Ciro De Siena reveals his first car, favourite cars and chats South Africa's Car Culture - S1E1

Ciro De Siena talks South African Car Culture in this new series by Cars.co.za. Ciro tells us where his passion for cars, particularly BMWs, comes from and reveals his favourite car, which he also happens to own - a stunning BMW E39 M5.
Why do South Africans love the BMW brand so much? How did he get into the car reviewing business - thank you Jeremy Clarkson! - and why should you consider buying a classic rather than a new car? Ciro did just that … He bought an old Lexus LS400 for a third of the price of South Africa’s cheapest new car (the Suzuki S-Presso) and uses it as his daily. Ciro also tells the amazing story of how one of the first cars he drove after getting his license, a Mazda MX-5, came back to him many years later.
Ciro reflects on South Africa’s rich motorsport heritage, particularly the era of the South African specials, which saw cars such as the iconic BMW 325is (E30) - also known as the “Gusheshe” - and Opel Kadett GSi Superboss battle on South African racing circuits like Kyalami and Aldo Scribante in Group N racing. These days the Gusheshe and Superboss are valuable classics, not only in South Africa, but across the globe.
So now you know what South African car culture is to Ciro? What is it to you? Let us know in the comments below and look out for Episode 2 of SA Car Culture at 6pm on Sunday, September 18th.
1990 Mazda MX-5 (Supercharged) - Ciro just bought his first car
• 1990 Mazda MX-5 (Super...
Turbocharged 2JZ Toyota Cressida - The drag strip superstar (but also his daily!)
• Turbocharged 2JZ Toyot...
Visit Cars.co.za at:
www.cars.co.za
Sell your car on Cars.co.za:
www.cars.co.za...
Follow Cars.co.za on the socials:
/ carssouthafrica
/ carssa
/ carssouthafrica
/ carssouthafrica
Visit SentiMETAL at:
www.sentimetal...
Follow SentiMETAL on the socials:
/ sentimetal_productions
/ sentimetalproductions
Download the Cars.co.za App here:
Apple
apps.apple.com...
Android
play.google.co...
Huawei App Gallery
appgallery.hua...
Executive Producer
Lalla Hirayama
Director
Rati Mofokeng
Producer
Raji Kayode
Line Producer
Suzan Kibirige
1st AD
Neo Ramosa
Coordinator
Nokuthula Dlamini
DOP
Sokhaya "Sox" Mbiko
Sound Recordist
Molatu Mathebula
BTS Stills
Rori
Gaffer
Dineo More
Best Boy
Mpho Lesetsi
Best Boy
Thabang Molise
Make-up
Cleopatra Mainga
Production Assistant
Karabo Majeke
Production Assistant
Pertunia Maluleka
Medic
Mmusi Moswathupa
Catering
Rea Vaya Catering
Gear
MadSho
Location
KarKave
From KarKave
May
Keith
Naomi
Steven
From Cars.co.za
Ross Mcilroy
Ciro De Siena
Barista
Sandile

[@Mothercityguy]

Ciro De Siena is undoubtedly one of the best car reviewers in SA right now. His knowledge and humor is a great combination.

[@luckyjthegoat]

What I thought when I saw this video

[@markmcculloch2570]

I recon the best in the world. Brilliant !!!

[@kamohelomotasi]

Yeah as South Africans we thank these companies for the chance and platform 🙏🏽🏅👌🏽🥇🇿🇦

[@ToxxicMafia]

You guys make us fall in love with R2million cars kanti you drive a bo 'my father was rich'. Now i have to re-think my RS6 aspirations.

[@voultronix761]

Love Ciro , he is the embodiment of the south african car scene

[@takundamapako7856]

I am intrigued by the fact that you were inspired by Jeremy! He is my favourite Motoring Jono of all time (alongside Matt Watson), and you have carved your own style of presenting cars - you have not copied him. which is great. Keep the great reviews coming man. Great stuff!

