[Rant]C'mon guys, this poster DOES want the SSL package, and did NOT ask whether he should get it. Geeze. I have the SSL and absolutely love it. The interior is, in my humble opinion, MUCH NICER with the leather door panels and sunroof, and I love the stereo and the HIDs.

Furthermore, quality control problems aside, VWs have pretty darned nice interiors for their prices, and going from an R32 to a base Evo GSR would be a significant step down in interior quality. The SSL would soften that descent considerably by sprucing up the interior a fair bit.

I would challenge anyone to drive an SSL Evo and a non-SSL Evo back to back, with the headliner, door panels and seats covered, and claim that he has that magical ability to tell which one is faster or lighter. Please, give me a break. If you didn't want the SSL, fine, more power to you, but please, enough already.[/Rant]

Now, to answer the poster's actual query, I attach some SSL IX interior photos. And I'll add some bonus SSL trivia: The rear armrest cupholder unit is different in the SSL. It has folding arms on the cupholders and the cupholder section is somehow shallower. The middle sections of each door panel and the front center arm rest are leather covered. There is no sunglasses holder up above because of the sunroof. The sunroof has one-touch open but not one-touch close. The side rear seat headrests are separate units that can be removed or folded down; when folded down they spring up when you push them down all the way. The sub unit is on the right side of the trunk. The amp is under the driver's seat. You can add an aftermarket head unit and buy a wiring harness to connect it to the amp. The speakers are slightly upgraded. I really like the upgraded factory stereo, although I know a good aftermarket system would kick its butt. The HIDs are height-adjustable.

Please let us know how it goes.

 

aournd here the dealership has a white ssl 9. its pretty hot,

 

i don't know what everyone else is talking about - i think you should go with the ssl. first, you will not only have high quality oem hid, but the tilt adjusment for it, the fog lights with a nice stock button, a pretty decent sound system, a nice moon roof and the leather on the recaros is not nearly as bad as many make it out to be (not to mention the padded door arm rests).

considering how you cared for your r32 i'm making the assumption you like to keep things stock. if that's the case, then no doubt, get the ssl.

 

Purecoda said it. +1. And thanks for reminding me about the fog lights.

I think the leather on my Recaros is awesome, BTW. Although the stock IX seats are also fantastic; either one would be great for me. But I like all the other SSL features, too.

 

From the perspective of a non SSL 05 owner:

- the leather door panels/seats look great, although I prefer cloth
- I wish I had OEM HIDs (aftermarket kits dont cut it)
- I wish I had fogs
- A sunroof would be nice

To conclude, get the SSL if you dont mind leather :P

 

very good place to get the HID kit, got mine for my lexus GX470 from them. plug and play kit. http://www.xenondepot.com/index.php. also for the evo8 installed pics. http://www.xenondepot.com/pgmevoviii.php

 

Stop by Roby Mitsubishi in Dublin. Ask for Chris Stout and he'll locate one for you and give you a good deal.

 

+1, what a great post. Honestly, you deserve a .

Now moving back on topic, I am glad to see you come from the R32, i to came from the VW community. You will love the performance of the Evo. Welcome, and let us know what ya end up with.

 

Thaxs Rod for those pictures.
I guess my reasoning for wanting the SSL is cause I like a little luxury, and I love the looks of the Evo.
I understand the I could put the HID's in it, and rewrap the seats but I like to try and keep it stock.
I am going with the SSL, and as far as keeping it stock, no f-ing way, I'll be calling Mr. Buschur for an upgrade the first day I like a 10 or 11 second car just like the next guy.
Thaxs guys for the comments and I'll keep ya posted on the car.
If you have more pics or comments keep them coming.

 

Thanks; back atcha!

 

Sure! I stole them fair and square from my own SSL thread.

(See also this thread and this one.)

Exactly my reasoning. You won't regret it.

 

I love my SSL.

The only thing you will need is some stick on velcro (the soft side) to put on the seat where it touches the armrest because it will squeak and get on your nerves. No, the leather isn't rich corinthian Ricardo Montalban quality leather (some of you are probably too young to remember that), but for me it was a no brainer considering the hideous blue inserts on 03-05's.

Factory OEM HID quality FTW.

 

Same here, esspecially because my previouse car didn't have any little luxuries at all. Plus I had a lady friend compliment the stereo Saturday night, and another compliment the leather a month ago . I guess it's not a total waste.

Wanna hear a funny story though, haha, okay so i was like "I LOVE THIS SONG" and she was like "I can't really hear it, which is weird because you have such a nice stereo in here, but you never turn it up enough to hear the music because your always talking." I was like "Ummmm, 25.."

Edit: We should post a sticky that says: Newbs search "Rod Munch" to learn how to post.

 

I'm glad they changed up the seat color on the 06 at least.

But an definite thumbs up for the stock HIDs. Once you have a car with them it is hard to ever go back. The only hard part was not having a 6 disc in dash option. But I'm over it!

 

I think my local Dealership have a white 9 dont know if its ssl package.