see how you find it when you buy one some day.

Had an S5 as a rental a few years ago and fondly remember the grunty engine start. Instant smile every time. It feels like the main drawback is that they are too good with their engineering. With quattro and whatever other handling magic they have it feels so stable and safe that it takes away from how fast it actually is.

[R3N3]

2 minutes ago, soviet_merlin said:

The wagon? Very nice, I'm a fan! They seem a great mix of looks, performance, comfort and enjoyment. Without the ridiculous price tag that the RS6 has. Looking forward to see how you find it when you buy one some day.

Had an S5 as a rental a few years ago and fondly remember the grunty engine start. Instant smile every time. It feels like the main drawback is that they are too good with their engineering. With quattro and whatever other handling magic they have it feels so stable and safe that it takes away from how fast it actually is.

I have driven them before but decided against driving this one, as I knew as soon as I’d drive it I’d be emotionally attached haha. It was a Nardo Grey one, very nice.

my only concern is it would be my work car (I’m a civil engineer) and it would just appear too flashy when I show up to site etc.… my other thought is the ranger raptor. The GR Corolla would have been sweet, as I can just say I drive a Corolla haha

[WR33KD]

Are you got to 4&rota this weekend?

Always a good place to see what others have done and doing to get ideas on how to do things

[R3N3]

1 hour ago, WR33KD said:

Are you got to 4&rota this weekend?

Always a good place to see what others have done and doing to get ideas on how to do things

I didn’t even know it was on… not sure I’ll make it..

I see your car for sale? What’s your plans after the sale?

[soviet_merlin]

17 hours ago, R3N3 said:

I have driven them before but decided against driving this one, as I knew as soon as I’d drive it I’d be emotionally attached haha. It was a Nardo Grey one, very nice.

my only concern is it would be my work car (I’m a civil engineer) and it would just appear too flashy when I show up to site etc.… my other thought is the ranger raptor. The GR Corolla would have been sweet, as I can just say I drive a Corolla haha

Hah, fair enough! Looking like this?

Agreed, might be a bit too fancy for work sites. Though debadged in black it might not be too bad. Bit of dirt on it no one will notice it. Until you start it. Not sure if it comes on this one, but some Audi wagons have the suspension lift as well to get over tricky spots.

Have never been in a Raptor. Suits the work site but feels like a lot of money for something that is mostly utilitarian?!

[R3N3]

2 hours ago, soviet_merlin said:

Hah, fair enough! Looking like this?

Agreed, might be a bit too fancy for work sites. Though debadged in black it might not be too bad. Bit of dirt on it no one will notice it. Until you start it. Not sure if it comes on this one, but some Audi wagons have the suspension lift as well to get over tricky spots.

Have never been in a Raptor. Suits the work site but feels like a lot of money for something that is mostly utilitarian?!

Thats the one!

I have never been a fan of utes, however the thought of the raptor does tickle the pink bits slightly.. seems to have the right mix of fun and practicality.

[WR33KD]

12 hours ago, R3N3 said:

I didn’t even know it was on… not sure I’ll make it..

I see your car for sale? What’s your plans after the sale?

It was a free listing so through I would give it ago, if it sells it sells. 
 

if you come up I’ll be in garage 1-2

[R3N3]

Wheels and tyres have been picked up. I went with Hankook RS4, with a 235/40/18 (front 9” rim) and a 255/35/18 (rear 9.5” rim).

 

and for those worried about stretch, the tyres sit reasonably square, with very minor stretch:

Fitting the Haltech TPMS was a pain in the ass. I ended up sending the external sensors back, as they were big and ugly. However, the internal sensor air valve stem is a slightly larger diameter than the hole in the barrel (by like 1ish mm). So for now I’m parking it and that can be future me’s problem.

Car is still in the fab shop. I will take the wheels for a test fit tomorrow/Friday.

[Dose Pipe Sutututu]

very porno wheels!

Yeah the RS-4 tyres are quite meaty compared to other tyres.

[R3N3]

32 minutes ago, Dose Pipe Sutututu said:

very porno wheels!

Yeah the RS-4 tyres are quite meaty compared to other tyres.

Yes, which makes me a little concerned re. fitment.. nothing some camber arms can’t fix..

[R3N3]

Wheel and tyre fitment is perfect:

There is no poke and we loaded up the suspension to confirm that there is also no rubbing on the guards. 

[Looney_Head]

cars looking good. the wheels and tyres look tough

[R3N3]

2 hours ago, Looney_Head said:

cars looking good. the wheels and tyres look tough

Thanks! I was convinced they were not going to fit. They were a bit of an impulse buy, as they were a cancelled order… and I rolled the dice re. fitment. I really don’t like the whole stance-boy stretch tyre look, so i am super happy that they fit with a reasonably nice fitting tyre. I can’t even fit my pinky between the guard and trye when the suspension is under load.

I’ll get some better pics when I get the car back, as I put the old rims back on while it’s in the workshop.

The one major thing that bugs me with the 3-piece Meisters is the lack of a centre cap option… i have found both 3d printed and billet aftermarket options, so watch this space..

Edited April 28, 2023 by R3N3

[R3N3]

Exhaust done:

rest of the fab work will be done next week. Tune booked for the 17th

[Dose Pipe Sutututu]

Then skids?