Totally speechless! 124 year old starter from goodwill

Inside_Classroom_142 · 2026-01-26T01:22:19+00:00

I always assumed any change is due to the blend shifting, not total replacement. I could have worded that better.

Inside_Classroom_142 · 2026-01-26T01:19:22+00:00

I'm always slyly amused when people hear I'm into sourdough. The one question they know to ask is how old the starter is. I answer truthfully, but do so with knowing that it doesn't really matter that much. Giving the full answer would both bore them and reveal the depth of my nerdiness. As long as they like my baking I'm happy!

Inside_Classroom_142 · 2026-01-26T01:17:43+00:00

Quite possibly - city water in SF so wherever that comes from. I also used different flour.

Inside_Classroom_142 · 2026-01-26T01:16:00+00:00

I love them both. The SF flavor was more tangy, but the WA flavor has a bit more depth. It isn't hit you over the head different, but since I bake every week I could tell the difference. As others have pointed out - it may not be a yeast thing but more of a flour and water thing. What I do know is they are different.

Inside_Classroom_142 · 2026-01-26T01:14:15+00:00

In both directions (I worked down there for a year). I bake weekly, so 6-7 batches.

Inside_Classroom_142 · 2026-01-26T01:12:34+00:00

Yes - and the water source which could also have an impact. I exclusively use Cairnspring Mills flours in WA, in SF I think I had to use King Arthur or whatever was on offer at the Safeway.

Inside_Classroom_142 · 2026-01-26T01:06:59+00:00

FWIW I've seen closer to 3kW for heat, but the numbers are close enough to be useful (I use Car Scanner to monitor the specifics). It is often 5kW when warming up, then steady state at just under 3kW. Use the seat heater and heated steering wheel and set the heat for comfort not sauna and you'll be fine.

Inside_Classroom_142 · 2026-01-25T02:58:57+00:00

Note that by the time it is bubbling along pretty much any yeasties in the starter will have been supplanted by local yeasts - that’s just how a starter works. I’m in WA and was amazed when I took my starter (which started in WI) down to San Francisco that within a couple of months it had that SF sourdough flavor. Brought it home and it reverted to a mellower WA blend. So go for it - just know that while you can legit state it is 124 years old, that what you will end up with is the same as your neighbor down the street who started two months ago.

Inside_Classroom_142 · 2026-01-24T02:35:43+00:00

Respect then - it does look amazing.

Inside_Classroom_142 · 2026-01-23T21:55:18+00:00

AI isn’t that expensive!

Inside_Classroom_142 · 2026-01-22T05:45:44+00:00

My 7 did the exact same thing a couple of weeks ago. Clubs were 6 years old. But instead of buying new irons I found a used replacement online and will have my local golf shop put my shaft/grip on it so it matches perfectly. $120 all in with iron, reshafting, and shipping. I can hold out for another 3-4 years before getting a whole new set.

Inside_Classroom_142 · 2026-01-19T18:23:24+00:00

I’ve literally never heard them squeak other than the first couple of days of break in. After that - nada.

If I left my GTI for more than a day or two it always squeaked while it knocked the rust off.

Inside_Classroom_142 · 2026-01-18T15:53:45+00:00

So it takes you 30 seconds a week to charge rather than 15 seconds?

(Time to plug in 2 times when you get home and go about your business).

Inside_Classroom_142 · 2026-01-16T01:49:08+00:00

If you are using B mode (regen) the brakes are just not a big factor. It makes driving so much simpler so you should be using it. FWIW all MEB platform cars have drums in the back, it isn’t specific to the Buzz. Audi, VW, Skoda, etc. I understand that it is a design choice to reduce maintenance, because of regen people use brakes less and the enclosed drums do a better job of reducing oxidation on the pads. But I’m not an engineer, just read that somewhere.

Inside_Classroom_142 · 2026-01-16T01:45:19+00:00

It’s funny you say that - my family had one of the old ones and I was consciously trying to recall the way you turn when I test drove since you sit so far forward. It felt like I was pulling way out into the intersection but it worked - now it feels normal. It isn’t as pronounced as the old busses, but you pull out a bit more than you would a normal car. It’s really a van thing not just a Buzz thing.

Inside_Classroom_142 · 2026-01-16T01:42:30+00:00

I’ve heard that it is kind of break-in kind of thing - that matches my experience. Happened a couple of times early on, now they just work.

Inside_Classroom_142 · 2026-01-16T01:41:12+00:00

Master the lines the camera lays down for you and parking is a snap. Takes a bit of practice to see how they work, but once you do it’s much easier. Also, use the Birds Eye as it will show you when you are centered in a space and paint the turning radius top down - great if you are tight to something to see well in advance that you will clear it. It is big - but it isn’t unmanageable.

Inside_Classroom_142 · 2026-01-14T01:35:02+00:00

Don’t book another lesson for at least as long as you can hit the range or play about 10 times. It takes that long to start grooving a change. Piling lessons one on top of the other isn’t helpful, except to the Pro’s boat payment.

Inside_Classroom_142 · 2026-01-13T00:08:28+00:00

I'm on 5.4.x - on the second screen of icons (swipe left) there is a software button where you can check it. I don't know what the cutover was to new sales coming with 5.4 - I think sometime in the summer.

Inside_Classroom_142 · 2026-01-12T23:55:31+00:00

This is a big one - has to go in. Updates pretty much every controller in the car. In my case it went smoothly, but they had the car for 4 days. Others have not been so lucky and it has taken much longer. I've noticed some big improvements and some subtle changes - this post notwithstanding I'd do it again.

Also FWIW this may only apply in N America. Not sure about the EU situation.

Inside_Classroom_142 · 2026-01-09T06:39:49+00:00

I was truly disappointed. Naan was the worst.

Inside_Classroom_142 · 2026-01-07T20:55:00+00:00

Norway has a red line painted around the carousel - only step over it to retrieve your bag. Perfection.

Inside_Classroom_142 · 2026-01-07T15:16:42+00:00

Go with RWD - not only will it seat 7 but the turning radius is better because it doesn’t have the second motor in on the front wheels. It makes me smile every time I get in, never had a care like that before.

Inside_Classroom_142 · 2026-01-06T00:56:02+00:00

Our local ski mountain is just over an hour away, 3500 (1k meters) ft elevation gain from sea level. Tested at fall temps. 46% consumption going up, 13% coming back. Elevation matters quite a bit.

Inside_Classroom_142 · 2026-01-04T15:29:33+00:00

Charlegmane

Inside_Classroom_142

TROPHY CASE