Pdaz

I second the KTM... But would suggest the 690SMC-R - You only live once.

Yes it's a CBU, hence the long lead time and the ability to customise. I wondered why the standard A series had disappeared from the Merc Thailand's website. Guess not a big seller here. I've been frustrated in the past when wanting to spec a manual in highest to trim level/largest cc from Honda/Toyoya only to find "can not'  Used to think that was crazy when they are made here. But you explanation of how the production line is set up answered that. Thanks.

It seems whatever is a hit overseas never makes it in Thailand or doesn't last long.

VW Golf/Passat, Sporty Renault hatchbacks, Nissan Qashqui and a whole host of good cars unavailable here. The Govt's stand on import tax really reduces choice for Thais.. The difference is nowadays cos of the internet many of them are starting to realize what they are missing.. Guess my Merc is gonna be another "weird egg" for the Thais to puzzle at.. Maybe shoulda saved up for the M2 after all

Imagine the carnage if they had snow, black ice or thick fog in the LOS.......

On 3/19/2016 at 11:27 PM, mortenaa said:

Could you tell us which brands official dealers do this?

 

 

 

 

I thought this thread was about BMW X1 - so obviously I am talking about BMW.. 

I was pleasantly surprised to find a reasonably extensive list of options available from Mercedes for my A series. Wheel size/Wheel Colour. Interior colour/ Choice of two seat styles and materials. Adaptive/standard suspension, sports/standard exhaust, Mechanical looking diff, Steering wheel style and option of matt effect paint.  Choosing any of these added up to a longer delivery period but I did get that "premium" feeling.  More importantly you feel you are getting the spec you want rather than the more usual "one size fits all" idea.

Worse still, If you decide not to buy from an official dealer in Thailand the grey market guys often choose options that no farang would want.. Red leather steering wheel anyone ?

Guess I was ripped off.. Gave mine away free at the age of 13 to a neighbors daughter.. She was two yrs older than me at the time.. Maybe I can sue her for child molestation ?

Where is the "new content/latest posts" button ?  If I just want to see recent posts in all forums ?

will it stop my neighbors f***ing barking puppies ?

And we have given them how many millions in international aid ? They live in poverty and have done nothing since they lost their conflict with the israelies.. Meanwhile their leaders soak up the aid money, live a lavish lifestyle and all drive luxury cars..

If they want to litigate, they should look to their own leaders first.

My current car is an Audi TT. Chipped and modified to around 300hp. I'd love to have another Audi but the latest TTS is over 5m and a second hand TT-RS ( which I'd prefer is still well over 3mil ) The 3rd generation TT-RS hasn't been released here yet but expect it will be 6-7mil so not a realistic choice.

Don't suppose the RS3 will make it here either. I agree that the main Audi dealer is hopeless but I have had great service from an independent Audi/VW garage in BKK so wouldn't worry about buying another.

The new facelift A45 now has active suspension and adjustable dampers which (according to the motoring press) has solved the hard ride that they previously moaned about. I've always had very firmly suspended cars ( mostly with aftermarket Bilsteins ) so don't expect to find the ride harsh.

There have been quite a few improvements to the facelift model and it comes quite well spec'd in Thailand. Night pack, aero pack and lots of gadgets included. I've optioned AMG/recaro seats, switchable performance exhaust and a locking diff. It seems very good value.

Chose "Mountain Grey" with 19" matt alloys and the gloss black trim "night package" similar to this UK car.

" Allow tourists to feed crocodiles from a floating raft "

Disgusting positive discrimination.. Should be only one standard for everyone. If you can't reach the standard you don't get the job.

If I'm going to be patrolling in Chinatown or Koreatown, I'd rather have with me a marginally intelligent partner that speaks Chinese or Korean than the smartest guy in the city that doesn't.

This is why many forces enlist the help of community officers and volenteers to be interpreters.. Doesn't mean that someone who is unable to reach the standard required should be made a police officer ( with all the responsibilty that entails ) Equality means just that. The same standard for everyone. Positive discrimination just breeds contempt and disatisfaction. If people of different sex, background and race are to respect each other they need to have achieved the same standard.. Not a dumbed down, easy one for people of colour.

This fake social engineering is as dumb as the idea that women must make up 50% of a companies board of directors or that TV programs must have gay, lesbian, trans and minority cast members regardless of the time period or subject.

