Is there a 8-series Bimmer?

We have seen the most common 3-series ploughing the roads.  Even the 5 and 7-series are so common, and we are getting more tank-liked X6 as well.  Do you know there used to be this E31, the 8-series Bimmer around...

Production started in 1989 and lasted for 10-year, this monster looked cult back in the 90s, even look impressively cool now.  There are still some units locally in pristine condition.  The eye-opener headlight was in the past, but it still wow people as long as it does not get jam.  Wiki it, more information available!

Basic...MINI...yet cost is never low!

The "S", "ONE", and the norm!

This car uses the same Prince engine available in full range of Peugeot Citroen marques, yet asking for the premium.  It can only fit four and don't believe those stupid stunt that claim the car could fit 28 person.  Try driving it around with that number of person, it is just plain illogical and idiotic move.

BMW Malaysia likes to approach the MINI lover with limited number of their most basic MINI ONE once in a blue moon, offering limited quantities for a limited time.  Well, the ONE can only churn out 90+hp with its naturally aspirated 1.4 engine, with all the down-to-earth accessories, yet still at a whopping price of almost RM150k.  Looks attractive if you always wanted a MINI, and not willing to put down the extras for the best COOPER S.  If I were you, I will save enough for the "S".  It is a MINI, why settle for something that don't feel like one.

My definition of a MINI:

1. Go-Kart feel...yes...the ONE has the same feel, but then, go buy a real go-kart, it is cheaper and you could use it in your neighbourhood playground that make head turn from all the kids.
2. It must be a speed bullet...no...I am not asking you to go against the law to drive at 220kph, but the turbo boosted and sudden surge of power will definitely make you feel sky high!
3. Comfort is not in MINI dictionary, forget about getting yourself comfortable in a MINI. It should bounce you high and low, till you puke and give you a double/triple vision when you alight from the car!

The ONE for year 2013 has been fully sold long ago, so start saving now for the real "S".

The Southward pointing cluster...I LIKE!

Choosing between the conventional analog or digital meter cluster?  Some car manufacturers had tried switching to digital and years later switching back to analog for one simple reason...Car freak like me still love the analog cluster instead of having LCD/LED display, just no Ummph at all.

Somehow I fell in love with meter cluster that defy the convention slightly, on those pointing at 6-o'clock position, the Southward Pointer, as I called it.  Those with 7-o'clock starting pointer is just plain boring and destined for the lazy manufacturers that do not take their cluster design seriously.

Here you go, my MX-5 cluster in amber, which is my favourite colour, a big no-no to those blue Ah-Beng cluster.

I love the new three-pointed-star A-Class, and one reason is it has the similar southward pointing cluster.

Talking about digital cluster, my Citroen C3 used to WOW people, but heck, it just don't look cool after awhile.

I thought car park is expensive!

This is not in Hong Kong, Singapore or Japan as car park space is valuable.  However, right in our homeland, we do have filthy rich people that could pay for extra parking lot to house their children "car".  I bet this is the easiest parking available, no worry about having door dent and ding by the neighbours, with further protection with a chain around the building beam! 

Cool convertible...lucky kid!

Find the light!!!

Don't you hate it when you have stupid contractor building the city!  This is at Jalan Bukit Bintang, just outside the Audi showroom.  Try to find the traffic light here!  Someone has erected a CCTV pole right in front of the traffic light, trying to make the city safer, yet never check out the viewing angle from the road, which is now blocking the traffic light which is suppose to ease traffic and make us safer on the road as well!

It is not any bunny battery, but one that last and run your car!

Isn't it frustrating when you are about to fetch your car to work, a meeting appointment, or going home for a nice warm dinner, just to find out the battery had gone flat!  How long can a car battery last?  Majority brand still giving 12-month, some even making 22/24-month warranty.  Last weekend, my sis-in-law almost new Saga BLM battery by the brand RAMCAR just died after 10-months. Helped her changed a Panasonic and let's hope this will last!

My experience though, the Korean Delkor has never fail me.  Since starting using it many years ago, on a Citroen C3, it lasted more than 3 years.  It did not fail, just the terminal started corroding when I have to swap it for a new Delkor.  Recently, when I started feeling the morning start is not as smooth, I got another Delkor again, with the existing unit lasting 4 years to be exact.  The Honda City factory installed unit lasted about 15-month, after which a Delkor was used and it is almost 3 years now, still running strong.  The MX, when I bought it, came with a brand new lousy battery which lasted about 13-month, but now it will go strong with a Delkor again.

There isn't any battery bunny here that keep walking and walking, but this thing really last. The distributor (Kai Shen Marketing) simple does not know how to market the brand as you can hardly see it in most workshops. Insist on this brand, and most shops will get it for you.  It cost some slight premium, but it is all worth the money.

It's hot in here! Call in the A/C doctor...

It has been a month since my MX-5 A/C was not running optimally.  When I drove at night, it was cool, otherwise with the transmission box sitting between the 2-seater, having the top down was more comfortable, but with the haze and rampant robberies, it was safer to sweat it all out.

The car is 8-year-old now, not going to spent a fortune with Bermaz to get this fix.  Thus I tried a neighbourhood workshop.  They put in the pressure meter, running the aircon, blowing cold air (just not freezing cold), confirmed compressor is running well, receiver drier not freezing, pressure showing correctly, so suspect of gas shortage was also ruled out.  They told me to check the expansion valve, which need to tear down the dashboard.  Not prepared to do so to my Nordic Green MX, endure the heat for another 2 weeks.

Finally, brought the car to Beta Resources, to check the beast out.  They plugged in the Air Solver machine, check the pressure...showing low.  First suspect shortage of gas.  To proof that, the machine vacuum the gas out, short of 100.  The previous shop must have a wrongly calibrated gauge (which workshop calibrate them anyway).  Re-gas it, viola, immediately the car is feeling so much cooler.  They performed leakage check as well, all was well.  I decided to take up the package to clean the A/C system, with new compressor oil and UV addictive.  With Autodata on hand, the technician knew which viscosity grade of oil to use for my model.  Wow, I did not know A/C also need special oil treatment, though of any Singer oil will work just fine.  Hell no, my MX and other Mazda's model uses different grade!  The machine took about an hour to complete and I am back on the road with not just a cool but also cold car!

When it's hot in there, give it a try! 

 

Clean, tidy workshop

 

Air Solver machine

Dirty Compressor Oil

Another machine, similar function

The Scandinavian Comeback kid, Volvo V40...

You want a premium hatchback, but VW Golf looks too plain and outdated and Mercedes A-Class looks fabulous for the "young-hearted" fourties.  Now try the Volvo V40, it looks extraordinary, with 5 colours choice, Turbo 4 and 5 cylinders, incredibly comfortable interior, wholesome safety package, and lots of speed.

T4 1.6 (180hp): RM173,888
T5 2.0 (213hp): RM188,888
T5 2.0 (213hp) Cross Country: RM198,888

Dare you try a Chinese-owned Scandinavian automobile, with almost no resale value?  Though Volvo is throwing in 5-year warranty and service as one main attraction!  VW gives 5-year warranty, Merc give 4-year, both need owner to pay for the service.

Be extraordinary, go for the Swede!