[@andrefortuin4554]

The video of the Toyota Cressida, i keep watching it over and over again. I just love what the guy did you that iconic car. My primary school Principal has a blue one which he took very good care of and that's where I my love started for a Cressida😍

[@teoigi3247]

The 2.0 GLE still my favorite.

[@CathyVerm]

Ciro De Siena is undoubtedly one of the best car reviewers in THE WORLD right now FULL STOP!

[@Carscoza]

We're so glad you think so! Thanks for supporting Ciro and our channel

[@sbonzadarocka4713]

Great Video and chat, such great advise on car buying, great Job Ciro and the team on the cinematography

[@mrhowmuch]

The evolution of this channel has been amazing , I love this new concept , great studio , great editing and great story telling from Ciro as usual 👌🏾

[@KingChadKennedy]

South African car culture is the best , the only place where a Golf turns more heads then a supercar

[@jordanwebster41]

Ciro is the man!!! 🙌

[@maxnaidoo2152]

Ciro is an all round car guy and a great person in general. Loved watching this video, with a bit more of a personal touch.

[@YusufPetersenCPT]

nice seeing ciro really get into the mix of SA car culture keep them coming. i get your story with the lexus... i mean i got the Merc coz i just refused to get a polo!lol

[@mindfreeze0838]

Not usually a fan of older cars(because of how thirsty they are and the maintenance issues that can come up) but that Lexus interior🤤. I just love that wood trim. I almost bought a 2016 Nissan Latio that had a deep mahogany looking centre console, but i was steered away by more sane people than me at the time because i was reminded that the same dealership ripped me off in the past(different brand but same beast,once bitten twice shy). I would say its a shame we don't get those types of interiors anymore, they have now been replaced by piano black gloss and carbon fibre interiors, progress i guess. Also, when are you guys going to review the Swift Sport?

[@dumisanicakwebe1560]

Great content, I just like how he explained how he bought a couple of cars a cheap price to show it’s completely cool to get a 60K car if that’s what you can afford… I would like to hear him talk more about which cars he would go for at let’s say 150K,200K, 250K and 300k etc…

[@exclusivdkpro]

it's the BMW for me,would love to own BMW E36 coupe version. great content, love it!!!

[@BubblesTheCat1]

Fully agree with you. You can buy a much better used car in South Africa nowadays, than buying an overpriced new piece of planned obsolescence crap.

[@vincentmotonya2859]

Great choice on the e39 m5 one of the best sports sedans ever made

[@teoigi3247]

Facts, had one back in the days but got into an accident when an underage drunk driver merged into the N14 without checking. Still have my 96' 740IL at least.

[@Mzwandile_Makhowane]

Cool. Indeed, I fully am in full consonance with everything you said. Of course, you make absolute sense as a motoring journo. Being a Bimmer nut myself, my first car was an E46 M43B18. Loved that car to this day. Unfortunately, I almost got written off myself, alongside it. I have another one, but with an M54 engine in it this time and I'm intent on getting one latest rendition of, either the 3er or 5er. Hopefully, sometime next year. Thanks for the great content, Ciro. 😃

[@trinity1288]

🙇🏿beautiful video.

[@johanneswehrmann]

Thís channel ALWAYS puts a smile on my face, doesn’t matter what the content is about. 🤩🙌🏻

[@Carscoza]

And this comment made us smile! Thanks so much, we're so glad you enjoy our content

[@SAKHIWEMARKPIKE]

South Africa has a rich car culture, it's just most people don't take note of it. Thanks Ciro

[@theunshanekom2]

Nice Ciro!! Great interview.

[@boemomolefe8303]

Ciro is a top guy 🔥🔥

[@dirtydiesel46]

E39 M5 is also my fave car 🥺🔥😍😍😍 damn hot

[@gustavchuene7430]

I regret the day I sold my 3,0l Cressida 😥😥, was so comfortable and absolute pleasure to drive.

