[abirnale]

Adding to the list - thanks Madhu.
- Audio Upgrade - new speakers, doors dampening?

And the original list -
- Apply gloss black film on roof (saves a lot of energy while cleaning myself and protects from tree sapling stains!)
- Headlights and Front windshield rejuvenation / treatment (those minor scratches from highway drives needs to be taken care)
- Apply PPF on the mirrors, headlights (to avoid further scratches)
- Interior Cleaning/ Shampooing completely
- Driver side noodle mat to be replaced (the one I did myself is deteriorated badly)
- HID bulbs to be fit

The budget should be capped around 25K max :(

[Travelator]

Originally Posted by abirnale

Adding to the list - thanks Madhu.
- Audio Upgrade - new speakers, doors dampening?
(

I will be eagerly awaiting details on this specific part. Right in the first week of purchase I went to get the ICE setup done but the service guys snowballed me out of it saying that there will be no warranty complaints be entertained the moment there is fiddling with the wiring. The best that i could do was change the speakers and add the components that I had on my Punto without the amp.

That sort of kills the entire fun of having the vehicle if there is no good music system in it.

[abirnale]

Originally Posted by Travelator

the service guys snowballed me out of it saying that there will be no warranty complaints be entertained

Time to change the dealership/ service station or SA at the least!

Read my thread few pages ago - I have extra dash-cam point wired and additional headrest entertainment units setup by Sireesh technician. I have bills of those things too

Replacing the stock speakers with something better of the same specs should not be an issue anyway!

[abirnale]

On the way to work today at fuel filling station, noticed this PUC centre and decided to do the PUC test. I think for a year, new vehicle does not need PUC. But after year we have to do this test every 6 months. My XUV is about to complete a year anyway, hence did the test.

They actually count the RPM values by attaching a sensor from their test machine in the engine bay, and at the same time capture smoke from exhaust. They do three tests and take average reading. While doing the RPM capture, the engine is revved to around 3500-4000 RPM in neutral. The data capture machine does some gimmick in the backend and send the stuff to computer. Computer then gives you final PUC.

Here is the copy of PUC certificate - not sure what should be the ideal values and what does it indicate, but the overall result says PASS



This was little different than how my SX4 petrol used to be tested

[Travelator]

Originally Posted by abirnale

Time to change the dealership/ service station or SA at the least!

Read my thread few pages ago - I have extra dash-cam point wired and additional headrest entertainment units setup by Sireesh technician. I have bills of those things too

Replacing the stock speakers with something better of the same specs should not be an issue anyway!

will be visiting Anant cars Bannerghatta road for a detailed discussion on this. Until now it was only a telephone call that was sufficient to scare me out of my skin. Meanwhile I have already replaced the stock front speakers with Focal 165 Polyglass ripped away from my Punto. The result is surely better than the stock but still a lot worse than expected.

[abirnale]

Last year, this day we had this urban beast in our garage! It had been a fun filled, exciting and extremely satisfying year! We munched 27500 kms together! Like never before, the personal best of mileage on any of my cars till date!

Happy birthday to my orange cheetah!



Many more to go!

[abirnale]

To rewind on the memory lane, yesterday took family on a breakfast drive to IPC beyond airport on NH7. The urge to spend the day took us further down to avalabetta hills. Nicest weather, coop breeze and lazy roads on a Sunday was perfect recipient for another fun filled outing yesterday.

Here are few pictures from the drive -











Today I am sending the car to Sai Colouriam to have those ugly door scratches from last year repair. A full body detailing and interior cleaning on cards too. This is the birthday gift to bring back Orange Cheetah in its original form

Ciao until next update!

[abirnale]

So as a birthday gift to Orange Cheetah, this is what is happening right now -



Followed by an exhaustive detailing session for exterior as well as interior.

More details to follow soon.

[abirnale]

Anniversaries are important. Especially when it comes to females and cars

So here is what is done to the car on the occasion of the anniversary -

1. Driver side noodle mat is replaced (the one I did myself is deteriorated badly due to shoe-heel contact)
2. HID bulbs are put back in.
3. Headlights and Front windshield rejuvenation / treatment (those minor scratches from highway drives are partially taken care.) The vision is super clear!
4. Exteriors Treatment - Painted the entire right side of the car. Front side fender, both doors, last quarter and rear bumper too. All the scratches are gone! The exterior is treated with more detailing and applied paint sealant. Exactly the way it was done a year ago. The wheels are cleaned. They shine like mighty silver now. The feeling of scratch free car and shining in orange is sight to behold! Craving for the car photoshoot!
5. Interior Cleaning/ Shampooing - Along with the exterior, the interiors were treated too. The seats are clean like factory roll outs. The interiors are now again back in their pristine form! The cabin is deodorised.

