Project : Blue Devil Completed!

 Good morning readers!  Today I am glad to announce the completion of our MINI Countryman S Project : Blue Devil!  I didn't expect to finish the project so early.  LOL.  Well if you look at the pictures there are some area of the car which was left untouched, notably the wheels.  Engine zone remain stock because this car is my wife daily drives and she preferred a quiet ride to and back from work.

The car had a minor facial revamp by fitting genuine JCW Aero.  The aerokits included front and rear splitters with matching side skirts.  JCW bonnet and side decals were applied also using genuine MINI products. 

This project car has UNION JACK themes all over the exterior to the interior1 and 2 of the car!

So there you go readers,  I am sharing with you these pictures that I took a few days ago at my parent premises.

Project : Blue Devil - Center Console Union Jack

 

 

Re-Fresh ER34 - Exterior Paint Pt.4

Good afternoon readers,  today is yet another boring progress on my ER34.  I just visited the workshop last weekend and my car is still on the same spot as it was 2 weeks ago! LOL! Only this time the top clear coat had been sanded off.  

The workshop is always filled with cars coming in for repairs, bodykit fitment and others.  Apparently mine is the only one waiting for full respray and that is why they are taking their own sweet time.  LOL.  I spoke to the owner and the next step would be laying down fresh new primer coat.   I guess the car won't be ready for my birthday which is coming in a few days.  Sigh....

Anyway, they also started repairing my badly damaged front bumper.  I won't be posting anymore on ER34 until the car is moved to the painting booth for fresh coat of new paints. 

A Visit to Porsche Showroom

Good afternoon readers!  I drop-by the showroom recently to made a reservation for my Boxster's third services.  While I was there, I noticed the showroom floor had suddenly filled with new Porsche models! There were the new 911, Boxster, Cayman, Cayenne GTS and Panamera!  The one that caught my attention is this beautiful new Porsche Boxster 981!  The price tag for this red non "S" Boxster is BND$155,000

This is the newest Cayman and it is also a non "S" model.  I don't remember how much this new Cayman cost but I do know the "S" model command a price of BND$180,000!

Last but not least, the most expensive car currently inside QAF Porsche showroom will be awarded to this black beast!  The new Porsche Cayenne Turbo "S"!  Under the hood lies 550hp V8 Twin turbo that will rip the quater mile off in 4.3sec!!!  

MSRP in USA this car cost USD$146,000 which is around BND$180,000.  This model is the top of the range model so it comes with lots of options as standard!  Want to guess how much this car cost here in Brunei? 

 

.....wait for it...BND$443,000!!!!!! Yes you are not reading it wrong!!!  Yes you can buy a very very big house in Brunei! And yes, you can buy (1)Mercedes Benz ML350, (1)BMW X5 and (1)Audi Q7 and still have spare change of BND$50,000 to modify the 3 cars!!!

Anyway this one here is sold and the new owner also booked the latest Porsche 911 Turbo S too!!!!  Talk about rich people of Brunei......

The Day I Test Drove A Mercedes Benz A200

Yesterday was my lucky day!  My friend just pitted in his Mercedes Benz E200 for services at Jati Transport.  They gave him a loaner car which is this cool A-Class.  Sadly it is only a A200.  Nevertheless, it is better then nothing.  I took a quick spin from Kiulap to Serusop and I have to say I am very impress with this little car!

Like I said in the previous, the handling and rides on this car is really outstanding.  I cannot praise enough about it! LOL!  This here is the lowest spec from the A-Class range but it does come with lots of cool options!  Firstly, even for a low spec model it still comes with full driver's side electric seat!  The interior seats are fully covered with soft fabrics that has white stitches all over the contour of the seat.  

For the exterior,  you will note that this particular model comes with an optional BND$1800 "Diamond Grille".  Another features worth mentioning is the utilize of full LED and HID system.  The headlights, signal lights, DRL and reverse lights are all equipped with LED systems.  You cannot find any traditional standard bulbs in this car!

Another big thumbs up for this car is the Collision Prevention Assist that comes standard in all A-Class ranges.  The system can detect the distant between the A-Class and those in front given it is stationary or moving .  If it is too close the system will give both visual and acoustic warnings.  Can you believe we actually tested this system.  Not on purpose, but due to one idiot driver who just turned into our lane thinking that the road belongs to them!   Luckily the car gave us a loud acoustic warning and my friend who was driving at that time was able to swirl the car to safety! Really big thumbs up this safety system!

In term of performance, this 1.5litre turbocharged 4 pot is actually not too bad at all.  I don't know why when we tested the A250, it didn't provide much fun compared to the A200.  I think partly also because there were 3 occupants inside the car and our fats probably killed some of the fun in that car.  LOL