[Redline6800]

Have to say it's a great decision to retain the Ciaz !

Money saved is Money Earned!

Maybe a remap, suspension upgrade, alloy/tyre upgrade and a nice new touchscreen with better speakers will be a great way to spend Rs 1.5L and refresh this beauty

[Durango Dude]

Commend you on the decision of "not" going in for a new car. I'd rate buying a car in these trying times as a rather "impulsive" decision. The car is not going to see new roads anytime soon and is going to remain parked for most of the time. When finances are short, revenue not forthcoming, future rather uncertain, you need a "visa" (e-pass) to visit your hometown and you can't socialize with any one. The only way you can announce your "new" arrival is by Social Media. That said good to see that you've made 'peace' with the coconut and the 'dent'. With your 'passion' in looking after your Ciaz it would serve you well for over 100K more kms.

[PrasannaDhana]

Originally Posted by Durango Dude

The only way you can announce your "new" arrival is by Social Media. That said good to see that you've made 'peace' with the coconut and the 'dent'. With your 'passion' in looking after your Ciaz it would serve you well for over 100K more kms.

More than announcing the new car arrival to others (which I don't care a bit though), it was always been that family habit of changing cars every few years. For instance, I have bought 14 cars since 2000. And now, that habit is slowly changing. My safari Dicor lasted 6 years with us before replacing it with Storme. Now ciaz will be staying even longer. Even the cheaper ones (kwid 1.0 & Celerio) are being retained beyond the usual 3 years limit now.

[sagarpadaki]

Suggest you get a remap done from a reputed Tuner. That bump in power will give you a much needed zing to live with the car for few more years.

Change all 4 shock absorbers if you have not already done. That should get the car back to new car ride and handling

[KPR]

Replacing a Ciaz with newer vehicles may not be a good decision. The car is designed to handle what 1.3mjd can give without reducing the mileage. That 90 hp is a gem and no need to worry about the life, mileage and spares of the engine. I'm sure what you'll miss in your new car is this engine. Maybe a SCross 1.6 less used may satiate your desire with MS reliability. Problem is hard to find that gem.

[PrasannaDhana]

Originally Posted by sagarpadaki

Suggest you get a remap done from a reputed Tuner. That bump in power will give you a much needed zing to live with the car for few more years.

Change all 4 shock absorbers if you have not already done. That should get the car back to new car ride and handling

I am not much into remaps. Moreover I don't find the 89bhp of Fiat's humble 1.3 ddis boring at all(except for the low end which I am anyways used to). I have no complaints over the performance and I do floor it 90% of times on the highways. Boredom is not at all an issue with the ciaz. I was a bit bothered about the dent for sometime but now I have come to terms with it


PS:
BHPians who have installed windshield tints, what is your opinion on them? Do they hinder night time visibility? I saw a new verna and a Compass with the windshield tint (nice bluish purple shade). Is it really worth it?



My concern is that I have to park the ciaz under hot sun now more often than before whenever I visit the city. All my offices and homes have closed car parks. I am worried if this would fade/wear out the dash, which is exposed to direct sunlight (as seen in the pic)



I have decided to get the timing chain replaced at the 1,20,000 km service. Will also get the suspension inspected and replace if the need arises. The ride quality is still very plush and comfortable. New number plates definitely in the list, when time permits, so with the roots Windtone horn. My first roots horn works 50% (one of the horns doesn't honk anymore), and sounds like the old stock VW single honk.

[PrasannaDhana]

Concluding June 2020 with the monthly usage of 2839 km. Planning to give some rest to the ciaz and use other cars for a change or better yet replace the dead battery of my RC390 and put it to use.

[samay300]

]

My concern is that I have to park the ciaz under hot sun now more often than before whenever I visit the city. All my offices and homes have closed car parks. I am worried if this would fade/wear out the dash, which is exposed to direct sunlight (as seen in the pic)

In addition to using windshield tints apply a good quality interior dresser to all the plastic parts of the interior once a week or every two times you clean your car. Use it regularly. It will add a layer of protection to the plastic elements. But use good quality ones. Do some research before buying a good interior dresser.

with the roots Windtone horn. My first roots horn works 50% (one of the horns doesn't honk anymore), and sounds like the old stock VW single honk.

