I remember my first week at work. It was boring. And because my boss did not turn up in office until my 3rd week at work, it was doubly boring. Fortunately, someone came to my rescue. Sister Mary Joseph from the St Jude Catholic Church of London wrote me an urgent email saying that Rev-Father Joe-Bono had passed away recently and in his will, I was made a beneficiary of an inheritance worth £300,000. Cue shock, awe, gasp and all.

It seems that the late Father Bono made a random sampling of three email address with the help of *jeng jeng jeng* Microsoft International, and my email was drawn. How did Microsoft manage to draw out a Gmail address is rather beyond me. Anyone with an ounce of common sense would have ignored the mail. Unfortunately, at the time, I was a man with an ounce of common sense, and a tonne of boredom - so, I replied the mail.

Emails were bounced back and forth, with even a purported representative of none other than England’s Barclays Bank, contacting me on email as well. Eventually, the bombshell came, and I was required to send to them, via Western Union, a sum of £1,500 as a processing fee. After informing them that I don’t have that kind of money to pay, they then concocted a tale saying the church has raised £900 to help me pay a part of the said fees. (What’s this? A scam discount?) Eventually, I recall the amount being reduced to £400, but by then, I was already bored with them.

In my Gmail spam box, and found tons upon tons of such emails, all proclaiming that I have won or inherited some fortune or another. The latest scam I heard no longer involves money, but rather a car, a BMW, to be precise. I found announcements in Auto Bavaria’s website warning users of a couple of scams. I wonder what’s next.

Announcement: Notice of Scam Please be informed that a malicious scam is being circulated implicating one of our employees - Ms. Adibah Ahmad and Auto Bavaria. This scam involves several forms of communication which congratulates recipients on winning a BMW, in conjunction with anniversary celebrations. It also directs users to our showroom for redemption. We wish to notify that this is a scam. Auto Bavaria and our said employee has no part in this. Should you receive any communication of this scam, kindly notify our Human Resource Department at Tel : 03 - 5566 3812 / 3813. Our apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Announcement. It has come to our attention that an email purportedly from: THE INTERNATIONAL AWARENESS PROMOTION DEPARTMENT OF THE BMW AUTOMOBILE COMPANY 22 Garden Close, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 2YP, London United Kingdom. has been circulating and congratulating recipients on winning a BMW car as part of a promotional draw and in order to claim the prize, a cash amount is required. Please note that this offer is suspected to be fraudulent. Auto Bavaria hereby declares that it has no knowledge of and is not in anyway associated with this so-called ‘promotion’ and would like to advise recipients of this email not to respond to it in any form whatsoever.

Mix and match is in full force in Munich

I thought only Mercedes Benz was playing mix and match with their new models but it seems their bavarian nemesis cannot resist the temptation either, Exhibit 1, the new BMW Z4.

The headlamps clearly took elements of the 3-series. I will forgive the swollen kidneys because, apparently, Munich thinks the best way to gain road presence is by gluing oversized grille on their cars.

The eculpted bumper is of course unique to the car but the 3-series is again the apparent inspiration. It is not really roadster-like, it s more suited for a hopped-up 3-series.

The flanks are still recognisably Z4 with the flame-surfacing toned down significantly. I think that’s a shame because it gave the original Z4 real character, now it’s a bit plain.

They have even blanked out the side air vents, preferring to leave just an oddly shaped indentation on the side. Did someone complain about the side vents to Chris Bangle?

OK the feature crease that dips downwards towards the rear and the rear wheel arch humps are muscular and evocative of a greater era.

As we move to the back, we see the rear lamps which take cues from both the 6-series and 7-series. The 6-series vae its form while the 7-series gave its light details.

The interior looks good but hardly special when compared to the rest of the BMW range but this is a problem that most mass manufacturers face. But I do think that the Z4’s cabin looks a lot better than many other roadsters.

Oh, BTW, I like the double bubble roof.

Ok so it may look like an extensive evolution of the original car but I am willing to bet that the new car will be a huge leg up over the older version when it comes to driving pleasure…mmmm

Below is the full Pres Release

Press Release:

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – December 13, 6:00PM EST 2008… Poised to lead its market segment once again, the 2009 BMW Z4 Roadster will make its North American debuts at the 2009 North American International Auto Show on January 11.

Return of a Classic

The classic roadster is back – more powerful and more stylish than ever before. It is the BMW Z4, the only car in its segment combining classic roadster proportions with a seating position moved close to the rear axle, rear-wheel drive, with a retractable hardtop.

The new BMW Z4 offers all the driving pleasure of a BMW Roadster with particularly refined and stylish flair. Driving with the roof down, this two-seater offers a refreshingly intense experience of the sunshine and the wind rushing by – and driving with the hardtop closed it provides all the comfort of a sporting coupe in the premium segment. So through this diversity and wide range of qualities, the new BMW Z4 is the re-birth of the roadster.

