Malaysiaminilover

Tag: Driving in Thailand

Drive to Thailand: In A Classic Mini Cooper

This is a story written by Koh from Penang Malaysia and submitted to MalaysiaMiniLover.com. It’s a 1,000km road-trip in a 1993 MK6 Classic Mini Cooper. The full story goes here:

As a Mini lover, I’ve been driving a classic Mini for at least 18 years and also the BMW Mini Cooper for 10 years. Couple years ago, I drove a 2005 Mini Cooper to Thailand and clocked a few thousand miles during that trip. You may read the full story here if you are planning to drive to Thailand from Malaysia. This time, the journey is more or less the same, however, I made in with a 1993 Classic Mini Mayfair.

The purpose of this trip is to test the limit of a classic Mini Cooper. There are many people in Malaysia who are interested to buy a classic Mini. However, they always have a lot of concerns which hold them back. “Is this old car really reliable?”, “Can I use it daily?”, “Can this car travel far?”, “Will the fuel consumption high for such an old car?”, “How’s the maintenance? Is it expensive?”… These are the most commonly asked questions when someone has the wish to buy a classic Mini. The Mini Timeline & History could be a good start for those who are new to classic Mini.

This is a Japanese-specification Mini where it comes with a 1275 SPi engine, with built-in air-conditioning. Basically, the car is in stock condition except a Lukey exhaust silencer (some called it muffler, while some called it tip exhaust tip cover). Before the journey begins, I’ve replaced 2 engine mountings, subframe mountings, steering rack, tires, and some other wear and tear items. The radiator is flushed and filled up with new coolant. On top of that, 5-liter of engine oil has been replaced too. Everything is set and the journey is begin! See also: BMW Mini Cooper vs Classic Mini Cooper.

The journey begins at 4,136km according to the odometer. Don’t be surprise because it has been reset to 0 during the last service. The classic Mini fuel tank capacity is 5.5 gallons which is approximately 20 liters. For 1 and a half tank of RON95 petrol, which is 30 liters, I was able to travel 391km. In conclusion, the real-life fuel consumption for a classic Mini with a 1275 SPi engine under the hood is 13.03 km/l (30.65 mpg). My 2005 Mini Cooper R50 is 12.53km/l (29.47mpg). Compared to many modern cars on the street today, I would said the classic Mini with a 90s engine is considered a very economical car. What do you think?

After reading the story, will you consider to buy a Classic Mini then? LOL

October 31, 2017
Drive to Thailand: Phang Nga to Phuket

There are many piers on the way to Phuket from Phang Nga. These piers have boats to a few famous islands around such as James Bond island, Phi-Phi island and more. I continue my journey as my fuel level is getting low. I am really curious to know that how far a Mini Cooper can really go if it is filled up with 50 liters of RON 95 petrol.

Driving through Thepkasattri Bridge (beside Sarasin Bridge) Phuket. Sarasin Bridge is the first bridge built that linked Phuket island to the mainland of Phang Nga province. Built in 1067 and this bridge is only 700 m long. Now, all cars have to go through Thepkasattri Bridge in order to go Phuket island.

Welcome to Phuket…

A colorful hotel in Phuket that matches my Mini Cooper color – Holland Resort Phuket.

Now that my mileage indicator shows 73,105 km. In Malaysia border, I filled up nearly 50 liter of RON 95 petrol and this tank of petrol traveled 601.5 km.

In order to track fuel mileage for my car, I drive to a PTT petrol station and fill up Gasohol 95. It costs 1400 baht for 47.72 liter. That’s about 2 liter of RON 95 left in my fuel tank. Perhaps this shows that my car uses about 48 liters of RON 95 fuel to travel 601.5 km. In conclusion, the fuel consumption is 12.53 km/l (29.47 mpg). According to Edmunds, a standard ’05 MINI Cooper gas mileage is 24 mpg city and 33 highway. As I drive around Hatyai, Trang, Krabi and Phang Nga town, I am considered getting a very good mileage. The latest 2015 MINI Cooper F56 fuel consumption is 29 mpg city and 40 mpg highway. Compared to that, I am still considered the Mini Cooper R50 a reliable car for long journey drive. What do you think? Now that I am still wondering how far can my Mini Cooper go with a mixture of 47.72 liter Gasohol 95 and 2 liter of RON 95. This tank of petrol will be used to drive in Phuket down town and let’s see how far it can go. Perhaps it can last for about 400 – 450 km. See the top 10 fuel saving tips if you would like to know how to save fuel for more mileage.

