Well, the Gen-2 have been majorly touched up recently until it looks brand new back.
1. Front bonnet replaced & fixed. Original.
2. Right passenger door sliced have been cut out and welded.
3. Front left dent repaired.
4. Front left plastic cover mud guard replaced.
5. Rear bonnet tiny dent repaired. Total with no 1, 2, 3 & 4. RM 750.
6. Full body paint. RM1500.
7. 2 power window motor replaced.
8. 1 window regulator replaced. RM300.
9. Front sport light set replaced. RM85.
10. Like leather full cover seat. Bonus. RM400.
Total damaged. ~RM3k.
Awaiting repair;
1. Front windscreen crack.
2. Engine oil leak.
3. Passenger carpet leak. (water from outside seep in during rain).
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Not-so-powerful PROTON Power Window!
*I've emailed this to talk2us@proton.com and have yet to get a reply. Even a reply to say that they received my email, 5 days and counting, excellent sevice PROTON!*
Dear Sir,
I’m very happy to hear about your announcement on the 10 years warranty for all Proton Power windows now.
However quite upset that the owner of THE problematic, affected car (which for me is first gen WAJA & GEN-2 model) that cause the stigma of power window mentality does not covered under this scheme of free replacement, repair & man power cost. PROTON should extend the scheme to owners that really having the difficulty with the problems since they are the source of all this ‘PROTON power window will BROKE’ mentality, cause they EXPERIENCE IT.
I have been replacing regulator & motor for the power window for about 6 times already altogether for driver side, co-driver side and left passenger side (and still stuck with 2 power window not functioning now, cause I afraid if I repair again, it will still broke after a while). All replacement is done by either Proton Autobay or Authorized service center. I also would like to share that one time, they even broke my driver window glass while doing the checking on the power window complaint and asked me to pay for the window replacement (then did not make the regulator replacement cause they have no stock). This is my experience with PROTON power window.
I own the first gen Gen-2, year 2004 1.6 (A). The mileage is already 230K km. I hope that you have some consideration to those who really suffer physically and mentally on this power window problems.
Anyway, I salute Datuk Seri Zainal Abiding drive on this.
Regards,
Monday, August 16, 2010
Fuel Consumption
Last June 10.
With Mobil 1 5W-50, Michelin Premacy LC tyre and new absorber. The fuel consumptions are as follow:
JB-Mersing-Kuantan : 450+km after full tank of RM67.01 of Shell Super 95.
Kuantan-Segamat-Batu Pahat-JB : 486km after full tank of RM70.75 of Esso Synergy 5000.
With Mobil 1 5W-50, Michelin Premacy LC tyre and new absorber. The fuel consumptions are as follow:
JB-Mersing-Kuantan : 450+km after full tank of RM67.01 of Shell Super 95.
Kuantan-Segamat-Batu Pahat-JB : 486km after full tank of RM70.75 of Esso Synergy 5000.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Ride & Handling Improvement
Well, after years, parts and component will worn out. Same to my Gen-2. The absorbers are leaking. Tyres selection are not based on performance and requirement, more of reducing cost of purchase. Hence, the second hand imported tyres are used. Some are more than 5 years old but still with a reasonable groove. However, I still won't dare to use retread tyres. Please be considerate.
In earlier post, I found out about the engine oil leaking. But after the normal oil change and service, the problem disappears. Probably when they workshop perform the oil change then, they use a wrong grade of oil. I never use mineral for my car before and this time, they filled with Pika Mineral. Which might cause the problems. After that, back to Syntium 800, semi-synthetic. The problem gone. That is on December 2009.
Due to different work commitment and sudden notice on our new house, the Gen-2 have been neglected. Untill I realize last 2 weeks, that the car are already overdue for oil change. I've done almost 10k without changing oil!
It is due to the fact when I decided to replace the absorber due to several complaint from the passengers. To treat Gen-2 with some pampering, I decided to give him an aircond servicing. EON are doing that for me.
