Good news, bad news, warranty work, TRD RSB installed, blah blah blah...

[TRD VVTi]

I recently went down to Charlotte, NC to hang out and just spend some quality time with my friends.

While I was there I had some warranty work done on my Camry. This included new tires (cracking, dry rotted), waterpump (leaking), window run channels (distorted), rearview mirror (mirror part seperating at the buttom) and TRD STB (powder coat peeling causing corrosion on the STB). The serpentine belt, tensioner, and wiper blades were also replaced under warranty at the same time. Most people would only had the dealer replace the waterpump, but I'm anal about everything.

I also had the passenger front window retinted (warranty) because it started to peel at the bottom slightly.

After having the tires installed at a Toyota dealer I quickly noticed that the tires were out of balance. As it wasn't convenient to return I just paid a Technician at another Toyota dealer $20 cash to rebalance my tires. While he was doing that I was cleaning my wheels and he noticed that one of the wheels was bent. I was quite pissed that the Tech that mounted the tires at the other dealer didn't notice it, or say anything to me. Anyways, the dealer had one in stock as a display wheel. The Parts Manager was on his way to a meeting and couldn't give me a price. I put the wheel on my car and when he returned asked him how much I owed him. This wheel is normally $300-$350 (BBS RK) so I was hoping for a big discount. I was expecting to pay about $200-$250. I couldn't believe it when he only asked for $100!

Here's the part that has me really pissed off. To get any warranty on the Special Edition parts on my car I have to have the warranty work done at an SET dealer. When I got home I noticed that all the paint is peeling on EVERY single wheel EXCEPT for the new on that I just purchased. The paint is peeling on the spokes. The paint is VERY thin there causing the paint to flake. I didn't notice it while I was cleaning the wheels but did when I was washing the car today. I may bring my car to the local dealer and see if they can help me get SET to allow them to warranty the wheels. We'll see I guess.

I also had the driver side front spat and ground effects repainted at the Toyota dealer. Luckily I know the Body Shop Manager. He only charged me $150 to refinish both pieces!

While my car was at the dealer I had a TRD RSB installed also. I must say that I'm really impressed at the improvement having the RSB makes. It's set on the auto cross setting and actually eliminates more understeer than I thought it would. I got a deal on that too. The RSB cost me $137.93 + tax (no installation labor).

Luckily, the liked me at the dealer because I also got front brake pads, three oil filters, and two cans of brake cleaner for my car at no charge also.

I'd also like to mention that Gen 5.5's are better than Gen 6's.

[CharmCityES]

glad youre getting everything in order TRD! ive been doing alot of maintenence and repair on my camry as well, as ive almost breached the 60k marker, so ive done a royal flush (cooling system, transmission, brake system, power steering, induction service), oil change, brake pads and rotors all around, tire rotate and balence, a/c service and recharge, cabin air filter sway bar bushings, balljoints, and control arm bushings...ive been looking into a nifty TRD exhuast for the gen 5 the dealer i work for has, so i might pick that up soon...
im anticipating the failure of the o/e waterpump too...i know its gonna go, its just a matter of when...
glad to see youre back and the camry is doing well!
gen 5 and gen 5.5s are the best!

[TRD VVTi]

Originally Posted by CorCamrySE

glad youre getting everything in order TRD!

Thanks, but I've still got a list of things to do.

1) Get wheels replaced/refinished
2) Replace chrome on driver side doors (I got a bad roll that's peeling)
3) Super secret fog light appearance modification (just a new idea I want to try)
4) Replace corroded TRD emblem on rear deck
5) Sand and repaint rotors, drums, and calipers (rusted and peeling)
6) Detail car completely
7) Make a new rear emblem for the deck lid (center emblem where Toyota symbol goes)

There's more but I can't recall at this time...

Gen 5-5.5's FTW.

