Corolla Update - Strut Mount

Brought the Corolla to an annual government inspection. Passed.

Replaced a pair of the front suspension strut mounts. Some clunking suspension noise is now gone. And magically the ride seems to be improved (smoother and more fluid) and the handling sharpened by a slight and yet perceptible amount. In the end I feel positive. This Corolla strut mount comes with two layers of hard plastic sandwiching a rubber and a bearing. It is more complicated than and has more function than I expect.

That's the product description for the strut mount: "Optimizes steering and suspension performance by acting as a pivot for the steering mechanism; Reduces squeaks, rattles, and vibration noise."

Also at the same time I have replaced the right side universal joint/drive shaft. It is quite expensive and a lot of work. Somehow it is better but need to test if grinding noise when during right turn still exists.

The most obvious change to me now is the steering. It is direct and fluid. There is an increase in the connection between the steering wheel and road. The vagueness ia gone. The conner limit has somehow increased, despite the ridiculous ride height. It is good that I can always lower the ride height to sharpen the handling without a change in ride quality.

Simplicity of the Corolla

The simplicity brings joy.

The joy comes from two areas: the car itself, and more importantly the driving and experience of owning it.

One will have to fully appreciate Corolla's strength with tons of driving experience in other cars, and to a fuller extent with other cars in ownership.

Excitement and curiosity often mask the inconvenience and trouble that follow. This joy of owning a Corolla excludes mods as such. My only want is to restore, not mod. So in a way the Corolla is free of such trouble and inconvenience. Its limitation now becomes its edge.

So what is it like if the Corolla is replaced by a C36?

Brake Kit Upgrade for SLK350 (future project)

This would be the last item before the body kit.


The monoblock AMG 6-Pot and the 345mm floating disc are very tempting, not only because of the look through the wheel spokes, but also stopping power that the SLK350 much needed. I can account this under safety and handling department.


But the thing is once the 6-pot is installed there is no going back to 17" wheel without taking the brake kit off. This is indeed a reduction of option. I have a little reservation. And by not doing that I am always tempted.

R171 3-link Front Suspension

Jumping from C36 to R171, I keep wondering about the change of the front suspension. The traditional double wishbone gave a firm and luxury Mercedes ride to the W202. Because of the split installation of spring and shock, it gives a rather stable platform which are strong and reliable. The 3-link strut type came to W203 with a surprise but it did have a much sharper turn-in and responsiveness. While the lower arms are split and deem less stronger in construction, the strut itself tells a different story. The strut is heavy and over-engineered. The trailing front arm would help handle the impact of bump thumps and braking (a pull force), while the lateral arm defining the lateral position and dealing with the lateral force during cornering. It is funny that Mercedes engineers decided to use the steering (tie) rod as a third suspension arm which sits about the same levels with the other two lower arms.

The Thought of Adding a 4th Project Car

This is not entirely a sound idea at all. However the temptation to do so lingers on. 

I have always been in search of a fourth car which is special. I would want it special because it itself must bare a strong justification for its place, competing against my other cars and my guilt (of spoiling myself).

To own the fourth car I must be ready to ditch one of the three existing cars. The likely one is the Corolla which I like a lot, as both a fun car and utility car. 

To ask the right question is important to determine why I need a project car and which project car I will take on.

While getting a project car can be easily justified, getting a fourth car isn't. It is an excess and easily a baggage. Keeping three cars are already a drag. Keeping four would be unwise if the justification is utility related. And then there is the drain to keep the fourth car, along with the other three, at tip-top condition.

So this fourth car got to be very special for its own worth, and must bring a lot of fun, expected and unexpected, as a project car. Financially it would not be a burden, while low initial cost is not necessary if recurring cost, mod cost and resale are taken into consideration. And there should not be any surprise towards the negative end.


Added on Feb 15th, 2011:
Somehow I feel that a project car is a sort of materialistic bondage. I am not saying freedom is good and then bondage is bad. We need certain level of bondage to feel materialistically satisfied and our desire met. But too much of a bondage at certain time can be bad, and easily catches one off guard. So it is important to be very cautious, as a project car, and a fourth car, can easily drain more than one would expect, and can interfere with other aspects of life in the form of a burden.

