Greetings!

[oliie]

Hi all!

I'm currently in London but am moving back to SG in the next few weeks. Thought I'd pop on and say 'Hi'! I used to live in Australia and was an active member of the equivelant forum there (DTM Power... where I helped contribute to the Mischief and Gumball 3000 DVDs... in my past life!).

My car history is not hugely interesting, but briefly has consisted of a couple of E46 330ci's, a stage 3 MTM Golf GTi, 306 GTI-6, a Saab 9-5 Aero Wagon, Volvo 850 Turbo, a Clio Trophy (best car I've ever driven, hands down), a 350Z GT (current car) and hopefully a 335i for when I move back to Singapore (although I'm still considering alternatives such as a RX400h...). There are lots of others inbetween (Mk1 Escort RS2000, Maxima etc) but as they're all a little dull I'll not bother listing them

My perfect scenario was to take advantage of the cheap diesel and bring in a 335d M-Sport Touring, but PML doesn't have the equipment to diagnose the diesels. Shame. With mileage this is a really good ownership proposition given that the economy and diesel price offsets the extra tax given a few runs to KL and back.

I'm still getting my head around COE, PARFs etc etc but hopefully will get the hang of it soon! In the UK you can buy 'smartly' (i.e. off eBay, then sell privately after 10,000km's) and not lose any money but it doesn't seem like this can happen in SG. Oh well

Hope to see you guys at a meet soon. How about a drive to Bangkok?

Cheers
Oliie

 

[oliie]

Re: Greetings!

P.S. thought I may let you guys know that Optimax is currently at S$3.30/litre here in the UK at the moment...

 

[BlackCookie]

Re: Greetings!

My car history is not hugely interesting, but briefly has consisted of a couple of E46 330ci's, a stage 3 MTM Golf GTi, a Saab 9-5 Aero Wagon, Volvo 850 Turbo, a Clio Trophy (best car I've ever driven, hands down), a 350Z GT (current car) and hopefully a 335i for when I move back to Singapore (although I'm still considering alternatives such as a RX400h...). There are lots of others inbetween (Mk1 Escort RS2000, Maxima etc) but as they're all a little dull I'll not bother listing them


Hope to see you guys at a meet soon. How about a drive to Bangkok?

Cheers
Oliie

you call this not hugely interesting? It definitely make me read twice! (At least...) As for the stage 3 MTM GTi... SLURP! My destination...

Drive to Bangkok??? I know just someone who would do this insane act with you... He does it on a regular basis as well. If you're keen, I can hook you up with him...

 

[oliie]

Re: Greetings!

you call this not hugely interesting? It definitely make me read twice! (At least...) As for the stage 3 MTM GTi... SLURP! My destination...

Drive to Bangkok??? I know just someone who would do this insane act with you... He does it on a regular basis as well. If you're keen, I can hook you up with him...

Awesome! Am certainly up for BKK. I have been known on occasion to get bored on Saturdays, jump in the car and go to Switzerland or lap the Nurburgring, and come home for Sunday night

The Golf was good, but out of its depth. It just could not handle the 280hp at the front wheels. The best car I've ever driven is definitely the Clio Trophy. Not the most powerful, but perfectly set up for proper driving, in no part thanks to its Sachs adjustable race dampers (separate oil reservoir etc.) all stock from the factory. I'll never forget the face of the guy in an E46 M3 as I overtook him around Carousel at the 'Ring. Truly an amazing car, but a bit of a one-trick pony. The 330CI was also suitably track set up (PSS9s, Brembos etc.) but wasn't a patch on the Trophy for handling and sheer corner speed. Thus it was in time replaced with a 350Z

So, I'm looking forward to BKK already... Or maybe we should do a group trip to the 'Ring? I can organise race-car rental for a couple of days....

Cheers
O.

 

[nYteMarE]

Re: Greetings!

If you're popping by the ring I'll gladly take a train up there to meet you. I'll be in DE till end of July.

 

[oliie]

Re: Greetings!

OK I'll see how I get on. Am in the middle of packing / shipping all my stuff to SG though so weekends at the moment are tight Plus having the 350Z for sale doesn't help...

 

[nYteMarE]

Re: Greetings!

Happy packing and good luck with your sale. See you when you're back in SG, if I don't get redeployed.

 

[BlackCookie]

Re: Greetings!

Awesome! Am certainly up for BKK. I have been known on occasion to get bored on Saturdays, jump in the car and go to Switzerland or lap the Nurburgring, and come home for Sunday night

The Golf was good, but out of its depth. It just could not handle the 280hp at the front wheels. The best car I've ever driven is definitely the Clio Trophy. Not the most powerful, but perfectly set up for proper driving, in no part thanks to its Sachs adjustable race dampers (separate oil reservoir etc.) all stock from the factory. I'll never forget the face of the guy in an E46 M3 as I overtook him around Carousel at the 'Ring. Truly an amazing car, but a bit of a one-trick pony. The 330CI was also suitably track set up (PSS9s, Brembos etc.) but wasn't a patch on the Trophy for handling and sheer corner speed. Thus it was in time replaced with a 350Z

So, I'm looking forward to BKK already... Or maybe we should do a group trip to the 'Ring? I can organise race-car rental for a couple of days....