[CharmCityES]

haha i also did a super secret foglight mod of my own over the weekend...i might even bother to get my windows tinted soon if all goes according to plan...
how bad is the finish on your BBS wheels? i had mine powdercoated black by a good friend of mine who is a professional powdercoater, and i never have to worry about the finish...maybe at some point it would be a good idea to powdercoat them? it seems like a much more durable finish than just painted wheels

[TRD VVTi]

Originally Posted by CorCamrySE

haha i also did a super secret foglight mod of my own over the weekend...i might even bother to get my windows tinted soon if all goes according to plan...
how bad is the finish on your BBS wheels? i had mine powdercoated black by a good friend of mine who is a professional powdercoater, and i never have to worry about the finish...maybe at some point it would be a good idea to powdercoat them? it seems like a much more durable finish than just painted wheels

The finish isn't peeling really bad on most but one has a spot on the spoke about the size of a quarter.

I'd rather have them powdercoated.

If your buddy is interested in doing mine let me know. If he is, I want them done in chrome (it's actually a really bright silver). Five wheels with shipping from 56425.

[white07cam]

sorry to interrupt you guys' conversation.. but i just wanted to say gen6's are better than gen5's AND especially 5.5's

[Punks_Not_Dead5]

^ keep dreamin'

[catric69]

Originally Posted by white07cam

sorry to interrupt you guys' conversation.. but i just wanted to say gen6's are better than gen5's AND especially 5.5's

So true!

[Gellenole]

Originally Posted by TRD VVTi

Thanks, but I've still got a list of things to do.

1) Get wheels replaced/refinished
2) Replace chrome on driver side doors (I got a bad roll that's peeling)
3) Super secret fog light appearance modification (just a new idea I want to try)
4) Replace corroded TRD emblem on rear deck
5) Sand and repaint rotors, drums, and calipers (rusted and peeling)
6) Detail car completely
7) Make a new rear emblem for the deck lid (center emblem where Toyota symbol goes)

There's more but I can't recall at this time...

Gen 5-5.5's FTW.

awesome!!!! -- Glad to see you back too!

[lammydi]

Originally Posted by white07cam

sorry to interrupt you guys' conversation.. but i just wanted to say gen6's are better than gen5's AND especially 5.5's

+1 You got that right!!!

[Black08SEV6]

Woah! Those BBS wheels are OEM!? I saw them on a Silver SE Camry on Monday at the dealership. It looks awesome!! I like the way your Gen 5.5 looks! Very classy!

...and 268hp FTW. ;-)

[Tobeit]

Well, that thread appears to be turning into something now ..Gen5, Gen5.5, and Gen6. I would vote for Gen6 if the Gen5.5 and older require tire balancing and painting rotors .










I know, I know - you did not mean it like that.

[njerald]

Originally Posted by Tobeit

Well, that thread appears to be turning into something now ..Gen5, Gen5.5, and Gen6. I would vote for Gen6 if the Gen5.5 and older require tire balancing and painting rotors .

Well, after all the earlier years, they finally fixed the low hanging exhaust pipe on the GEN6. That was progress..........

[PRINCESS PEACH]

wow trd vvti. You spend a lot of money on your car. You are a man who knows how to take care of his/her cars.

imo, if a car is tastefully fixed up, then its all good in the books for me.
Personally, I hate all the fight about I4 VS I6/V6 VS V8.

If it was up to me, I'd have in my garage...

s2000 all motor, pushing out 300whp.
My camry for daily driving rofl, hopefully with some more power rofl
2003 Mustang SVT cobra, black w/ the Kenne Bell S/C (650WHP)
And definitely, single turbo Supra (600WHP)

Most definitely, the Mustang would be my favorite :]

If only I was made of money.

[Tobeit]

Originally Posted by PrincessPeach

wow trd vvti. You spend a lot of money on your car. You are a man who knows how to take care of his/her cars.

imo, if a car is tastefully fixed up, then its all good in the books for me.
Personally, I hate all the fight about I4 VS I6/V6 VS V8.

If it was up to me, I'd have in my garage...

s2000 all motor, pushing out 300whp.
My camry for daily driving rofl, hopefully with some more power rofl
2003 Mustang SVT cobra, black w/ the Kenne Bell S/C (650WHP)
And definitely, single turbo Supra (600WHP)

Most definitely, the Mustang would be my favorite :]

If only I was made of money.

Who is fighting I4 VS I6/V6 VS V8
Your camry as daily driver?.....which can't clear a railroad crossing or even climb your driveway?



...catch me if you can .


PS: I would edit the Mustang to the newer model year though.