SLK350 Driving in the rain

This would be the first time I drive the SLK in the rain all day in all kind of wet surface. The traction has been excellent, and the ride has softened up a bit either because of wet surface or softened suspension (just fitted over 2 days ago). The ride, feel and handling are very factory-like.


And the roof holds up quite well, all day in the rain and no leaks.

SLK350 Update

I had no clue that the front shocks of the SLK350 had long gone. I did feel that the handling was weird, clumsy, and twitchy when pushed and at the limit. It came to me that an affordable set of Eibach Pro-kit and Bilstein B8 shock set (so called B12 set in Hong Kong) would alleviate the problem. And it did. Here came the surprise - the front shocks, after removal from the car, were already gone but showing no sign of the completely faded damping. I always have doubt about SLK's handling, but never expected it would be so 'average'. 

The new B8 shocks (Mcpherson) along with the Eibach springs provides a rock-solid and almost unyielding front end, extremely firm but not quite harsh. The folder roof did not complain. The ride and handling are now superb with the top down. While it is still slightly twitchy at the new limit which is now pushed to another height, the handling is different - nimble, direct and clean. I can now feel the body rigidity of the SLK.


In terms of look, the lower ride height (1" approx.) front and rear have the 18" AMG manifested. They now look business with a dice of aggressiveness and 19"ish. 

Let me say the change makes me rediscover SLK again. 

C36 Cruising

On Sunday I used my Canon G11 to shot the footage while single-handed operating the SLK. Then I used iMovie to edit them into a one-minute clip.

I am back! 2011!

CC Library, CUHK, Shatin

This is Feb, 2011. I am back on my car blog. I will move back my blogs between 2006 and 2011 from the Yahoo Blog, an almost 5 years of missing materials. I will also blog the new entries as well. The blogger has improved itself quite a lot now with features I need.


What cars are there in my fleet now?
2004/5 Mercedes R171 SLK350 in Silver (7-G gearbox)
2001 Honda Civic ES8 1.5L VTi in Silver (multitronic)
2004 Toyota Corolla 1.5L in white (M/T 5-speed)


It is a lot of cars but I am not the only one using the fleet. My wife and my brother are sharing the Civic. My wife also uses the SLK as a leisure car, which is my project car (in a lesser sense and I will come to that later). The Corolla is my everyday car and is fun to drive. It is tough  workhorse, and officially my first Toyota, which means a lot to me (I will come to that later).


At this moment I am indulging and contemplating a fourth 'project' car, likely a C36 (again, yes), C43 (or something with a V8), or simply another convertible. Who knows? I am open.

C36 with Manual Transmission

It was Jack's project car - a 1994 mint condition with the 4-speed auto replaced with a 5-speed manual.

The car is spirited, its character totally transformed. My first drive was embarrassing as I could not find the clutch friction point, and the large final ratio was truck-like. Boy, does it have torque and the pulling power? The lack of handbrake on the side does make me nervous. The gearshift is fidgety, light, plasticky yet precise. It shifts like a toy car, lacking even the mechanical feeling of say, a typical German car. A M/T Corolla in comparison has more substantial feel to it. Clutch was not heavy but the feel was vague.

All of those does not stop this C36 as a slightly larger 4-door pocket rocket (its size is the same as my Corolla). The 5-speed does not eat away power like the auto gearboxes do. And the power transmission is direct and clean. And you do feel 280ps under your feet. With the rebuilt engine and the manual transmission, Jack has at least gained 50ps with his C36 compared to other C36s, 4-speed or 5-speed.

The interior and exterior conditions are among the best in the C36s I have encountered. Weaknesses are in the braking (lacking the initial bites) and the suspension setting. As I mentioned before, C36 setup suffered from being too firm (or even harsh) for comfort in the road condition in Hong Kong, yet too soft and bouncy to handle its own weight in the corners. I hope Jack has ideas to cure those weaknesses, which I am confident he will and execute well, with the old-school determination and passion rarely found today.

SLK350 Jan Log

Jan xx - Michelin PS2 and 18" AMG fitted.

