Sunday car pic: Proton Satria Neo S2000 rally

This photo is for Satria Neo owners to dream about when thinking of what the heck should they try to aim for when trying to modify their ergonomically challenged hatchback.

Short Drive: The Mitsubishi Attrage sedan. Does a 1.2 liter three cylinder sedan work?

Mitsubishi Indonesia's idea of what it should be...hmmm.

And so after quite awhile of not writing any car reviews we have one for you readers out there right now. Of course it would be nice writing about the time I drove the Peugeot RCZ (I will, I guess) or the time I where I drove an old Triumph Stag (it happened, but somehow I am not too bothered at the moment too) but I know it makes more sense writing about cars most of you can actually buy, like the Mitsubishi Attrage sedan. 

Now you could actually buy this car but do read on and see if you should (you shouldn't).

Carama Launches Malaysia’s First Car Service Price Calculator

I happened to attend the launch of 'Malaysia's First Car Service Price Calculator' which is located at www.carama.com. There you can reportedly get the estimates for your basic car servicing costs and repairs. Quite easy to use once you have registered and it will give you a rough (I do mean rough) estimate on the cost of repairs and/or servicing. 

There is also an interesting infographic which I have placed below detailing what we Malaysian car owners actually worry or think about when it comes to servicing one's vehicle. It does make some sense and Carama (by Castrol) intends to assist us owners in making finding a proper workshop or mechanic a hassle free experience (or hassle free after you register at the website, that is). Aside fromt he price calculator, Carama ensures its users the chance to tell-all. If one has good experiences at the service center, he or she can actually write a short review so that it can help others. This makes the servicing experience accessible to all. 

Good News Peeps...We Won Best Auto Blog For MSMW 2014!

We won! We surprisingly won. Yours Truly, and this Blog were nominated for the Best Auto Blog at this year's Malaysia World Blogger And Social Media Awards held in conjunction with the Malaysia Social Media Week 2014 (which is currently ongoing). Somehow, with the help of you readers and a bunch of friends we did manage to garner more than a handful of votes and bloody won!!!!!!!

The reason we asked, pleaded and begged for a few votes is that it would be mighty embarrassing if we ended up with just two votes - my own personal vote and my daughter's, who was thrilled that her dad managed to win something. Which to say the least is truly surprising. We were just expecting not coming in last.

Anyway, kudos to the organisers of the event, Social Media Chambers of Malaysia and My Events International for hosting such a splendid awards ceremony.

Oh, those that have been following Yours Truly on Twitter and Facebook would already know. I apologise if this short piece may seem like me parading around this small victory but heck, it's my victory, I can do whatever I want.

More about cars and motoring later when regular transmission resumes right after some basking in the limelight continues.

All-new 2014 Honda City is making its rounds now

The all-new 2014 Honda City was displayed at Paradigm Mall in Petaling Jaya over the weekend. I suppose this is a pre-launch roadshow for Honda's B segment sedan...a.k.a the Toyota Vios fighter. It will be priced around RM70,000-90,000 depending on what spec you choose and it will be officially launched here in Malaysia sometime in March.

How does it look in the metal?

Nissan Sentra, New since the year 2000 - If this were a Proton, Malaysians would be screaming murder

Right now I am watching Ultraman on NTV7, having a nice cuppa tea whilst typing this. The Ultraman episode on TV must be quite new (circa 2008) as cell phones, graphics seem up to date. Ultraman still wears a jumpsuit and still has that blinker on his chest. Some things stay the same. Much like the Nissan Sentra 'Sport' sold over here in Malaysia (see above). Soldiering on since 2000.

Last I checked we are now coming to the middle of the second decade of the 2000s and if you checked the Nissan Malaysia website today, you'd notice that they're still selling a car which was first sold in the year 2000. The Nissan Sentra is still on sale over here in Malaysia!!!! If this were a Proton, Malaysians would say that the local car company is trying to kill us all by selling outdated cars, take our money by not giving us any options, continue to make profit by selling us outdated cars and other stuff. But here we have Nissan still giving us the same piece of dull family transport year after year after year. Of course, some may say that you don't see any on the road and that this is just Nissan wanting to clear stock.

Car Mods: 1st Gen Perodua Myvi Tuning Part V - Lightweight Crankshaft Pulley and some Iridium

Okay, let's return to some 1st Generation Perodua Myvi tuning. The 2010 car is now slightly over 35,000km old and still running as it should. It just undergoes regular oil changes and if you note from the earlier posts, the car has had some suspension, brakes and an air filter / cold air intake mod.

The Myvi technically stops faster, corners better and is a little more refined due to the strut bar / rear beam axle anti-roll bar which allows the suspension to be less susceptible to flex. And with those mods, a little more performance from the engine would be nice. So I've basically got a lightweight aluminium crankshaft pulley installed (the polished thingy to the right of the brakes).