The design of the new Z4 comes out through classic details interpreted in new, up-to-date style. This outstanding two-seater offers a unique combination of elegance, agility, and supreme comfort. The aluminum shells of the two-piece lightweight hardtop come to rest in the roof compartment, saving maximum space in the process. Even with the roof closed, the new Z4 retains the proportions typical of a genuine roadster.

To ensure driving pleasure, the new BMW Z4 is offered with two inline-6 engine displacing 3.0 liters: 300 hp in the BMW Z4 sDrive35i and 255 hp in the BMW Z4 sDrive30i ensure truly outstanding acceleration and response at all times.

Comprehensive use of BMW’s EfficientDynamics technologies serves to provide an unparalleled balance of driving pleasure and fuel efficiency. While both models are available with a manual six-speed gearbox, the Z4 sDrive35i is available also with a dual-clutch sport automatic transmission featuring seven gears. The six-speed sport automatic is available on the Z4 sDrive30i. Both sport automatic transmissions feature steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

Featuring Dynamic Drive Control as standard, the BMW Z4 enables the driver to choose between three drivetrain and suspension settings at the touch of a button.

Design: the modern look of a classic roadster.

The new BMW Z4 takes on the classic look of the roadster in modern, flowing lines. The car’s proportions are borne out by the long and low-slung engine compartment lid, short overhangs, the long wheelbase and large wheels as well as the low seating position near the rear axle.

The front view features a large, upright BMW kidney grille, wide air intake and the dual round headlights, typical of the BMW brand. All surfaces and lines, including the character lines on the hood, strive towards an imaginary target point on the road ahead.

The side view is dominated by the dynamic flow of the car’s shoulder line connecting the front and rear wheel arches and accentuating the stretched, athletic look of the Roadster. The horizontal orientation of the car’s lines and surfaces at the rear, in turn, emphasizes the sheer width of the new BMW Z4. Further characteristics are the extra-large hood extending far over the wheel arches, the black A-pillars, the gills at the side with their integrated LED direction indicators, as well as the slender rear fixtures with three-dimensional LED-fed rows of light.

Stylish, sophisticated, and typical of a genuine roadster: the interior.

For harmonious unison of the exterior and interior so important in an open-air car, the shoulder line is reflected by the door panels with their unique configuration and flow from front to rear.

The contoured surface to the left and right of the steering wheel incorporates the controls for the lights and air conditioning. These elements are available trimmed in Satin Silver matte, Brushed Aluminum, and Ash Grain Wood, the respective color and trim variant also being used on the center console and door handle.

The standard seats with integrated headrests on the BMW Z4 sDrive35i feature high-quality Kansas leather in a choice of three colors. A fourth choice, Ivory White Nappa leather, is also available as part of the Exclusive Ivory White Leather Package, which includes sport seats and Anthracite wood trim.

An Extended Leather option (Z4 sDrive35i only) adds leather on the upper section of the instrument panel, the doorsills, the sun visors in Black leather as well as the leather-finish door closing handles in upholstery color on the passenger’s side.

The entire range of paintwork colors available on the new BMW Z4 is made up of no less than nine color tones including Orion Silver metallic exclusive to the new Roadster.

Cycling in 20 seconds: the retractable hardtop.

The new BMW Z4 is the first BMW roadster to protect its occupants from wind and weather with a fully retractable hardtop. This two-piece lightweight aluminum shell opens and closes at the touch of a button within 20 seconds. The compact packaging of the folding roof enables the Z4 Roadster to retain the characteristic, slender proportions of its predecessor.

This innovative roof system offers outstanding acoustic and aerodynamic qualities and sets a new standard in the Z4’s segment. Large windows and the high-quality roof lining give the hardtop a light look. Driver and passenger enjoy a bright ambience, generous space, and optimum visibility. Compared with the former model, the side windows are 40% larger, the see-through area in the rear window 52% larger, and all-round visibility increased14% over the previous generation.

The glass rear window in the hardtop is equipped with an electric defroster and the four side windows of the new BMW Z4 may be lowered individually. The higher roofline and larger door openings allow easier and more convenient access with the roof closed.

The retractable roof may be operated either by a switch in the center console or by remote control key fob when equipped with optional Comfort Access. Comfort Access also allows convenient loading and unloading of the luggage compartment with the roof open. To provide access to the luggage compartment in this case, the open hardtop is moved to an interim position facilitating the removal of large objects.

Flexible storage with optional through-loading.

The roof compartment and the luggage compartment are separated from one another by a moveable partition, which may be folded up to increase luggage space if the roof will remain closed.

The moveable partition in the new BMW Z4 is unique in the premium roadster segment, and offers enough luggage space with the hardtop open for a medium-sized hard-shell suitcase.

