Showing posts with label Car Freak. Show all posts

I really like the look of the new BMW G20 generation.. To my eyes, it is the most beautiful BMW 3 series ever produce.. I'm not just tal...

I really like the look of the new BMW G20 generation.. To my eyes, it is the most beautiful BMW 3 series ever produce.. I'm not just talking about the exterior.. The interior is mind blowing as well.. Thought not as flashy as the latest generation of Mercedes, but I find it really pleasant to look at.. 


The one thing that bug me whenever I see this car is the big and shiny chrome kidney grill.. It just looks weird to my eyes.. The 320i in Malaysia came in the Sport variant with black out door frame and the big chrome grill just looks awful.. So naturally, this will be the first mod that I did for my car..









I chose the design grill design that is similar to the original instead of the M3 or M340i style grill.. Actually, I regretted getting this as the insert can be taken out.. If I bought the M3 style grill, then I will have 2 different design for the grill.. But can't complaint much as I don't think I will have the time to keep changing the design.. This is basically mod and forget.. 


The size for both grills are actually the same.. Just the angle of the pic making the black one looks a lot smaller.. The black out version looks so much meaner comparing to the chrome version.


This is 100% original before any mod done to it.. 









After changing to the black out version.. Really transform the looks of the car.. In my opinion, it should leave the factory with the black out version as standard! Luckily this is something that is easy to do.. Those interested to change it can search from Youtube on the steps of dismantling it.. Is a very easy job which takes around 15 mins.. But the outcome is priceless.. 

Been driving around in the latest BMW 3 series codenamed G20 for the past 8 months or so.. So far I got nothing but praises for it.. My G20 ...

Been driving around in the latest BMW 3 series codenamed G20 for the past 8 months or so.. So far I got nothing but praises for it.. My G20 is the base 320i Sport variant.. Not the 330i or the full blown M340i that was launched recently.. But no complaint so far.. However, those that know me personally will most probably know that I got a disease that is call 'ICLMCS' which translate to 'I can't leave my car standard' disease'!! 


Did some small mod here and there and so far I'm loving it.. Didn't go crazy with the mod yet as the 5 years unlimited mileage warranty is still intact.. Don't wish to void the warranty because of all the mods.. Most of the mods I did so far were mainly cosmetic.. Did something to the engine as well but that is plug and play.. No crazy ECU flashing at this moment.. 




Since our Pug is out of warranty, I've decided to do some minor modification to it... Nothing fancy as this is my queen daily ride a...


Since our Pug is out of warranty, I've decided to do some minor modification to it... Nothing fancy as this is my queen daily ride and it need to be as comfortable and original as it can... Don't think I can use the modification word here as I'm merely changing the original parts to some aftermarket one... First thing to go is the restrictive air filter... Normally I don't do drop in (usually go with open pod for the extra oomph and not forgetting nicer intake sound!!!) but in order to make the car looks as original as it can, this is the only route to go... Off goes the original paper air filter and in goes the 'K&N'... 

Second thing that needs to be replace is the spark plugs... The factory fitted spark plug on the 'Pug' is 'NGK Platinum' series... Instead of Platinum, I opt for Iridium spark plug which is a tad better.... Initial feel after replacing these parts is actually quite promising... The car is definitely smoother and pulls a little harder especially at night... Even my queen realize about it... She told me the car is more powerful after replacing these parts... These aftermarket parts is definitely worth your dough if the time is up for changing it as these parts need replacement sooner or later... Next item that need replacement is the absorber... Custom 'Titan' adjustable or 'Bilstein B14'??? Probably go for 'Titan' as all my other car using it and I'm really happy with it... Till then...

I've decided to create a new labels for my blog... Previously, I will put all my '308 Turbo' update under 'Car Freak'...


I've decided to create a new labels for my blog... Previously, I will put all my '308 Turbo' update under 'Car Freak' which is a general label for all things related to cars... So just like what I did to 'FrankenBenz', I'm creating a dedicated label just for my '308 Turbo' and I name the label as 'Woeful 308 Turbo'!!! I'm sure most '308 Turbo' owner out there will agree to this label...

I really like the '308 Turbo' when it is behaving nicely... But the problem is, throwing tantrum is what it's good at!!! And quite frankly, it is driving me up the wall sometimes... It is a nice drive but maintaining it is a pain in the ass!!! 

Recently I got a special gift from it... Throwing two error code simultaneously!!! The dreaded 'Depollution System Error' is back after fixing it some time back... Last time the error code pop up because of a faulty turbocharger... This time round I'm still not too sure what causes it... Another error code is the infamous 'Gearbox Faulty' code which almost all '308 Turbo' owner with 'AL4' gearbox will get... Luckily with the error code on, I'm still able to drive it... Just that it restrict the gear to 3 only instead of 4 forward gears... 