[@MillenialKay]

I regret selling my 1996 Honda ballads, so comforting that I'm not the only one with such regrets 😄🙈

[@gustavchuene7430]

@@MillenialKay aowa monna, o wrong 🙂🙂

[@teoigi3247]

No guys, classics like that? Eish, but circumstances I understand.

[@chrisnaude4289]

Love this new series! It was kiff guys

[@Carscoza]

Great to hear, thank you :)

[@ThatAfricanGuyKat]

Ciro something important,"If you park your car and you look at it and you lock it and it doesn't put a smile on your face you bought the wrong car", I can relate, I still have my VW Scirocco and love it to bits! Great vid.

[@BubblesTheCat1]

We had track days at Kyalami, when you could race with your own car. ☺

[@lyttonwilliams7161]

👌 I love the car culture in South Africa.

[@musamathevula9139]

I think we need to investigate more about that Mazad, what a coincidence. What an amazing story we need a documentary

[@stevejones1318]

I also regret selling my Mx5 mk1. Such a wonderful car.

[@dozerdrives]

..dropping BARS!.. "did the car belong to x? i used to date his daughter.." ..x, his ex.. double entendre, hahhahhahaha!...

[@patshes1951]

Cool car you bought . 50 000 for repairs and 50 000 for petrol with all that luxury you still score .

[@miccpt]

I agree with buying cars without loans, just put in a double din radio from amazon, and you have the “latest tech” all the new cars have, the fuel economy is easily made up with no monrhly installment

[@theboss6897]

Today is the 05/10/22 and I promise you i was thinking about that gap on a vw kombi last night when i saw one for sale , i myself thought about how nice it was because as a child i found it convenient lol Cool man

[@THESBSTNDRDBR87]

Please make more of these!!🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 I really enjoyed watching this!!💯💯💯💯 Young car journalist Ciro being seen in golf clothing!!🤣🤣

[@bikerman6907]

Great to hear a little bit about the SA car culture😎😊 cheers from me far north in Norway

[@MillenialKay]

🇿🇦♥️

[@adeleduplessis8561]

I appreciated the advice on buying a sturdy old car, even if the fuel economy is not that great. If you buy cash and you don't have a car loan that cost you 10-12% interest a month. You can pay extra for fuel. The Namibian problem is the choice available or then you have to import the bloody thing. A friend had to write off her car after an incident with a government vehicle last year. She had to rent a car for 8 months because of bureaucratic bull#"€#. Now she is left with 50 000 - really what can the poor woman buy?

[@henzo7087]

He’s favourite is M5 E39 as he say. I own 540I E39 awesome machine

[@johannortje6973]

Love your car reviews👍

[@hdeen4610]

That M5 ...feening

[@mpeshyonkinto]

My biggest wish to see Ciro De Siena and Matt Watson in a car review video together. I imagine how beautiful that would be 😢

[@edombre4637]

nah - ciro is leagues ahead of watson, watson will just bring ciro down with his hysterical laughing, sexual innuendoes and stupidity

[@gcygeo2040]

Nice video I'm also into e30 owned 3 already but unfortunately sold all of them. I want to know what's ur very day car?

[@Carscoza]

When Ciro is not in a media test car he usually drives his Lexus :)

[@bhyat]

Love this new series!

[@MotorTorq_ZA]

Ciro is the South African Jeremy Clarkson

[@ratimofokeng]

So cool one day I would love a Cressida like that

[@carelok]

Awesome interview Ciro! Hoping there’s another episode or two on the way - tell us about your fantasy car garage or dream cars too

[@giftysambo4238]

Ciro you definitely have to review your cars now

[@takundamapako7856]

Nice video man, love this!

[@Thulebeez]

SA car culture is dope i was born in a JDM family , i did deviate early in first couple of car ownership however now am back to the JDM with EV;s on horizon time to settle down.