CASTROL CARAMA PROMO: Car service issues – Have I been blinded?

This here is something from established petroleum product seller Castrol. I use Castrol sometimes, but not all the time. Let's just see what they have to offer you guys out there, alright?

Castrol Carama

Investing in a car means years of financial commitment. But, your commitment probably does not stop there. Taking care of your car is as akin to taking care of your children – health and safety is a top priority

Every car, regardless if it is old or new must be treated with utmost care to promise long term quality assurance. Regular servicing will help maintain the condition of our car and provide us the extra assurance that our car is road-ready.

Driver of Mini Countryman BMC 699, you Sir, are a moron.

This is valid proof that Mini drivers are total idiots. This happened earlier this evening. A ginormous (by Mini standards) Mini Countryman tries to enter the wrong way down a one way street ( note the traffic light folks), then has the nerve to ask yours truly to move slightly aside so that he can continue down the wrong way and since I did not budge as there would be cars behind me shortly as this way a busy junction he gets angry and takes my photo because I did not yield and was busy taking photos of his car as well. He was trying to right a wrong.

This Has Got To Be The Most Awesome Proton Sales Advert Blurb Ever On Mudah

This was spotted by both my pal Firdaus and I recently and has got to be either the most awesome car sales ad eve pitched or the most psychotic. It would help if you can understand and read Malay as it is seriously awsome. 

The salesman addresses potential customers as  'Chor' which means elder brother in the 'loghat utara' or north Malay slang. He also wants us Chors to be happy even after getting a lashing from your bosses as he just got one too. 

According to him he is an authorised sales representative. And expert up to the levels of an Avatar or a Bumiputra Rocker which is important as he, Ahmad as he is supposed to be called has 105 years of experience. 105 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE? If he started work at 20 he would be about 120 years old. Err........He must be immortal and cannae die.

Long term report - Mercedes Benz C180 CGI BlueEfficiency

If you've been following this blog you'd know that I've been running a 2012 Mercedes Benz C180 CGI BlueEfficiency for a while now.

I collected the car in November 2012 and it has now been over a year of owning this slightly premium sedan. It may be the entry level c-class but I've not been left wanting in any department at all. Of course, if you had to pay over RM214,000 for any car it better not be lacking in certain aspects. 

Spotted: Nissan 'AMG' 130y

....or was is OMG? This clearly shows the owner's vision and that why bother buying a proper Mercedes AMG CLA45 (which is the smallest AMG sedan these days) when all you need is a Datsun, errr Nissan 130y.

What you don't see in the photo is there was smoke coming from only one of its twin tail pipes. OMG is more like it. And the 'y' in the 130y must now stand for...Why? Misplaced passion is why. Save up and keep this car standard. OMG instead of AMG indeed.

Facelifted BMW X3 launched

BMW has launched the facelifted BMW X3. You get the usual facelift features, which are modified lights (with optional LED headlights), grille, front and rear bumpers, external mirrors with indicators for the exterior and according to BMW, better perceived quality and luxury for the interior. Of course, Every big manufacturer comes up with decent upgrades and the obvious better fuel economy and less CO2 emmissions every time a facelift comes for any model.

If any of you are interested, expect a fully imported version of this X3 to be on our shores within the next three months or so. BMW Malaysia is quite fast in getting new models into Malaysia these days.

PRESS RELEASE

Highlights. It was back in 2003 that BMW founded the new mid-size Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) segment with the launch of the X3. That means the BMW X3 has been a paragon of sporty dynamics, premium ambience and robust agility, coupled with low fuel consumption and emissions, for over 10 years now – racking up sales figures of more than one million units in the process. The second generation of the successful BMW X3 has made a compelling case for itself since its introduction in 2010, boasting the best interior and boot measurements and the greatest versatility in its class.

2015 Subaru Legacy revealed.....

...and in all honesty it should stay hidden. I had wrote earlier that Subaru is actually pulling our legs by giving us very stunning concept cars that we would actually sell a kidney for it but when the production model is unveiled, it usually ends up looking like the chap who serves you food at the local mamak restaurant, complete with body odor.

Now this is very true as the new 2015 Subaru Legacy gets its official pictures (intentionally or unintentionally) released.I mean take a look at the Legacy Concept pictured below, and then take another look at the Legacy above. What sort of legacy is Subaru trying to give its customers (pun intended)? It looks like every generation of the Subaru Legacy keeps getting uglier and uglier or plainer and plainer.

SPOTTED: Mitsubishi Tredia Before and after..or before and never after

.

