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2015 Recap + 2016 Goals

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I’m a huge fan of new years resolutions (and self-improvement in general), and that includes my resolutions for my car like I did last year. So as I start a new year, I wanted to first reflect back a little on 2015 then use that insight to set some new goals and resolutions for this year. Without further adieu, I bring you my 2015 recap…

2015 Recap

Let’s start with some personal accountability – I set some goals at the beginning of 2015, so let see how I did:

  1. Make it to at least TWO track days this year: Fail. I made it to one, and it was awesome, but only one. I need to try harder in 2016 for sure.
  2. Stop buying cheap tires: Success – I picked up some pricey (and awesome) Hankook R-S3 tires for my Volk LE37s and loved every minute of it. Ironically I also picked up the cheapest tires I’ve ever owned and didn’t mind those either, so perhaps this is both a win and a miss since my tyre prices varied so greatly 🙂
  3. Aim for 50 posts this year: Success, although barely – I had exactly 50 posts in 2015, but I feel pretty good about it since they were quality posts and also I do work a full-time job which can get in the way sometimes…
  4. Get a proper detail with paint correction: Success – although I DIY’d it rather than having a professional do it as I originally thought I would. I learned a lot in the process and looking forward to another pass this year to get deeper on the cut and more flawless on the finish.

So all in all, not bad other than being short 1 track day…I’ll take it! I also had a number of great highlights this year, including adding some great mods like the JHM LSD, getting my Volks refinished, and a new JHM Stage 3 Clutch & Lightweight flywheel…all of which really enhanced my driving experience and got my S4 to be a little more exciting to drive. I also attended some great car shows, made some new friends, got interviewed on a car blog, and continue to love being part of the car “scene” and everything it entails. Also noteworthy is that I moved and now have a spacious 2 car garage, which has made my detailing regiment so much easier to keep up with, not to mention made my DIYs a little more convenient and comfortable. I also made some minor updates to this blog and started to learn how to edit photos in Adobe Lightroom and while I’m far from an expert photog I do think I’m at least making some forward progress there too.

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2016 Resolutions

I’m really happy with how things are at, but there’s always room for improvement. While my car is nearing “maxed out” from a modifications perspective, I can think of a few concrete goals I want to achieve this year on my blog:

  1. New wheels – I’ve had my Volks for over a year now so it will be time to move on soon. I am thinking of switching it up to 18x9s but keeping a more track oriented look & feel, as well as allow me to run a little more rubber both height and width wise. It will be difficult to part with the Volks given their rarity so I will have to fight the temptation to be a wheel hoarder.
  2. Soften my suspension – while I love my Ohlins coilovers, my spring rates are simply far too high for Southern California. I need to either get softer springs, or switch it up to my Koni Yellow/H&R setup I have laying around in my garage. Currently my suspension is full on “track mode” which is definitely overkill for someone who only made it to the track once last year.
  3. 50+ Posts in 2016 – this was a good resolution for last year, so I’ll keep it this year but add a twist…create & embed at least 10 YouTube videos as part of these posts. I also want to keep getting better at photo editing (and composition) and hope to take some classes or read some books to improve in that regard.
  4. 2+ Track Days in 2016 – since I fell short last year, time to try again. I picked up a set of track wheels with R888s over the holidays that should make this even more tempting, although I’m still trying to get them to fit before I can plan on putting them to use…

One last goal is that I make up my mind on the bigger picture of my car needs – I keep flip flopping between keeping my S4 and adding more power (either headers, a supercharger kit, or both), or selling it and getting a new S3. The financially responsible side of me says keep the B7 since it is fully paid off, but I feel as if I’ve reached the upper limit of what this platform can do without forced induction or nitrous and struggle with spending the money on a supercharger kit + installation too. Regardless, I’d like to make my mind up and commit one way or another, and these days its looking like I’d continue to keep the B7 as it’s simply a lot of fun, but we shall see…

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Your Thoughts?

What are your thoughts – any changes or new types of content or posts you’d like to see here? Should I supercharge my car and stop making excuses? Should I sell my car and find a salvage title R8 to restore (lol)? Leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

Nick Roshon

Nick has been an Audi owner and fanatic for the last 10 years, and started Nick's Car Blog in 2009 to share DIYs and pictures of his A4. Currently he drives a 2012 Audi TT-RS, and has previously owned a B7 S4, B7 A4, and an 82 Audi Coupe (GT) LeMons race car. In his day job, Nick is a digital marketer and lives in San Diego, CA, USA.

13 Comments

  1. congrats on hitting your 50 posts on the year. As someone who has setup numerous blogs for people, I always remind them that setting it up is the easy part, putting posts together is the hard part. So again congrats on getting that 50.. and 50 quality posts i might add.

  2. Keep it! Throw the headers on your car and review them so I can add it to my list of things to get. Instead of flip flopping between keeping and selling, flip flop some color combos! Flat grey vinyl car and brilliant red Volks 😀

    I’m truly happy to see your blog continue strong into 2016. I’ve been on your blog daily over the past two weeks as I’m dealing with some headlight issues…your posts have been crucial to troubleshooting the issue!

  3. Oh man, the headlight issues are the worst. My best advice is if you’re really stuck, just find a used headlight housing on eBay and start over…but to the rest, thanks! I do love the idea of headers, wish they were just a little cheaper. The color combo idea is an interesting one!

  4. Nick, thank you for all of the posts you have made, you have truly kept the Audi community alive from your drool inducing featured rides to your creativity inspiring DIYs. I would love to see your car supercharged but it certainly seems intimidating with it’s price and immense labor, so i’d totally get it if you decided not to. I’ve only owned 2 cars so far, both being b7’s, and the S4 is such a blast, I would hate to see yours go, but I know if you decide to trade up, the car you’d get certainly wouldn’t disappoint (early 2000’s Carrera 4s 😉 ?). Anyway Nick, i’m so looking forward to 2016, I can tell it will be a great year for you. Maybe come summertime i’ll have enough of the mods I want done to my S4 I could be graced with a featured ride, but we shall see :).

  5. Ha, the 996 Carrera 4S would definitely be in the consideration set if I were to leave, but I’m thinking I’ll probably end up keeping it. Thanks for all the kind words, and definitely send me some pics & a mod list when you think your car might be ready for a feature!

  6. Best wishes in the new year and congratulations on a great website full of great content. Nick I had a question regarding a stock Audi s4 B7 of ours that I am looking at removing the cats. This is because under the warranty its one of the only mods I can do, however I am very happy with the stock car anyway as it is mint with super low miles. Its a 2005.5 B7.

    My question is what cats are best to remove? I had heard pre-cats (near the engine)? How many are their.

    Also what about codes or dangers to engine. Are their any?

    Finally what will it sound like. Deeper or higher pitch?

    I know it may pull a little harder but this mod is mainly to get the engine to breath more and down here in NZ we have no tax on omissions or the like.

    Best

    Jade

  7. Hi Nick,
    Here are great resolutions for 2016. I confirm that you have made almost everything on this platform (even more).
    Your car is amazing.
    Could you please tell me if it is CSR side spoiler you added (just under the S4 blades). I was thinking about adding these spoilers on mine too.
    Are you happy with them? I know some adaptation are needed to fit well on B7 as designed for B6.
    Thanks for your answers and happy new year 😉

  8. Yeah, I’m super happy with them – they’re pretty simple parts that were easy to install, not sure on the B6 fitment but no problems whatsoever on my B7. It does make jacking your car up a little trickier but not a big deal IMO.

  9. Thanks for your answer Nick.
    Do you plan to paint the CSR blade? I would cover them with a Carbon 5D film to be in line with the lip.

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