[PrasannaDhana]

Closing September 2021 with 47010 km on the odo.

Total usage this month 3040 km

Shared between Storme 1270 km &
Kwid 1.0 1770 km

I used the kwid more this month.

Recently noticing a humming sound from the front right tyre. Suspecting wheel bearing issue. Kinda pissed off that I am encountering this sound at this point in time (just 47k on odo). I don't have the patience or the time in October to check it out. So, the storme is parked at the end of garage and will not be used much unless I sort out this issue.




One advantage of using the smaller, more efficient car is that your monthly fuel expenditure is reduced by almost half.


August I spent 31000 rupees while this month I have managed it with 18xxx rupees.

The storme gets its LTD sticker.


With a friend's brand new Venue


A few pics of the storme



Finally crossed 20000 km usage in 8 months in this year. Should have crossed 25000 km but lockdown in May and Kwid being used parallelly since August has reduced the running of storme



A huge difference between monthly fuel costs between Aug and Sep

[PrasannaDhana]

The Safari Storme was used lightly this month. 20 days and just about 600 km of usage.

I noticed a mild hum from the front RHS tyre while driving since the 47000 km mark. Veteran BHPian @Vigsom met me a few weeks back and we drove the Storme. He could hear it more prominently from the shotgun seat. I sat there when he drove the storme and I noticed it too.

We were suspecting wheel bearing wear, but 47000 km is too early for that. Anyways found time yesterday to leave the storme at the A.S.S.

The right wheel bearing was the culprit. Left side was good. It was replaced and the car is as smooth as it was new. A 3.2k dent to my wallet though.



Odo : 47,700 km

And the Storme will go back to hibernation in a week's time Courtesy - my new daily driver. The Altroz 1.5 Revotorq Diesel XZ+ in smashing downtown red shade. Delivery next Tuesday or Wednesday.

Until then, a few random pics of the Storme with random Altrozes

[PrasannaDhana]

Update:

Odo crossed 48,000 km.



The storme was used very sparingly in September and October, totalling 2200 km in both the months combined.

It is back to hibernation at my parents' home (next street though).


Excellently replaced my ex-beloved Ciaz for the last 9 months, covering 21,500 km inspite of complete lockdown in May and low usage in the last 2 months. Also thanks to the Kwid 1.0 for chipping in, covering 6000 km since August.

In my 2 decades of driving experience, Storme is the only large SUV that drives like a small car when it comes to maneuverability. Thoroughly enjoyed my time with the storme (except for those fuel refilling times though ). When driven sedately, storme delivers excellent fuel efficiency for a big 2 tonne car. But I lack that patience and those 154 horses and 400 Nm torque must be enjoyed thoroughly too.

Tomorrow my new daily driver is getting delivered. It will replace the ciaz(and storme) as my primary ride, while I will also retain my Kwid 1.0 as a beater. Storme will be driven once every week (planning Saturdays as I drive to 2 of my office locations on that day), thereby not being unused totally.

I have already posted my Altroz pics from the pdi at the yard in Altroz official review thread.

For those who missed it, here are a few pics of the Storme with my next primary

Yours truly with the Altroz








For now, Ciao!

[PrasannaDhana]

After a long hiatus due to addition of the beautiful Altroz to my garage,

Storme is on duty. I had a 500 km round trip to Sivakasi today. Planned to take the Altroz, but then, it was a family trip, which means - No music.

I imagined the high speed chime consistently beeping and hence dropped the AltroZ from the trip.

Trichy - Madurai - Sivakasi highways are blissful to drive and I keep my Storme happily at 3000- 3250 rpm in 6th for hours together.

Trip distance


Driving storme at those speeds on the highway and to experience even bad surfaces glide through, is a bliss!!

Loved the drive totally, with family not realising what speeds the car was doing. Varicor 400 - refinement and power

As always, we all got down as fresh as if we went on a 5km drive.

2 pics from coffee stops at the same A2B restaurant at Othakadai, from the to & fro parts of the trip. Coincidentally both times, storme was accompanied by Fortuners.





It's monsoon time here and the new kid is being protected by the big brother, taking up the tough work of braving the climate



Storme will be back to retirement from tomorrow.

[PrasannaDhana]

The storme was at 48000 km on the odo on October 27th, the day I took delivery of my Altroz 1.5 diesel.

2 months and 10 days later, the ldo stands at 49,300 km. Yes, just 1300 km in the last 70 days. Reason - Altroz took 90% of the entire work load, covering 7000 km in the same period. Also Kwid taking 500 km and the new celerio doing another 500 km.

I don't think I will be using storme extensive again. So I have decided to get it serviced at 50000 km instead of the 55000 km. Planning to drive the storme for a long wedding trip next week, and get it serviced mostly by 3rd week of January.

Being parked in the garage of my parents' house, the storme was laden with dust.

Gave a much needed TLC yesterday







And again, parked at the back in my garage



My dad was going to Vailankanni with his friends. I even asked his friend to take the storme instead of his car as dad was not comfortable traveling long distances in low slung cars (compared to storme).

