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-   -   A thin line between genius and insanity - Fiat Grande Punto 90HP - 2,00,000 km up! Edit: Sold (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/long-term-ownership-reviews/119206-thin-line-between-genius-insanity-fiat-grande-punto-90hp-2-00-000-km-up-edit-sold-45.html)

Problem is that these guys keep changing. So if you decide to teach them a lesson - need to dedicate time after each service for this. :Frustrati

Bought a pack of Gillette traditional single blade that I haven't seen after the death of the traditional single blade razors. And kept it for such emergencies. Easy to remove it with the blades after a car wash.

Earlier my usage used to be a lot of highway runs, but those are few and far in between these days.

Don't really trust the service advisors about brake pad life. Everytime I ask them about it - they seem to give the opinion that only 2k kms of running is left. 2k kms when I ask them at 20k interval, same 2k kms when I asked them at 30k interval and just the same 2k kms when I asked them before finally changing at 38k kms. :D

Totally agree with KP. 10k kms interval should be fine, with the only issue that it messes up the company recommended intervals.

Just make a note of the 60k service which is a major one. The others can be rearranged to 10k intervals without an issue. Due to the pollution around, parts like air filter will also be crying for a replacement at the 10k mark, if not earlier.

The same 2K story here as well, every time I ask for breakpads 2-3K max. This happens across brands I guess, Even the Toyota SA used to give the same answer for the Liva. Maybe they calculate with the Thickness left in the pads.

Regarding the Oil change I agree with both, the car feels out of shape post 7K kms on the stock oil, I do an additional oil change at every 7.5K kms, and that feels much better. extra 3K expense but atleast you know you are burning it in there.

Viva Toyota near airport gives the exact depth of the pads left, as I've seen with multiple visits. Wish that practice was implemented across brands.

Used to follow the 7.5k interval earlier just to keep the service intervals unaffected during the warranty period, but I've switched to 10k intervals ever since crossing the 100k mark.

Regarding the feeling of the car being out of shape - the primary culprit could be the air filter rather than the engine oil.

Does it make sense to go for zero dep insurance for the 7th year?

Premium amount comes to an eye watering 14.8k for an IDV of 4.12L. :eek:

PS - Opinions about insurance will vary depending on the cash backup in hand. Hence should clarify that I'm not a person to have cash backup reserves incase something goes wrong.

Good that you're even getting a zero dep offer on 7th year. A friend of mine was looking for zero dep for his 5 year old Duster, but was denied by most of the companies. Can you please share the name of IP?

Royal Sundaram.

However, as far as i know - they offer it for the 5th year and beyond only if you're an existing zero-dep policy holder.

If you have the cash go for it. I took zero dep insurance till 6th year for my Figo just for the peace of mind.

You can ask them to reduce the premium by bringing down the IDV. In my opinion, 4.12L is on the higher side for a Punto in its 7th year.

Peace of mind is the biggest factor. True. But even in the worst case scenario - Insurance will only pay upto the IDV value of 4.12L. Not enough to even buy an Alto. :eek:

So wondering if there is a peace of mind in all this. Makes sense when claiming for minor accidents though - but will be claiming only in cases where the claim amount is more than the loss in NCB (50%).

Doesn't that defeat the purpose of getting a zero dep NCB? Or should just get the lowest comprehensive insurance from a reliable vendor and save some money instead.

Considering the resale value of Fiat, there is no guarantee that you will get the full IDV in case of any unfortunate incident. Especially 4.12L is really on the higher side for a Punto at 7Y and 1.55L on the ODO. Normally bringing down the IDV means, the premium will reduce as well. For 4th year Zero Dep, I paid 15K. IDV was around 5.7L. I am yet to get the quote for 5th year which is due in January.

:eek:

Looks like the 160k service will turn out to be very expensive, thanks to the radiator fan.

Why a radiator fan? Thats a topic pending to write from quite some time. Need to sit down in front of the system and pen it down soon.

I guess i would finally go with a normal comprehensive policy from Oriental or New India - the kind of organisations that tend to pay even though they have cumbersome processes involved.

So less premium, and some peace of mind in case things go wrong.

Going to start the 7th year of ownership soon, and Royal Sundaram reminded me of that by sending a big atrocious quote of 14.8k for an IDV of 4.15L, depreciation cover included. So finally after five years, I've finally part ways with Royal Sundaram Insurance.

Oriental Insurance offered 9.9k for an IDV of 3.9L and depreciation cover included.

Next up -

1. 160k service.
2. Tyre Change.

Strange. I got a lower quote for 5th year from them, they offered me at 14K / IDV of 5.19L with zero depreciation cover. Without zero depreciation it was 8K+. So, I moved from Future generali to Royal Sundaram.

I've noticed this earlier also.

Offers for new customers are lower than the quotes they provide existing customers. Once I told them I'm not renewing - they were willing to negotiate, but I had already decided not to.

It was pretty much the same experience with me too. Royal Sundaram was expense compared to SBI General Insurance. After a good 4 years, I switched from Royal Sundaram.