Tiles are different from each production batch

My house originally comes with 1x1 floor tiles. One of the main reason for me to changed them to 2x2 during renovation was because I couldn't find the matching 1x1 floor tiles, not even from the house developer, because the tiles of the same batch was finished.

Tiles are different from each production batch, especially in term of pattern and colour tone. The variance in batches for good quality tiles might be minimal, while the variance for ordinary tiles might be obvious.

Therefore, for new house owners, if you can foresee any renovation works that require additional tiles, be it floor tiles or wall tiles, you should quickly get from your house developer while the stock of the same batch is still available, or ask your renovation contractor to source for the same batch of tiles from the market while they are still available.

The same could be happen to paint. Different production batch of paint with same colour code is still slightly different in colour. The difference for good quality paints might be minimal, while the difference for poor quality paints can be obvious.

The problem in paint can be easily solved by repainting the whole wall with the new one. Same method applies to the problem in tiles, but involve in more cost and effort, i.e. to replace all the tiles of the same area with new one. This is exactly the reason why I changed the floor tiles downstairs to 2x2. Since the original tiles need to be replaced due to non-matching colour tone of different batch, might as well upgrading them from 1x1 to 2x2.

Dining table set

My Polo-Elle dining table set is purchased from Hugo Furniture in M.E.I. Furniture Fair, Desa Petaling.

Polo is the name of the 5' rubber wood dining table, and Elle is the name of the 6 cushioned dining chairs. On top of the table lays an 8mm tempered glass to protect the table.

Here are the tips for buying dining table set:

• the colour, size, shape and make of your dining table should match with your dining room.
  
• the foot of the table and chairs should be firmly stand on the floor and shouldn't be shakeable. Shakeable foot indicate poorly design joints or uneven length.
• during delivery, all the parts should come in original boxes, nicely and firmly wrapped with plastic. If they are not in original boxes and the protection plastic is obviously wrapped by hand, there is a high chance that you are getting a display set instead.
• ask for the tempered glass that match with the table, produced by the same factory. The table is subjected to scratches after use if without the tempered glass protection on top of it.

Toyota Avanza enhancement - Ultra Racing bars

This is a major modification I've done to my Toyota Avanza. It is significant in term of cost, which is RM1xxx for 4 state-of-the-art powder coated steel bars from Ultra Racing (M) S/B. It is even more significant in term of enhancement in safety, handling, comfort and performance of the car. Driver and passengers of the car will feel a completely different ride experience after the installation.

The original Toyota Avanza already comes with a front anti roll bar to tie together the 2 front wheels suspensions. The 4 bars I've installed are:

1. 4-points strut bar (stabilizer bar): provides better handling and control by tremendously improves in stability and road traction, especially during cornering or driving with high speed. Strengthening the chassis to reduce chassis flex and improve reaction to sterling movement.

2. rear anti roll bar (anti-sway bar): tie the lower suspension components together across the 2 wheels. It keeps the car flat in turnings instead of leaning over to one side, and keeps the traction by preventing understeer or oversteer. Also makes the suspension feel stiffer, therefore effectively reduce in bounciness.

3. front lower arm bar: increases overall rigidity and reduces body flexing of the car's front body. Improves suspension effectiveness and eliminates unwanted car rolling movements.

4. rear lower arm bar: increases overall rigidity and reduces body flexing of the car's rear body. Improves suspension effectiveness and eliminates unwanted car rolling movements.




Ultra Racing bars work together as a system, therefore it is recommended to have all of them installed to the car, although they can also work individually with lesser effect. These products are widely used by AOCM members and proven to be effective in transforming the Toyota Avanza ride to a totally new experience. The Toyota Avanza will feel like other sedan cars, and you'll notice the bounciness and body roll has been greatly reduced.

Kindly be reminded that there are many similar products in the market, some even imitate the Ultra Racing products. Not all of them can produce the same result and performance. Only the original Ultra Racing bars are highly recommended by AOCM. These bars come with at least 3 years warranty and guaranteed trade-in value.

My feelings to the car after installation:

• bounciness reduced substantially.
• body rolls eliminated.
• great improvement to handling and response.
• feeling like driving sedan car, and still maintain the high clearance view.
• driving at the speed of 110km/h has the same feeling as driving at the speed of 50km/h. The handling is the same, and you won't feel the car is "floating" at high speed.
• driving on curvy road has almost the same feeling as driving on straight road. The handling is superb. There is not much body roll, and you don't need to press on the break as much as before.
• cornering (eg. going down highway) can be made at the speed of around 80km/h and the car is still stable.