Cheers
O.

I can feel your passion for the horses from your posts. In fact, it's good to hear true passion than I can do so and so cuz I can afford so an so. Not that its bad, but being the poor little thing, i'm always excited to hear people excited over their wheels. The 330 is a wonderful setup and to move to 350Z, were you thinking right? Not doubting your taste in anyway but a genuine question.

 

[oliie]

Re: Greetings!

I can feel your passion for the horses from your posts. In fact, it's good to hear true passion than I can do so and so cuz I can afford so an so. Not that its bad, but being the poor little thing, i'm always excited to hear people excited over their wheels. The 330 is a wonderful setup and to move to 350Z, were you thinking right? Not doubting your taste in anyway but a genuine question.

I know what you mean. I definitely choose my car on the car, not on the badge etc. etc. much to the annoyance of my other half (she almost collapsed when I traded in my loaded 330ci for a stripped out Clio... and then proceeded to strip what little was left to get all the weight out!). The Clio didn't even have a coat hook to save weight... and had plastic front gaurds...

The 350Z was another step up for me as far as driving went. I tested a Z4 3.0 back-to-back but it wasn't a patch on the 350Z's far more characterful engine and much better communicating steering. It oozed torque, and it had the most amazing direct and weighted steering that just told you exactly what was happening as you hit the apex. The 330ci was certainly a better every day car (traffic, getting to work etc) but on the winding road home the 350Z comes into its own. You do have to put up with just two seats though, and prospect of it being the same price but for a Japanese car, but then that never worries me anyway. All in all, it was great out of the box, while the Z4 needed to be modified to get to the same level of driving experience.

Also choosing something in Singapore is tricky as we will now need 4 doors. I'm not sure I'd like to spend the premium on a car you can't really get out and drive. Also with the tax structure even a Prius makes more sense at the moment, or something on CNG. Also it tends to be a RWD or 4WD market given the damp conditions, so all the well-handling hot hatches are out of the question (GTI, Megane R26 et al.). The STI and Evo X is an alternative but a little bland to spend lots of city mileage in. The A4s are uneventful (save for RS4 but does not make sense having to pay tax on CC with such a car) and I'd never own a Merc unless it was a proper AMG (otherwise its a badge engineering exercise). So, that leaves the 335 Touring as something different, or a RX400h (hybird). If Lexus did the GS400h like they do in the UK then it would be a no-brainer given it is much cheaper and does the city driving thing to perfection (but can handle the odd blast up North).

So, tricky. Ah, the joys of having to decide what car to buy!

O.

 

[BlackCookie]

Re: Greetings!

I know what you mean. I definitely choose my car on the car, not on the badge etc. etc. much to the annoyance of my other half (she almost collapsed when I traded in my loaded 330ci for a stripped out Clio... and then proceeded to strip what little was left to get all the weight out!). The Clio didn't even have a coat hook to save weight... and had plastic front gaurds...

The 350Z was another step up for me as far as driving went. I tested a Z4 3.0 back-to-back but it wasn't a patch on the 350Z's far more characterful engine and much better communicating steering. It oozed torque, and it had the most amazing direct and weighted steering that just told you exactly what was happening as you hit the apex. The 330ci was certainly a better every day car (traffic, getting to work etc) but on the winding road home the 350Z comes into its own. You do have to put up with just two seats though, and prospect of it being the same price but for a Japanese car, but then that never worries me anyway. All in all, it was great out of the box, while the Z4 needed to be modified to get to the same level of driving experience.

Also choosing something in Singapore is tricky as we will now need 4 doors. I'm not sure I'd like to spend the premium on a car you can't really get out and drive. Also with the tax structure even a Prius makes more sense at the moment, or something on CNG. Also it tends to be a RWD or 4WD market given the damp conditions, so all the well-handling hot hatches are out of the question (GTI, Megane R26 et al.). The STI and Evo X is an alternative but a little bland to spend lots of city mileage in. The A4s are uneventful (save for RS4 but does not make sense having to pay tax on CC with such a car) and I'd never own a Merc unless it was a proper AMG (otherwise its a badge engineering exercise). So, that leaves the 335 Touring as something different, or a RX400h (hybird). If Lexus did the GS400h like they do in the UK then it would be a no-brainer given it is much cheaper and does the city driving thing to perfection (but can handle the odd blast up North).

So, tricky. Ah, the joys of having to decide what car to buy!

