Looking back

This car was bought by wifey and she is still fond of it though I took over it after she bought the BMW 320. Purchased in 2011, this is the last CKD unit minus the one in the showroom which had boot lock malfunction, it has never given any problem whatsoever. It has basically been a regular chore of filling petrol, changing air filter, engine oil and oil filter when the time came as per schedule in the Owner's Service Book. Petrol consumption during inter-state trip was very impressive for this heavy 2000cc car which was usually in full load with boot filled to the brim when we 'balik kampung'. It was only when I took over were there 3 major upgrades:

• A total exhaust system upgrade from stock to 4-2-1 configuration. The mid and rear mufflers had to be upgraded because the original mufflers could not handle the extra power without  humming to an annoying pitch past 3000rpm;
• A body strengthening exercise using all the recommended Peugeot 407 Ultra Racing components to stiffen against body roll.
• Recalibration of the ECU optimized for a balance between fuel economy and performance.

Driven as like a sane man would, the car picks up more smoothly and handling is more solid and stable than before, this particular 407 is now a joy to drive. Driven like a bat out of hell, the rear exhaust grunts deeply but not loudly when it pasts 3500rpm. The feeling of body float is more control than before yet still exists as the original shocks are designed for comfort though this can easily be improved by exchanging them for the stiffer 407 GT shocks. I am not a high speed freak and even after the modification prefer zooming along outstation highways around 140kph with an occasional burst past 160kph to overtake vehicles 'cruising' at 140kph though I prefer zooming around meandering roads much faster than the average chap.

Now that I a pensioner, the car hardly moves around except when I do domestic chores and when the family goes out as they prefer the wider interior of the 407. This Peugeot 407 is fine and in excellent working condition but I prefer riding a motorcycle or to be specific a 'Bobber' I recently acquired as it fulfills my 17 year old school boy's dream.