H 09 Winner
Pioneer Navigation System
Pioneer has shoved almost every possible option available into this ultra stylish, portable, easy to use navigation system. The AVIC-F500BT has more bells and whistles than comparable systems costing four times the price. The one feature that peaked our interest was the built-in MSN Direct receiver with 3 months of free service. MSN Direct is an over the air service that gives you up to the minute traffic reports, gas prices, weather and movie times.
Pioneer AVIC-F500BT: $599
MSN Direct: one-time payment $129.95
Annual payment $49.95
Pioneer
www.pioneerusa.com
Craven SpeedMINI R56 Short Shifter
There are lots of short shifters on the market, but this is the only one we know of that is adjustable from inside the car. A collar on the shifter lets the driver select from factory settings to a 50% reduction in throw. The unit shown here features a billet shifter surround and optional billet shift knob. Craven Speed manufactures some of the nicest aftermarket components we've seen and are of higher quality than the stock parts they replace.
Short shift kit - TBA
Shift Well Cover - $85
Shift Knob - $50
CravenSpeed
www.cravenspeed.com
888.493.7262
AFE Intake - BMW 135,335,535
advanced Flow engineering has developed an air intake system for the 135i, 335i, 535i equipped with the 3-liter twin turbo engine. In stock form you have one airbox feeding two turbos. The aFe intake gives each turbo its own individual intake accomplished by the use of a molded plastic Y pipe to feed each turbo separately. This "two intakes in one" features a protective heat shield, oval shaped velocity stacks, and smooth molded plastic for optimal flow.
Advanced Flow Engineering
www.afepower.com
951.493.7100
Dunlop Direzza Z1
We have been beating on these tires for the last 5000 miles on our long-term MINI and we simply can't get enough. The grip is very close to that of a DOT race tire, while the noise and ride is better than the factory tires. Break away is predictable and they work well in the wet. What more can you ask for? Oh yeah, how about an extremely affordable price, yes they have that too. We don't foresee getting 40,000 miles out of a set of these, but at this price and level of grip, we don't expect it.
Dunlop Tire Company
www.dunloptires.com
800.321.2136
ECS Jack Pad Adaptors
The biggest concern when working on your car is how and where to jack up the vehicle without causing damage. The points mentioned in the owner's manual are specifically designed to be used with the factory jack and if you attempt to use a regular jack they bend or break. The ECS jack pad adapter kit utilizes lesser known jack points used by the dealers to safely lift the vehicle without the risk of damage.
Price: $65.95 (VW/Audi) $79.95 (BMW)
ECS Tuning
www.ecstuning.com
800.924.5172
Apple iPhone 3G
We will be the first to admit that the iPhone has been overexposed. When it comes to technology there are two different types: usable and gimmicky. The iPhone is the former. Besides being a phone, the iPhone 3G can give you live traffic updates and GPS enabled turn-by-turn directions. Performance measuring software using the integrated accelerometers are already available and future software will include an OBD2 plug for in-car diagnostics.
Price: $199 (8GB) $299 (16GB) with two-year contract required
Apple
www.apple.com
408.996.1010
Kurgo Tire Totes
Tires can leave marks on more places than the road. The brake dust grime and grease is difficult to clean from inside your garage or vehicle interior. Though Seasonal Tire Totes where originally produced to store and transport snow tires, these totes can be put to use lugging race tires to and from the track. The Tire Totes durable shell helps protects the tire and the integrated handles makes loading and off-loading quick and easy. Plus they are machine washable and fit tires 21-31 inches.
Kurgo
www.kurgo.com
877.847.3868
AWE Diverter Valve
AWE has developed a solution for the problematic factory electronic diverter valve for the VW/Audi 2.0T. The AWE uses a vacuum operated valve (tested to 750 hp) as direct replacement for the factory unit. There are several types of replacement DV's for the 2.0T but all have the same issue-they require you to keep the stock DV plugged in after the conversion. The AWE solution addresses this issue by including an electronic DV simulator that plugs right into the factory wiring harness.
AWE Tuning
www.awe-tuning.com
888.565.2257