[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by arun_josie

This makes it tough to find a good upgrade as well.

Amen! I got to drive 7 new cars last year and yet to find a replacement for 'my' Punto.

Compass and XUV 3OO were the only two contenders to come close enough, but both didn't work out due to price. One for being out of my budget, and the other for being higher than what I feel a small car should be worth.

Originally Posted by arun_josie

So, you have reason to take a longer route next time.

I didn't mention the 'Check Engine' light to wifey till we reached back home in Bangalore and parked the car safely in the garage. Or else there wouldn't have been a next time. An ageing car sure does play on the mind.

Didn't you drive down for the holiday season? I was peeping into every red Compass 4*4 I saw along the way.

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

After 188k kms, the stock shock absorber seems to have given up. Will be going in for a replacement by mid-Jan.

I too replaced my stock suspension around 183K mainly because I was planning a 4500km drive in coming months. I realised that certain usual components like suspension and brake discs have lasted more than double the life of the same components in my other car (WagonR).

[gopikb]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Back from another 1600 km Bangalore - Trivandrum round trip, and the car performed well just as always!

An interesting aspect this time around was that I could also drive the Xcent for a 900kms Trivandrum - Dhanushkodi round trip. And driving the Punto afterwards felt like such a renewed experience. Xcent scores brilliantly in a couple of parameters - practicality, space management, convenience, interior touch and feel quality and refinement, but is no match for the suspension, build and driving dynamics of the Punto. And that too - with a suspension that is completely shot!

Ha ha. Exactly my feelings too. Recently during my Christmas holiday drive to Kothagiri, I had a couple of i20s which were giving a good competition over my Linea Tjet on the highway. I had a feeling that i20 has come a long way and the latest versions are very powerful. Last week my nephew had bought his relatively new i20 Sportz 1.2 Petrol clocked about 5K and I took the vehicle on a spin in the NICE road. Just as you pointed out, practicality, space management, convenience, interior touch and feel quality plus the gear shift was outstanding in the i20.
However, when it comes to acceleration, high speed behavior, the composure and the steering feel is no match for the FIATs. Probably I am spoiled by both the Punto MJD as well as Linea Tjet that we dont feel at home when driving other cars. I believe i20 CRDI should definitely be much better and have been cursing my nephew he should have gone for it given that he plans to hold on to the same car for the next 10 years.
You are an inspiration Crazy driver. Hold on to your car and keep posting regular updates so that the last few FIATians existing in India will continue to hopefully cling to our machines for the next 5~7 years atleast. I dread to think about the hole that my next car purchase will blow to my pocket when the time comes.

[arun_josie]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Didn't you drive down for the holiday season? I was peeping into every red Compass 4*4 I saw along the way.

My onward journey was on 21st and return on 30th. Even I spotted many Compass on this route, mostly people going on vacation towards Kanyakumari and Trivandrum.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by paragsachania

I too replaced my stock suspension around 183K mainly because I was planning a 4500km drive in coming months. I realised that certain usual components like suspension and brake discs have lasted more than double the life of the same components in my other car (WagonR).

If only our roads were better! But at least the highways have improved a lot since the time we used to drive the F10D.

Originally Posted by gopikb

Hold on to your car and keep posting regular updates so that the last few FIATians existing in India will continue to hopefully cling to our machines for the next 5~7 years at least.

What choice do we have? With the resale value so low as it already is, and new car prices going up every single year due to one reason or the other, finding a good replacement will surely blow a big hole in the budget. So let's hang on till when it's possible.

The one other BHPian who had a garage with a Linea TJet and a Punto MJD both together - found his upgrade in a pre-worshipped 320D. Just saying.

[gopikb]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

The one other BHPian who had a garage with a Linea TJet and a Punto MJD both together - found his upgrade in a pre-worshipped 320D. Just saying.

OMG!!! Thats not fair. I am already pissing on my pants and you just added salt to the wounded heart.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Another milestone comes soon after the announced demise of the 1.3 Multijet engine in India.

Will be dropping the car off for service today - General service, suspension change and check-engine light due to EGR error during highway runs (which has disappeared since then).

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Will be dropping the car off for service today

Got the car back from service yesterday evening -

• Check-engine light was related to the EGR once again, but no issues found with the EGR itself. The error was related to the opening and closing of the valve and looks like that is getting stuck during long hot runs of 300+ kms. Have the option of doing an EGR-delete, or just living with the error which comes up only during highway runs.
  
• Engine A mount was replaced during the last service. However, the C mount is showing signs of weakness now. I can barely feel any vibrations in the cabin though - so will live with this for now - till the next service.
  
• Suspension struts have been replaced. Elastic pads and link rods were changed 2k kms back only, and so now the suspension works as silent as Day-1.

Friends and family have been questioning about the increasing expenses for car maintenance, due to the age and usage factor. So, made this chart for them.

A new car (even from a similar segment) would mean a similar cost PER MONTH as EMI, what the maintenance now costs in a year! That should get me some peace of mind, for a while.

[jonesanto]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Check-engine light was related to the EGR once again, but no issues found with the EGR itself.

I have had somewhat similar experience with my Elantra, only when I go for long drives and only after crossing 120, engine check light used pop up, if I keep it under 120, then the car will run without any issue all day long. You don't seem to have major performance issue when you get engine check light. For me, once the light pop up, performance become very sluggish and I had to switch off the car for 15-20 minutes, then start again, light will disappear and continue the journey keeping it under 120.

