It feels like yesterday ... 5000 km Baleno report

[satan_crazy]

It feels like yesterday that I had taken her out of the showroom.
It has been a good 4 months and 14 days since. She has been the best thing that has happened to me since, umm, forever.
For the uninitiated, she is my dear old baleno.
I had a Maruti 800 before her and what an upgrade it was.
I had test driven the Ford and the Accent before deciding on the pearl silver - Vxi version of the baleno.

Here are a few details of my experiences with her:

Updates from the 500 km report:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6721 (Baleno Vxi - First 500 km report)
1. Gears are a lot better now. Still a niggle with the reverse gear. But it is ok
2. Clutch has improved after I had it replaced (under warranty)
3. Stock headlights suck. 100/90 are a lot better.

Ride Quality:
Just one word - Awesome!
The baleno feels glued to the ground even at high speeds.
I feel the 70 profile on the tyres is good for city driving (wonder how rudra sir drives with 55).

Mods: (Apart from the mods during the first week)
1. Black carpet floor mats
2. K&N Filter
3. Headlights - 100/90

Mileage:
405 litres of petrol so far (mainly at the shell petrol bunk at lavelle road). The a/c is always on.
Average of around 12.35 km per litre
Max mileage: 12.5 km per litre
Min mileage: 11.7 km per litre

Trips:
Longest so far has been to Krishnagiri - twice.

Max Speed:
Managed to touch 170 kmph on the way to Krishnagiri.

Replacements under Warranty:
1. Clutch assembly
2. Windshield wipers

Accidents:
Sadly, three

TBHP guys who have driven my car:
1. v1p3r
2. McLaren
3. Shantanu
4. Wolf

Future mods: (Not in the order mentioned)
1. 14 inch alloys
2. DVD Player
3. Neons
4. Bosch or Syndicate windshield wipers

Will post some pics (McLaren, stop smirking) as soon as possible.

[tsk1979]

Clutch assembly replaced!!?
Thats weird. Did you blow the clutch plates?

[satan_crazy]

no, there was some problem with the clutch (some squeaking sound) . i cribbed until they replaced the whole thing
it was under warranty anyways, so, why not...

[mclaren1885]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

Clutch assembly replaced!!?
Thats weird. Did you blow the clutch plates?

well dont worry he wouldnt have done any such thing..the title of the "famous clutch smoker" on tbhp bangalore belongs to someone else -..

[tsk1979]

Okay i remember that squeeky sound when you pressed the clutch. You need to share your persuation skills with us man . anybody else and they would have just put some grease on the spring!

[mclaren1885]

Originally Posted by satan_crazy

Max Speed:
Managed to touch 170 kmph on the way to Krishnagiri.

Accidents:
Sadly, three

TBHP guys who have driven my car:
1. v1p3r
2. McLaren
3. Shantanu
4. Wolf

Will post some pics (McLaren, stop smirking) as soon as possible.

ya and at 170 u nearly took out the two trucks ahead of u and also the the blue baleno behind,not to mention the vtec ..hehe just kidding..

yikes,yikes..that car has suffered three bruises already..damn i think it deserves a change of hands what say satan..hint hint whom should u be giving the keys of that car to..

well ya the car is a pleasure to drive and instills a lot of oommph and confidence too..i loved getting that car to move onroute to krishnagiri..

and ya would love to see your photography skills put to use but folks you are all reminded dont expect the pics until the dawn of the new millenium..our man happens to be the laziest of the lot around..

[satan_crazy]

Originally Posted by mclaren1885

well ya the car is a pleasure to drive and instills a lot of oommph and confidence too..i loved getting that car to move onroute to krishnagiri..

correction, back from krishnagiri. and u took up the all the good roads *grrr* ... lol

[mclaren1885]

Originally Posted by satan_crazy

correction, back from krishnagiri. and u took up the all the good roads *grrr* ... lol

aha..thanks for the correction..there you go folks,top whack of 170 was attained on the way back from krishnagiri and that necessarily means it wasnt the owner of the car that touched the 170 mark ..hehe sorry satan couldnt resist..

[imjimmy]

Thanks Satan_crazy that's a well put up report.

It's a little odd that you had to replace your clutch only after 5K.

I am also sorry that the car had 3 accidents - i hope they were minor and nothing more than a few scratches.

I feel too that the car really runs good and i would also like to put up my long term report soon.

Mods: (Apart from the mods during the first week)

2. K&N Filter

Is this K&N filter stock? Where did you get it from. Any difference in performance and/or mileage with this?

[satan_crazy]

thanks imjimmy
not big accidents, just small scratches - unavoidable in a city like bangalore.
and clutch, well umm, no answer ... it's just one of those things that happens.
stock k&n filter? if your question is whether i got it from the dealer, then yes. mileage did improve by around 1-1.5 kmpl.

[Rudra Sen]

Originally Posted by satan_crazy

I feel the 70 profile on the tyres is good for city driving (wonder how rudra sir drives with 55).

Correction. Rudra sir drives with 50.

[Psycho]

Originally Posted by Rudra Sen

Correction. Rudra sir drives with 50.

And claims to keep up with his image too

Sorry but just had to put it in...

[imjimmy]

stock k&n filter? if your question is whether i got it from the dealer, then yes. mileage did improve by around 1-1.5 kmpl.

What i wanted to know is whether it's a Stock replacement filter or a high performance conical filter.

BTW what make(tyre brand) 185/70 tyres are you using?

Happy Driving for miles and miles ahead in ure baby

[The Wolf]

Originally Posted by satan_crazy

Accidents:
Sadly, three

I told you not to cover the vehicle trying to overtake you when the vehicle trying to overtake you is faster than yours

[satan_crazy]

@imjimmy, no man, not the high performance conical filter.
and tyres: bridgestone potenza GIII - 185/70/13 (i know someone here who uses goodyear, because they are good on wet roads :P)