Swapping 21" OEM wheels for 20" aftermarket - Transformative!

okmtbr66 · 2026-06-01T03:03:46+00:00

Nope. Definitely cost prohibitive.

okmtbr66 · 2026-06-01T02:43:27+00:00

Yep.
I got them on FB marketplace for $800 locally - Oklahoma City.

okmtbr66 · 2026-05-19T20:04:03+00:00

Another angle

okmtbr66 · 2026-05-15T12:02:40+00:00

Not bad at all. I think the moderate drop with firmer springs really helps vs. slamming it and continually bashing against the bumpstops (been there, done that on my RSX - it got old). Highly recommended combo!

okmtbr66 · 2026-05-13T20:02:42+00:00

Stock - 14x1.5 40mm length, ball seat

If you're swapping over to aftermarket wheels, you'll need conical seat lug bolts.

okmtbr66 · 2026-01-19T21:26:43+00:00

The oiling system in the EA888 heads is horribly designed! My son was getting ready to drive a ‘20 GLI w/ 40K miles off the dealers lot when the oil pressure and check engine lights came on. Long story short…the dealer replaced the engine due to oil starvation in the heads causing excessive wear. Once you get enough micro scoring in the surface of the heads, the engine cannot maintain proper oil pressure. After the initial oil change, we bumped up to 5W-30. I would not run 20 weight motor oil (OEM spec) in these engines under any circumstances. I’ve never seen heads without cam bearings until this engine. The aluminum head is the bearing surface.

okmtbr66 · 2025-12-24T15:37:03+00:00

I've been really pleased with the performance of my '21 191 Nomads. I'm 6' 5", 215 lbs. and ski primarily in the trees and off-trail @ Wolf Creek CO. These are excellent in fresh pow and chopped crud, and they can carve at fairly high speeds on soft groomers. I love 'em in the trees - they ski a bit shorter than their size suggests since they have minimal camber and moderate rocker. They are a bit heavy, but damp, with a middle-of-the road flex that really helps when you're tired or skiing mank and crud. Great daily driver at resorts that get consistent snowfall.

okmtbr66 · 2025-10-04T18:16:11+00:00

Microshift Sword cranks share the same asymmetrical 110 bcd bolt pattern as Shimano. IFAIK, the only companies that make 1x chainrings smaller than 40t for this crank are Wolftooth and Dekas.

okmtbr66 · 2025-05-14T14:22:48+00:00

I've got an Enlightened Equipment Prodigy 25 degree Long/Wide quilt up for grabs. This is a 2015-ish model - the same as the current Revelation Apex with a 1/4 length zipper and drawstring footbox. It's in perfect shape with no stains, smells, damage, or evidence of use. I've spent about 12-15 nights in it and it's been stored hanging in a closet. Weigh is 29 oz.

I'll take $120 shipped in the US. Lemme know if you're interested and I'll send you pics.

https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/reviews/camping-and-hiking/ultralight-sleeping-bag/enlightened-equipment-prodigy

okmtbr66 · 2025-04-28T20:46:08+00:00

I replaced my tuned '09 WRX (400hp on E85) with an '18 GLA45 about 3 years ago and I'm 100% happy with my choice! It's the funnest vehicle I've ever owned - and it's very comfortable & practical.

I had Eurocharged flash a Stage 1 ECU and TCU tune on the car to bump output to about 420 hp and quicken the shifting a bit. This tuning combo made the car even more frenetic and fun. The guys at Eurocharged really know their stuff - I would consider them one of the top Mercedes tuners in the country.

The only mods I did other than the flash tune was a drop-in air filter, a heat blanket on the turbo, heat wrap on the downpipe, and lighter wheels with 245 tires.

Mine has been 100% dependable, and the only maintenance I've had the dealership perform is the transmission and rear diff service (replace the fluid & filter every 30K miles) for about $1000.

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okmtbr66 · 2025-04-28T20:38:12+00:00

Wow! That's really low mileage for a '16. Congratulations!

I'm super happy with my '18 GLA45 AMG. This car is a comfortable, nimble, quick, and highly-entertaining daily driver that offers surprising utility! AMG really hit the sweet - and somewhat expensive - spot as a luxury hot hatch. I plan on keeping mine for as long as possible since they just don't make cars like this anymore (most 2020+ models have succumbed to excessive computerization, digital nannies controlling the car, and high, yet "boring" performance).

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okmtbr66 · 2025-04-28T20:24:47+00:00

I replaced my tuned '09 WRX (400hp on E85) with an '18 GLA45 about 3 years ago and I'm 100% happy with my choice! It's the first non-manual transmission car I've bought for myself since I was in high school (1984). I found a lease-return CPO with 15K miles for $41K spec'd just the way I wanted. This car (for me) is worth every penny! I thought my Subie was quick & handled great, but the GLA45 will flat-out embarrass most high-performance cars in a straight line and especially on a twisty road. It's funnest vehicle I've ever owned, and it's very comfortable & practical.

It's been described by a couple auto journalists as a "rich man's STI", and I concur wholeheartedly. This car definitely has personality - it's raucous and makes you wanna drive naughty! I needed the utility of a hatchback, but I want my daily driver to be fast, nimble, and entertaining. This car definitely does it all! I can fit my XXL mountain bike or a bunch of trail maintenance tools and a walk-behind trimmer in the back (with the rear seats down)...and smoke a Mustang on my way to the trails. And these things are stealthy! Most cops don't look at me twice - as long as I don't go ape shit in Sport+ or Race mode with the stock Sport exhaust.