Total cost :
Front Absorber : RM 190 per piece
Rear Absorber : RM 105 per piece
Manpower : RM 80
Aircond Servicing : RM 310 incl the manpower.
Alignment : RM25
That cost me ~ RM 1000 for pampering him and hope he is happy.
However, after alignment, the steering are still shaky when slowing down. The technician told me, probably something wrong on the tyres. I intended to change tyres at the same day but due to the availability of the tyres subsidy from my company, I've reserved it first.
After 1 week, during the weekend we have a trip to KL and back to JB. The ride are much comfortable with better cooling effect and air circulation but still worried about the oil condition as it have been prolonged out of the normal range.
With the assistance of the tyres voucher and oil, I've decided to do the final piece of resurrection of my Gen-2. Change all 4 tyres to Michelin Primacy LC 195/55 R15 and use Mobil 1 5w-50 Fully Synthetic engine oil.
Inclusive of other repair and minor replacements of parts, all that cost another RM 1,600. Thanks to the vouchers and the workshop owner are our MD, some discount here and there save me ~500. Pheww..
Now, my Gen-2 are brand new again. Equipped with the best tyres and engine oil for a family car. I'm fully satisfied. Hahah.
In earlier post, I found out about the engine oil leaking. But after the normal oil change and service, the problem disappears. Probably when they workshop perform the oil change then, they use a wrong grade of oil. I never use mineral for my car before and this time, they filled with Pika Mineral. Which might cause the problems. After that, back to Syntium 800, semi-synthetic. The problem gone. That is on December 2009.
Due to different work commitment and sudden notice on our new house, the Gen-2 have been neglected. Untill I realize last 2 weeks, that the car are already overdue for oil change. I've done almost 10k without changing oil!
It is due to the fact when I decided to replace the absorber due to several complaint from the passengers. To treat Gen-2 with some pampering, I decided to give him an aircond servicing. EON are doing that for me.
Total cost :
Front Absorber : RM 190 per piece
Rear Absorber : RM 105 per piece
Manpower : RM 80
Aircond Servicing : RM 310 incl the manpower.
Alignment : RM25
That cost me ~ RM 1000 for pampering him and hope he is happy.
However, after alignment, the steering are still shaky when slowing down. The technician told me, probably something wrong on the tyres. I intended to change tyres at the same day but due to the availability of the tyres subsidy from my company, I've reserved it first.
After 1 week, during the weekend we have a trip to KL and back to JB. The ride are much comfortable with better cooling effect and air circulation but still worried about the oil condition as it have been prolonged out of the normal range.
With the assistance of the tyres voucher and oil, I've decided to do the final piece of resurrection of my Gen-2. Change all 4 tyres to Michelin Primacy LC 195/55 R15 and use Mobil 1 5w-50 Fully Synthetic engine oil.
Inclusive of other repair and minor replacements of parts, all that cost another RM 1,600. Thanks to the vouchers and the workshop owner are our MD, some discount here and there save me ~500. Pheww..
Now, my Gen-2 are brand new again. Equipped with the best tyres and engine oil for a family car. I'm fully satisfied. Hahah.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Awaiting reply
I've sent this email to a leading newspaper where they have a pullout section for cars. But no one replied since. Hence the email is copied here.
*****************
I'm currently driving Proton Gen-2 1.6 (AT) batch Dec 04. So far, I'm satisfied with the drive & handling. But not the quality of its accessories & electronic systems. It clocked 155k now.
The recent issue with Proton Service Bay where they broke my driver windows while checking for the power windows problems and asking me to pay for the replacement window made me thinking of severing my ties with Proton cars. The other issues I've encountered with this Gen-2, I have experience 4 (2 for rear passanger, 1 front driver, 1 front passanger) faulty power windows problems, 4 drained batteries (almost a battery a year), the exhaust pipe broke, alarm malfunction and central lock malfunction. That's frustrating for me as when I first decided to buy a new car, I'm only thinking of taking care of its service & tyres, not accesories problems like this.