The car feels like new - no sign of ageing even after 28000 Kms and 12+ months on it! Feeling happy

Here is one pic of the car when I collected it over weekend -



I will upload more pictures as I get to spend more time in the car. Until then ciao!

[Gentle Giant]

What superb attention to detail abirnale, kudos to you! I'm a happy owner of the new generation W8 too and we celebrate the W8's birthday on 24th August. Now, you've got me thinking on how I should ring in the 1st anniversary too, hmmm...

[ajayclicks]

Originally Posted by abirnale

Today I am sending the car to Sai Colouriam to have those ugly door scratches from last year repair.

How was your overall experience with them? And in your opinion, how do they stack up against Trend in terms of quality and costs? I have to get my swift repaired and painted, and Sai's location works better for me.

Also, the PUC that you mentioned a few posts back, was that done with the PUC center located at the HP bunk on JP Nagar ring road.

[nilanjanray]

Originally Posted by abirnale

Patience always pays off.

The most memorable trip of my lifetime just happened. I could not have been more lucky. I am sure if I would have asked for XUV to be like a Jag, my wishes would have come true. But all I did was asked for glimpse of majestic cats at Tadoba! And it was fulfilled beyond my imagination.

Lovely photos, and what fantastic sightings!!! Must have been a fabulous experience.

[abirnale]

Originally Posted by ajayclicks

How was your overall experience with Sai?
....
Also, the PUC that you mentioned a few posts back, was that done with the PUC center located at the HP bunk on JP Nagar ring road.

Hey Ajay. Thanks. I missed to catch up with you all on Sunday. Since I knew Bharath and his partner very well and a close friend of mine helped me establish that link long ago, super special attention was given to my car. They painted Five panels in the cost of three. Right side both doors, front side-upper bonnet potion, the rear side quarter panel and the rear bumper was fully painted. The colour match was superb. Absolutely no regrets whatsoever. It took them 3.5 days to finish the job but that was more because I had told them to take their own time. They have all facilities like closed booth painting, baking etc. And moreover competent/ skilled workers too.

Compared to Trend, I think Sai's facilities are very modern and location plays well for me too. I had been to Trend once in 2014 to repair my SX4 front bumper. Their quote was little lesser than the Maruti quote. Hence I did not go with them. Here it worked out well for my XUV.

And yes, the PUC was done at the HP's outlet on JP Nagar Phase 2/ Ring road location.

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

Lovely photos, and what fantastic sightings!!! Must have been a fabulous experience.

Thanks Nilanjan It was really mesmerising trip! Before this I had never seen a tiger out in the wild. This was first time and I was lucky - I sighted 10 distinct tigers, two sloth bears and numerous birds and Gaurs. These trips are addictive. Next opportunity I get, I will head out in the wild instead of some cozy resort except when the little ones accompany me on the family outings.

[abirnale]

Just as when I was celebrating the scratch free car, in less than two weeks from all shiny stuff, this happened



It was on rainy day while I was trying to reverse the car through my home gate, the blarb wire hanging on side caught up into the bumper and pulled the thing out with few really bad scars. I tried to save my lady from rain and avoid using umbrella but ... Glad, I could prove my point to her that, Car isn't more important than her

Fast forward to this day - the car goes in for servicing for 30K milestone! Along with regular checkup and stuff, I chose to change the engine oil. Fix up the broken mud flap and cladding. All completed in half a day and vehicle is out on the road again. Thanks to my SA who ensured that every possible check to be done in the time given and fixing issues like high beam levelling, coating battery connection terminals with that blue spray, topping up all liquids, AC filter changes and so on.



For now the scars on the rear bumper are not visible much and there is no need to do anything. The Free Spa treatment by M&M for anniversary is still pending. That will most probably be availed next month and this scar should be smoothened out with it.

The busiest July is about to end now while the hopes of free august are on rise. Time to hit the road again! Ciao until next update.

[a4anurag]

Originally Posted by abirnale

Fast forward to this day - the car goes in for servicing for 30K milestone!

What is this separate charge for labour: "Dealer AMC scheme labour charges" - Rs 250?