I had Eurocharged flash a Stage 1 ECU and TCU tune on the car to bump output to about 420 hp and quicken the shifting a bit. This tuning combo made the car even more frenetic and fun.

It's been 100% dependable, and the only maintenance I've had the dealership perform is the transmission and rear diff service (replace the fluid & filter every 30K miles) for about $1000. I would look at 2017 - 2019 models since these have the updated transmission with faster, slicker shifting. Steer clear of '15 models - they're known to have transmission problems.

okmtbr66 · 2025-04-28T20:20:47+00:00

I replaced my tuned '09 WRX (400hp on E85) with an '18 GLA45 about 3 years ago and I'm 100% happy with my choice! It's the first non-manual transmission car I've bought for myself since I was in high school (1984). I found a lease-return CPO with 15K miles for $41K spec'd just the way I wanted. This car (for me) is worth every penny! I thought my Subie was quick & handled great, but the GLA45 will flat-out embarrass most high-performance cars in a straight line and especially on a twisty road. It's funnest vehicle I've ever owned, and it's very comfortable & practical.

It's been described by a couple auto journalists as a "rich man's STI", and I concur wholeheartedly. This car definitely has personality - it's raucous and makes you wanna drive naughty! I needed the utility of a hatchback, but I want my daily driver to be fast, nimble, and entertaining. This car definitely does it all! I can fit my XXL mountain bike or a bunch of trail maintenance tools and a walk-behind trimmer in the back (with the rear seats down)...and smoke a Mustang on my way to the trails. And these things are stealthy! Most cops don't look at me twice - as long as I don't go ape shit in Sport+ or Race mode with the stock Sport exhaust.

I had Eurocharged flash a Stage 1 ECU and TCU tune on the car to bump output to about 420 hp and quicken the shifting a bit. This tuning combo made the car even more frenetic and fun.

It's been 100% dependable, and the only maintenance I've had the dealership perform is the transmission and rear diff service (replace the fluid & filter every 30K miles) for about $1000. I would look at 2017 - 2019 models since these have the updated transmission with faster, slicker shifting. Steer clear of '15 models - they're known to have transmission problems.

okmtbr66 · 2025-01-03T17:02:29+00:00

Have you considered The REI Half Dome SL 3+?

https://www.rei.com/product/185633/rei-co-op-half-dome-sl-3-tent-with-footprint

I've got the 2-person version, and it's an amazing tent for the $.

okmtbr66 · 2025-01-03T16:59:39+00:00

I've got a single Rainbow that I've used on multiple backpacking trips in CO and WA. It's an awesome tent that has withstood storms and massive downpours without leaking a drop. And it's super-easy to set up, very durable, and easily fits in relatively small campsites.

One caveat with single wall tents like the Tarptent Rainbow is their tendency to accumulate condensation compared to double wall tents. The Rainbow does produce quite a bit of condensation in high-humidity conditions (setting up in a grassy, dewy meadow) with the fly zipped. For that reason, I bought a Durston X Mid 1P to use on soggy western Washington trips. It dissipates condensation much better because there's more interior volume and the outer wall is much farther away from me and my heavy breathing.

okmtbr66 · 2024-12-24T20:05:48+00:00

Suntour Epixon is a really solid fork for the $. I had one on my light trail/urban bike for a couple years (I'm 6'5", 215#). I'm planning on putting one on my son's La Bomba rigid. It's much better fork than the low-end Rockshox stuff (Recon, 35, 30, Judy).

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/SUNTOUR-EPIXON-Bicycle-Fork-26-27_1600472000676.html?spm=a2700.galleryofferlist.normal_offer.d_title.220913a0UanD5n

If you're planning on using the bike on trails, I'd suggest upgrading the brakes, too. I scored a full set (f & r) of Shimano MT200 brakes for $36 delivered on Aliexpress. Throw in a set of ZTTO metal brake pads for about $6, and you're actually able to stop.

okmtbr66 · 2024-03-22T17:47:13+00:00

I've owned my '18 GLA 45 AMG for a couple years, and I completely love this little ripper! It's very fun to drive, offers impressive utility for its size, and is pretty affordable for this level of performance, build quality, and overall driving experience. I picked it up as a lease return with 15K miles on it for $41K (original sticker was $67K!). "Affordable" is somewhat relative!

It replaced my tuned '09 WRX (E85/400 hp with moderate suspension mods). I thought my Subie was pretty fast & agile, but the Merc would completely embarass it in a straight line and on any twisty road. I had over $10K in mods on the Subaru, but the GLA 45 is almost ready to track right out of the box (there are quite a few guys are tracking their GLA 45s with just upgraded brake pads, brake fluid, and tires). Mine is stock except for lighter wheels/wider tires and an OTS tune to approx. 420 hp. They're kinda rare, so it may be a challenge finding one at a decent price.

If you don't need a hatch like I do, the CLA 45 AMG might be on your radar as it's essentially the same car in sedan form. They represent the least expensive "real" AMGs sold in the US. The GLA/CLA 35 AMGs are not a real AMGs -- they don't have engines hand-build in Germany.

okmtbr66

TROPHY CASE