C36 Updates 3

It was raining the whole day but I decided to spend the whole day with the C36 which I first got the evening before. First thing I did after breakfast with my wife was to fill the gas tank full of Caltex Gold.

The search for replacement tires started actually a week ago. C36 came with 225/45R17 in the front and 245/40R17 in the rear. They were in bad shape, especially the front Bridgestone OEM, and were of 2002 vintage, micro cracks all over and quite slippery in the wet. My planning was to look at Michelin Pilot Sport 2, Pirelli P-Zero Rosso and the Yokohama AD07, and in that order was my preference. I checked two tire shops, one in Causeway Bay and one in Tse Wan Shan. After many phone calls, checking prices and recommendations, I decided on a freshly made AD07 - manufactured in the 4th week of 2006! AD07 was my third choice on the list because the they don't have the full set of Pilot Sport and the date of manufacturing for the P-Zero were in early 2004.

New tires were installed. The tire shop recommended 32 psi front and 34 psi rear for the C36. There would be trial and error on my part.

I have to thank Peter Wong for his help here on tires. Of course worth a mention were Eddie Wu and his recommendation.

In the first 30km I did on the first day both ride and handling felt wooden. It was comfortable and grippy alright. I was a bit disappointed, but then the tires needed to break in.

After noon I took the car then to the Wax King, my favorite place for detailing and a good wax job. The C36 was given a thorough paint restoration and Austo wax job. The interior received a detailed cleaning, steaming, leather and dashboard treatment. The A/C coil also received some sort of "Wynn" treatment. Now the interior felt fresh again without the old car stuffy stink. The 11-year old looked more like a 5-year old now, inside-out. It just felt great.

An engine flush and oil change (Fuch GT1 0W-20, recommended by Peter Wong) were performed. The engine felt more lively and frictionless.

I got a lot done in one day for the newly acquired C36, despite the poor lousy rainy weather.

I took the car out with my wife to have a dinner. She could tell the difference.