[kirans]

Biraj,

Do not give away the Jet. I have a similar situation like you and have settled for an Alto that goes in every nook and corner of Bangalore. Ferries my wife to work and my kids to school. It's fuel efficient and is just enough for the city needs. My 2011 Jet relaxes in the garage except for the occasional weekend trip out of Bangalore. It feels criminal to drive the Jet in the city as it does to drive the Alto in the highway. The Jet does a decent 5-6 k a year in highway runs (kids are too small for longer trips) but is worth every moment. Though it's now a seven year old machine the feel is as new and maintenance is minimal with my running. I would never give it up unless it broke apart into pieces!

Kind regards,
Kiran

[deathwalkr]

Hi,

My jet is due for it's 40k service and my service advisor says it's time to change the spark plugs and rear brake pads.

Spark plugs now cost 3k a piece! When did you get it changed and how much did it cost?

[Biraj]

Originally Posted by deathwalkr

Hi,

My jet is due for it's 40k service and my service advisor says it's time to change the spark plugs and rear brake pads.

Spark plugs now cost 3k a piece! When did you get it changed and how much did it cost?

The spark plugs are scheduled for a change at the 30K service. I got it changed at 32,000 KM. The price at that point was Rs 800/piece (3200 total). It's listed at Rs 990/piece on 99rpm.com. 3k/piece sounds exorbitant and incorrect. Please check elsewhere or order online.

Rear brake pads are also expensive. I would say get it changed only if required that is, if not enough life is left. Service booklet says inspect not replace at 30K.

[deathwalkr]

Originally Posted by Biraj

The spark plugs are scheduled for a change at the 30K service. I got it changed at 32,000 KM. The price at that point was Rs 800/piece (3200 total). It's listed at Rs 990/piece on 99rpm.com. 3k/piece sounds exorbitant and incorrect. Please check elsewhere or order online.

Rear brake pads are also expensive. I would say get it changed only if required that is, if not enough life is left. Service booklet says inspect not replace at 30K.

He say's it was 1k earlier but as per new price list, it is 3k [Iridium plugs].

Brake pads are due for a change. The rear ones are pretty worn out. 1k or 2k kms left in them.

[Biraj]

Originally Posted by deathwalkr

He say's it was 1k earlier but as per new price list, it is 3k [Iridium plugs].

Brake pads are due for a change. The rear ones are pretty worn out. 1k or 2k km left in them.

Yes, even I got NGK Iridium plugs and it was ~800/piece. Normal ones are ~150-250/piece. Really surprised that it has increased so much. The part number is 55210685. You might want to connect with NGK distributor and check the price. 3k/plug is too high IMO. I have never ordered from 99rpm so don't know about the service but have heard others ordering from there. It's listed for 990/piece there.

[deathwalkr]

Originally Posted by Biraj

Yes, even I got NGK Iridium plugs and it was ~800/piece. Normal ones are ~150-250/piece. Really surprised that it has increased so much. The part number is 55210685. You might want to connect with NGK distributor and check the price. 3k/plug is too high IMO. I have never ordered from 99rpm so don't know about the service but have heard others ordering from there. It's listed for 990/piece there.

Great. Thanks for the advice. Have bought from 99rpm before. Shall give them a call and see.

[Biraj]

Update: 54,000 KM

I have recently (on Monday) moved to Ahmedabad and will be here for some time now. Drove from Ghaziabad to Ahmedabad with a stoppage at Udaipur. The drive was a breeze and the car performed exceedingly well. The AC work is also sorted now after replacing the compressor. Also, upgraded the bulbs to Osram Nightbreaker Unlimited. The low beams are slightly better than the stock but the high beams are much better than the stock. The car is now more or less perfect.

Also, got the OEM speakers replaced by Morel Maximo components in the front and coaxials in the rear. Everything fit in the stock location so no issues with aesthetics or rattles. The sound quality is way better than the stock speakers. I never realised how pathetic the stock speakers were until I heard the Morels.