[@mKhune]

LS 400???!!! that's sweet

[@kevinrtres]

I got fed up with the well-known German dsg auto that I was driving in 2016 because it was terrible in heavy traffic - jerking like crazy when starting out. So I determined that the next car would have a regular 5 or 6 speed autobox....and found nothing on the market except a well-known car with a certain ZF 8 speed auto....and that's the car I bought...for that reason only. I haven't regretted it at all. In fact the more I drove it the more the car impressed me. So 6 trouble-free years later I'm hoping I can keep the thing for at least another 4 years without any breakdown....quite contrarily to Scotty Kilmer's distaste for the bottomless money-pit as he calls it.

[@Mzwandile_Makhowane]

I am happy for you, and welcome, albeit four years later, "sheer driving pleasure" is one of Europe's best traditions one is proud to have adopted with glee. 😁

[@DSmiR420]

One of the coolest guys on right now. Thanks for your work brother🙏🏼🔥✌🏼

[@bayandamsweli2005]

Yeah. More of this please. Ash is next

[@trade_of_the_day]

Ciro is the best car reviewer in the country, period!

[@Jays_Highway]

Awesome video Ciro!

[@Fero_d_armado]

0:56 Ciro is driving a Bmw 333i

[@kirwanstrydom5547]

Very close to the VinWiki. But I am sure SA has better car stories.

[@hulitom4413]

Love it

[@Talk_Wrench]

Lol I always knew there was some chick flick story behind the Mazda... Seeing that clip of Ciro reviewing the 435i is proof of how older (read fat 😂) he is now... Great video guys!

[@ep_king1996]

Great stuff... Do a review on the Toyota Corolla Cross Gr-s

[@NasarKhan-ub3ww]

Aye I have the same colour Ls400

[@CiroDeSiena]

Please tell me more! Connect with me on social, @cirrro on insta or @cirodesiena on insta. I'd love to hear more about your ownership experience. Thanks for watching

[@loleli8]

I loved this. I enjoy Ciro De Siena sooo much. I love how this took me back to great nostalgic moments. I definitely love classic cars - I'm so old school

[@mrmusic1880]

The BMW M4 F82/F83 is the best object on 4 wheels ever produced on planet earth🙌

[@thedrivenetwork501]

Had a gush 325i... super 👌! I gave a lot of new cars a hiding...

[@arthurasia9300]

What a rich history of car culture you have ciro😍🔥 and thank you for following your passion and sharing it with us 🙌🙏

[@richmcilroy4114]

Cero , respect my man , great video ( again) your my most hated , favourite car reporter .keep it up .

[@kunalmore5212]

Awesome!! Good to know what you own and love !

[@nontembisotheodorapakade]

You’re great manifestor 👏

[@skhumbzomncwabe5323]

I should have sold a kidney 😂😂😂😂😂

[@MillenialKay]

Listen! who needs two 😂😂

[@skhumbzomncwabe5323]

@@MillenialKay 😂😂😂😂

[@MillenialKay]

🤭🤭🤭

[@fusemalaysia840]

prayers fix everything

[@rethabilemochalibane7339]

The content you guys put out is one of the best in the world. Keep at it🙏🏾

[@rudolphbaloyi2505]

The E39 M5 is my favorite BMW

[@marksam6824]

Sale me that M5 please

[@Solwazi34]

I love this series ❤

[@Carscoza]

So glad to hear this, thanks for watching :)

[@livewirewerelive5797]

E39 M5 son

[@stims344]

Got to love the mullet on young Ciro😂

[@lungakeswa5959]

Cool episode Mnr 🤞🏾❤️

[@santhirenchetty7690]

Please do a review on the new honda brv

[@Patshes]

🆒😎👍!

[@pantoffelslippers]

Love the LS400 comments

[@sipho4265]

Ciro's ex put the bar in flippen space

[@AyandaKula]

Please review the new Range Rover Sport Autobiography

[@Carscoza]

We have just finished filming it, stay tuned!

[@markmcculloch2570]

F1 couldn’t come back. Load shedding. Remember 😡