Can't believe so much fuss over a drunken blowjob. Not exactly earth shattering. Amazed it's so shocking to people in the 21st century.

Great review Frank. Mirrored many of my own thoughts. I've been into BMW my whole life and figured I'd never be old enough for a Benz. But to be honest their current line up (in Thaland at least) is streets ahead of BMW in external looks, power and interior quality. I still think BMW has the edge in balance and driver 'feel' In other markets where genuine M cars are a more resonable price or regular models are available with larger displacment engines and better choice of options I'd probably still choose a BM.

Here I had been awaiting the release of the M2, to see if the price would be more competative. Or to see if the new C450 AMG coupe was going to be available - I really would prefer a 6 cylinder motor to the current crop of 4 bangers.

M2 at 5.9 was beyond my budget and the Merc seems only to be out in C300 guise. The AMG C63s is available at 9.9m - so also beyond my budget. I really enjoyed the C300 test drive. My sales guy wasn't so chatty Great interior ( a bit gadgety as you say ) and good control in sport mode. But I still felt it was more suited to a woman or a middle aged businessman.. Funny as I'm 50 and beyond middle age I guess.

Anyhow I couldn't see myself in any of the underpowered 3 series available here ( even less so with a slushbox )

So bit the bullet and have ordered an A45 AMG facelift model. 381bhp/475Nm 7 speed DSG with locking front diff/adaptive suspension package....and 6 Months to wait. I have been looking for a new car for over a year and considered many options from Subaru to Porsche and I'm still surprised that Merc seems to offer the best combination of power, comfort, prestige and price.. Hopefully I'm not disapointed.

The grass is always greener, especially if stuck in the cold, damp UK and mooning about tropical destinations.

Maybe the OP has no choice and it is either a financial or medical decision or maybe he has kids and wants a better education for them.

There are many posible reasons but you'd need to come and live in Thailand for 20yrs and then maybe you might be in the same situation. I've lived in Asia half my life but still entertain the idea of moving back to the UK on occaisio, something that to me would have be unthinkable 25 yrs ago. But times change.

Disgusting positive discrimination.. Should be only one standard for everyone. If you can't reach the standard you don't get the job.

Wouls have thought the Subaru XV would be perfect. Saloon size with a hatchback, more ground clearance, robust and not too expensive secondhand.

Sadiq Khan has introduced new safety clothing for actors/models used in advertising specially designed to prevent issues with "body image"

Emirates. Business class..A380 via Dubai to Gatwick. Not the cheapest but great seating, food, service and limo pick-up/drop off included.

Life is short..

I have a two yr old CX-5. I noticed last week that it was struggling to start. As has been said above, 2 to 3 yrs is the average lifespan of a battery in these temps.

My wife had a new one fitted yesterday 3200 Baht plus 200 baht back for our old battery.. So 3000 Baht. Battery was same size and spec as the original..

My cats love it...Cheaper than tinned cat food. If I want fish t eat I go to Naklua market and buy it live. Wouldn't dream of eating frozen fish fillets in a pack when the fresh, live item is available. Can't believe others waste their money on tasteless frozen cod when there is great local fresh fish available.. Almost as bad as the knobs eating baked beans and spam instead of tasty local Thai food...

Large single storey house. Double super block walls, UPVC windows and well insulated roof space. Bedroom AC on nightly. Living room / kitchen daily 16/36k btu cassettes. Average bill 5000 a Month. Last Month 6500.

Usually a floor fan is good enough during the day. But long hot arvos mean I've been running more AC.

Go to your nearest plant seller and ask for "Cha Hokkien" it is a very hardy bush that grows quite quickly. It can be trimmed to shape and will grow to a couple of meters over time. It's used in many public areas and doesn't require much looking after. Alternatively there is "Sai Bali" which is more tree like bush and can easily be found 2-3 meter high. It can also be trimmed into shape.. Both of these are often used for topiary so cutting in to a square box shape would be easy.

Don't think I could have faced reading "The Guardian" thanks

It's very egalitarian. Even the straight men wear skirts

The potential future gravy train has got him onside.. He see's the money the Kinnocks and the Blairs have made.. EU membership and migration are hurting the very people the Labour party is supposed to represent.. He's just another Socialist leader enriching himself while spouting equality... He's a waste of white flesh.