As already you have used the roots horn once, I suggest this time try the Hella chrome twin trumpet set...I have been using it for almost two years now in brezza and the sound of the horn feels premium.

[PrasannaDhana]

Update :

Odo - 1,19,000 km



Next update will be after 1,20,000 km service. It will be a major service involving major expenses too

1. Timing chain replacement
2. Suspension overhaul
3. Routine 1,20,000 km service

Along with insurance renewal. I might also replace the registration plates and fog lamps marking the 5th anniversary on 31st of this month.

A few latest pics :








Two brown beauties - My ciaz with my brother's vintage 2-stroke Jawa Yezdi 250 cc







Metallic brown and sunlight - best combo ever

[PrasannaDhana]

Update :

Odo - 1,19,400 km

I decided to give the car for the 1,20,000 km service early because I had some time today.

Yesterday I enquired ABT Maruti (Read - Not Nexa) whether they have timing kit for Ciaz in stock and whether Ertiga and ciaz share same part numbers regarding the kit.

The service advisors(very close to me as I have been associated with them for decades) told me they are not sure about it and if the part numbers are different, they won't have ciaz timing kit in stock. And moreover they haven't replaced timing chain for a ciaz so far (as most ciaz's aren't 1 lakh + km run or choose to stay with Maruti arena A.S.S). I sticked with them since I had a great rapport with them and bought the ciaz from them in 2015.

So that being said, I enquired Nexa A.S.S and to my luck, my brother's friend is a service advisor and he told me he can do the job asap.

So gave the car to Nexa, first time in 5 years and after 18 visits to the service, the car goes to a different service station.

After a long test drive, he told me suspension would not need an overhaul as it is pretty good. He might want to inspect it thoroughly and may replace some of the parts if found worn out.

The car will be delivered tomorrow, and they dropped me back home in my car. First time riding shotgun in my own ciaz



Again, mine is among the first ciazes that they service with 1.2 lakh km on the odo.

He also hinted at flywheel replacement, but not in this service but at 130k km service, as there is a very mild judder while releasing clutch from 1st gear alone.

Timing chain kit & water pump replacement - 15k estimate
Routine 120k km service - 9k estimate
If any suspension component need to be replaced, it would add up.

Also asked them to set the driver door pad fabric insert right. It has come off the stitches due to usage (I always use the doorpad armrest with my elbows resting on the doorpad fabric).




If I like the service quality, I might just stick to Nexa in the future.

Until tomorrow, the darling will be missed

[PrasannaDhana]

5 years and 1,20,000 km with my Maruti Ciaz ZDI

July 31st, 2015 was the day I brought the car home. Though there is 2 more weeks for the 5th anniversary, this is an update regarding the 1,20,000 km service.

Tried Nexa this time, and I was as satisfied as I would be with any Maruti dealer. 10/10 for their work!






The service bill came up to 28,000 INR

Work done

1. Timing chain kit replacement
2. Suspension arms - Front - replacement
3. Steering Tie rods - replacement
4. 120k PMS
5. Minor work on the headliner and the driver door pad
6. Solenoid valve replacement

Bills:








You might find "protective coating on body" being charged 1000 INR, and I was told it was teflon (which I didn't ask for firstly). But anyways the overall experience and promptness (1 day delivery) made me not make it an issue. The car was also sanitised and came with all plastic covering over front seats, gear lever and the steering wheel, which I removed once I reached home. Charged me 200 INR for that, which is reasonable.

After 1 day of driving my Celerio and Kwid, this classy cabin was a welcome change, I feel at home here.




Back to action, cleaning job is below average, as in any A.S.S



Perhaps the largest "replaced parts" package I bring from service centre



And the contents of the package were


&

Timing chain parts here



Not the perfect job, but hey, it's better than a torn doorpad



Remember the coconut fall incident, the headliner is put back to place



After 18 visits to ABT Maruti, 19th visit to NEXA. I will stick to Nexa in future. Here, all service bills from 1st service at 1000 km in 2015 August to 19th service at 1,20,000 km in 2020 July



I now understand why people want to sell their cars at 1 lakh km mark or 5 years, because they don't want to spend on these essentials on a 5 year old car. Take my car as an example,

Since 1 lakh mark, this February, I have done the following necessary work on it

1. Clutch replacement
2. Gear sync replacement
3. Timing chain replacement
4. Suspension arms and tie rods replacement
5. Tyres replacement

All costing me 80k. But after these expenses, my car is good to go for another lakh km. I liked it when the service advisor (friend of my brother) told me "Anna, don't ever sell this car, I will take care of it, you can clock 3,00,000 km without any fuss" . I was just remembering how confused I got myself to be, regarding its replacement not long ago.