His friend was overwhelmed by the sheer dimensions of the storme and declined the offer

The storme has seen just 2 refills in last 2 months. Both of them saw poor fuel efficiency numbers (compared to my 13-15 kmpl figures when it was my primary ride). It has settled down at 11 kmpl as I no more baby it. Whenever I get into the storme, I floor it and have fun



The present primary ride returns twice as much



Effectively, Altroz diesel has stolen all the steering time from my other cars. Storme being idle is something that bothers me. Next thing that bugs me off is my dad wanting me to put 1000 km on my new celerio. I have managed to clock 500 km but I just don't get the mood to take it to work.




I really wanted to drive the storme on hills (ooty or kodaikanal or atleast yercaud). But now, I am dying to drive the altroz there instead. One positive fact about this is that that storme would remain fresher for 5 more years as the wear and tear is drastically reduced.

[Swapnil4585]

Both your threads on the Storme and the Altroz are a great read, though they are increasing my confusion as to which one to go by in case we decide to drop our Altis.

I had driven a Varicor long time back and vaguely remember 100 kph in 6th at a shade below 2000 rpm. What speed would 3250 rpm in 6th be?

[PrasannaDhana]

Originally Posted by Swapnil4585

Both your threads on the Storme and the Altroz are a great read, though they are increasing my confusion as to which one to go by in case we decide to drop our Altis.

I had driven a Varicor long time back and vaguely remember 100 kph in 6th at a shade below 2000 rpm. What speed would 3250 rpm in 6th be?

Thank you!

If you are going to be munching a lot miles over bad roads, storme is the car you should go for. If driving fun & low running costs are what you are after, Altroz wins. Though Storme is in its own league when it comes to effortlessly cruising on triple digit speeds. Coming from Altis, Storme should do. Even better choice will be an Hexa Varicor 400.

3250 rpm in 6th will get me infracted. Will PM you the details.

[PrasannaDhana]

50,000 km Service Update

Storme has clocked 50200 km. My previous Safari Dicor had clocked 1,00,000 km in the same 4 years. Storme sees half that mileage. Good considering the fact that I won't be replacing the storme atleast for the next 5 years.



Tata service has become hectic nowadays. While the service experience is good, the wash quality has gone down. It is the same with Maruti too. In recent experience, Renault does the best job in washing the car when compared to Tata and Maruti.



Last oil replacement was done at 40k km service in August 2021 IIRC. Next scheduled oil service was at 55,000 km. I preponed the service to 50000 km because the Storme is getting used only for long distance drives and trips to places where roads are pathetic. It may take 4 more months to hit the 55k mark.

Engine Oil, oil filter and air filter were replaced along with routine checks. LHS rear tail lamp did not work lately. It was replaced. Wheel alignment too was done.

Total bill was 8.7k









Tata added this service package along with the bill. It was charged 250 rupees.

It will get me the following benefits



5% off on spares


10% off on labour charges



New celerio was my replacement when the Storme was at service. While I loved how effortless it was to drive in the city, I missed the torque of my diesel cars on the highway. It is okay till 80 kmph. 2021 Celerio is a great city car though- very light steering and clutch, very good driveability from the K10C and excellent all round visibility.




Issues in the storme as of now -

1. Fuel release button has a mind of its own, sometimes it works, the other times the fuel cap has to be opened manually. I raised this complaint during the service. Looks like the entire switch has to be replaced and they don't have it in stock. Since I always refill the tank to full, I decided to ignore this as I visit the fuel bunks only twice a month maximum.

2. The rear tailgate door lever used to be smooth in operation. After the service, it has become harder to engage. Will have to check it up when I find time.



Meanwhile, my family friend is getting an altroz 1.2 N/A XM+ in gold shade. Both the engine and colour are not something I would recommend.

He asked me to accompany him for the PDI. We did a pdi and the gold colour actually looked good in person.








The same colour on the bigger cars did not look very appealing though. Kaziranga editions of Nexon and Harrier

[PrasannaDhana]

Just a routine update

Odo: 51,700 km

The car was not used much in March. It was used less than 500 km in March, as the altroz diesel is doing my daily driver duties.

April has been a bit more active with regards to Storme. I had to travel with 5 on board frequently and hence storme became the obvious choice. I have driven the storme over 1100 km so far.



My schedule is packed next week, and again, having to travel with 5 / 6 on board. Next week is one of those 1000km weeks. April 2022 will clock 2000+ km on the storme, reducing the load on Altroz, which is currently at 2100 km so far this month. Got the tank refilled and got alignment and wheel balancing done at the usual FNG. Though alignment was done during the 50k km service, balancing wasn't done. Hence did both today.









The stock tyres have about 30% life left. Planning to replace them at the 60000 km mark. Suggestions are welcome. My priorities are ride quality and NVH. Bridgestone dueller H/T has been my choice in the past, from Sumo Grande, Safari Dicor to now the Storme.

Using a small turbo diesel as a daily driver makes one forget about fuel prices. Altroz diesel delivers 18 kmpl even when driven aggressively all the time. The habit definitely gets carried over when driving the storme too

Result, below average Fuel efficiency than usual.



