The Day I Test Drove The New MINI Cooper S (F56)

MINI Cooper S (F56)

Yesterday I was filled with free times so I took a drive to MINI Showroom to test drive the new MINI Cooper S that was launched not too long ago.  As usual my friendly salesperson, Virginia, was there to sort out the test drive for me.   I was planning to "thoroughly test" the car but was cut short due to the pouring sky after I received the key. So I just drove the car around the showroom area for no more then 10mins in a sensible manner.

MINI being MINI and having owned one, one would expect the usual from this new model.  However, I got a few key points to point out.  Firstly is how quiet the new 198hp turbo-charged 2.0 4 bangers is, not exactly MINI way. Second is how responsive the throttle is, an instant light tap on the pedal and you can feel the car ready to take you to the twilight zone. Third,  turbo lag is almost non-existent.  Fourth, even thought I didn't do much performance test, the gearbox was certainly a big step-up as it shift-up/down way way faster and smoother compare to the previous Gen!  Lastly, the exhaust note is intoxicating,  I was driving below 3000rpm and below 80km/hr and the exhaust note is pumping out loud pop which is very notable inside the car.  In previous Gen owner would have to activate sport button to hear the "pop" note around 3000rpm range. 

S model is fitted with LED DRL, Bi-Xenon, LED Fog lamps and LED Tail lamps!

S model comes standard with JCW Steering wheel, Pedal shifter, a large color LCD Central screen (upgradable to even larger 23cm LCD!"

JCW Steering Wheel, nice!

Sadly, the tacho meter is no longer located at the center console like previous two Gen's.  It is now relocated next to the speedo.  The fuel gauge is located on the right side.  The speedo also house a small color LCD for car information

S model comes standard with Full leather interior with Alcantara insert! Sadly MINI still hasn't consider putting electronic seats in their range!!!!!!

MINI Cooper (F56)

The Blue and White is the MINI Cooper.  A step down from Cooper S.  It is still fitted with turbo-charged 3 cylinders engine but only 1.5.  It is cheaper by $10k.  Being cheaper also means less equipment.  It doesn't come with LCD infortainment, no Pedal shifter, less leather and of course a less powerful engine.

A different front bumper as compared to S

Oh it also doesn't come with any LED for both front and rear lamps

See the tiny screen in the center console? Yeah, those are non-colored screen. LOL. Color screen is an option below S range.

Semi Clothed/Leathere

And lastly the best H2O I ever tasted

The bright orange S model is priced at BND64,000++ showroom, exlcusive of insurance. The standard S is actually quite equipped but of course you can personalize your own MINI by adding more accesories and equipment.  Draw back on that would be waiting period and price hike.  Nothing is free! If S is out of your budget maybe you can consider the non-S model or wait for MINI One that will be introduce to Brunei very soon.  That is another $10k cheaper then non-S model but is fitted with puny 1.3 3 cyclinders turbo-charged!

Singapore Trip

Last week I took a trip to Singapore for my health check. I saw lots of nice looking car in Singapore roads but didn't have time to grab a pic because we were constantly moving inside our car.  I saw lots of Ferrari, Bentley and Rolls Royce.  I never realise newer Bentley looks so good.   Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi is like the Toyota Vios in Brunei.  LOL! 

I was staying at my wife's aunt condominium near Orchard Road.  While I was there, I took a few interesting cars at the basement parking.  These were taking during lunch hour so most of the nicer rides were already out and about.

This beautiful metallic restored car is an Alfa Romeo GTA 1300 Junior.  Built around in the 60s, it has 1300cc twin cam (89hp) engine.  It weight less then 1000kg. This car is really a stunner to look at.  I am impressed with the restoration work especially the color chosen for the car.  I am guessing this owner has deep wallet because it is very very expensive to keep old car in Singapore road due to their sky rocketing road tax and C.O.E

This looks like a Ferrari F430 Scuderia at first glance.  But a closer inspection turns out to be a normal F430 converted Scuderia.  How can I tell?  Well the wheels is wrong and the exhaust location is wrong.  LOL.  But what can I say, it is a Ferrari and it is in Singapore.  This car probably cost closed to BND800k or more when new!

The new Porsche 911 Carrera S spotted next to the Ferrari F430.  Maybe from the same owner?

This caught my attention when we were parking at Takashimaya.  It's a charging station for electric cars!  The car on the left is Nissan Leaf and the one on the right is Renault Fluence. I didn't expect to see a Nissan Leaf real life but nevertheless it is a quite a big car.

Jeep SRT Vehicle Door Safety Lock Protective Striker Cover

 I came across these Jeep SRT door safety lock protective cover when I was browsing in eBay for some of my car model collections.  These is purely a cosmetic product and cost me less then BND$20.00.  They are made of durable plastic and are very simple to fit to the car.  Check out the before and after pictures below!

 BEFORE

AFTER

JEEP Grand Cherokee SRT Wheel alignment

Took my Black Beast to my regular tyre shop for it's first 10,000km wheel alignment and balancing.  It was an exciting moment for me because it is the first time I can get a full view on the SRT foot works without the 20" Spider Monkey wheels.

6 pots BREMBO caliper up front.  And also the yellow BILSTEIN Adapative damper can be seen lurking behind!

4 pots BREMBO caliper at the back

My Jeep SRT Performance Page

Sorry for not posting much due to both hand been tight-up with works.  Today I am glad to post my performance data taken from my Jeep SRT Performance page.

As of now,  0-100km/hr is 4.7sec and 0-400m is 12.8sec. This car weight close to 3tonnes or 3000kg. LOL.  That is more then twice as heavy as my Boxster or Skyline!  That big V8 HEMI sure can pull some G's as well.  I managed to hit 1G on the test run.  It was tested on a dry, windy day.  Best of all I haven't put on any modification to this car yet!  This is bone stock performance!

Brunei JDM Meet At Stadium in 2004

These photos were taken 10 years ago at the Stadium.  How I miss the old days not worrying about anything when driving our JDM ride.  Time sure changed a lot.  Hardly see any of these rides in our road anymore.  Anyway enjoy the pictures. 

Mercedes Benz CLA Edition 1 in Brunei

Caught this soon to be release CLA sun bathing while I was pitting in my Jeep SRT for some diagnonsis. This here is not just any CLA, it is the Edition 1 version.  The differences between this version and normal version is vast.  For the exterior, this version comes standard with more aggressive front and rear bumper.  It also comes with a set of nice black-painted wheels.  The interior comes with yellow-colored stripes front and rear leather/alcantara seats with matching yellow stitching all round the interior!  Hell, it even comes with a set of Edition 1carpets!

I really am digging this ride!  One of the most beautiful Mercedes ever built.  Edition 1 will be available for the first 12 months of its releases.  This particular version is now available in Brunei and can be yours for BND$78K!  Normal CLA will reach Brunei very soon and if you want to get one you will need to hurry because the waiting lists for this car is already booked till 2015!!!

Mercedes Benz GL-500 in Brunei

Went to Mercedes Benz showroom with my buddy recently as he is looking for a new ride.  I came across this, the GL500! This is a seven seaters SUV and cost $190k++.  This car is humongous if compared to my JEEP, nevertheless it is a good looking car.