Using the optional through-loading system to the passenger compartment, the Z4 is able to accommodate a 46-inch full-size golf bag. When the roof is closed the luggage compartment easily accommodates up to four crates of large bottles or – when using the through-loading system – two 46-inch golf bags.

Various other storage compartments are designed into the interior. The new Z4 offers storage trays in the center console, a 10-liter glove box, hinged compartments in the doors, and additional space behind the seats.

Included with the Cold Weather Package is a storage package that provides an even wider range of storage and loading functions, with fastening nets on the rear panels of the seats and in the passenger’s footwell, lashing belts in the luggage compartment, as well as a storage box in the bulkhead leading to the luggage compartment.

Optional through-loading system together with a transport bag ensures even greater versatility, allowing the user to load slender items such as golf bags or two pairs of skis measuring up to 67″ in length.

A successful concept with a great tradition: inline-6 engines in the BMW Roadster.

Elegant roadster lines, the BMW kidney grille, and a inline-6 engine form a combination that, in 1934, made the BMW 315/1 an unprecedented success both on the road and in motorsport. That combination has been retained to this day in the BMW Z4.

The new Z4 is therefore being launched exclusively with inline-6 engines, a choice of two engines providing both power and performance. These unique engines exhibit refinement and fast-revving response typical of a BMW six-cylinder, offering an unparalleled balance of performance and fuel efficiency in the premium roadster segment thanks to the BMW EfficientDynamics engineering strategy. The individual versions of the new BMW Z4 come with on-demand management and control of the car’s accessory drives, a variable oil pump, intelligent lightweight technology, and optimized aerodynamics.

BMW Z4 sDrive35i: performance with efficiency thanks to Twin Turbo and High Precision Injection.

The most dynamic version of the new Z4 comes with the world’s first inline-6 engine to feature twin turbochargers, High Precision Injection, and an all-aluminum crankcase.

The use of two turbochargers (each supplying three cylinders) ensures responsiveness never seen before on a turbocharged engine. The engine achieves peak torque of 300 lb-ft without the slightest delay, and maintains this high level of torque throughout a broad rev range from 1,400–5,000 rpm.

Maximum output of 300 hp comes at 5,800 rpm, and the BMW Z4 sDrive35i accelerates to 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds (optional seven-speed double clutch sport automatic transmission in 5.0 seconds). The acceleration continues all the way to an electronically-limited 130 mph (150 mph when equipped with the optional Sport Package).

High Precision Injection is a key element in the Z4’s efficient performance. Injecting fuel directly into the combustion chamber offers a cooling effect allowing a higher compression ratio and optimized combustion efficiency. This second generation of direct gasoline injection developed by BMW ensures significant benefits in fuel efficiency without restricting the dynamic qualities of the engine.

The 6-cylinder normally aspirated engine: powerful and light thanks to magnesium.

Offering spontaneous power and performance, excellent motoring refinement and outstanding efficiency, the 6-cylinder naturally-aspirated engine in the BMW Z4 sDrive30i again offers the very best in its segment. Weighing just 355 lb thanks to its composite magnesium/aluminum crankcase, cylinder head cover made of a special synthetic material and lightweight camshafts with aluminum VANOS control unit, is exceptionally light.

While BMW’s VALVETRONIC engine management controls valve stroke on the intake valves, double-VANOS varies the angle of the intake and outlet valves in an infinite process. This allows particularly efficient use of fuel, providing a “beefy” torque curve and giving the engine instant response.

The engine in the BMW Z4 sDrive30i develops maximum output of 255 hp from 3.0 liters capacity at an engine speed of 6,600 rpm. Maximum torque of 220 lb-ft, in turn, comes at just 2,600 rpm.

With this kind of power, the BMW Z4 sDrive30i accelerates from a standstill to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds (with optional sport automatic in 6.0 seconds). Top speed is electronically limited to 130 mph (150 mph when equipped with the optional Sport Package).

6-speed transmission with short gearshift travel featured as standard.

All variants of the new BMW Z4 come as standard with a 6-speed manual gearbox. Developed specifically for BMW’s new Roadster, the various transmission options are particularly sporting in their character. Indeed, this is borne out in particular by extremely short gearshift travel much shorter than on all other current BMW models with a manual gearshift.

Optional: 7-speed sport automatic with double clutch and 6-speed sport automatic with paddle shifters.

As an option, the BMW Z4 sDrive35i is available with BMW’s newly developed double-clutch sport automatic gearbox. Based on the M DCT transmission introduced in the BMW M3, this 7-speed gearbox ensures faster acceleration and extra performance in comparison with the 6-speed manual gearbox, while providing the comfort features of a BMW automatic transmission. The 7-speed double-clutch sport automatic shifts gears without the slightest interruption of power.

The BMW Z4 sDrive35i with its seven-speed sport automatic accelerates to 60mph in just 5.0 seconds, while fuel consumption is expected to outperform the fuel economy on the same model with a manual gearbox.