I need your advise on better replacements of my Gen2, new or used non-Proton, sedan cars for my usage. I have 2 small kids. Traveling quite extensively by car for outstation works (Johor to North & East) and frequent balik kampung trips (my parents in Kedah and in-law in Kelantan).
My budget will be around 40k. Also looking for better warranty offer, dedicated service center and low cost spares. Drive & handling compareable to Gen-2 preffered.
Regards,
*************
Feel free to comments. Thanks.
*****************
I'm currently driving Proton Gen-2 1.6 (AT) batch Dec 04. So far, I'm satisfied with the drive & handling. But not the quality of its accessories & electronic systems. It clocked 155k now.
The recent issue with Proton Service Bay where they broke my driver windows while checking for the power windows problems and asking me to pay for the replacement window made me thinking of severing my ties with Proton cars. The other issues I've encountered with this Gen-2, I have experience 4 (2 for rear passanger, 1 front driver, 1 front passanger) faulty power windows problems, 4 drained batteries (almost a battery a year), the exhaust pipe broke, alarm malfunction and central lock malfunction. That's frustrating for me as when I first decided to buy a new car, I'm only thinking of taking care of its service & tyres, not accesories problems like this.
I need your advise on better replacements of my Gen2, new or used non-Proton, sedan cars for my usage. I have 2 small kids. Traveling quite extensively by car for outstation works (Johor to North & East) and frequent balik kampung trips (my parents in Kedah and in-law in Kelantan).
My budget will be around 40k. Also looking for better warranty offer, dedicated service center and low cost spares. Drive & handling compareable to Gen-2 preffered.
Regards,
*************
Feel free to comments. Thanks.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Exora Sightings
I routinely bought a newspaper at Petrol Station during lunch hour.
Today, saw the main page, Exora just been launched yesterday, how forgetful I am.
While driving out from the petrol station compound, I saw PROTON convoy, and 3 alien cars. It's Exora!.
Park to the side road and snap 2 photos below.
PROTON & new PM certainly know how to raise their profile & mainstream impression.
Side view, it does look like an extended Kenari, just from my first glance.
Today, saw the main page, Exora just been launched yesterday, how forgetful I am.
While driving out from the petrol station compound, I saw PROTON convoy, and 3 alien cars. It's Exora!.
Park to the side road and snap 2 photos below.
PROTON & new PM certainly know how to raise their profile & mainstream impression.
Side view, it does look like an extended Kenari, just from my first glance.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Safety
Well, Proton Gen-2 for me was the model where PROTON R&D tried to play too much on safety aspect. Maybe due to an easier break-in & hot-wire of Waja & Wira model. So they design Gen-2 with enhanced security as high as possible and might be make it theft-free.
Here I'll list down the where PROTON R&D played with the safety aspects and as one of Gen 2 owner, I played the lab rat roles.
1. The set of keys supplied comes with an immobilizer at the ignition switch. Up till now, my neighborhood key's specialist shop claim that they haven't find a way to duplicate the chip inside. Unlike Waja, already available. The microchip is different between Gen-2's. You can't just change the keys, but you also need to buy the new key slot for the door & ignition switch.
2. The passenger door lock lever are on the back side, not front side like any normal cars. Troublesome if your central lock broke.
3. No bonnet key lock entry, only lever from driver seat side.
4. No second key slot for co-driver door. The driver slot is the one and only way of key entrance.
Guess what this lab rat found out from this so called intense security advantage. This is my situation. I've added additional alarm security systems, so there were screen impact sensor, high frequency sound sensor, 1st brake will lock the all door, after turning off ignition key lock will open and steel plate to avoid car-jack using steel ruler or similar thru side window.
Problems crept when, the added security goes hay wire. First brake will lock the door, but istead of unlock when the ignition switch turn off, it unlock and lock again. The alarm does not function at all afterwards. The standard keyless entry also gone. Turn out, only the steel plate for car jack remains.
