AFE Air Intake Kit, Awe Vent-Mounted Boost Gauge - European Car Magazine

We like stuff. We like cars. It should be implicit, then, that we especially like stuff for cars. To this end, we've collected a bunch of stuff that European cars will love. Although automotive enthusiasts in the United States will spend several billion dollars modifying their automobiles, a lot of that "stuff" isn't necessarily very good. The products on the next several pages, we feel, are.

We choose products based on fairly simple criteria-that is, we'd buy these items for use on our own cars. That this hardware is well-engineered should be implicit in that statement. Consequently, so is the fact that these products will do what their respective manufacturers say they'll do. More than just a list of great products, this is a list of great companies-companies that have gained our seal of approval. And we see a lot of stuff roll through the office during the course of a year, so hopefully we know what the hell we're talking about.

In any case, happy browsing.

AFE Air Intake Kit For BMW M.3
From the factory, the M3 engine already has a nice tone. The AFE air intake system gives the vehicle a distinctive growl that is truly race inspired. If you're not impressed by the amazing sound, perhaps the 10-hp gain will make you sit up and take notice.
$964
Advanced FLOW Engineering
951.493.7100
www.afe-filters.com

Awe Vent-Mounted Boost Gauge
A common fascination exists among drivers with turbocharged engines: watching a needle bounce around as the throttle pedal is mashed to the floor. Common problems have always been installing gauges that didn't look tacky and didn't block other vital instrumentation. AWE solved these issues by building the gauge into one of the A/C ducts, without interfering with vent airflow.
$189.95 (Audi A3)
$259.95 (Audi A4)
AWE Tuning
888.565.2257
www.awe-tuning.com

The Original California Jelly Blade
Drying a car after a wash can now be done in a third of the time and with just a flick of the wrist. Manufactured of surgical-grade silicone, the blade will not scratch vehicle paint and produces less friction for a streak-free shine. The flexible handle allows the blade to hug curves, while allowing for maximum water removal.
$19.99
California Car Duster Company
800.282.8828
www.calcarduster.com

Evosport Performance Underdrive Pulley Kit For Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz performance upgrades usually bring to mind one thing: $$$$. But for under $400, Evosport's pulley kit reduces parasitic drag on the engine and allows engine rpm to move more freely. Can't beat that.
$379
Evosport, Inc.
888.520.9971
www.evosport.com

Second-generation Haldex Performance Unit for A3 and Passat AWD
Though these cars are labeled AWD, they are set up to deliver most of the power to the front wheels. The Haldex unit recalibrates the power distribution, allowing for more power to be delivered to the rear wheels for maximum handling and performance.
$TBA
Haldex Traction AB
734.737.0435
www.haldex-traction.com

Mothers Powerball Polishing Tool
This is a high-quality, easy-to-use polishing device that only requires an electric drill. The PowerBall is constructed of professional grade closed-cell foam, making it soft and highly absorbent. This foam can be pressed into tight spaces and conforms around corners, making it extremely versatile. $29.99
Mothers Polish
www.mothers.com

Neuspeed Race Series Rs10 Forged
Finding a high quality wheel that looks nice and that won't break the bank seems like a daunting task these days. Neuspeed's new wheel line for VW and Audi fits the description of the perfect rim: lightweight, high quality, and reasonably priced. As for looks, two words: rolling art.
$549 (18-inch), $599 (19-inch)Neuspeed
800.423.3623
www.neuspeed.com

Bilstein Pss9 Coilover Kit
The PSS9s are height adjustable and have nine selectable settings for compression/rebound. The perfect comprise between comfort and performance, you can have a comfortable drive to the track and then, with a simple turn of the dial, have a spirited race around the track.
From $1,799
Bilstein
858.386.5900
www.bilstein.com

Neuspeed Optician Software For 2.0t Fsi
Beyond the smooth power delivery and large horsepower and torque gains, the Neuspeed Optican process allows for a complete back up of the original ECU program, including all of the vehicle specific information. The OEM and Modified program is then burned to a CD and given to the customer as a back-up copy. $499
Neuspeed
800.423.3623
www.neuspeed.com

Continental Sport Contact 2 Vmax
Consider the fact that it is the "fastest off-the-shelf" tire in the world and has a long list of technological innovations. Need we say more? These tires have the qualities that matter most: excellent handling, good tread wear and low road noise. From $349
Continental Tire North America
704.588.5895
www.continentaltire.com

Lsd North America Scissor-Style Car Doors
Doors like the ones on the Lamborghini Murcielago give a whole new meaning to making an entrance...or exit. The LSD Company manufactures scissor-style doors that can be added to almost any vehicle. All of their kits are made to the highest standards of quality and, importantly, maintain OEM crash standards. From $1,799
LSD North America
559.875.0222
www.lsd-doors.com

Scosche Industries Bluetooth(r) Wireless Interface For Ipod And Mp3 Players
Using a simple transmitter and receiver, this device gives your factory radio wireless access to any iPod or MP3 player. Using the microphone included in the kit and a Bluetooth-enabled cell phone, conversations can be heard through the factory speakers. From $249
Scosche
800.363.4490
www.scosche.com

Forge Silicon Hose Kit For Audi/Vw 2.0t Fsi
Constructed of German silicone reinforced by three layers of fabric, these hoses are designed for the racer to prevent hose failure on the track, or for the daily driver to thwart hose degradation due to environmental factors. Proven to be for both show and go, these brightly colored hoses also improve engine bay appearance. $352
Forge Motorsport
407.447.5363
www.forgemotorsport.com

Bilstein Electronic Adjustable Pss9 Coilover Kit For 997 Porsche
For cars equipped with electric suspension, options for modification can be limited. Bilstein has developed a kit for the 997 that boasts increased compression/rebound adjustment and allows for vehicle lowering up to 30mm without compromising the factory electronic suspension. $TBA
Bilstein
858.386.5900
www.bilstein.com

Ross Tech Vag Com With Hexcom+Can Intelligent Dual-K Plus Can Bus Cable
The VAG COM software for VW/AUDI grants an all-access pass to your car's computer network, allowing access to engine, drivetrain and electronic systems data. Plus, you can finally determine what's causing that pesky check engine light. With the later model applications, steering performance and vehicle system outputs can be altered as well. $349
Ross-Tech, LLC
215.361.8942
www.ross-tech.com

Sparco Custom Seat Program
Now, your car's interior can be as individualistic as you are with Sparco's new "Get Stitched" program. Customers can choose from different color combinations for bolsters, insets, stitching and embroidery fonts. Optional matching rear seats are available on some applications. From $799
Sparco Motorsports, Inc.
800.224.RACE
www.sparcousa.com

Oettinger Mk V Gti Aerodynamic Program
The fifth-gen GTI is just hitting American shores and German tuner Oettinger is poised to offer its latest styling enhancements to VW's beloved hatch. The six-piece kit is wrought from O.E.-quality material and will mount with minimal hassle. Offering just the right amount of aggressiveness and class, this new kit looks certain to be a winner.$TBA
APR Tuning
800.680.7921
www.goapr.com

H-Sport E46 M3 Anti-Sway Bar Kit
Need a bit more sharpness from your M3? H-Sport has a great solution. Its M3 anti-sway bars provide significantly less body roll and sharper steering while retaining an excellent ride quality. Powdercoated in gloss black, these bars are shipped with polyurethane bushings, rear adapter plates, brackets, zerk fittings and end links. The 30mm front and 25mm rear bars feature multiple adjustment settings to allow fine-tuning for both street and track venues. From $431
H-Sport
888.735.6430
www.h-sport.com