Jan 27, 2010 @San Po Kong

Jan xx - AMG Hood Grill fins added.
Jan 27 - Rear spoiler added.

Bridgestone GR90 on Corolla

I didn't know why I resisted so much in fitting the new GR90 on the Corolla. It is all about safety, fun and utility. I drive mostly the Corolla and I love to drive it, but did not change the tires even though it was the first thing I should have done to it, among many things that have been already done to it.

I think I am having a sense of self-denial, working under my skin that I am not aware of. And it is working via my justification to NOT justify it even though practically it is the best thing to do.

Anyway I did the tire change at Jinway for $3000, $750@ on Jan 24th. I am superstitious about Jinway as almost every tire I fitted there ending up replaced shortly. I always fitted the wrong tires there, for some reason, which makes me unwilling to fit my tires there. But I did it there this time, in which with still strong doubt which I need to ignore.

It is the most expensive tires in its size/category, and made in Japan.

The GR90s replaced the Michelin XM-1 (2007). My initial feeling is that its traction is similar to XM1 and lower than the GR80. It is firmer than the XM1 and quieter than the XM1. It is a noise-free tire and resilient. However it does not have the handling and the sure-footed grip and traction of the older GR90, in which the difference can be accounted for by different cars (Civic vs. Corolla) that they each are fitted. GR90, in comparison, is noisy and harsh and yet more confidence inspiring. So far I am happy with the new GR90, as a luxury tire unlike GR80 which is a lot more spirited and sporty in nature.

In terms of side wall, GR90 is both plushier and firmer. It does not steer as quickly as the XM1 and GR80 but the response is smooth and progressive. XM1 has slightly better turn-in and GR80 is simply sharp, in comparison to GR90.

However a fair comment is to be given after initial 1,000 kms. Let's see.

錦田遊樂團

Going out with the HKMB Club gang on a Saturday afternoon to Kam Tin. The goal was to shop for savaged parts for the project cars. I have yet to have a project car. So I went there to see what kind of scraped cars they have in order to limit the choice of project cars I should have gotten myself. Since a project car serves two purposes - restoration and/or rebuild, the availability of salvaged parts becomes a priority.

Cars that are too old (80s') are not suitable, not only they are rare in scraped yards, but also poor in condition. Cars that are in 90s seem to be good, as there are a lot of scraped cars available.

So far I have limited my choice to C36, a car that I once owned.

18" AMG Alloy & Michelin PS2 on SLK350

Finally I bite the bullet (again) and bought a set of AMG 18" wheels and a matched set of good old friendly Michelin PS2. The price is horrible of course at $8K+$9K. It is just right, the handling and the smoothness. I can fault it except the stiff ride, noise and occasional harshness over rough surface. Yet it feel much quickly and natural than the RE11 which has tremendous grip. I like PS2 much better and feel more excited about the RE11. I want to keep the RE11 as I believe it will work in certain car.

SLK350

After getting back the money from the sale of Sunfire, I am deeply addicted to the idea of getting a new set of wheels and tires for the SLK350. I am not happy with the RE11 on the original 17" alloy, now compound with the wheel alignment issue caused by the change of the suspension arms last week. Now I am desperate to get a 18" AMG with the Micheline PS2 for an improved ride and much better look. This is indeed against Tiki's advice.

It is a fact that I regret the purchase of the RE11. It makes me drive the SLK350 less.

It is a paid and expensive opportunity to change it. At least it will look great if the ride is still bad.

I would very much to keep the SLK350, especially after I got the Corolla.

Cars along can't be practical in HK as practical if they are not considered as toys.

SLK350 - December Log

Dec 22 - Fuel Injectors cleaned at SingPo.
Dec xx - Gearbox oil and filter changed. Front lower arms changed.