After (.....after a nuclear explosion)

This is a Mitsubishi Tredia. Or something that was a Mitsubishi Tredia. This 'masterpiece' wasn't completed when this photo was taken. But why would anyone want to complete such a project in the first place? This is one time the 'BEFORE' photo is a million times better than the 'AFTER' photo. Not that the Mitsubishi Tredia was anything to shout about in the first place as it was just a run of the mill Japanese econobox that was supposed to slot between the Mitsubishi Lancer and the Mitsubishi Galant. And if you try to find out what the heck does 'Tredia' mean you'd hit a stumbling block as it does not mean anything at all. So you have a modified Tredia that actually does not mean anything. Note that when the Tredia was new it wasn't drooled over by car tuners. 

So, let's just ask the only logical question..... WHY? 

Before (...so much more sensibly boring)

photo:adlis k / wikipedia

Attention readers!!! Vote for us...Best Auto Blog for the Malaysian Social Media Week 2014

Hello folks. If you are aware, motoring-malaysia.blogspot.com has been nominated for Best Auto Blog in the Malaysian World Bloggers And Social Media Awards 2014 and we're now informing you guys out there that VOTING HAS BEGUN and will end on the 10th of February 2014.

Vote for us and unlike our local politicians (on both sides) who seem to promise one thing and do another, we promise to you nothing but giving you more of what we're good at - an opinion on whatever we think worth giving an opinion on. Simple isn't it?

So register here so that you can vote for this website. Vote! So that we can spread the word to more readers out there!!!!! Thank you.

BMW previews the 4 Series Gran Coupe

BMW has launched a new premium mid-sized car called the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe. A 5 door hatchback styled car that fits nicely between the 3  series and the 5 series cars but is sportier styled like a coupe. Hence the name.  It needs to be a biiiiit more coupe-like in my opinion and not just a BMW 3 series with a slightly lower roofline and a fifth door at the rear. The car is set to debut at the upcoming 2014 Geneva motor show. But let's just see what BMW has to say about it. 

PRESS RELEASE

BMW proudly presents the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé (combined fuel consumption: 8.1–4.5 l/100 km; combined CO2 emission: 189–119 g/km), the first four-door coupé in the premium midsize class that represents a consistent extension of the model range. Following the launch of the BMW 4 Series Coupé and Convertible, the Gran Coupé is the third model to join the new BMW 4 Series, which is longer, wider and more dynamic than any of the previous midsize series due to the balanced proportions of the vehicles. The new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé combines the sleek look of a two-door coupé with the functionality provided by four-doors and expansive spaciousness, including a wide-access luggage compartment.

TOTAL Lubricants Deliver Cutting Edge Performance to Increase Engine Life and Mileage - and the ROBOCOP Movie promotion

Engine oil provider for FIA Formula One™’s world champion Sebastian Vettel and Infiniti Red Bull Racing Team focuses on producing high quality lubricants that boost engine performance and save fuel

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – January 29, 2014 – TOTAL, the official provider of lubricants and racing fuels for FIA Formula One™ Championship winners Sebastian Vettel and Infiniti Red Bull Racing Team, brings its heritage of providing cutting edge lubricants that deliver superior performance, reliability, and fuel efficiency to the Malaysian market via TOTAL QUARTZ, a range of lubricants specially designed to meet the stringent performance requirements of automotive OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and engine manufacturers worldwide.

According to the World Bank, Malaysia has an average of 361 vehicles per 1,000 people, a figure that increases to 977 in urban areas such as Klang Valley, the highest rate of vehicle ownership in the Asia Pacific region. According to analyst firm Frost & Sullivan, the rate will continue to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.8% until 2019, despite the fact that Malaysia is now the second most expensive country in the world to own a car. However, the robust demand for cars is dampened by continuous increases in fuel prices, putting pressure on automobile owners to seek ways in which they can save on fuel while optimising their car’s performance.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Happy Chinese new year and a very happy holidays to everyone too. May the year be prosperous to you, with good health to all you guys out there too.

So you may have your bonus around this time or you may have some ang pau money after this. What should you do with it if you haven't spent it on beer, shandy, vsop whilst blowing over a night's worth of poker, gin rummy, bacarat (if you're James Bond)? How about two nice BEFORE and AFTER photos for you to get going. The car may be a barge...but what a barge it is after a wheel swop. Enjoy.

The 190e gets a new paintjob.

The Mercedes Benz 190e has gotten a new coat of paint since we last saw it here. It now sports a new front bumper too like the original 2.3-16 Cossie. The colour is now something called Smoke Silver and is the one of two original colours for the Cossie. The lights are all new too. Yes, this normal 8valve 2.3 looks like a brand new Mercedes Benz. Fabulous isn't it?

Photos by Adlis K