Sport automatic gives the driver the choice of either automatic (Program D) or manual gear selection. If desired, the driver may shift gears manually by means of paddles on the steering wheel.

The 6-speed sport automatic transmission available on the BMW Z4 sDrive30i promotes not only driving comfort, but also the sporty performance of a BMW Roadster. Indeed, the characteristics of the car are attributable to the direct connection linking the transmission to the engine, based on modern torque converter technology with an integrated torsion damper, avoiding unnecessary slip and therefore helping to eliminate any loss of power and performance. Even the slightest movement of the gas pedal, therefore, is converted spontaneously into a quick response with gearshift times reduced to a minimum.

The sport automatic transmission offers the driver the opportunity to shift gears manually when desired. Apart from selecting gears via the selector lever on the center console, the driver also has the option to use the gearshift paddles on the steering wheel.

Sophisticated suspension technology, high-performance lightweight brakes.

Rear-wheel drive, near perfect weight distribution, the long wheelbase and the low center of gravity on the roadster create ideal conditions for supreme agility.

Featuring traditional spring-struts, a “double-jointed” front suspension made largely of aluminum, and a constant-geometry rear axle, the new Z4 comes with proven suspension concepts in a configuration perfectly tailored to the characteristics of the car.

Electric power steering plays a role also in the BMW Z4, enhancing the precision and comfort of steering maneuvers and reducing fuel consumption, since the electric motor for steering power assistance is activated only when required or desired by the driver.

The new Z4 comes with new high-performance brakes, featuring low weight and low brake pad wear. At the same time the BMW Z4 is the first car in its segment to feature an electrical parking brake activated and released by a button on the center console.

Both versions of the new BMW Z4 come as standard on 17-inch light-alloy rims and with runflat tires as well as a Tire Pressure Monitor.

BMW’s standard Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) serves not only to activate the ABS brakes and ensure stability on slippery surfaces by activating the brakes or reducing engine power, but also comprises other functions such as Brake Drying and Brake Standby as well as a Start-Off Assistant. Acting in a similar way to a mechanical limited slip differential, DSC electronic rear brake management is used to simulate a limited slip differential for stronger acceleration in turns.

Activating Dynamic Traction Control at the touch of a button, the driver is able to raise the response thresholds for intervention by the DSC, thus enjoying the option, for example, to set off on loose snow with the drive wheels slightly spinning. And when desired, the driver is also able to deactivate DSC altogether (ABS remains active).

Adaptive M Suspension featuring Electronic Damping Control (EDC).

The agility of the BMW Roadster may be further enhanced by ordering the optional Sport Package featuring Adaptive M Suspension with Electronic Damping Control. A central control unit varies the “compression” and “rebound” stages on the four twin-sleeve gas pressure dampers to provide optimum response at all times. The response time is so fast that a signal coming from a front wheel crossing a hole in the road reaches and re-adjusts the rear dampers even before the rear wheels reach the same uneven road surface.

Comfort and sportiness in one: Dynamic Drive Control.

Dynamic Drive Control allows the driver of the new Z4 to choose the drive characteristics of the car. In addition to changing damper forces on the Adaptive M Suspension, DDC also conditions the responses of the gas pedal, the power steering, and the response thresholds of Dynamic Stability Control. And if the car is fitted with either sport automatic transmission, the adaptive gearshift logarithms are adjusted.

The driver operates Dynamic Drive Control via a button on the center console next to the gear selector. By pressing the button, s/he is able to choose from the NORMAL, SPORT and SPORT+ modes, thus activating a pre-configured, perfectly balanced set-up. The SPORT mode, for example, offers more-direct steering behavior and a more-direct response to the gas pedal. The SPORT+ mode, in turn, serves additionally to activate the Dynamic Traction Control mode of DSC, intentionally allowing slight wheelspin and thus enabling the driver to take a bend in a controlled drift.

Extra space, more safety.

The new BMW Z4 is slightly larger outside than its predecessor, at the same time offering significantly more comfort in terms of space and a lot more loading space: BMW’s new Roadster is 5.8” longer, 0.4” wider, and 0.3” lower. Wheelbase has grown 0.1” to measure 98.3″.

Apart from all-round visibility, the interior offers greater headroom (+0.20″), extra shoulder room (+0.79″) and more elbow freedom (+1.69″). The door opening, increased in size by 1.02″, allows even more convenient access with the roof closed.

The extremely stiff bodyshell, lightweight construction and near 50/50 weight distribution enhance both the safety and agility of the new BMW Z4. High load-resistant subframes, optimum use of crush zones, the extremely stiff passenger cell and highly efficient restraint systems ensure outstanding accident safety. Frontal and head/thorax airbags, belt latch tensioners and belt force limiters are activated by the sensor-controlled electronic safety system as a function of the type and severity of a collision. The head/thorax airbags are integrated on the outside of the seat backrests and inflate over a large surface in the event of a collision from the side.

