It’s been something i’ve been meaning to write about for some time, but never really took the time to do so. A question i’ve been faced with and i, myself, have questioned on more then one occasion. What gives a car character?
What is it in a car that gives it a form of ‘character’ or ’soul’? What is it in certain cars that just gives us a buzz everytime we start them, drive them or plainly, just look at them.
Hands trembling, legs all wobbly, an increase in my heart-beat rate and a seriously dry throat. Call it what you will, side effects, benefits, or maybe even both. But trust me on this, those were all the symtoms i had when i first took a step out of the Z4M Roadster. A car so good, the only reason i stepped out, was to calm myself down after that initial rush. To allow myself the time to take in the full effect of what i just experienced.
Last month’s meetup had journalist from the Asahi Shimbun coming down to talk to a few of our members and to take some photos of the clubl. A shoutout was posted on the forum for members to attend and the turnout on the day itself was simply superb. Big thanks to all members and to everyone who turned up. It is truely the people and not just the cars that make up the club.
Tentatively, the newspaper article will be published this friday, the 12th of October. (tentatively) Copies will be on sale at Books kinokuniya. It’s a daily paper, so grab it on the day itself.
A series of 1 series videos
A series of videos featuring the new 1 Series Coupe has been released, highlighting the new car’s design, engines, views from the project leader as well as a look at the Leipzig factory.
Can’t afford an M3 yet but still aching to drive one? Well, here’s your chance rip an M3 up the tracks! (ish). 10tacle Studios and BMW have released the free BMW M3 driving sim. It’s TOUGH!
Click here and visit the Download Page! (345MB file)
My 4th trip up and 2nd trip this year. Though i had to work through the 1st and 2nd night finishing my Volvo article, everything else about the trip was fantabulous. Lovely weather, Great food and Fantastic company set in a the most wonderful location this side of Asia. (Outside Japan of course…)
Managed to make my pilgrimage to that all important store, Model Car Expo! Great stuff they had this time round, but sadly, i had other things in mind for my money and had to drag myself out of the store before i spend my money. There was one car i regret not picking up, the Kyosho Fiat 131 Abarth. The subject matter already made interesting with the always beautiful Alitalia Rally colors, the quality of the model is top notch and at Kyosho’s price range, superb value. It will surely be a future classic in everyone’s collections in year’s to come. My guess is, prices will rise for such a wonderfully made model. Silly me for not grabbing the car… Can’t find it locally. 
(more…)
Off to HongKong!!! But of course, first things first… Have to get my job done, as mentioned previously, i just got a new stint as a car reviewer. My tight schedule did not really allow me time to do my writeup as i was due to fly off just 2days after my maiden drive. So i figured i’d write the article on the plane.
Throughout the months leading up to December, i was kept pretty busy with a number of other administrative members of BMW-SG. Putting together our first ever charity drive, timing it to happen on the same day as our annual D&D. The amount of work spent behind the scenes putting everything together was alot more then what everyone probably expected. This in addition to the fact that everyone else has their own day job. To say it was tough is an understatement. Though participation turnout could have been alot better, it was indeed, a real learning experience to be part of such an event.
On the day itself, participants turned up to decorate their very own rides with prizes going to the best dressed vehicle. (1st prize? an LCD TV!) Sadly, non of the admin members could join in… I sure wld love to have a brand new TV in my room…
Following the decorations and fanfare, we drove through various parts of town to raise awareness for the Breast Cancer Foundation. The drive ended at a local country club for everyone to join in for a rather nice dinner.
It would have been fun if more members turned up though, but i guess it was a case of a few quality members making the night a really memorable one. It was a nice way to wrap up 2006 for BMW-SG… And for me? A nice end in anticipation of a wonderful holiday in HongKong. (more…)
Back in September of 2006, we managed to get quite a number of members to turnup for a local BMW-SG photoshoot. Reasons for this shoot were kept confidential till many months later. A book was in it’s infant stages, waiting to be launched. 
Here are some shots from the day of the shoot. (more…)
Much has happened here in the last few months since my last post (again..) , all work and no play makes me a rather sad person… so there u’ll see my getup for Halloween… More updates coming in very quickly (or as soon as photobucket sorts out their slow loading issues :S )
The EuroVan Club of Singapore held a drive-thru Tulip sale in aid of the Children’s Cancer Foundation today. The weather was warm and sunny with no hint of rain in sight. In a show of support, various car groups around the island rallied up their members to participate in the drive-thru. BMW-SG, with Jeremy’s (Totoseow) effort, has also gathered on this hot sunny sunday to participate in this event and to do a convoy down with all the participating members. A number of vehicles met up at Fort Road carpark before convoying down to Kallang. Non-BMW owners turned up to support our effort as well. Big thanks to u guys. The E36 guys were already at the venue before us and were going thru the drive-thru. A great bunch of fun people. The drive-thru went smoothly and everyone had nice little colorful tulips to show at the end of the day.
Phew! What a weekend it has been for the local BMW commnunity! 2 days worth of photoshoots, a late night meetup at Yishun Dam and the official end of the month gathering at Kallang all rolled into the short span of 2 days. It sure was hectic but it sure was great fun. Such enthusiasm in the club is something we all should be extremely proud of. From climbing up and down lorries to running around under the hot sun. We’ve couldn’t have done it without all of the members’ support. Big thanks to everyone for turning up and to everyone for sharing our passion.
If first impressions count, then this little car sure made a great big one on me when I first saw pictures of it and read about it online. Here’s a small 660cc kei-car wonderfully packaged with a rear-mishap engine layout pushing the rear wheels instead of the usual front-wheel drive system that every other kei-car uses. But of course, the greatest impression I had of this car was the styling. Here was a wonderfully styled car, which looks refreshing every time I look at it.