This service has been the most expensive in my ciaz ownership. The previous most expensive one was with my Safari Dicor during its 1,25,000 km service where I had to replace clutch plates, costing me 45k overall.

If I had bought a new car last year, I will have to pay 29k on insurance alone now. Meanwhile how much did I pay for my ciaz? Just 7.8k with 50% NCB


As a small gift to the reliable workhorse, and to spruce things a bit, I replaced my IND plates to German plates with the frame (both my Storme v400 and Kwid 1.0 have the same plates). The sticker guy asked me if I wanted the German tricolor. Why would I need it, I got our Indian tricolor, adds up to exclusivity among the sea of Ciazes.



And the 5 year old plates find a well-deserved retirement home on one of the wardrobes of my house. A small daily reminder for 5 years & 1.2 lakh km of comfortable and safe usage (very special because it was driven totally, only by me from day 1 to now, except for the 20km that the Nexa driver drove to drop me back home) Looking forward to another 1 lakh km.




More pics this morning under sunlight.

A few more pics

[KPR]

Originally Posted by PrasannaDhana

Yesterday I enquired ABT Maruti (Read - Not Nexa) whether they have timing kit for Ciaz in stock and whether Ertiga and ciaz share same part numbers regarding the kit.
The service advisors(very close to me as I have been associated with them for decades) told me they are not sure about it and if the part numbers are different, they won't have ciaz timing kit in stock. And moreover they haven't replaced timing chain for a ciaz so far (as most ciaz's aren't 1 lakh + km run or choose to stay with Maruti arena A.S.S).

Surprising to know that ABT dealer doesn't have many 1L+ driven Fiat 1.3 MJDs. In Jayaraj Fiat ASS it's a matter of routine work to change timing chain . IIRC I gave my swift MJD to ABT at 80K service and asked service advisor to check timing chain, he said why, anything serious type of questions? Maybe they're not much well versed with such long haul customers. BTW MS's 90HP timing chain replacement is done at 120K km. Fiat recommends now 90K km for any of their MJD cars. My punto is due for TC replacement during next service. This phase is rebirth for these diesel mills.

[PrasannaDhana]

Originally Posted by KPR

Surprising to know that ABT dealer doesn't have many 1L+ driven Fiat 1.3 MJDs. In Jayaraj Fiat ASS it's a matter of routine work to change timing chain . IIRC I gave my swift MJD to ABT at 80K service and asked service advisor to check timing chain, he said why, anything serious type of questions? Maybe they're not much well versed with such long haul customers..

You misunderstood.
ABT has done hundreds of timing chain replacements on their MJD cars (both FGT and VGT), but they haven't replaced one in a ciaz so far. Most ciaz deliveries they gave were upto 2016 and they haven't had any of those ciaz customers clock 1+ lakh km. Or may be they have moved to Nexa.

I went to Nexa because they haven't done in ciaz (though it won't be much different from Ertiga or Brezza) and more importantly they had no suspension spares of ciaz. Due to lockdown, they can't get any from Bangalore (that's where they get their spares from).

In comparison, ABT would have seen 20x the number of 1+ lakh run MJDs than what the Trichy fiat would have seen

80k is too early if you ask me. Maruti doesn't recommend timing chain replacement before 1 lakh km. And ABT guys were confident that mine was totally alright even at 120k km. I replaced it proactively (based on Bhpians Paragsachania and ArunJosie's threads). There was no complaints whatsoever.

[KPR]

Yes for sure they would've done many cars. I totally forgot that Ciaz was sold by Nexa. That's why wondered. No doubt Fiat would've done 20 nos in Trichy cars vis 20x MS cars by ABT.

[harry10]

28k bill
And I thought my City idtec 1,20,000km service bill for 10k was excessive. Few items in that bill could have been avoided by service center but then they have to fleece the customer as usual. Good job on maintaining the interiors