Making its premiere in the BMW Roadster: the latest generation of iDrive.

The new Z4 is the first BMW Roadster to feature the iDrive control system as part of its optional navigation system. In the new Z4 the iDrive serves to activate all entertainment, information, navigation and telecommunication functions.

The system itself is made up of a Controller on the center console and a folding, high-resolution Control Display on the instrument panel, allowing the driver to intuitively and safely mastermind all available functions.

Pressing the direct selection buttons on the newly configured Controller, the user is able to spontaneously change to the CD, radio, telephone and navigation functions. The range of direct selection buttons has now been rounded off by the three MENU, BACK and OPTION command buttons, and programmable favorite buttons in the instrument panel allow the user to save and directly select radio stations, telephone numbers and navigation destinations, and other menu items available directly through iDrive.

Measuring 8.8 inches in size, the high-resolution Control Display with its resolution of 1,280 x 480 pixels offers excellent clarity in presenting graphics or pages from the internet. A picture of the Controller shown in the Control Display gives the driver greater and clearer orientation in choosing the next step in the operating process.

Using the navigation system is even easier thanks to iDrive. Full-screen map presentation, for example, offers an incomparably detailed overview of the region in which the driver is currently traveling. As an alternative the Control Display also offers an assistance window presenting further highlights and maps independent of the main map.

With navigation data saved on an 80 GB hard disc installed in the car, access times are faster than before. And at the same time the hard disc may also be used as a 15 GB music archive.

Roadster-specific climate comfort and leather with Sun Reflective Technology.

The new BMW Z4 is equipped as standard with air conditioning and seven blower stages. Optional automatic climate control allows separate temperature selection on the driver’s and passenger’s side, individual, automatic temperature control in five stages of intensity, and manual adjustment of air stratification. With the roof open, automatic climate control includes convertible mode.

Like BMW’s Convertibles, the leather in the new Roadster incorporates Sun Reflective Technology. A special, highly innovative type of leather on the seats, interior panels, and steering wheel that significantly reduces the heat effect of bright sunshine: Treatment of the leather in Sun Reflective Technology serves to integrate special color pigments into the material to reflect infrared radiation in the sunlight.

Top-end audio and communication systems.

The audio systems available in the new BMW Z4 set standards in the segment in every respect.

The CD player fitted as regular series equipment also serves to play music files in the MP3 format. The available premium hi-fi system comes with up to 14 loudspeakers and two additional subwoofers for an intense and precise experience in sound, with amplifier output of up to 650 watts. A standard AUX-In port is provided, allowing the integration of various external MP3 player. A 6-disc CD/DVD changer in the glove compartment is also available.

A Bluetooth interface is available in conjunction with optional BMW Assist to offer greater safety and convenience for making telephone calls while driving. To fully integrate the latest smartphones in the car, the new BMW Z4 is also available with a smart phone integration option.

Throughout my days as a car nut watching out for and attending various car events, I notice that these things have a natural tendency to come out together. It’s like there are magnets around certain dates which cause the manufacturers and dealers to pick them. A good example was the last weekend, where this writer attended no less than five events throughout the Klang Valley.

Among the five, is the Naza Carnival 2008 at the Naza Auto Mall along the Federal Highway. I usually don’t care much for showroom events organised by Naza Motors, because for all the glamorous machines they have on display, all you’ll ever do is just to look at the cars and do nothing more.

Carnival atmosphere here for two days.

The thing about me is this, as crazy as I am about cars, the idea of just seeing a car without driving it doesn’t excite me terribly - no matter how ’up there’ it is. As such, I usually give events without test drives a skip.

So, you’d probably understand that I did not go to the Naza Carnival 2008 on Sunday at Naza Auto Mall with bags of enthusiasm, even though there was a test drive for the Peugeot 407 available, part of the 407 Test Drive Me campaign, and a row of Kia test cars parked in front of the showroom.

Available for test drive.

My companion and I tested none of those. Instead, we went around looking, admiring and photographing the what everyone knows to be the largest collection of the finest and most exotic automobiles in the country. My personal guess is that the nett worth of their cars is probably worth, no, not a house, but a whole premier housing estate.

Each more expensive than an average house.

As we were walking, a young (and reasonably attractive) lady approached me to give me a little sticker, assuring me that it’s absolutely free, and then convincing me to part with forty one and a half of my ringgits for an RM36 Shell petrol card, a Shell James Bond Aston Martin DBS collector’s toy car and a total of RM60 worth of lubricant vouchers. It was a reasonable deal, if only for the lubricant vouchers, though I must admit that a male salesperson won’t stand half a chance sealing the deal.

Not long after handing over my cash to the lady, there was the cracking sound of a Ferrari V8 engine nearby. They were having a ‘Product Presentation’ session for the Ferrari F430. There was also another one for the 599 GTB Fiorano scheduled earlier, but I missed that one.

