So...

After lots of searching AutoTrader and Cars.com I've finally selected my ride. Low mileage 2001 2.7T fully loaded (no nav) in Cashmere Grey with the Tungsten interior (pretty combo if you've never seen it). Dealer has signed up to work through my list of clean up items prior to delivering it, including a new set of sneakers. After some research here and on TireRack, I request that he put on a set of winter tires (Dunlop Winter Sport M3s) on the 16" sport wheels, figuring I'll get some 17" wheels for my summer treads.

I do the click-click thing with TireRack's "see the wheels on your car" feature and fall for the BBS RKs. Not the cheapest wheel up there, but I got a good deal on the ride so I'm ready to splurge. On a lark, I check eBay. OMG!!! The exact wheels I want are there and the only bid is for $2 (no, the wheels aren't trashed, just nobody else interested). I'm ready to go for them until I read the fine print... No shipping -- pickup or 60 mile delivery only. Wheels in Kansas City and me outside of Boston. Email to double check this confirms it. What to do?...

Time to see if those people on AW are as nice as they seem... I page OCDboy (aka kc_kris) and ask him via email if he can help me out, "Would you be willing to take delivery on some wheels and ship them to me in Boston?" Without any idea of who I am (total AW NOOB), he agrees. I end up getting the wheels for $567 (less than half of what I was going to pay) and they are deliverd to Kris. He takes some high res photos of the wheels and sends them to me to confirm that they are in great shape, scrounges up some packing materials, packages them like they're his own children, takes some more pics, and sends them on their way. A few days later, I'm the VERY happy recipient of some sweet wheels and a very grateful AW fan.

Thanks to ALL the people who helped me make my decision (GrapeKing, BostonDriver, and all the others), but especially to OCDboy for hanging it out there (and rewarding me for doing the same) to take the risk of putting his own time and money on the line for a stranger. You rock dude, you really rock.

When I feel the rush of my side pressing into the bolster as I hit my favorite on-ramp this spring, I'll be thinking of you guys and smiling. Looking forward to officially joining the club tomorrow.

MODS/UPGRADES:
17x8" BBS RKs (great AW story about how I got them...) | H-sport anti-sway bars | ToyGuy short shifter |
IceLink/iPod integration | Escort 8500 hardwire | fog/running light rewire | HomeLink home lighting control |
fold-down bag hooks in the trunk | aux power socket under the armrest | hidden Symphony EQ settings |
remote locking control recode | debadged

SUGGESTED READING FOR C5 A6 OWNERS:
2001 A6 info from AudiWorld | 2001 A6 info from Edmunds.com |
Audi 2001 maintenance schedule | Stoney's links (the ultimate A6 links page) |
the nOOb's guide to everything | how to make your car shine

The other ride: 1998 Mitsubishi Montero (typically with a kayak on top)