Re: Hyundai targets to overtake Maruti in "Compact Car" segments Quote:
Originally Posted by Dry Ice Well, guys, if these threads are to go by, I don't think Maruti is all that cheap to maintain now, is it?
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Yup Dry Ice, like all things along side, the cost of Maruti ownership has also increased. I think more than the cost of spares, the labour cost has increased over the last few years.
On one hand it has increased, but I am sure that still it is the most inexpensive brand to maintain when compared to others. I own a MS since last 11 years and apart from one major accidental repair, its absolutely inexpensive to maintain even today. Would you believe that a total front suspension overhaul (included a lower arm replacement but no shock absorber change) + steering job (all joints replaced) costed me less than 5K about 1-1.5 years ago?
What is important to note that many service centres do not bill the jobs on a comparable basis. I don't know why it happens but one MASS in my city charges Rs. 670/- as service cost for Zen while the other charges Rs. 825/- for the same job. Also many times service centres push for useless jobs like engine flushing, interior cleaning, teflon etc. which pushes the bill northwards like anything; things which we should refuse them politely but firmly. This can add substantially to the cost of ownership.
I think the key is to know what your car needs at the point of the time of service than letting the SA do his antics. Hence, I keep a proper record of when the engine oil, brake fluids, coolant, spark plugs etc. will need a change or a throttle body, engine decarb, injector cleaning etc are needed and demand just that at the service centre. The routine checks like engine timing, rev. check, spark plug cleaning & re-gapping etc. etc are included in the service cost itself. This way, the cost is always under check and you are less likely to be duped.
Regards,
Saket
Last edited by saket77 : 16th August 2013 at 10:54.
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