Excrllent review/sharing, as always. Gracias!

Thanks to you, I'm convinced and am currently on the hunt for the best priced Ultinon LED set.

Anybody here interested to join in a Bulk Purchase for PHILIPS H7 Ultinon LED bulbs?

Normal price per-box set is @ RM 640 by seller www.FasMoto.com

Bulk purchase prices are as follows:
a) x3 units @ RM 620/box
b) x5 units @ RM 599/box


I'm located in PJ area and would be willing to hand-deliver the items to members here whom are interested with this bulk purchase.

However, pls note that I'll require the full payment of purchase price from interested members in order to commit.

Target closing date for participation: 1 NOV 2018

Low Beam (the headlight function commonly used during night-time) = H7

Personally, no issues with my 2012 Forte (mileage: ~58K km).

However, buying any used car requires a little extra homework on the Buyer's part because oftentimes a vehicle's general condition is very much dependent on its owner's driving and maintenance habits.
In other words, vehicles with careless owners would generally be worse off compared to those owned by careful owners.

Nonetheless, to answer your question in general, there hasn't been any widespread reports of Drivetrain (i.e. engine, gearbox) failures suffered by the Forte.

Predominant issues reported are mostly confined to electronics (e.g. Ignition Coils, Crankshaft Position Sensor, Brake Switch rubber washer, slightly premature wearing of linkages and bushes due to the sportier suspension and 17" + low-profile tyre setup, etc.).

All the above are issues that may be resolved within RM 500 and below (some as low as only RM 10 + a little DIY).

That said, it is best that you carry out the necessary due diligence before committing on any used vehicles, regardless of brand or model.

Good luck and I hope that you'll come across a well-kept Forte sooner rather than later!

No interested kakis here, so I'm asking elsewhere and also hunting for Sellers whom are providing better discounts.

All in all, still one of the items in my priority list for the Forte.

1) It's almost impossible for any of us here to pin-point the source of problem for you as there are multiple parts (singularly or a combination of) which, upon failure/worn, may exhibit such symptoms. If guesswork is what you're expecting from us, then I'd say it could very well be worn bushes/lower arms, driveshaft, absorbers and springs, etc.

2) Perhaps the internal spring has broken or came off? However, since it clicks back into position after a while, I'm going to guess that there may be the presence of adhesive materials/dust clumps which could be jamming up the mechanism.

3) Try checking the release lever + the entire cable line to ensure that nothing is pressing on the cable and/or causing a kink.

4) Refer to point# 1.

Btw bro, just for my knowledge, how much did you purchase your Ultinons for?

Wow!! Crazy prices quoted.
Am not sure if the original parts supplied by the SC merit such price points.

Try getting an alternate quote from a reputable 3rd party workshop. See if original parts supplied by them are cheaper or otherwise.

Have you ever replaced the Fuel Filter (under backseat)?
I've not done mine (mileage: ~58K km), and was just wondering if it is absolutely necessary.

V-Belts (quality or original ones) should last for at least ~80,000km.

Since you've already replaced the belt twice within the 168K mileage, then it probably isn't the source of the squeak/screeching sound.

IMHO, it is probably worth checking the bearings (altenator/compressor/V-belt bearing); assuming that you've also replaced the belt tensioner during each belt replacement.

Hope this helps.

Finally got my hands on the cheaper alternative to the Philip Ultinon H7 LEDs.

Bought the above 6000K H7 CSP chip LED bulbs after extensive research on light dispersion from the various bulb designs available.

Am quite satisfied after 1 week of initial use (see points below):

PROs:

1) Very simple and small bulb design, thus not requiring any drilling/mods on the dust covers. PnP direct fit.

2) Light dispersion is acceptable with good cut-off (no glare to oncoming traffic - tested via wall projection and on the road with a friend).

CONs:

1) The simple design (i.e. fanless and finless), may affect the life-span of bulbs (but it remains to be seen, since I've only used it for a week).

2) Light penetration/focussed hot-spot is not as good as my previous Halogens (Philips Crystal Vision) when driving under normal conditions (i.e. lit streets/expressways such as LDP or residential roads with street lamps). Have yet to drive through unlit back-roads, but will be doing so during CNY balik kampung run.

TL-DR:
So far, am pretty satisfied with this budget LED bulb (1-week of use). Good in terms of ease of installation, light colour, and dispersion.
Will try to report in again after 3 months or so.

As Bro Epo said, try "Express Mobis" or "KIA Power Auto Parts (KPAP)"...both located in Segambut.

Not able to help recommend any spare part shops which are closer to your location. Hopefully others here can.

Hmm...since you've not specified which Bezza model/trim which you're comparing against the 2013 Forte, let's take the premium range which is the BEZZA 1.3 Premium X - Auto.

On the spec sheet, it appears that both vehicles are quite comparable. Bezza with a lighter kerb weight vs Forte which is heavier but with a higher capacity engine. Nonetheless, perhaps we can all say that the Bezza edges the Forte just a notch in terms of Power to Weight ratio (although the Forte could very well manage the Genting hill climb if the Driver knows how to manage the manual shiftronic mode).

Safety wise, I'll have to say that the Forte comes out on top with ABS + VSC equipped whereas the Bezza only has ABS + EBD.

I have not driven a Bezza up Genting, so I wouldn't know for sure which vehicle would be best suited for such purpose.
Nonetheless, my vote might probably go to the Forte for a roomier interior + slight edge on the safety feature (especially useful on winding roads.

Only thing with the Forte (or for any other vehicles for that matter) is that one should always be mindful of the braking system, especially going downhill from Genting.

Hope this helps and good luck!

-Edited for spelling correction.-

This post has been edited by rompers: Jan 29 2019, 09:49 PM

Yes, it could be due to a faulty valve (Thermal Expansion Valve) which would normally cost anywhere between RM 180-230 in the Klang Valley area.

Or perhaps even a leaking cooling coil (which may cause some hissing noise) that is located behind the glove box area.

Isn't the Belt Tensioner Pulley usually replaced during replacement of the V-Belt?

A quick update on my previous headlight bulb post:

Light Penetration across pitch dark roads/streets is fantastic and far (~180 meter).
However, the white light tend to lose out when driving across lit roads.

If you're willing to come to PJ area, I'll recommend going to the following workshops that I frequent:

1) Workshop No. 28 (no signboard, just the # 28). Mechanic: Ah Wah. Location: Along the Jalan SS 9A/1 road (a twin adjoining 1-storey workshop lot on the right side of the road, if you're coming from the spillway/exit off Federal Highway).

2) RAR Automotive. Mechanic: Suhazlan (Lan). Location: No. 1A & 2A, Lot 119, Jalan Cempaka PJU 6A, Kampung Sungai Kayu Ara, 47400 Petaling Jaya.

Photos as requested.
Sorry if they are a little out of focus.
Note that all shots are of the low beam light as I did not convert the high beam bulbs (hence it's stock standard).



This post has been edited by rompers: Mar 10 2019, 11:51 PM

I'll try to take a few more photos in the near future so that you may have a better view (like in pitch dark conditions and outlook of vehicle after conversion).

This post has been edited by rompers: Mar 10 2019, 05:13 PM

You're welcome, but I forgot to mention...

The two workshops mentioned DO NOT specialise in any particular vehicle make/model (i.e. not Korean/Mercedes/BMW/etc. specialist). They do not have fancy electronic readers or computers to diagnose (although RAR Workshop has some capacity, though I've never asked them to diagnose anything in my Forte because I have my own simple OBD2 reader).

In other words, the workshops mentioned are my go to places for mechanical/underbody works + normal servicing.

Hope this clarifies before you patronise the recommended places.