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Post by searth63 on Apr 12, 2011 10:24:58 GMT 8
above pic taken at Hat Yai I jz returned from the a/m trip taken at the beginning of the trip Believe I was the First Hafei to cross the Bukit Kayu Hitam - Sadao Crossing - as when the Thai Immigration keyed in the Hafei name into the computer records,..none was found,... My Minz was stock model, un-modified,..last row seat taken out, filled to to- with luggage, with driver + 2 adult assengers,....max speed 115 kph SG to Phuket took 2 days
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Post by fit on Apr 12, 2011 21:54:34 GMT 8
Hey Wong! Welcome back! So glad to hear that everything went well for you and your Hafei. Thats a testament to the car's reliability.
Its such a cool trip. How I wish I could follow. I believe another member hamzerohafeiro have gone over the border before.
So would you do it again? Do share more pics and your experience of the journey. We would love to listen!
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Post by lostheaven on Apr 14, 2011 1:49:26 GMT 8
Would like to see more photos too! Great to see the MinZ travelling further and further.. who knows it might return back to China by Land someday ( possible but super expensive ). Hope you would share your experiences with all of us here
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Post by searth63 on Apr 14, 2011 11:08:49 GMT 8
I am pleasantly surprised that my 1.3 ltr Minz, with a full load of luggage, plus 3 adults (including driver) can achieve a max. speed of 105kph, at 3,000 rpm with an average fuel consumption of 13 km /ltr (air-con on) Temperature Gauge not exceeding 4 bars Only problem was that past mid-day,..the air-con could not cope with the hotter malaysian temperature Think that My Minz is finally "seasoned", cos she feels more smooth when I drive her in SG now Can anyone please teach me how to delete some pictures in this post ? I need to re-edit some stuff, thanks
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Post by searth63 on Apr 14, 2011 11:11:03 GMT 8
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Post by searth63 on Apr 14, 2011 17:04:24 GMT 8
For the benefit of other MinZ Owners, I post some information form my Actual experience,...
Day 1, From Esso Link 2, to Ipoh Hotel : ~ 9 hours
Day2, From Ipoh Hotel to Hatyai (with 1 hour delay at MY-Thai Border) : ~ 9 hours
Day 3, From Hatyai to Phuket-Patong ( (with 1 hour to patch punctured rear tyre & Phuket Hill Jamm) : 10 hours
Thailand Drivers (80%) Pick-up trucks,...speed like the devil,..so One has to constantly look into the rear-view mirror for oncoming missles,....
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Post by loudness on Apr 16, 2011 13:40:27 GMT 8
The distance covered is like "phenominal" ,heaven knows what that tiny engine is beating its heart out to impress its owner. Distance wise is like around a fraction the journey to the moon.(Dunno by how much ,but not impossible) Your MinZ is no longer "run of the mill" but more of a Grand Tourer - GTMinz. In the same league with others who have ventured ,experienced and returned to become hardened road warriors.
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Post by fit on Apr 16, 2011 19:39:09 GMT 8
Wong did you make the thai number plate decal for your MinZ? That is like a badge to show that you have been over the border. I believe most would be shocked to hear that our Minz can make it that far without any problems what so ever!
You should add the Grand Tourer decal and the thai plate number!
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Post by searth63 on Apr 18, 2011 8:56:31 GMT 8
Good Day Loudness & Fit,
I did not have the time to make the car decal about thailand entry - not necessary, as I prefer the understated approach.
Another reason for posinting here is to "prove" to fellow MinZ Owners that this "mini Bus" (as the Chinese calls it, I think),..is Stronger that initial impressions.
Other observations that I share here are,
- Minz is most comfortable at about 95 kph along the highways
- the suspensions - although "rough" still gives stability confidence, perhaps because of this stiffness feel
-the narrow, and short Minz dimensions makes it very easy to squeeze, navigate the congested Hatyai & some Phuket streets, and parking is a breeze (only after one masters the steer & move synchronisation)
- everywhere I went, people admired the Minz's look and many did not think that such a vehicle would be a China-export (until looking into the interiors)
- My minz's belly-bar is still bent (from the Johor MOunt Ophir trip),...I kiv repair/replacement till next opportunity. Inspite of this bent bar, the Minz tracked a straight line, without any unusual vibrations, whatsoever.
-the Thai Drivers - despite being fast - seemed more patient than the Malaysian Drivers
- ...etc,....can elabolate later.
Fit reading, any news regarding the "steel door handles" ? my passenger right door handle is cracked (but reinforced by super-glue),...
Other Minz Owners reading,...this Minz - in my opinion - is a work-horse, in a chipmunk-clothing.
Minz - Great Value for $$$
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Post by searth63 on Apr 18, 2011 9:04:22 GMT 8
..oh, and I forgot to add,..the engine rpm rarely exceeded 3,000rpm (with full load of luggage + 3 pax),..only with about 2% of the time when I accelerated to overtake 110kph trucks,..rpm shot above 3,000, but under 4,000 and the engine never felt "underpowered".
I only wonder why the engine is not as "free-revving" as my previous cars ?
And the tyres (Front: Hankok (Korea), Rear: Nanking (China)) never felt heated as much as I had anticipated.
Has anyone revved the Minz to redline and Beyond ? Do Share experiences here, please
Thanks
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Post by lostheaven on Apr 18, 2011 11:27:10 GMT 8
I agree to your points But i do feel underpowered when i am overtaking cars and some faster cars come behind u and u will start thinking.. come on go faster so that i wont be slowing down traffic. But glad to see that you made it back without problems. As for the revving, i have tried dragging till the red line on 1st gear, and the power cuts off at 5000 rpm.
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Post by loudness on Apr 18, 2011 21:09:04 GMT 8
Its the rev limiter working. If somehow the limiter is able to be switched off.................spectacular wheel spin!!
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Post by searth63 on Apr 27, 2011 15:39:53 GMT 8
Msian Side - Bukit Kayu Hitam Thailand Side - after clearing Msia For the information of other Minz Owners - who may want to make a similar, future trip
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Post by searth63 on Apr 27, 2011 15:45:19 GMT 8
Anyone out there knows how to read thai, and is able to decipher the thai fuel types ? thanks
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Post by lostheaven on Apr 28, 2011 1:21:05 GMT 8
From the stickers attached above the pump, diesel, ron 91, ron 95 .. i have no idea what is B5.. But at least one things for sure. Our MinZ minimum can take RON 90 .. So we can still pump their 91 grade oil
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