Tata Safari 2.2 A Detailied TD Report

[Steeroid]

Out of interest, how many people HERE have actually had blown head gaskets, burnt the clutch and had other such issues during their TDs? Quite a few people here have actually test driven cars - more than any one group of people anywhere else, I would think. So we should have a fairly decent representation of issues/problems, too.

[suman]

OK guys, here's my two cents. I'd gone to the workshop on Saturday to meet my contact (Sr Works Manager) as I had to renew my insurance (its almost a year now lol!) so I asked him what the problem was with the 2.2. He is not aware of ANY problem whatsoever! I have that much confidence in him that he would have confessed if there was a known problem on a mass scale.

I also paid a visit to their showroom - the Demo car was very much there as were another 3 or 4 others (including a couple of VX). They are expecting a consignment of 40 cars over the next week or so (the guy at the showroom did confess that they were unable to cope up with the kind of demand they were seeing) - I didn't see any signs of any "issues" with head gaskets or any such thing.

So my two cents - Lets not go overboard guys!

By the way, they were driving a 2.2 VX 4x4 out of the showroom - immediate first impression was that the engine was less noisier than the 3.0L but that's already been said by many. I plan to take a TD over the Dussera weekend (if I can shake off my permanent lethargy) so will post my overall impressions then. By the way, I didn't like the new instrument cluster (or the spare wheel cover) when I was doing my critical analysis on a new VX that was standing inside their showroom.

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by Steeroid

Out of interest, how many people HERE have actually had blown head gaskets, burnt the clutch and had other such issues during their TDs? Quite a few people here have actually test driven cars - more than any one group of people anywhere else, I would think. So we should have a fairly decent representation of issues/problems, too.

And how am I to know that the one I did a test on had a FRESH head gasket or a spanking new clutchplate? The Tata chappie surely will not volunteer that info and quite possibly genuinely does not know. Who knows they might even be under oath not to tell!
Unless you are happy that during your 20 odd kms of TDing there was no such failure.

[Country Road]

I had TD two new Safari. One was a Ex 4 X 2 (new green colour). The clutch was very had and there was too much streeing over paly at high speed. I guess I was doing 120. The odo was disconnected. Other than that it was awesome.
The 2nd vehicle was a VX 4 X 4. It was silver in colour. The clutch had absolutely no problem. The Steering over play was much less. So vehicle to vehicle the TD experience will be different. Ideally it should not have been so. I guess the service guys at the dealer end have not been able to do the necessary checks/adjustments. In both cases I did not experience any break down.

[Steeroid]

Originally Posted by anupmathur

And how am I to know that the one I did a test on had a FRESH head gasket or a spanking new clutchplate?

As much as you would know that it indeed had a blown gasket or a burnt clutch. Both would be unknown quantities.

What I am saying is that here we have a group of people spread across the length and width of the country, in small towns and big cities. If such a widespread group does not have a first hand experience of such an issue, how can we be debating this issue so authoritatively?

If the new vehicles are indeed popping head gaskets like a popcorn maker, the brand may as well be given a decent burial. However what we have here is a 'little birdy here' and a 'source there' etc quoting unseen blown gaskets and stuff. And this is not a vehicle thats being released for the first time - it was being sold in other countries with infinitely smaller tolerance levels before this.

We even have Dadu quoting Wikipedia on a new thread entirely on blown gaskets. More than gaskets, I would think this thread itself has been blown out of proportion.

If you have indeed blown a gasket, burnt a clutch or experienced any such issue first hand we're happy enough to talk about it and crucify the manufacturer. Let us be critical, but RESPONSIBLY - because talk is cheap and experience isnt.

[suman]

Originally Posted by Steeroid

We even have Dadu quoting Wikipedia on a new thread entirely on blown gaskets. More than gaskets, I would think this thread itself has been blown out of proportion.

with Steer. This is going to be OT but I can't figure out what Dadu's aim in life is. He steps in and hypes the 2.2 Safari launch like no one's business, then he goes on to the Mahindra Scorpio thread & does the same there. then he comes back on this one & tries to bury the vehicle on the basis of "hearsay".

Then he goes & opens a new thread on blown gaskets. And mind you, ALL of this without making ANY effort himself of actually going to a TATA dealer & getting a test drive or deciding for himself what the issues are if any. And he's apparently in the market to buy a new vehicle & was (apparently) leaning towards the new Safari.

Well, strange things happen ....but anyway, back on topic....

[dadu]

It was to educate myself and other people here on what the term "head gasket" means being used so openly here and so that people dont think that its like a head lamp blown.

Originally Posted by Steeroid

We even have Dadu quoting Wikipedia on a new thread entirely on blown gaskets. More than gaskets, I would think this thread itself has been blown out of proportion.

My aim in life is to educate and get educated, if I dont know something I ask, if there is a discussion going on I participate in it and provide my views. I cannot just read and move on, if I think somethings are not clear/ need clarification.

"Hype" is the wrong word to use. I never hyped 2.2, the earllier 2.2 thread ran from 2006, I joined in may 2007, it was already hyped, i just asked questions from people who said they know about the safari 2.2, I discussed with them. I never said I knew had any information about it myself, I tried to extract from people who said they knew.

M&M and safari 2.2 engine is why I joined here and so I discuss more on those.