Corolla - Update & Reflection

A visit on Dec 23rd to San Po Kong took care the engine vibration issue largely. Fuel injectors were cleaned at HK$150 a piece, which brings refinement and perhaps more power via a fuller combustion. Now the car should feel closer to its brand-new condition. And additional engine mount ($280) replaced a much stronger and stiffer (not broken) one which takes care of the excess vibration. The next step is change of tire (BS GR-90) and

I think the Corolla is a step closer to minimalist motoring. It is a fun (stick shift) and utility (a Toyota 4-door). It is like next to not owning a car in terms of everything I know about an ownership. I regret that, for no particular reason, to change tires on the SLK350. I do not see the link between the SLK350 and the Corolla, as it is quite painless to own both of them myself. And both represents a liquid asset. And there is no urgency to sell either one of them. It should be comfortable in physical terms to own both them indefinitely. And the cheaper $800 per month per car park proves to be a further reduction in car park rental expense. The car park rental is indeed the lowest in years I have known. Why would I feel uncomfortable owning both is beyond me. It seems more like a feeling of mutually exclusive mindset that I should sell the SLK because the prime position would be assigned to the Corolla. But it would be normal that I would like other car later on this spot. There can be no permanence on this spot as I would want change for some external and convenient reasons. The concept or idea of prime spot is very funny and not very inconceivable to me even if the idea and specific feeling are mine and mine alone. There can be a spot of having both cars which is now physically feasible. Consider it as a package that both cars not conflicting, but complementing each other. There can be no better situation as of today. There can be other time that owning both cars (of different breeds at a different time) would be not reasonable and feasible, or under default consideration. So I would like to enjoy this specific moment of exception, while it lasts.

Corolla is stress-free, care-free car. It will bear no pressure. The only drawbacks are status-related impressions, as well as lack of acceleration when it is needed. It is not that it will come very often. It is that this embarrassing moments would come unannounced and unexpectedly, which could be annoying at times. And this annoyance will cause my desire to change car, again. This is the situation I frequently have found myself into, even though I cannot quite satisfactorily explain and provide a solution.

I seem to be forever trapped in the kind of yo-yo action, swinging back and forth slowly between choice or cars and unwilling and forced execution under the force of my own irresistible desire.

I will let the situation to show itself when it comes down to the SLK350 and Corolla. There is no need to calculate, as it is a sign of weak principle or simply a lack of it, that govern and overlook all my decisions.

Corolla is a freedom car, isn't it? Not quite but it is one of the best in terms of minimalistic ownership. 

The limitation is perhaps in the presence of flat spots in acceleration as well as the lack of status symbol when a situation requires.

Corolla has a very nice and tight turning circle.

Waxed on Dec 2nd. The clear coat on the rear was gone.

Wiped clean the buttons. One of the water jet working very weak after a quick fix (better than doing nothing).

CR1616 for the remote battery.

First service done on December 11th, Saturday. I love the result. Oil, filter, and air filter change. Front brake pad, new engine mount and new spark plugs. All for $2200. A little regret about the high price and if it is less than $1000 I would feel much better. The acceleration is a whole lot smoother and more urgent with less vibration. I had a haircut with dye and obtained form for ownership transfer (Bora).

I aim at the Philips LCD head unit, but I was told it has a buggy software. So it is better to spend more on JVC head-unit.

I still think of new tires for Corolla BS GR90 - $3000 for 4. Also there is a Michelin LC (used) for $1300.

SLK350 - November Log

Nov 13 - Bridgestone RE11 $7800 on SLK350. Tires from Jinway.

Corolla - My very first Toyota

Taken on December 20th, 2010 at UST

I took the Corolla over from Stephen by the end of November 2010. It has already 83,208 kms on it after 6 years in service, with first 4 in the motoring school and 2 years with Stephen, while each has done around 40,000 kms to it.

And then it becomes both my utility car and project car. It is cheap on fuel, running close to $1 per km. It is robust and will take the daily chores, around 1,500 kms per month.

I spare no money in bringing it to the best shape that could be possibly done.

It is an incredibly fun car as it is manual and has bags of low end torque. Also it is light-weight and swift through traffic, with small turing circle.

SLK350 October Log

Oct 2 - Oil Service at Pak Lok. 19,000 kms. Miller engine oil, air filter, Bosch wipers, a/c filter.
Oct 4 - 'HA376' on SLK350. Ownership changed to Tiki. Privatized.