Presenting the F430 & 599 GTB Fiorano

And here’s my opinion on the ‘Product Presentation’: it was not up to scratch. The presenter was fumbling through his ‘cheat sheet’ stammering through words. It begs the question why an entity of Naza’s considerable resources did not spend more of it to train him better before going on stage.

However, that presentation, together with our up close encounters with the likes of the Nissan GT-R, the BMW M3, the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, the Ferrari Enzo, the Maserati MC-12, and many others, faded into obscure memory for me and my companion as we came across something a lot more astonishing - at the Peugeot section!

Nissan GT-R

BMW M3

Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren

Ferrari Enzo - yours for RM6.68m

Oi, don’t touch la, cannot read ar?

Maserati MC-12

All the money went to the cars, leaving nothing for the plumbing.

Surprisingly, but by far, the best part of the show was here.

Believe it or not, on our way home, our thoughts were dominated by the humble Naza 206 Bestari. In all my years following the car industry, never before in my life, have I ever come across a deal that reads like this: RM0 downpayment, 0% interest for 12 years. Yes, that’s right.. 12 YEARS! The amount of time needed to raise kids, and we have a loan package that lasts that long and charges no interest.

Staring in disbelief, we scratched our heads at the incredulity of the deal and pressed the poor salesgirl serving us to reveal all the fine print. There was none. You pay an RM100 booking fee, you wait one week, you drive the car away - just like that. Then each month, for the next 144 months, you pay RM390 (M/T) or RM425(A/T) back to Naza Credit, you get yourself a brand new Naza 206 Bestari.

We pressed to ask if the offer was just 0% interest for the first one or two years, but the salesgirl firmly said 0% for 12 years - a claim verified by her colleague. Now, I am used to hearing all sorts of baseless claims from salespeople, but the black and white on the pamphlets are clear: 0% interest for 12 years - no fine print whatsoever.

Here’s the most astonishing thing: after adding up the total instalments of RM390 and RM425 respectively over 12 months times 12 years, we arrived at a figure LOWER than the advertised price. There was no indication how long this offer is going to last, but I’d recommend anyone shopping for a car to check this deal out. I am not recommending whether you buy it or you don’t, but this is too amazing not to even look at it.

Thinking of getting one?

Now, do you still recall the Ferraris, the M3 or the GT-R earlier in this post? Don’t worry, neither did I.

As part of its 20th anniversary celebrations, Auto Bavaria has been organising a series of “Joyful Events” at its various showrooms throughout the country. The celebrations kickstarted on 20 Sept in the Penang branch, and since then they have been throwing these parties in Segambut (27/28 Sept), Kuantan (31 Oct / 1 Nov) and most recently Glenmarie this weekend.

I attended the one organised by the Segambut branch over a month back and was absolutely blown away by the experience. After going through a brief safety driving clinic, my mate and I set off in a BMW 525i, heading straight for the nearby Matrade Center parking lot to experience what was called the BMW Performance Drive, where we were each given a 320i to do braking, slalom and skidding tests. Later, back at the showroom, we were then treated to a buffet catered from DeCanters.

Memories of the Segambut event.

I have been to more BMW events than I can remember. I have test driven a 645Ci and a Z4 3.0 top down. I have driven a 545i up to 180kph in pursuit of a similarly powered X5 4.4i only to be stopped by a Kancil suddenly coming into our lane. I have even attended an event that served abalone sushi, but suffice to say, the “Joy” event in Segambut trumped them all. There’s nothing like driving a car in a no-holds barred situation.

Seeing what Glenmarie has in store.

Therefore, against the backdrop of the “joy” I had in my last time out, the Glenmarie edition was rather disappointing. Though admittedly, this one seemed to be catered for existing BMW owners, as they were given free 20-point checks for their BMWs. There was also a mini treasure hunt, dubbed the “Joy Hunt”, open to 50 BMW cars on Saturday and Sunday each.

For us non-BMW owners, besides viewing lineup of BMW cars, which on that day included an M3 Coupe, a 325i Sports, and a 525i Sports, we also had the chance to speak to some of their technicians who showed us the difference between a normal tyre and run-flats, how they diagnose faults in the latest electronic laden BMWs, and also AB Glenmarie’s reknowned impressive BMW body repairing capabilities.

Normal tyres vs run-flats - both tyres are deflated

Displaying their impressive arsenal of tools

Going straight into the brains of your car…

This machine reads out your car’s faults like a book

After looking through all the admittedly impressive exhibits, it was all just viewing and photographing the cars on display. Despite the advertisement on the website saying “Test drive and view the latest BMW cars”, there seemed to be more emphasis on the ‘view’ rather than the ‘test drive’ part, my mate and I were pretty much left alone after putting down our names on the front desk.