Originally Posted by suman

with Steer. This is going to be OT but I can't figure out what Dadu's aim in life is. He steps in and hypes the 2.2 Safari launch like no one's business, then he goes on to the Mahindra Scorpio thread & does the same there. then he comes back on this one & tries to bury the vehicle on the basis of "hearsay".

It was purely for knowledge purpose, just like the ABS discussions. I never wrote that I have seen it, never spread any misinformation, just encouraged the discussions.

Like I said earlier, I am not an instant buyer but a near immediate one, so I will test drive when the time is close.

Originally Posted by suman

Then he goes & opens a new thread on blown gaskets. And mind you, ALL of this without making ANY effort himself of actually going to a TATA dealer & getting a test drive or deciding for himself what the issues are if any. And he's apparently in the market to buy a new vehicle & was (apparently) leaning towards the new Safari.

Its all about perceptions, others have appraciated my "Head Gasket" thread, you say strange, anyways everyone has the right of opinion.

Originally Posted by suman

Well, strange things happen ....but anyway, back on topic....

[turbanman]

Hey dadu,

Put yourself and others out of their misery and TD a 2.2 tomorrow!

t

Originally Posted by dadu

I am not an instant buyer but a near immediate one, so I will test drive when the time is close.

[anupmathur]

Dadu, after that wonderful article on head gaskets, the next one required is on clutch plates/pressure plates and carbons.
Just so that we prospective buyers of the 2.2 can have a good idea of what exactly we might have to contend with. It certainly does not scare away focused buyers; love is blind, and don't we understand that better than most people!

[Zappo]

Ok... enough is enough. Timeout.

Lets establish a few ground rules here.

1. From hereon, no more "my sources say" and "a little birdie told me" posts to harp on Head Gasket blow up cases. I am tempted to say Myth but just about resisting it.

Today I was at Tatas to give my car for service at Autofin and saw enough 2.2s being driven out, being taken in but all of these were on their feet (wheels, if you may). And the advisor said deliveries have begun/are beginning. In fact two of the vehicles had ribbons on. Implication - Deliveries are NOT being held up as was being speculated.

2. No personal attacks on any individual member please. This is something we have said enough number of times and would reiterate once again, you may not agree to someone's viewpoint but do not single out any member all of a sudden to be the recipient of your diatribes. Does not do any good to anyone.

As Steer said, if you have any concrete info to share you are all welcome but no unnecessary gossiping and mud-slinging, particularly when we have nothing to prove these so called cases (no, 'I myself saw' is not a line of defence if asked to prove).

[power ranger]

2 times i have taken Safari to hills,both times the clutch plates have gone kaput,though both times very extreme scenarios involving lot of clutch paddling and extended runs in ist gear.

Steer - Is this true ? Have you experienced any of this in your DICOR ? I need to know this as I have to be cautious about my new DICOR, if I am travelling on hills.

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by power ranger

2 times i have taken Safari to hills,both times the clutch plates have gone kaput,though both times very extreme scenarios involving lot of clutch paddling and extended runs in ist gear.

Quite OT, but as I am also an avid mountain lover, could you please tell which extreme areas you were in? Was clutch 'paddling' required even in 1st gear?

______________

If this thread is an unsuitable place, you could PM me. Thanks.

[vkochar]

Thanks Zappo for that much needed post of yours - What we all need now is only Actual TD Reports from anyone and no speculations please.

I am serious buyer for this truck - and I trust T-BHP to help me make a decision. Cheers !!

[svaid]

@ Mods - I had seen this thread first when it was created and got to see it again today. I am really amused at how a TD thread has transformed in to a great speculation thread where there is no concrete information except for <little birdies> or <concealed information sources>.
Its good to take a TD and present the experience for others but its no value add to just move around in circles trying to build theory based on word of mouth.

I will sincerely recommend that we close this thread here and let somebody create one with his ownership report using which others may benefit
I am also a potential buyer of this beast and had joined the forum for the quality of the matter which gets posted here as opposed to mere speculations. I believe it should stay the way it has been and not become a misleading information base for others...

At the same time I believe there is too much expectations from this vehicle just like we have from our cricket team. TATAs are no HONDAs/TOYOTAs - they are striving to be one but the fact that there could be potential niggles with their vehicles is well known. This is not to say that their engines have been bad - just that the overall QC has been not up to the mark. There have been recommendations here to buy 3.0 but if you go and scan threads it also had potential oil leak problems for some of the new owners. So there might be a finite probability that you would face some issue with either 3.0 or 2.2. The only thing might be that with 2.2 the probability might be slightly higher - thats pretty much it. Lets stop there

-SVAID

[BSA]

Hi All,

Had a test drive of Safari 2.2l on Sunday at Concorde motors in Mysore road.

It was a Sliver color safari EX version.

I am not saying the +ve or -Ve here, its just my personal view's about this beast.
1. The Ground clearance and road presence is great.
2. Clutch was very smooth, gear was not so easy to use.
3. Acceleration was really good at lower speeds and did not feel that great at higher speeds.
4. Beige interiors was good, but not worth for 10lks.
5. Very Spacious.
6. not sure about off road or bad roads, as I drove on the Bang - Mysore Highway

I feel its worth to buy the lower end version LX as it will be definely value for money and modify or add other accessories you like for a price difference of 1.6lks.

LX onroad price -- 8.50 approx
Ex 4*2 on road -- 9.90 approx