Sunday, May 12, 2013

Classic AMG - The W114 250 and the 300ce 'Hammer'



Here are some photos of the earlier AMG cars long before they became Mercedes Benz-AMG. One is a W114 250 that has been breathed by AMG and the other a 300ce in the wide arch form.

The 1970s 250 was one of the first few cars that AMG breathed upon. Nothing much on the exterior except the lowered stance and wheels but the engine allowed it to chase BMWs. No one modded Mercedes Benz is those days. No, it did not have a stonking V8, the 250's 2.5liter straight six was tuned in the traditional way - camshafts, exhaust, exhaust manifolds, carburetor tweaks, cylinder head port and polishing and pistons. I think 146bhp must have became 180-190bhp at the very least. This was in the 70s. Fast enough to scare the 1974-75 Porsche 911 Carerra drivers. That Porsche had a mere 210hp at the time.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

SHORT TEST DRIVE: 2013 Peugeot 208 1.6VTi - Luxury in a small package



Now let's get back to reality after Malaysia's 13th General Elections. I want things to go back to normal. This means everyone goes back to work, school, retirement or college. This also means that the Bangladeshis (any other race that you can say are illegal voters) are not harassed and can go back to doing whatever Malaysians do not want to do. I say, when you don't want to do it yourself, you call them to do it. But when you want a conspiracy, you also end up using the same people you need to run your factories, restaurants and what nots. So make sure life goes on. If not how the heck am I going to continue carrying on with my life in peace?

Anyway, my search for a new family car has basically not ended after my recent purchases. This is because I am a serious Motorhead. Even when there is no need to buy a new car I am still on the lookout for a new car. Right now the Reza family feels the need to 'upgrade' the Pink Perodua Myvi to something a little more flashy that has a little bit of pizzaz. So I have driven the Peugeot 208 1.6 Vti 5 door hatchback recently and I find it to be one of the better little hatchbacks that you can buy under RM90,000. (update - it's 2016 and we actually have not upgraded!)

Friday, May 03, 2013

Oil Prices around the world vs Petrol Prices around the world

We are only the 27th largest oil producer on planet Earth yet our unleaded petrol prices are 11th cheapest in the planet. Aren't we glad for subsidies? I decided to share this info with you guys out there after I had a fantastic drive to Ayer Keroh, Melaka yesterday morning. The Mercedes Benz C180's pedal to the metal. It felt good burning some fossil fuel. Although I do wish that Malaysian road tax were cheaper. If it were, an AMG C63 would be nice. All RM15,000.00 worth of annual road tax (approx) of it.