A few pics







With the most popular and the best looking Mahindra today

[PrasannaDhana]

Concluding the month a little early:

April has been a very good month for the storme. The car has been active after 6 months, crossing the 2000 km monthly usage barrier first time after the altroz purchase.

Odo : 52,700 km



Of that 21xx km, 1300 km were covered in less than a week, 4 days to be exact. All those 4 days, the car was driven with 5/6 on board and at triple digit cruising, all the time. And hence the effect on the fuel efficiency below -



My work had me very busy the whole month. Decided to take some time off in Kodaikanal. I won't be taking the storme for 2 reasons -
1. Altroz diesel is awesome to drive around hills
2. Storme hits my wallet much harder with with current atrocious diesel prices, making the fuel cost per km almost 10 rupees I have burnt quite some diesel and INR already this month lol.

Storme has been parked to rest for atleast 2 more weeks. My 2021 celerio has been driven less than 500 km this month. It will have to be driven in first few weeks of May. So it's going to be a long hiatus for the storme.

It did perform beautifully with all those passengers and luggages, dismissing bad roads like it's a walk in a park.

A few pics from various parking spaces with some cool cars from the last few days.

[Sumer]

Could you please share some photos of your current tyres, depicting their condition? Also, what is the OEM tyre size?

[Rajith]

Safari Storme storming the road after 2.5lacs kms on odometer with ease, engine and transmission untouched still !
Feels another 2.5Lac kms in the belly to unleash

[PrasannaDhana]

It's been a while since I posted in this thread. Well, the storme has crossed a milestone

The All 5 on the odo



Usage has come down to 500km / month on an average as the altroz diesel does the daily runs.

Storme chugs along without any issues or niggles to report.

With the blockbuster from Mahindra



With brother's 2022 Safari







Though the Usage is limited, I almost always have a big reason everytime to take the storme out of the garage

Be it transporting hundreds of books for my school children





All these books accommodated in the boot & middle seat



Or be it transporting hundreds of coconuts from my farm





Or be it getting 600 cakes for the children on the occasion of dad's birthday





The storme does it all!

A few more pics

With our beater Kwid 1.0, which has run the same 56,000 km but in 6 years, and also had the clutch replaced. I couldn't find the time to update my kwid thread. Storme will be 5 years old in March.






And when you have been driving Safaris for 12 years, you get accustomed to the dimensions so well to maneuver it within an inch precision

https://youtu.be/351Vr-GYECI

Next update will be after the 60,000 km service.

[100Kmphormore]

There is a reason why the Safari, particularly the Storme is still in production for our Armed Forces. Apart from the body roll, this is a go anywhere SUV! My only gripe with our Scorpio is the body roll and uncertain steering and vibrations. the Dicor/Endeavour was the most loved of all of us 90s kids due to its butch looks and gangster appeal.

Have you considered dropping the rear suspension/lowering stiffer springs for reduced body roll/shaking on bad roads? It looks like the rear is sitting a story higher than the front. Am contemplating doing this for our Scorpio, but not sure if its a good move. ARC has a video on the before/after difference and its close to what i feel.

[PrasannaDhana]

An update after 8 months



Odo - 67100 km





The All 6 milestone



12000 km have been done in the last 8 months. I have had a driver for the last 5 months. So the storme has run around 6000 km with the driver. Sadly, he upshifts only at 2500 rpm and never uses engine braking. I tried teaching him to engine brake and shift at 1900 rpm, but he seems to forget both in a day or two. He also doesn't slow down over bad roads at all.

60k km service costed me 18300 rupees. Just the routine stuff done. The Altroz diesel is being used by me as a primary ride. I take the storme once a week, and dad uses it 2 to 3 times a week.




Recently while doing wheel alignment I noticed the stock Bridgestone tires were almost worn out. Moreover they are over 5 years old too.



New vs old


Altroz stock tyres are at 47000 km. They need to be replaced at after 3 to 5k km






I replaced all 4 tyres today with same Bridgestone Dueler HT 235/70 R16. These are the 3rd set of tyres I am buying, 1 for Sumo Grande, 1 for the last Safari Dicor and now for the storme.

I replaced tyres at 75000 km in Safari Dicor. In storme the stick tires have lasted 67000 km with about 3000 km more life to them.

36k damage to the wallet.



The SUV has been consistently giving 13 to 14 kmpl T2T Fuel efficiency. I did the 60k km service at 58000 km since I didn't use the storme much last year (only 10000 km used, altroz did the duty fully) and I did not want to have 1 year old oil in the engine.

Next service will be at 70000 km (75k km routine service).

Things to address in the 70000 km service

1. The gear lever rattles a bit. It has been doing it just recently. Never had this issue in the Dicor. But then, Dicor wasn't abused by drivers. It was me totally driving it.

2. LHS tail light (brake light) has a mind of its own. At times it works and at times it doesn't.

Total Running costs over the last 2 years and 40000 km of tracking - works out to be 10 rupees per km. Not bad IMO.