This already make some hassel to the pasengers, as I need to open manually from inside or wind down the window for them to unlatch the lock and open the door. Unfortunately, the left passenger door power window motor broke, twice and I don't feel like changing again the motor.
Then, as I mentioned previously, the battery keep on drained after one year. One fine day, as the keyless system does not operation at all, the only entrance is thru the driver door key slot. The slot JAMMED. Totally loose. What ever way you turn the key, it does not connect. Then. How to lock & unlock? How to drive to shopping mall and leave your car safely LOCK? Luckily, it happened when I want to lock the door. All the while, I need to at least leave 1 door unlock manually (normally the bonnet) if I need to leave the car for a while.
And the next day, as Murphy's Law ever said. The battery totally drained. When I got the new battery, when the positive wire connect to the positive port, the central lock activated and lock ALL door. Guess what happened next?
I'm totally heart broke to find out that there is no other way to unlock the door. The steel plate covered the central lock panel, can't jack the central lock, the one and only key slot broke and there was no bonnet key slot.
This is when I really understand the high security aspects of Gen-2 and totally appreciate their efforts, you guys really think too much and prove a hassel to normal lab rat like me. Then I discover the essence of PROTON putting the lever at the back side of the passenger door. You only need to break/tear/jack off the small triange window to get access to the lever. The rest, find out the technique from Youtube.
Here I'll list down the where PROTON R&D played with the safety aspects and as one of Gen 2 owner, I played the lab rat roles.
1. The set of keys supplied comes with an immobilizer at the ignition switch. Up till now, my neighborhood key's specialist shop claim that they haven't find a way to duplicate the chip inside. Unlike Waja, already available. The microchip is different between Gen-2's. You can't just change the keys, but you also need to buy the new key slot for the door & ignition switch.
2. The passenger door lock lever are on the back side, not front side like any normal cars. Troublesome if your central lock broke.
3. No bonnet key lock entry, only lever from driver seat side.
4. No second key slot for co-driver door. The driver slot is the one and only way of key entrance.
Guess what this lab rat found out from this so called intense security advantage. This is my situation. I've added additional alarm security systems, so there were screen impact sensor, high frequency sound sensor, 1st brake will lock the all door, after turning off ignition key lock will open and steel plate to avoid car-jack using steel ruler or similar thru side window.
Problems crept when, the added security goes hay wire. First brake will lock the door, but istead of unlock when the ignition switch turn off, it unlock and lock again. The alarm does not function at all afterwards. The standard keyless entry also gone. Turn out, only the steel plate for car jack remains.
This already make some hassel to the pasengers, as I need to open manually from inside or wind down the window for them to unlatch the lock and open the door. Unfortunately, the left passenger door power window motor broke, twice and I don't feel like changing again the motor.
Then, as I mentioned previously, the battery keep on drained after one year. One fine day, as the keyless system does not operation at all, the only entrance is thru the driver door key slot. The slot JAMMED. Totally loose. What ever way you turn the key, it does not connect. Then. How to lock & unlock? How to drive to shopping mall and leave your car safely LOCK? Luckily, it happened when I want to lock the door. All the while, I need to at least leave 1 door unlock manually (normally the bonnet) if I need to leave the car for a while.
And the next day, as Murphy's Law ever said. The battery totally drained. When I got the new battery, when the positive wire connect to the positive port, the central lock activated and lock ALL door. Guess what happened next?
I'm totally heart broke to find out that there is no other way to unlock the door. The steel plate covered the central lock panel, can't jack the central lock, the one and only key slot broke and there was no bonnet key slot.
This is when I really understand the high security aspects of Gen-2 and totally appreciate their efforts, you guys really think too much and prove a hassel to normal lab rat like me. Then I discover the essence of PROTON putting the lever at the back side of the passenger door. You only need to break/tear/jack off the small triange window to get access to the lever. The rest, find out the technique from Youtube.
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