[praz]

Had my very first T-Bhp meet here in Chennai. Met cliffhanger, Habanero city and Raja Taurus and had a great time. We were discussing cars and driving experiences over a nice cup of coffee. It was a great way to spend a saturday morning . Looking forward to the next meet.

Apart from the T-Bhp meet, there was one more good experience this time. I visited the Concorde motors SC on ECR and met the CRM there. He asked me to give the car to the same SA who did my first service. This guy was actually angry that I had given a bad feedback last time. I gave him a big lecture on how he should take it up as a challenge and prove himself this time. I gave him the list of issues and assured him that if he does a good job, I will voluntarily give a good feedback.

I guess this did it and he delivered top class service this time. He fixed up all the issues, including changing the wipers FOC and have a good thorough interior and exterior cleaning (last time when asked he had said interior cleaning would be Rs.200). The delivery was right on time and very smooth with everything ready before promised delivery time. This was amazing and I told him that if somehow every TATA customer gets this kind of service, that will change the general view that TATA service sucks.

He called the next day and asked me how the car was. From my side, I had already sent a mail to the service head appreciating the guy. All in all, a very useful and interesting visit to Chennai .

[dmaheshkumar]

Buying a New car and getting serviced by useless fellows will make everyone tense (even a very calm person will also)..

The second time hows its possible for him,I think Only after seeing the feed back.

It will be very very nice to see a FIAT showroom dealing only with FIAT Models.I dont know when it going to come.

how about the car and the feel you are getting now.Is it the same feel when you got the car as new.How abt the mileage,pick up,speed.

[praz]

Originally Posted by dmaheshkumar

Buying a New car and getting serviced by useless fellows will make everyone tense (even a very calm person will also)..

The second time hows its possible for him,I think Only after seeing the feed back.

I think FIAT customer care is very responsive. I had given my feedback to them regarding the service quality and they contacted the dealer, who got in touch with me and assured me that he will fix everything to my satisfaction.

It will be very very nice to see a FIAT showroom dealing only with FIAT Models.I dont know when it going to come.

I guess that's a dream for most, if not all FIAT owners and enthusiasts.

how about the car and the feel you are getting now.Is it the same feel when you got the car as new.How abt the mileage,pick up,speed.

I don't see/feel much difference after the first service. First service is just a general checkup and they don't do anything to the car as such. The engine has become a tad smoother, but that could be because of the running. I have never checked mileage, but I think it has been consistent. Before run-in I used to drive at a sedate 90-100 kmph. Now I cruise at 120-130 kmph. The max speed touched so far is 165 kmph on the che-blr highway.

[magnanimousdude]

@praz,

Nice to hear your stories and TBHP Meets. Well i need some clarifications, you reach 165kmph doesn't your engine roar?? before the first service when i took my car to 140kmph (with AC with FULL Load, 5 adult + luggage). The car was a bit reluctant to go (but it goes i can even press the pedal for sure), But the engine sound was audible.My car has done 4K km as of now, and i have not taken her for a highway spin since 1st service. How about your car? above 120 is it easy when loaded?

[praz]

Originally Posted by magnanimousdude

@praz,

Nice to hear your stories and TBHP Meets. Well i need some clarifications, you reach 165kmph doesn't your engine roar?? before the first service when i took my car to 140kmph (with AC with FULL Load, 5 adult + luggage). The car was a bit reluctant to go (but it goes i can even press the pedal for sure), But the engine sound was audible.My car has done 4K km as of now, and i have not taken her for a highway spin since 1st service. How about your car? above 120 is it easy when loaded?

Do join us for the next meet. I promise you it will be fun. The engine does roar above 130-140 kmph. I touched 165 kmph when I had four adults in the car with very little luggage. It could have gone beyond that, but I saw some traffic ahead and slowed down.

I drive alone most of the time and the car reaches 120 kmph easily and 140 kmph after a little more push. I did not feel much difference with four people in the car. I haven't been able to go above 145 kmph while driving alone. I was able to maintain 130-140 kmph for almost 30 mins during my previous drive. But, you get tired easily due to high level of concentration required while driving at those high speeds. I find it best to maintain 110-120 kmph for a relaxed and safe drive. I think it is best not to venture above 120 kmph on Indian highways. Do take the car on a highway and do ocassional bursts of high speed just to get that thrill. But, apart from that always maintain a safe speed limit of 110-120 kmph. The reason I am re-iterating this fact is that Punto feels stable and safe even at those high speeds and it is easy to get carried away and do something stupid. Drive safe and do share your highway experience.