O.

Go test drive the Mini Cooper S... You will appreciate the handling. The R56 is not as raw as the R53 but good enough. In sports mode, the steering stiffens and the drive is just absolutely mind-blowing. Don't ask me why I didn't get the Mini though... I bet your better half will learn to like the look of it as well. It's acquired taste. Cost doesn't quite make sense but trust me, if you're in this forum and hcatting on about cars, you've already lost part of your brains and of course, your bank account like the rest of us.

Have fun playing the choices around in your mind!

 

[oliie]

Re: Greetings!

Go test drive the Mini Cooper S... You will appreciate the handling. The R56 is not as raw as the R53 but good enough. In sports mode, the steering stiffens and the drive is just absolutely mind-blowing. Don't ask me why I didn't get the Mini though... I bet your better half will learn to like the look of it as well. It's acquired taste. Cost doesn't quite make sense but trust me, if you're in this forum and hcatting on about cars, you've already lost part of your brains and of course, your bank account like the rest of us.

Have fun playing the choices around in your mind!

It's funny you mention the Cooper S... my GF already had a Cooper S in Singapore... and I agree that it was fantastic handling and value for money... although the brakes lasted about 5 mins in my care, and the seats were hopeless at supporting you. Also it is a little 'girlie' for me... but I think that is because the Mini is the car of choice for real estate agents here in the UK (a company called Foxtons has an all-Mini fleet of real estate cars...)... so they are very popular with the lady agents!!! :uhhh:

Also, it has to have four doors and proper seats (think family planning... gulp!!!) otherwise I'd be tempted to buy another 350Z...

535D M-Sport Touring. Now that's a car I'd love to own if only they sold them in SG!!! :furious:

Here is a pic of her Cooper S (she sold it two years ago when she moved to the UK with me). Check out the useless seats...

 

[nYteMarE]

Re: Greetings!

At least aftermarket parts are dime a dozen here in SG.

 

[benji ben]

Re: Greetings!

hmm what a pity. it's a really nice cooper s. welcome to bmw.sg

 

[BlackCookie]

Re: Greetings!

Have you seen the R56 new leather seats... Those are decent. Alternatively, slap on the Recaros and you're ready to GO GO GO!!!

The friend I told you who drives to BKK, has a 350Z I think he was trying to sell it some time ago but I don't know if he has actually sold it off. I believe it's pretty souped up and the mileage is really low as he uses his other car to ferry himself to Bangkok and back and he's rarely here to use his car.

BTW, this friend of mine prefers his MCS to his 350Z. Quite a racer. Go figure... Having driven both cars, I can only say, I trust him.

 

[phil]

Re: Greetings!

I want to drive to bangkok too.

welcome mate. Buy the 335 sedan if you need 4 doors.

 

[hitmee]

Re: Greetings!

welcome in

enjoy ur stay.

 

[Breyton]

Re: Greetings!

Yeah, buy the 335 Touring if you need 4 doors. I believe it's still the only one in Singapore, so hurry... before I decide to buy it....

 

[oliie]

Re: Greetings!

Thanks all for the warm welcomes

I'm in the final stages of deciding on the 335 touring or a four door, depending on price. Either that or I'm going to go completely on a tangent and grab a V70R, or the new A4 3.2!

It looks like we need to organise a trip to Bangkok. If I end up with either of the 335is I volunteer to set this up Already looking forward to it...

Cheers
Oliie

 

[Breyton]

Re: Greetings!

....or I'm going to go completely on a tangent and grab a V70R...

I think both V70Rs that were on sgcarmart are now gone.... or the ads have expired...

 

[oliie]

Re: Greetings!

Guys... I missed out on the 335 Touring by 2 days (I was on a flight from London when it sold so didn't get to see it etc. in time).

So I've actually put down a deposit today for a ... (cue drum roll)... A4 3.2 Quattro (new model - B8).

To be honest I really fell in love when I saw it - really a very handsome car (Meteor Gray in Pearl, black leather/alcantra, walnut inlays). However I expected it to be pretty useless to drive, but was completely shocked, especially with the 'active' drive and the dynamic settings using the electromagnetic suspension. Then of course there are all of the options. The final winner was the fact that they could register a car for me in 5 days... so no waiting around. BMW wanted 2 months for the 335, and another 5 months to indent the 335 saloon (plus it would be old shape given the new face lift).

So a no brainer really. Was very shocked to find the Audi so good... I really went in there without any optimism, but somehow got converted. Maybe they put something in the coffee before we went out for the test drive! I had also come out of PML about 30 mins before I jumped into the A4.

Maybe in a year or two I will plan properly and order a 335i with the proper M packs in Monaco blue and the right options (i-drive etc.) but untill then Stuttgart will have to pull its magic over Munich!

See you on the roads
Oliie