Presenting: The RUF BUG - Stage II

[Hollywood]

Well after much waiting............HERE IT IS!



You know somthin', there's probably not another thing in a car that we are in "closer touch" with than the Steering Wheel. It just puts an entirely "new" feel to the driving experience of the car.



The only "issue" now, is that because the splines on this wheel are slightly different than the OEM wheel, we got it as close/centered as we could, but I'm probably going to have to get a Front End Alignment done to get it Spot On. No small feat, trying to find an alignment shop to do a good alignment on a lowered car. It's always somethin', isn't it?



P.S. For anyone interested, m y OEM Turbo S Steering Wheel and Airbag are off the car and ready for sale!

[Nashman28]

Sweeet - I like it - matches perfectly to your Bug

[Picknicker]

Wow - just fantastic. Matches perfect!

[Hollywood]

Thanks guys. Yeah even the leather is an exact match to the Recaro seats. You have to see it in person to really appreciate it. It definitely looks like it was made for the car (duh.....well.......it was - lol) & pulls the interior together and caps it off perfectly! I think the thing that will impress people in the know the most about the RUF BUG, is that for everything that's been done to it (and the mod list is extensive to say the least), nothing jumps out at you. You really have to walk around it several times & study it to pick everything. It really is very tastefully done and blends and works together beautifully (if I do say so myself - haha), and has the look & feel like an OEM / RUF / Tuner car, as opposed to a "modified" New Beetle.

[AbuNigel]

all jokes aside, do you take off your shoes when you get in this thing? especially with all the sand and grime on the roads during the winter, idk how else you manage to keep it so clean :P Particularly the floor mats. Course I'm sure your not driving it around much, but it appears to be outside in these last pics, and I know you keep this thing in a garage usually

[FarrisK]

Hollywood, may I offer some constructive criticism?

The only (and I mean ONLY) thing that stands out as "wrong" with the car is the steering column surround plastic thing. Now that the wheel is smaller than stock, the surround sticks out past it. It's something that has always bugged me (no pun intended) about modified Beetles.

Other than that, your car is JIMP worthy!

[Hollywood]

Originally Posted by AbuNigel

all jokes aside, do you take off your shoes when you get in this thing? especially with all the sand and grime on the roads during the winter, idk how else you manage to keep it so clean :P Particularly the floor mats. Course I'm sure your not driving it around much, but it appears to be outside in these last pics, and I know you keep this thing in a garage usually

Nigel,

Thanks man. You know what they say......"Cleanliness is next to Ruf-liness" haha. Seriously though, the car is not my "daily" & I only take it out when the roads are clean & dry. Otherwise it's stored, covered in the garage. The floor mats are "brand new" haha.

[Hollywood]

Originally Posted by FarrisK

Hollywood, may I offer some constructive criticism?

The only (and I mean ONLY) thing that stands out as "wrong" with the car is the steering column surround plastic thing. Now that the wheel is smaller than stock, the surround sticks out past it. It's something that has always bugged me (no pun intended) about modified Beetles.

Other than that, your car is JIMP worthy!

Thanks man. You've got a great eye for detail. Yeah the plastic steering column shroud/cover has always "bugged" me too.....just not enough to do anything about at the moment. (It's much more obvious at certain angles in photographs than in person). It's something I "may" address at some point in the future. Thanks for the props!

[The Cheat]

gonna come see me for that 40k service?

yes, i zoomed in on the mileage.

for lowered cars, i used to take my car to a shop in east lyme (yes, a hike). they do AWESOME work though. every time, perfect results.

[Hollywood]

Sorry bro, but it's all been done already. I'm a step ahead of ya lol. Next up will be a timing belt / water pump in the next few months. East Lyme? Damn. Think I'll try & explore a few options a bit more locally first.

[The Cheat]

Originally Posted by Hollywood

Sorry bro, but it's been done already. I'm a step ahead of ya lol. Next up will be a timing belt / water pump in the next few months. East Lyme? Damn. Think I'll try & explore a few options a bit more locally first.

keep me in mind on the t-belt. already got the kits in stock.

i'm trying to think here...i've had good luck with a couple pep boys believe it or not, if you actually talk to the tech, they will get it right. the one in manchester did the audi alignment, and i swear it drove BETTER than new. my car is going in next week to milford/orange for an alignment, i can report back?

steve, my car may be not the "ruf bug", but i still am overly cautious about who touches my car. my mentality is this: if i'm bringing my car to you, you should understand that my life is in your hands (literally). the ONLY thing i don't do on my cars are the alignments (i have a mounter/balancer now). i'm hoping once i have a shop to have a rack.

it's tough to get a good shop, yes, but all it takes to get that pristine service (from a tech to a customer here, listen ) is to communicate. if you like how your car is dialed in, then say that. if you know your specs, have them ready. otherwise, we're going to what the computer tells us is ok for your car. this is why even at pep boys i get GREAT alignments. i've told them that i want .5 of toe-in exactly, both wheels, 1.0 neg camber both wheels (or match if you can't), and to leave the caster be...and gotten it.

i can do some more research for you and see where the lowered crew goes to.

[FarrisK]

Originally Posted by Hollywood

You've got a great eye for detail.

Thanks, I'm in school to be an engineer... I can find a problem in pretty much anything presented to me.

[Hollywood]

Then I'm doubly flattered by all your compliments. Thanks again!

[alexvilla]

And wut planet is our beetle from????? WOW your car is just amazing!!!

[leonardodecappiccuno]

Lookin good, and to have used the same leather as the seats is just icing on the cake, health to enjoy chum.

Regards Lenny

[Hollywood]

Hey Len, thanks. Yeah, matching the leather Recaro uses was next to IMPOSSIBLE! It's SPOT ON!!

Thanks again for all your kind words & encouragement. Best to you and your car/project as well!

[BEETLETHIS]

wow looks really good!!!

[Hollywood]

Thanks man! Couple little "tweaks" and I'm ready for the 2010 Show Season (and perhaps a little "press").

[raymondlee]

you got me wanting to try the tt shifter thing.

[Hollywood]

Very cool mod, but be warned, it ain't as easy as it looks ha ha...............especially if you do what I did, and mold the entire Center Console!