[Rach]

Originally Posted by praz

This guy was actually angry that I had given a bad feedback last time. I gave him a big lecture on how he should take it up as a challenge and prove himself this time. I gave him the list of issues and assured him that if he does a good job, I will voluntarily give a good feedback.
.

It happened to me also during my second service. I have given them ratings between 8-10. I thought 8/10 represents very good, but has scope of improvement. But, it seems Fiat is pushing them hard for 10 out of 10. When service guy called me, he was requesting me to give better feedback next time. I also gave him the same lecture as you have about the purpose of feedback. These guys don't understand the purpose of feedback, and hardly bother to check what they are doing better and what needs to be improved. They are simply after overall rating.

[praz]

Originally Posted by Rach

It happened to me also during my second service. I have given them ratings between 8-10. I thought 8/10 represents very good, but has scope of improvement. But, it seems Fiat is pushing them hard for 10 out of 10. When service guy called me, he was requesting me to give better feedback next time. I also gave him the same lecture as you have about the purpose of feedback. These guys don't understand the purpose of feedback, and hardly bother to check what they are doing better and what needs to be improved. They are simply after overall rating.

Yes, you are right, they are just bothered about the rating. But, I think they are not to be blamed. After all, the whole system is like that. For example, we are always bothered about good marks in exams, rather than learning something useful. I guess it is the midset that requires a change here. They should understand that they should focus on customer satisfaction and if that improves, the ratings (10/10) will come automatically.
On a slightly different note, I feel nobody should get 10/10, it does not give a chance for the person to work towards his/her improvement. But, that's just my opinion.

[Rach]

Originally Posted by praz

I feel nobody should get 10/10, it does not give a chance for the person to work towards his/her improvement. But, that's just my opinion.

10/10 is like perfect, for which we have to be delighted. Funny thing is, when Tata motors calls you, before asking for feedback, they give meanings for rating. They will say 8 is good or satisfied, 9 is very good and 10 is excellent or perfect. But when we give rating on each service point, if you give 9 or 8 for something, they will ask you immediately, whether there is an issue. We have to remind them that rating 9 means very good

[praz]

Got the front component speakers (cerwin-vega) installed from Evo on saturday. Satya did the tuning and now it sounds way better than what it used to. I am happy with the whole experience . Also, visited Karlsson leather in Indiranagar and got an estimate for the steering grip, gear knob, gear boot and door pads. Planning to get it done next saturday. Will post photos of it after the work is done.

[Schoudhury]

Originally Posted by praz

Got the front component speakers (cerwin-vega) installed from Evo on saturday. Satya did the tuning and now it sounds way better than what it used to. I am happy with the whole experience . Also, visited Karlsson leather in Indiranagar and got an estimate for the steering grip, gear knob, gear boot and door pads. Planning to get it done next saturday. Will post photos of it after the work is done.

Yup, Satya does his job very well , in fact he is dam good in it .
Im also planning a good set of steering grip,any idea how much Karlsson will quote for the grip only .

[praz]

Originally Posted by Schoudhury

Yup, Satya does his job very well , in fact he is dam good in it .
Im also planning a good set of steering grip,any idea how much Karlsson will quote for the grip only .

For steering grip alone, they said they charge Rs.2800. They will give you some discount if you tell them t-bhp. You can also look at other options available in the t-bhp directory section. I checked with Marvin Genuine leather, they quoted Rs.1500 for the steering grip alone. The only problem with them is that you have to make two trips : One to their showroom somewhere near lalbagh and one to their factory on Bannerghatta road.

[praz]

Got the steering grip + trims + doorpads (all 4) done from Karlsson leather in Indiranagar. Total Damages = Rs.3800/-

I am satisfied with the way the steering and gear knob feel now. The steering finish could have been better. I was expecting something like a complete wrap, but the guy there told me it was not possible for Punto. I guess he didn't know how to do it. Anyhow, I am satisfied with the work and the leather does feel good to hold on to.

Here are some photos :

[neil.jericho]

Nicely done The interiors look very good with the red and black combination. Like how the gear lever is finished. The steering looks like it could have been finished slightly better but overall it has turned out very well. For less that 11k you have given your car a pretty distinct identity.

[CliffHanger]

Praz, the interiors look even better now.
What's the status on upgrade to compos in front?
And did you remove those ugly mud flaps :o)?

OT: On my advice, my friend gave his Linea to Tafe Reach for the 2nd service. He just called me up and told that he was not satisfied wtih what they have done on his car. Seems they did not even clean the car properly before handing it over to him
:o(.

[magnanimousdude]

CliffHanger,

I would suggest, to take the car to the VST Service station and ask for Mathivanan to complete the Job as they do a satisfactory work than any other service stations IMHO and in my exp!!!