All in all, it wasn’t really an event which I considered to be worth my time, which is a shame, considering the edition at the Segambut branch earlier was absolutely amazing. It was quite obvious that this event seemed to be catered to existing or prospective BMW customers, with little room for us mere enthusiasts.

 
Crowd was good though

The 325i Sports with aggressive details

Under the hood of the BMW M3

M3’s S65B40 sings up to 8,250rpm redline, producing 420hp and 400Nm along the way

There is something magical about a small car with a big engine. I guess it is the simplicity of the idea that attracts us. There is nothing complicated about squeezing a big pulsating motor into a tight engine bay.

This is what the BMW 135i is all about, a simple idea executed well.

They started with a taut and balanced chassis and then put a big engine over the front axle. The approach is rather rustic and all that extra weight in front is a good formula for understeer but still they persist.

I am not quite sure what the weight balance is on the 135i coupe but it is probably front heavy, unless BMW decided to use extra heavy rear suspension bits just to balance it out.

With 320 horsepower on tap, the small coupeis understandably manic and eager to play but all that mass in front and a lot of power threatening to shred the rear tyres, is the 135i any good?

My turn in the car was on the Gua Musang Cameron Highlands highway stretch which offers a combination of fast flowing corners, tightening radius cliff huggers and a few short straight sections.

The good thing about having a lot of power on tap is that you do not have to rush yourself into corners,  just set the car up properly with the correct speed, turn in and choose your line carefully, let the chassis a moment to settle down ito the corner and feed the power in to balance the car’s attitude. That is the theory but can the 135i play along?

The first few turns are fast cosntant radius turns which can be taken at speeds far in excess of 100km/h but the uneven surface of the road means that caution is absolutely necessary.

With so much weight up front, I figured it is better to give it a bit of extra brake and and enter the corner at a slightly lower speed to give the front tyres more chance to bite into the turn. because of the extra mass, I was also careful not to turn too hard and start scrubbing the tyre shoulder and ruining the initial turn in.

After a few corners, it was apaprent that this is a good and safe approach for driving the 135i coupe hard.

Turn in is not as sharp as it is in the smaller engined 1-series but it is still quick and you can dial in a bit more aggression to get a more neutral attitude going into corners.

Once the chassis is settled in, you can then use the throttle to adust the car in corners with little or no steering input.

If you get a string of corners,  all you have to do is lift off between phases and maybe tap on the brake slightly to help with turn in, continue to feather the throttle and dance with the car.

The good thing about the 135i coupe is that the car’s neutral stance and predictable chassis work together with relatively low grip levels (and we are talking relative to the M3 here) give average drivers a peek beyond the limit at reasonably safe speeds.

You can hit a corner at 100km/h, flick the car into the turn, feel the tail drift out momentarily before the tyres dig in and hold their line. You can then open up the throttle and feel the rear drift out under power.

Hit a bump mid corner and the car will shift its line without really changing the direction of travel. It would skip to the outside of the turn but maintain the direction of travel.

With the usual array of electronic driver aids, it is easy for a 135 driver to get sloppy by entering corners too fast and taking liberties. Sure the car will still do its best to stay on the road but a blinking amber triangle and a suddenly asthmatic engine will be your punishment. When this happens, your dance into corners will become disjointed, spastic even and certainly not enjoyable.

The good thing about the 135i’s ESP or Electronic Stability Programme is that it allows gentle , controllable drifts in corners so drivers must learn to take advantage of this. The system must be convinced that you are in control before it allows the drift to continue and it evaluates your level of control through the stability of the car.

If you slam the throttle mid corner and the tail steps out in a violent fashion then the toy store is closed but if you feed power gently and grip is broken progresively, the system lets you ahve your fun. Obviously there is a limit to the angle of slip before the transistors decide that things are gettign too dicey.

In conclusion I say this Rm400K++ coupe is a great fun on any roads, in fact it is probably more fun than the M3. Don’t get me wrong, the M3 is very fast and very good but I have a feeling that it is far more talented that I am and that scares me a bit. A friedn who has driven the car on Seapng says that the limit arrives progressively and controllably but the limit is set very high.

 

Top standards and demands newly defined: Introducing the fifth generation of the BMW 7 Series Luxury Saloon, the world’s most successful manufacturer of premium cars is setting the benchmark once again, proving how sheer driving pleasure and the pleasure of exclusive generosity may be perfectly combined in the ultimate symbiosis.

The new BMW 7 Series is the result of perfection in design and supreme engineering on the drivetrain, on the chassis, in terms of safety systems, driver assistance, and comfort. And at the same time the sophisticated but very modern interior proves that both driving and riding in the new BMW 7 Series is a truly impressive experience the driver and all passengers will enjoy at all times.