Send my car to the workshop and after 1 week, it is finally fix... But what is the main problem remain a mystery!!! The mechanic change two of the solenoid in the gearbox and the problem still exist (the solenoid is the most common problem that causes gearbox faulty error in the 'AL4' gearbox... so normally mechanic will change these two solenoid first before doing anything else)... But after changing these two solenoids, the car will sometimes show the error code... So the mechanic decided to unplug all the wiring loom and rewired it back together and also cleaning the throttle body (which I'm not sure why he does that)... After doing all these, the car is back to normal... Even the 'Depollution System Error' code is missing!!! So if you ask me what is the main culprit for these two error code, I really can't tell you... Even my mechanic is puzzled by it... But deep down, I'm very sure the code will reappear again... Is inevitable... Is just a matter of when!!!

Is almost 4 years since we bought the 'Pug' and we have our high and low with it... Frankly speaking, problems are inevitable.....


Is almost 4 years since we bought the 'Pug' and we have our high and low with it... Frankly speaking, problems are inevitable... I think every 'Pug' owner will agree with me on this... There are a few common problems that almost all '308 Turbo' owner that I know of got it... Namely the famous 'Depollution System Error'!!! This is a horrifying error because it does not specify on a specific error... It can mean anything and mine is a malfunction turbo while a lot of my friends having trouble with the timing chain...

If your car is the older model that came with the 'AL4' four speed gearbox then beware as this gearbox is famous for throwing tantrum!!! I got my first experience when I drove her up 'Genting'... And now she will throw tantrum occasionally when she sees fit... The problem with the gearbox is it refuse to shift to second gear smoothly and it can be nerve wreaking sometimes!!! Since our car is long over warranty, we will need to wait and see the situation as getting it fix is not cheap... After asking around, it seems like there are 2 solenoids that are giving this problem and changing them will apparently solve this problem... I'm no mechanic but sometimes I'm wondering whether is it the weather that causes this... So I'm actually thinking of fitting a 'ATF' cooler if it doesn't come with one or changing it to a bigger one if our 'Pug' already have it... 

Recently, I found that 'FrankenBenz' is handling weirdly and not forgetting dangerously!!! The whole car seems to move around qui...

Recently, I found that 'FrankenBenz' is handling weirdly and not forgetting dangerously!!! The whole car seems to move around quite a lot and the rear is really prone to skid especially during the rain... I didn't suspect the tyres as I've just change is less than 3 months ago... I'm suspecting some bushes or arm link that might be broken or maybe the alignment is out...

Have a peek at the rear tyre and I'm shock to see that both rear tyres are completely bald!!! It looks exactly like a slick tyre!!! I'm scratching my head as why this happen because it is less than 3 months old!!! Have a look at the front and I'm equally shock... Still got a lot of thread wear in the middle but one is bald on the outside while the other is bald on the inside... That means I'm running on negative camber on one side and positive camber on the other side... Although still got a lot of thread wear on the middle part, but these two tyres are consider useless if you ask me... 

Can't really afford to keep buying expensive tyres I decided to try 'Achilles' tyres which originated from 'Indonesia'... Those into motorsports might be aware of this brand made famous by 'Japanese' drifter 'Daigo Saito'... 

I tried one of their best selling tyre which is the 'ATR Sport'... I don't expect much from this tyre as it is really cheap compare to the likes from 'Japan' or 'European' counterpart... I can buy two of these with the price for one well known 'Japanese' brand tyre!!! But surprisingly I'm amaze at what it's on offer... I find it rather comfortable and quite quiet... Other than that, I can't comment much as I still don't have the time to give it a good thrashing!!! Under normal driving, the grip is good even during the rain... So initial impression is good!!! Noise level is not too bad also... 


As for the rear, I've decided to give semi slick a try... I didn't go for 'ATR Sport' as it doesn't have the size that I want... For the front, I'm still running with 225/40 and the rear I'm sticking to 255/35... 'ATR Sport' only have 245 or 265 section tyre... Since I got a good price on the '123S', I'm thinking to myself why not give semi slick a try as I've never driven on semi slick before... There are two models available which is the '123' and '123S'... The only difference is the thread... 'S' is suppose to be use for drifting as there's more thread compare to the normal '123'... So what it means is it will last longer compare to normal '123'... 

Once they fitted the tyres back to my car, the rear end transform instantly in terms of look... So much more aggressive compare to the 'ATR Sport'!!! I really regretted to opt for the 'ATR Sport' for the front as it looks so docile in comparison... Wanted to change the front to '123S' but it doesn't come with 225 section tyre... Only have 235!!! Damn as 235 will hit the fender when goes over undulation... Going to make my suspension a lot harder so that I can go for 235 section tyre in the future!!! No comment on the driving yet as well as I've just change it recently... 

Okay, tyre issue solve... So now back to the question on why my rear tyres ended up bald in less than 3 months time??? One of the rear arm link bush is gone as well as the alignment, camber, toe and castor!!! Everything's out!!! Spend a small fortune just to get it back to spec (more expensive than a piece of tyre god damn it!!!)... And now 'FrankenBenz' is handling well and no more twitchy rear end... What I'm hoping for now is that the rear tyre can last much longer after what I've done!!!


To be continue...