Here are some latest pics of Crusoe, the trip and the work done.

High beam bulbs


To change the bulbs the headlight had to be removed and to remove the headlight, the bumper had to be removed. Hallmark of Italian engineering.


Crusoe resting at Club Mahindra, Udaipur


Entering Gujarat


Soaking in the environment in Ahmedabad

[caffeineAM]

Originally Posted by Biraj

To change the bulbs the headlight had to be removed and to remove the headlight, the bumper had to be removed. Hallmark of Italian engineering.

And I thought jacking up the car and getting under it to replace a fog lamp bulb was bad... Mine's a 2009 NA Linea. I got it done for Rs 30, so no complaints.

[Carrera555]

Hi Biraj,
Have been silently following your reviews since a long time. Your reviews, updates & travelogues are fantastic. I read sometime ago about your health issues, & hope you are all good now.

And welcome to Ahmedabad, where I am. Lets catch up sometime during the evening & allow me to show you around anytime you are convenient.

[Biraj]

Did an unplanned weekend trip to coastal Gujarat (Madhavpur and Somnath). ~900 KM through some good and some ordinary roads. Crusoe took it all, amazingly. It was smooth and fast on good roads, yet tough and sturdy on the bad ones.

Here are some pics clicked during the trip.

Excuse the cheesy caption



The magnificent Somnath temple



The view from our room in Madhavpur



Crusoe next to the beach and the setting sun

[sandeepmohan]

Very nice.

I thought you were planning on selling the car due to a few technical faults that left you stranded a couple of times. I recall one being alternator failure.

This car is a keeper for as long as it stays reliable. There is absolutely nothing on sale at even twice its cost that will give you the same levels of driving pleasure.

[Biraj]

Originally Posted by sandeepmohan

Very nice.

I thought you were planning on selling the car due to a few technical faults that left you stranded a couple of times. I recall one being alternator failure.

Yes, was frustrated with the support FASS provided especially Landmark Jeep in Delhi. The experience was harrowing to say the least. Also, I wasn't driving the car enough so whatever miles were done were by the hired driver. Can't blame the car for the period I couldn't take care of it. I am now in Ahmedabad and looking for a reliable center/mechanic to take care of it.

It's now more or less mechanically perfect and runs very well especially on the highways. I have always maintained that I love the car way more than I like Fiat India.

[sandeepmohan]

Originally Posted by Biraj

I am now in Ahmedabad and looking for a reliable center/mechanic to take care of it.

If you have Bosch service centers there, that would be an option. I no longer own a T Jet but a couple of last services that included lower arm replacement, complete brake over haul was carried out by Bosch. They were so flexible that I procured the parts and they did the fitting. All I paid was labor. Job well done too.

It might also be worth checking the authorized service center in Ahmedabad. They could be better than your experience in Delhi.

Also; if you plan on keeping the car, get the Inter Cooler upgraded. Some FM's have done the modification (Relatively simple) and it has made quite a difference.

[Biraj]

Update - 60,000 KM

Crusoe's seventh birthday is next month and it finally crossed the milestone of 60,000 earlier this month during a short trip to Dholavira (Rann of Kutch). I will try to compile a travelogue for it but here are some pics of Crusoe from the trip.

BTW, an early birthday gift - New Shoes.

Upgraded the tyres to 205/60/R16 - Yokohama BluEarth. Ordered from Amazon during the sale and got an amazing offer. The MRP of tyres is Rs 8300 and the best quote I received was Rs 6900. After all discounts (including card) I paid around Rs 5900/tyre.

Rest everything <touch wood> continues to be fine with Crusoe. Service is due with a replacement of brake pads, and probably disc. Will put the birthday post with all the details.

[Biraj]

Link to the latest travelogue...

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/showthread.php?t=206294

As mentioned in the travelogue, this trip really helped me in recharging the admiration for Crusoe.