The high-performance and outstandingly efficient engines as well as the suspension technology of the new BMW 7 Series are both quite unique in the luxury saloon segment. Two petrol engines with Twin Turbo technology and High Precision Injection - the 300 kW/407 hp V8 in the top-of-the-range BMW 750i and the 240 kW/326 hp straight-six in the new BMW 740i - as well as a newly developed straight-six diesel with common-rail fuel injection, piezo-injectors and an aluminium crankcase with maximum output of 180 kW/245 hp in the new BMW 730d are available right from the start upon the introduction of the car. All power units offer the highest standard of efficiency in their respective class and comply in full with the EU 5 emission standard. The new BMW 7 Series comes as standard with Dynamic Damper Control including Dynamic Driving Control operated by the touch of a button on the centre console. Important options are the Integral Active Steering together with rear axle steering as a function of driving conditions (a technology absolutely unique the world over), as well as Dynamic Drive anti-roll stability.

The new BMW 7 Series also introduces the new generation of BMW’s trendsetting iDrive control system. A newly developed Controller with direct selection buttons and a high-resolution 10.2-inch Control Display facilitate intuitive management, control and activation of numerous functions.

BMW’s new iDrive also offers ideal conditions for unrestricted use of the internet in the car offered by BMW as the world’s first manufacturer in the context of BMW ConnectedDrive. The clear structure of the cockpit dominated by the instrument cluster in innovative black panel technology gives the driver absolute supremacy and unrestricted control of his car at all times. The driver assistance systems featured for the first time in the new BMW 7 Series and exclusive the world over include BMW’s new Night Vision with detection of individual persons, a camera-based Speed Limit Indicator, Lane Change Warning and Cruise Control with Stop & Go, an active Brake Assistant and a proximity warning function when approaching another vehicle from behind.

Both the “regular” and the long-wheelbase versions of BMW’s new Luxury Saloon - with the latter available right from the start in the guise of the BMW 750Li and the BMW 740Li - come with the longest wheelbase in their segment. In practice, this means particularly generous space and roominess within the car. A wide range of lightweight features - including the doors, roof, engine compartment lid, side panels and the engine crankcase made of aluminium - enhance both the efficiency and the agility of the new BMW 7 Series. And through its comprehensive safety concept alone, BMW’s new Luxury Saloon guarantees maximum occupant safety in all conceivable types of collision.

T-E-A? Only if you are a geriatric or an Englishman

No, the real answer is in the photos here.

This one makes you grin ear to ear

Some engineer must have sold his soul to have the laws of physics bent here

This car is competent beyond most drivers and that makes it a scary beast

You must have some idea what we did in the tea capital of Malaysia by now…

We spent two days trying to blow as big a hole as we could in someone’s fuel expense account and guess what?

They wished we had tried harder.

Come back over the weekend and find out what we did

 

F1 is as much about marketing as it is about racing, win on Sunday sell on Monday is still the mantra.

BMW is offering a special edition 320i to commemorate the race this year and for your money you get special interior trim which includes the autographs of team drivers Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica.

There are no mechanical mods so the car is only expected to move faster out of the showroom as fans clamber for the privilege of buying a car signed by their favourite drivers.

If you buy before March 14, they will even throw in a couple of free tickets to their pit lounge event.

BMW Malaysia didn’t say if this is a limited edition and how many cars will carry the signatures. The car can be yours for RM 236, 800.00

 

For full details read the full Pres Release below

NEWS RELEASE

BMW Malaysia Launch BMW 320i Special Edition to Commemorate F1

BMW Sauber F1 Team Editions in Showrooms on 1st March 2008

Kuala Lumpur, 1 March 2008 – BMW Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. today launched a special edition of the BMW 320i, the BMW Sauber F1 Team Edition.

This special edition comes with a unique interior trim which will feature the personal autographs of BMW Sauber F1 Team drivers, Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica, and also Dr. Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport Director to commemorate the 10^th Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix.

The BMW 320i comes with a 4-cylinder in-line petrol engine with four-valve technology, 6-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic and 17” Light-alloy wheels with run flat tyre technology. Unique to the special edition is the Original BMW iPod interface as well as an enhanced interior.

Apart from the signed car trim, customers who purchase the cars by March 14^th will also receive two (2) free tickets to attend the exclusive BMW Sauber F1 Team Pit Lounge event, happening on 19th March 2008 where they will witness the signing of the cars by Heidfeld, Kubica and Theissen.

Also, starting from 1st March 2008 onwards, the BMW 320i together with other selected BMW models are available with a special financing package from BMW Credit and BMW Lease with an interest rate as low as 1.58%. Alternatively, customers can opt for an extended BMW Service + Repair Inclusive package of 5 years or 100,000km whichever comes first. Customers also can enjoy a 20% discount promotion on all original BMW accessories.

The BMW 320i is priced (on the road, without insurance) at RM 236, 800.00

For further enquiries on this Campaign and other BMW promotions, customers can contact BMW Voice at a toll free number 1-800-88-3000.