Wait a second

"I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker" (qaaaaa)
06/04/2019 at 16:35 • Filed to: None

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

DISCUSSION (11)

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
06/04/2019 at 16:37

And then had the gall to brag...

https://kinja.com/mdallin

I DEMAND BLOOD

Tekamul > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
06/04/2019 at 18:18

Yea h, but he got a POS Jetta. Isn’t that bad enough?

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Tekamul
06/04/2019 at 18:27

Actually, the worse a car appears to be, the better it is.

Urambo Tauro > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
06/04/2019 at 20:21

“ I Won Jalopnik’s FreeR6 Jetta Then Immediately Betrayed Your Trust and I Don’t Feel Bad About it.”

Mike > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
06/05/2019 at 09:53

Yes. I did some but not all before jumping off the burning ship. Here’s why:
1. I spent several months unsuccessfully trying to title the car in California. It had a title that was passed along several times through people before it ended up with me with no paper trail that California would accept. The “giveaway” wasn’t handled properly.

2. The check engine light was on when it arrived. The light was for the timing chains. It was an unexpected surprise but not a project killer. I planned on addressing this when changing the transmission. A fter sorting through some electrical gremlins I was test driving the car when a timing chain guide rail failed and the engine stopped. After taking the top cover off I could see chunks of metal and plastic and couldn’t turn the engine over by hand.

3. The article you’re referring to about betraying your trust was just for the catback system that Magnaflow sent me. It wasn’t betrayal for the overall project. They offered a free system and I accepted it. It was the only “premium” part planned on using despite getting offers from other companies for parts.

4. Jalopnik had offered to publish multiple stories along the way for the project then decided they just wanted me to make one at the end. This is why you never heard about it again because it died before the end.

5. My financial/personal obligations changed and I had to move across the country.

The work completed included eBay coilovers, many repairs to the wiring harness damaged by rodents, eBay brake pads/rotors, one caliper, eBay tint, chinese eBay tune up parts including plug wires and ignition coil,

The parts I had in my garage uninstalled were a turbo kit, used manual transmission setup, wheels, horrible aero bits, vinyl wrap, Chinese timing chain kit and Chinese headers.

After sinking several thousand dollars, looking at more $ for the engine and the never ending title issues I decided I was done. I liquidated the parts and got rid of the car.

I’m sorry it ended that way and I don’t blame you if you’re upset about it.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Mike
06/05/2019 at 10:20

Sorry, I didn’t mean to get on your case- I’m not too hung up on it. It was a high mile VR6 car. These are just the things that happen to it.

Thanks for the explainer on what happened- that was pretty in depth and honestly about what I had figured happened to it. How often do people ask about that trainwreck of a Jetta?

Mike > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
06/05/2019 at 10:38

I knew what you meant. If I thought you were attacking me I wouldn’t have responded.
I’m never asked about it.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Mike
06/05/2019 at 10:46

Cheers for being a good sport about it.

I assume it went to the crusher then?

Mike > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
06/05/2019 at 10:58

No, I gave it to a young guy who wanted to get it running. I have n o idea what came of it.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Mike
06/05/2019 at 11:11

A folly for sure. Did you ever google the VIN and see if it’s still out there?

Timing chain failure usually sends these cars to junkyards. Of the 10 or so Mk4 VR6s I’ve seen in junkyards, only one had intact timing chain guides. I know because other people open them up to see, then walk away.

Mike > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
06/05/2019 at 14:39

No, I moved on as soon as it left.
I love the quirk and sound of VR6 engines but the timing chains are such a pain to replace when the miles get up there. Not as bad as the B6 S4's though.