Fire up the... BMW 3-Series

THE problem with BMW's 3-Series is you don't really need to read a road test to decide whether one should take pride of place on your driveway. It's simple; you either want one or you don't.

That's why I thought I'd start this week not with the car, but Coldplay. Every couple of years, they release an album which goes straight to the top of the sales charts with almost crashing inevitability, and - being someone who doesn't want to follow the herd - you do your absolute darndest not to buy a copy. Then you hear one of the tracks on the radio and you realise, as much as you hate them for it, that they've recorded an absolute belter. Again. If Coldplay made a car, they'd make a 3-Series. That's why it now outsells both Ford's Mondeo and Vauxhall's Insignia.

You don't need me to tell you then that this sixth-generation car is larger than the old one, a little lighter and - this being 2012 - kinder to the environment too. In time you'll be able to buy it as a coupe, a cabriolet and a Touring estate, but chances are it'll be this saloon version you'll be seeing on driveways up and down the land in the next few months.

Even if the new 3-Series is awful it'll be parked on driveways up and down the land in six months time but - and it's a verdict I deliver grudgingly, through gritted teeth - it's really, really good. The styling, inside and outside, is still a little bland for my liking and at £28,000 for the 320D Efficient Dynamics version I tried it's not especially cheap either, but once you get in it's an absolute delight to drive. It's not just that it feels agile and well balanced, but all the controls are exactly where you'd instinctively expect them to be, and feel as though though they could withstand years of abuse. It's comfy too - an Audi this agile would land you an appointment with your osteopath, but in the 3-Series, even motorway speeds, progress is quiet and unruffled.

In this corner of the motoring marketplace the badge is just as important as the car it's glued onto, and I know full well that if you want a new 3-Series you're going to buy one anyway. It's good to know, though, that there is substance to back up the gravitas that blue-and-white propeller brings.

The new Mondeo will have to be unbelievably brilliant to coax buyers out of their Beemers. Watch this space...

EVENT: A GREAT WEEKEND IN PUTRAJAYA PART 2

Welcome to the second part of coverage from Millions of Youth Gathering in Putrajaya. Without wasting much time, I will continue to share the heart-pumping rides from the event with this historic 4 door sedan from the land of Rising Sun.

I go weak at the knees when I see a second-generation Corolla, and this particular KE20 kouki was simply spotless. Every single thing on this car was perfect that it could make any KE20 owners out there faint on the spot. Hope the owner manages to find a replacement for the front hood trim soon.

Judging from this view, I believe this KE20 had undergone proper restoration work as the door and bonnet lines were straightly aligned. Notice the chrome wheel cap? Who says a classic doesn’t look cool on 12-inches steelies.

The famous platform for USDM modifications, but on the other hand for this Volkswagen Golf MKII Cabriolet.

More vintage Volkswagen goodness here with this mild blue Karmann Ghia.

It's hard not to like this Volvo P1800 and like most European performance cars that I see in Malaysia, it looks similar to its brother during that event, the Amazon 123GT.

Two door convertible Mercedes S300, a mature option for hot babes hunting to the 635 CSI that I mentioned in Part 1.

What a clean and tidy engine bay for a 50-year-old chassis. Notice the Crosland Air Filters which are no longer produced. For your information, the Crosland was the OEM manufacturer for the  most prominent British vehicle manufacturers like; Bentley, Jaguar, Rolls Royce, Range Rover and many others.

One of my findings on that day was this sexy MGB Roadster in solid 2K red. I go weak at knees again spotting this kind of spoke wheels…

…with a combination of classic interior and some modern elements.

The infamous vintage and featured in many movies starting in 1970’s, meet this Ford Anglia 105E…

…that featured a cool illustration as well on the rear windscreen.

A moment later, I found this RR Silver Shadow II with heavy black tint all around. To make this more interesting, this car was manufactured in a very limited number and it is one of the expensive vintage in the world. A good example of money-can’t-buy-anything concept.

Let’s pay a respect to this gigantic 1954 Packard Clipper Deluxe. If you are familiar with the size of Datsun Fairlady 280ZX, you can imagine the actual size of this Clipper Deluxe. In my point of view, it could fit a family of 10 without any problem.

Take a look at this Mercedes 220S. It looked like it just stepped out of the dealership.

Can you get any more badass than this first-generation 1959 Cadillac Coupe de Ville? A very good selection on mild color to lower the ‘mafia’ level.

The name "De Ville" is adapted from the French de la ville or de ville meaning "of the town" (Source: cadillacdatabase.net).

V-configured weapon on that day with this stunning Chevrolet Camaro

A nice Mini Moke was spotted around the corner…

…with a revealing hood exposing the amazing engine bay.

What a relaxed and casual interior to sit in. The rattan steering and chair made me crave to go to nearby beach and enjoy the fresh breeze.

Some patriotic touch-ups at the back for good.

Back to the performance side from Europe, more Ford marque was exposed with this 2 doors Escort MKII.

And on my way back, spotted this cool modern classic BMW E34…

…and I ended shooting this Iswara Aeroback running on the vintage wheels that every Japanese Classic Car enthusiasts out there craving for, the Hayashi Street.

See you next time.

EVENT: A GREAT WEEKEND IN PUTRAJAYA PART 1

In Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, the last weekend of May is about Millions of Youth Gathering, and most importantly for me, they organized a classic car show and invited Royal Selangor Club members to cheer up the moment with their precious rides. This time, lets approach things a little differently with more classics from west side, starting with this solid red MGB Roadster convertible.

But that doesn’t mean that every car was from western side. Some came from the land of JDM. Next to the MG was this striking yellow Civic CRX on stock OEM wheels.

Things became more serious with this super clean Mercedes Benz vintage, looking good on white wall.

Just around the corner, I was amazed with this unique Alfa Romeo…

...and more importantly, it is the original Alfetta GTV version. A very handful unit in Malaysia.

All types of the breed could be seen, including second-generation type cars like this Jaguar MKII.

And the event would not be a success without some Japanese classics…

...so one of Royal Selangor Club member brought his 510 Bluebird to impress JDM lovers.

One of my favorite vintage on that day, this Amazon 123GT was so attractive that I can’t resist falling in love with.

Hunting for hot babes anyone? This BMW 635C SI is a good weapon.

More French goodies on that day with this Peugeot 404. It may looked average from this view…

…but those pointing and sharp curves turned it into something.

If I am not mistaken, this was the car model that the Allahyarham P. Ramlee drove in ‘Madu Tiga’ movie, the Triumph Spitfire.

And this unknown vintage (apology for my ignorance) , but the design is pretty unique with the taillight at the same level to the wheel.

I don’t think this beauty needs a caption, and it is your lucky day to find a stock condition 280ZX…

...which it looks like just stepped out of dealership in 1980’s. You envy Fairlady enthusiasts?

Another pristine condition marque by Ford, meet this Escort MKI 4 door sedan.

With shiny and sparkling color, I just admired how they managed to keep their car up to this condition.

The icon of the world, and you are not living on earth if you do not know this bug.

Amazingly, this Beetle was restored with original Volkswagen parts. I believe the owner is a VW purist.

Undeniably yes, and it’s the matter of right foot…

The cutest little thing ever produced, this Mini looked business in brownish-purple color.

One of my findings from the event and looks like someone drove over this vintage Fiat 1100 from 1960’s. Another time machine? Ask the owner perhaps.

Along with much more from this amazing event in Part 2. Stay tuned.