m3pare's Build Journal | 2012 WGM Prius Three

It's been almost two weeks since the coilover install and the ride is much much smoother with rebound and dampening than the Tanabe DF210. Still playing around with the adjustments to fine tune a comfy balance of street and sport. Here's a better lit photo showing the current ride height... still planning to raise the front up by a finger.



Mod updates -- ordered and en route...
- Remin full dash kit w/ doors in Ebony Zebra finish
- JDM sport steering wheel w/ dark wood grain finish
- JDM stainless steel rear bumper protector
- JDM inverter/coolant/harness covers
- Silk Blaze chrome rear garnish
- Carmate chrome steering wheel garnish
- 2012-2015 fog light retrofit kit

The boys over at C&C Collision in Alhambra are currently shaving the rear hatch panel holes. Also getting the rear hatch spoiler and JDM eyelids color-matched WGM.

Still need to pick up the extra Clazzio material for the door panels I ordered from @HAWAIIANBUILT last month. I've been lazy to drive to Torrance. Rewrapped door panels, sport steering wheel, and full dash kit should complete the interior for now until I'm ready to splurge on an audio setup.

@sfv41901 will be installing the Apexi throttle controller and a brand used Cusco center power brace this Saturday. Excited for what's to come!!!

 

Thank you @HelloHybrid !! Hope we can shoot our WGM's together in the future!

 

Today marks my one-year anniversary with my 2012 Three. Here's what she looked like about a month ago at her prime. Slammed on Megan coilovers, VIP Modular wheels, and lots of chrome trim to compliment the flashy wheels.






Now, exactly one year, and a little over 24,000 miles later, here's what she looks like today. I decided to pick up another manual M3 to have fun with and keep the Prius as a strict daily driver. I ended up parting out a lot of the modifications to bring it back to a better daily and more suitable to Uber. Went back to stock wheels, suspension, and tail lights. Removed a lot of the chrome trims and Cusco braces, etc.



Here's what the current modification list looks like... it most likely won't change any more except for clear reflectors in the headlights and lots of sound deadening to bring down the road noise.

Exterior –

- OEM Toyota Prius Plus Performance Body Kit
- Rolled/Pulled Front Fenders & Shaved Rear ¼ Panels
- Luciole Rear Wiper Delete
- Visual Garage Solar Roof Shark Fin
- MIT Accessories 3in1 Signal Mirrors
- Carmate CZ270 Blind Spot Mirrors
- DDM Tuning 5000k 35w HID Kit
- Front Parking Light Bulb-Delete
- @sfv41901 DRL Mod w/ Custom Harness
- @Burna J Rear Bumper Support Bracket
- 5% Limo Tint All-Around
- Gloss Black Roof Wrap

Interior –

- Clazzio Black PVC Seat Covers
- Husky Weatherbeater Floorliners
- MIT Accessories LED Illuminated Door Sills
- MIT Accessories LED Luggage Lights
- Carmate NZ511 Center Console Tray
- Carmate NZ512 Door Trash Bins
- @Dylan Doxey #filipinocombo LED Retrofit
- iJDMtoy LED Door Courtesy Lights
- eBay LED Interior Bulbs
- Gentex Homelink Mirror Retrofit
- ValentineOne Radar Hardwire
- YAC Aluminum Engine Start Switch Cover
- Razo Aluminum Shift Knob
- Door Striker and Door Check Arm Covers
- Coded Single Reverse Beep
- Coded Seatbelt Chime Off

Performance/Misc. –

- Hotchkis Front & Rear Sway Bars
- Apexi Throttle Controller
- OBD-Port Window Module
- Lexus GS300 Horns
- Noise maker unplugged

 

Finally transferred it over from my old S2000

 

Haha do it!

GALING
GUSTO MO
PWEDE BA
SIGE NA

 

Today marks my second year of ownership with this fantastic daily warrior. Happy to report not a single problem for the last 45k hard-driven miles. Only oil and miscellaneous filters have been routinely changed. Odometer currently sits at 89,880 — can't wait to hit the 100k milestone sometime next year!

Nothing drastic has happened to the car in the last year, but there are some changes to note. I sold/traded my Plus Performance kit with a fellow WGM owner in exchange for his non-drilled bumpers. Also ended up selling my set of clear corners to avoid the hassle of baking the headlights.

With that said, here are the latest additions. A few months ago, I bought a second-hand set of Cusco goodies — front strut tower bar, lower arm bar, front power brace, and center power brace. Just recently, I picked up a new Fog Light Kit (lower grill, halogen fogs, and harness) and iJDMtoy projector fog lights from @clearbrapro — Thanks Peter!! Can't wait to install those soon in conjunction with a DDM Tuning HID kit.

Future plans are basically just maintenance and maybe an audio upgrade. Hoping to reach 200k during my ownership! Once she nears 100k miles...

- Change Radiator & Inverter Coolant
- Change Transmission Fluid
- Full EGR System Cleaning
- HV Battery Fan Cleaning
- Motul Brake Fluid Flush
- StopTech Rotors & Pads
- OE Spark Plugs

Some pictures as she sits after a quick wash and vacuum.







Current 2017 mod list:

Exterior –

- Rolled/Pulled Front Fenders & Shaved Rear ¼ Panels
- Luciole Rear Wiper Delete
- Visual Garage Solar Roof Shark Fin
- MIT Accessories 3in1 Signal Mirrors
- Carmate CZ270 Blind Spot Mirrors
- DDM Tuning 5000k 35w HID Kit (low beam & fogs)
- Fog Light Grille + iJDMtoy Projector Fog Lights
- Front Parking Light Bulb-Delete
- @sfv41901 DRL Mod w/ Custom Harness
- 5% Limo Tint All-Around
- Gloss Black Roof Wrap

Interior –

- Clazzio Black PVC Seat Covers
- Husky Weatherbeater Floorliners
- MIT Accessories LED Illuminated Door Sills
- MIT Accessories LED Luggage Lights
- Carmate NZ511 Center Console Tray
- Carmate NZ512 Door Trash Bins
- @Dylan Doxey #filipinocombo LED Retrofit
- iJDMtoy LED Door Courtesy Lights
- eBay LED Interior Bulbs
- Gentex Homelink Mirror Retrofit
- ValentineOne Radar Hardwire
- YAC Aluminum Engine Start Switch Cover
- Razo Aluminum Shift Knob
- Door Striker and Door Check Arm Covers
- Coded Single Reverse Beep
- Coded Seatbelt Chime Off

Performance/Misc. –

- Cusco Front Strut Tower Bar
- Cusco Lower Arm Bar
- Cusco Front Power Brace
- Cusco Center Power Brace
- Hotchkis Front & Rear Sway Bars
- Apexi Throttle Controller
- OBD-Port Window Module
- Lexus GS300 Horns
- Noise maker unplugged

Special thanks to the Hybrid Pit team and fellow enthusiasts for keeping the passion alive and forum filled with great educational content!

 

No prob, thanks Peter! Yup, I took delivery 10/5/15, just a couple weeks after selling my S2K.

 

Thank you!

Thanks! The LED retrofit definitely gives the car a much modern feel at night. I cringe when I have to drive my sisters Prii w/ the green lighting.

Gotta grab some crispy pata bro!

 

Salamat pare! In short, I love the Hotchkis bars. I definitely felt the added stability at highway speeds. The car rides on rails in tight turns and feels great. Part of me wishes I installed the front at a later time, just to see the sole difference.