Hard Rock Café, Patong Beach Phuket, Thailand.

Lastly, I have checked in another hotel in Phuket town, Shyne hotel. I’ve selected this hotel because it has a good car park for my car. My car has a great place to rest for another journey and it has a great buddy too, a red modified Nissan Juke with 19” sport wheels. This Nissan Juke belongs to a young lady who is also the daughter of the hotel owner.

Day 1: Drive to Thailand: In A MINI Cooper

Day 2: Drive to Thailand: Hatyai to Trang to Krabi

Day 3: Drive to Thailand: Krabi to Phang Nga

Day 3: Drive to Thailand: Phang Nga to Phuket

March 30, 2015
Drive to Thailand: Krabi to Phang Nga

The driving experience from Krabi to Phang Nga was the best compared to Dannok to Hatyai or Hatyai to Trang. The scenery is so beautiful and you see gorgeous moutains almost everywhere during the way to Phang Nga. There is an Elephant mountain because it looks exactly like an elephant standing there.

The famous Elephant moutain in Phang Nga

The Dairy Hut Farm in Phang Nga. It is a very special place before entering Phang Nga town. (more…)

March 30, 2015
Drive to Thailand: Hatyai to Trang to Krabi

The “Drive to Thailand” journey continues from Hatyai to Trang. Trang is a very small town and I decided to drop by for delicious local food. I notice there is not much of petrol station in Thailand compared to Malaysia. Therefore, it is always recommended to fill up your fuel tank whenever you see a petrol station. In Thailand, there are a few different types of petrol. The RON 95 that is commonly used in Malaysia is considered as expensive petrol in Thailand and not every petrol station sell it. You can only find RON 05 (Benzin 95) in PTT, Esso, Chevron, PTG, Susco, and Pure. However, it is not easy to locate these petrol brands except PTT and Esso. In case you can’t find RON 95, there is an option to go for Gasohol 95. Gasohol 95 and Gasohol 91 is commonly used due to the fuel price in Thailand is expensive.

This is what you need in your car – A reliable GPS system to bring you anywhere (see what is the best GPS system for cars).

I was supposed to travel to Trang through Phatthalung but somehow the GPS brought me to Tamot.

This is one kind of petrol station you will see during your way. Do you dare to pump fuel from this to your Ferrari, Hummer, Lamborghini or even MINI? Well, I have fill up to full tank at Malaysia border and the computer in my car shows that my fuel can still travel for 400 km so I bet that the MINI can arrive in Phuket without the need to pump any petrol.

Turn left to Trang… The weather is 35.5 Celsius (95.9 Fahrenheit) to the highest 37.5 Celsius (99.5 Fahrenheit).

Trang 41 km. It is getting closer.

And here is the iconic fountain in Trang + roundabout + a beautiful yellow MINI Cooper.

It’s about 150km from Hatyai to Trang and another 150 km from Trang to Krabi. The car is full but the driver is hungry, it is time to hunt for delicious food in Trang, Thailand.

Now the stomach is filled up. The journey continues from Trang to Krabi, one of the most famous places in Thailand. It took about 2 hours to arrive at Krabi. I decided to spend a night at this famous town and I have checked in Tairada hotel. Tairada hotel is a new hotel in Krabi. It doesn’t ranked good in Tripadvisor because of the location is bad for travelers without a transport but it is perfect for people who travel with cars.

Day 1: Drive to Thailand: In A MINI Cooper

Day 2: Drive to Thailand: Hatyai to Trang to Krabi

Day 3: Drive to Thailand: Krabi to Phang Nga

Day 3: Drive to Thailand: Phang Nga to Phuket

March 30, 2015