Whenever I get the scan done from Hyundai, it showed as EGR error. So, I changed the EGR, but after sometime, above 120, performance became sluggish, but no check light Did a scan at Hyundai and got no error report. Then I started looking for other possibilities, changed MAF sensor and turbo vacuum modulator. I don't know which one did the trick, but have not faced any issues after that.

In your case, why not get a new EGR?

[architect]

Great going, Crazy Driver. This is usually a difficult phase when one is not sure what to do in terms of continuing maintenance or selling. In my case, the downtime for maintenance was a problem but in your case if that is not an issue, I suggest you drive this guy for another 50,000 km or so and then decide. Meanwhile, keep looking for your next car!

Regarding the XUV300, I find it a good product, probably the best from Mahindra but it has two issues: a lacklustre petrol engine (which makes them lose many NCR customers, besides Mahindra's lack of expertise at ASC in petrol engines) and the fact that they will need about 2 years to iron out all niggles and make the product better. In my case, I found the TUV300 well sorted out because I bought it 2.5 years after launch by which time Mahindra fixed several issues.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Previous weekend, we took the Punto out for a Chikmagalur drive with Team-Bhpian friends.

deepfreak 15 and better half on the Multistrada 950 -



KarthikK and his better half on the Ninja 1000 -

Ethanhunt123 and I drove down instead. Him because of the new acquisition of a fast Bimmer and me in the good old Punto because of wife's insistence.

Full story written by Deepak here - https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...ml#post4745439 (My Silk White Ducati Multistrada 950 - One bike for many roads)

Originally Posted by jonesanto

In your case, why not get a new EGR?

Frankly because I'm not experiencing any symptoms other than that warning lamp turning on when used for a continuous 300 kms or more. No power loss as well. Warning lamp didn't even come on during this drive to Chikmagalur and back - approximately 260kms one way. Will check this option with this service center though!

Your thread is truly an inspiration jonesanto! She's a beauty still!

Originally Posted by architect

Great going, Crazy Driver. This is usually a difficult phase when one is not sure what to do in terms of continuing maintenance or selling. In my case, the downtime for maintenance was a problem but in your case if that is not an issue, I suggest you drive this guy for another 50,000 km or so and then decide. Meanwhile, keep looking for your next car!

Been looking at options since a couple of years or more - but nothing worked out! Thanks to the moderator duties - I do get to drive a few new cars - still couldn't find a replacement either.

Originally Posted by architect

Regarding the XUV300, I find it a good product, probably the best from Mahindra but it has two issues: a lacklustre petrol engine (which makes them lose many NCR customers, besides Mahindra's lack of expertise at ASC in petrol engines) and the fact that they will need about 2 years to iron out all niggles and make the product better. In my case, I found the TUV300 well sorted out because I bought it 2.5 years after launch by which time Mahindra fixed several issues.

XUV 3OO now has the 130hp petrol - but I seem to have lost interest in the car. The best part I like about the TUV 3OO is the stance!

Combining both together - I might wait a bit for the Thar in its petrol avatar. Will be coming out in 2021, one year after the diesel so that Mahindra can sort out the niggles. And also rumoured to be coming out with either the 1.5 or the 2.0 petrol engines - both having excellent power outputs of 160hp and 190hp respectively!

That said - hope TATA confirms the Sierra meanwhile!

[jonesanto]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Frankly because I'm not experiencing any symptoms other than that warning lamp turning on...

Thanks, CrAzY dRiVeR, if you're not experiencing any symptoms I'd say you just leave it as it is. In future if it gives any performance issues, then you can think about getting a new EGR. Secondly, you're in the lookout for a new car, so that is another reason to ignore this for the time being. Like you, even I am looking for a replacement for my Octavia for some time, unable to decide on anything, not in a hurry either. I am not even thinking about a petrol car, it has to be a diesel. I am waiting for this BS6 fuss to settle down and then take a decision. So far only Seltos is on the list.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Had a beautiful early morning drive after a long time! Punto missed a lot of this action after the Versys entered the garage.

KarthikK joined with his Thar whereas the 320D MSport belongs to BHPian Ethanhunt123.

Originally Posted by jonesanto

I am waiting for this BS6 fuss to settle down and then take a decision. So far only Seltos is on the list.

And also better to wait for BS6 fuel to become available everywhere.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Took the old girl (The car, to be specific! You never know if someone forwards the thread link to the wife!) out for a weekend overnighter. Destination - Green Pastures resort, Somwarpet.

KarthikK joined with his Thar:



Green Pastures Resort, Somwarpet. Nice property with good homely food and excellent service. They have a total of three rooms there.



Took the Thar for local explorations. Makkala Gudi Beta in the afternoon:



Kote Beta in the evening:









Walked early morning to Makkala Gudi Beta for the sunrise. Beautiful early morning walk, but we got attacked by dogs at several places. Even dog lovers will get a scare because the dogs here are not used to so many people and get very territorial. Missed the sunrise by a bit too:









Near Kunigal on the way back:





Checked the FE after a long time. Nice to see the car still returning good figures for a ~450kms road trip. (With ~100kms of hill section drives):

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

With the lockdown, there is nothing much to update regarding the car. I have been working from home since then, and the Punto spent most of the last two months parked with the battery disconnected.

Took it out for a few small spins in between, and also today morning to handover an item to a fellow BHPian - but then remembered mid-way that I hadn't properly tightened the battery cables. Stopped at a good wide clearing and started tightening it - and soon this happened :

No, I didn't over tighten (not related itself) - this just was getting old and broke off at the slightest touch. With no tape handy (realized my toolkit is missing this vital thing) - had to call the friendly neighbourhood RSA from Kriti Car Care.