[mayankjha1806]

Your thread has given me confidence that i can continue to own and enjoy my Baleno's run for another 3/4 years.

Where is the car now? In Delhi or Kerala?
Is it very sparingly driven now?
Somewhere in between you mentioned there was a kat-kat sound from left front, what was done to resolve it? My baleno is giving similar sound.

Every time i drive her it amazes me with her stance and grip of the road. We are thinking of moving her to our hometown in the next two years as we will have a car to commute within the city when we go there every 3/6 months.

[v&v]

Originally Posted by Fordmanchau

V&V, though you not updated the Odometer figure of your car, I believe it should have crossed the 100,000 mark ?
So congratulations beforehand!!
Do we get to see some fresh pics of your Baleno?
What's the current odometer reading now ? How long do you plan to keep it ?
Any updates/mods planned for the car ?

Thanks Fordmanchau. Yes it has crossed 1L. Since there was nothing specific to update , i thought will update in May. Would love to post latest pic buddy but my car is in Kerala. Enjoying its official retirement. My Dad drives it. I also don't know the exact Odo. Would love to keep it as long as its reliable and spares available. No update/mods planned. I like cars in its stock versions.

Originally Posted by mayankjha1806

Your thread has given me confidence that i can continue to own and enjoy my Baleno's run for another 3/4 years.

Where is the car now? In Delhi or Kerala?
Is it very sparingly driven now?
Somewhere in between you mentioned there was a kat-kat sound from left front, what was done to resolve it? My baleno is giving similar sound.

Every time i drive her it amazes me with her stance and grip of the road. We are thinking of moving her to our hometown in the next two years as we will have a car to commute within the city when we go there every 3/6 months.

Thanks mayank. Yes you can easily keep it for next 4 - 5 years. The car is in kerala. it does 3000 kms a year now. Yes the khat khat sound was resolved and was from the Rack (Steering). I did a full suspension job both front/back before our drive to Kerala in 2010.

[utppal]

Originally Posted by v&v

Yes the khat khat sound was resolved and was from the Rack (Steering). I did a full suspension job both front/back before our drive to Kerala in 2010.

Hi V&V,

Have been following your very informative thread and wanted to ask you specifically on the full suspension job.

My 2006 Baleno has just about crossed 90k on the Odo and I'm too getting kathak sounds while going over potholes as well as when turning the steering full to the right.

How much did it cost you to do the full suspension job? Was it MGP or after market?

I too plan to keep my Baleno for another 3 ~ 4 years. I'm evaluating a justification for spending for a full suspension replacement job.

Thanks in advance!

[v&v]

Originally Posted by utppal

Hi V&V,

My 2006 Baleno has just about crossed 90k on the Odo and I'm too getting kathak sounds while going over potholes as well as when turning the steering full to the right.

How much did it cost you to do the full suspension job? Was it MGP or after market?

I too plan to keep my Baleno for another 3 ~ 4 years. I'm evaluating a justification for spending for a full suspension replacement job.

Thanks in advance!

SGP is very costly. Mine all were after market and is readily available. It should not cost you more than 15k. This excludes the axle. Only boot was changed.

As for Khat is due to steering column. Once it goes to lathe it will be fine.

Did you show it at any garage ?

[utppal]

Originally Posted by v&v

SGP is very costly. Mine all were after market and is readily available. It should not cost you more than 15k. This excludes the axle. Only boot was changed.

As for Khat is due to steering column. Once it goes to lathe it will be fine.

Did you show it at any garage ?

Yes I completely agree. SGP is very costly indeed! My Baleno is maintained by a local garage, not official anymore. So the opinion of the local mechanic is what I have at the current moment. I had planned to show it to a garage of repute but would you really think it is worth?

So yes, I will take your example and go with after market.

[Dev-Gun]

Originally Posted by v&v

This is was due to less usage. White smoke was only on cold start after a 15 to 20 days of non use. After my 80k service where i had injector and throttle body cleaning , Now i have no issues.

I also had a car scan and individual cylinder compression check too. All ok as of now.

Hello V&V,

I know its an ancient post , not sure if you still have your favorite machine Baleno. I just wanted to know about the cylinder compression check, where did you get that checked from in delhi/ncr ?

If possible please send me the phone number and address of that shop or mechanic.

Regards,

Dev-Gun

[TorquePeedo]

Hi V&V,

I read up your posts on your Baleno today and found it very encouraging. I too own a 2005 Baleno and have been enjoying the drive since 2009 as I bought it from a friend. It has done 80k+ kms on the odo. I wanted to know your opinion on a few things:

1. I also experience the sound in the shockers.
2. The driver side lock latch is gone kaput as I can unlock the central lock using the key from the driver side but when i lock using the key from the driver side only the driver side door locks but if i lock using the button on the driver side door all 4 doors get locked. Motorcraft gave me a option to replace the latch for 8k (essentially the whole central lock assembly)
3. I think there is a slight loss in acceleration. Could it be the clutch?
4. I need to get a audio system head replaced, any recommendations?


Thanks,
Asif

[v&v]

Originally Posted by Dev-Gun

Hello V&V,

I know its an ancient post , not sure if you still have your favorite machine Baleno. I just wanted to know about the cylinder compression check, where did you get that checked from in delhi/ncr ?

If possible please send me the phone number and address of that shop or mechanic.

Regards,

Dev-Gun

Sorry Dev, i missed your post. Yes my baleno is still with me. No problems mechanically but power windows is what is troubling me.

I used to visit Kar Scanning Centre @ GK-2. Its in the old savitri cinema complex.

Originally Posted by TorquePeedo

Hi V&V,

I read up your posts on your Baleno today and found it very encouraging. I too own a 2005 Baleno and have been enjoying the drive since 2009 as I bought it from a friend. It has done 80k+ kms on the odo. I wanted to know your opinion on a few things:

1. I also experience the sound in the shockers.
2. The driver side lock latch is gone kaput as I can unlock the central lock using the key from the driver side but when i lock using the key from the driver side only the driver side door locks but if i lock using the button on the driver side door all 4 doors get locked. Motorcraft gave me a option to replace the latch for 8k (essentially the whole central lock assembly)
3. I think there is a slight loss in acceleration. Could it be the clutch?
4. I need to get a audio system head replaced, any recommendations?

Thanks,
Asif

The khat sound is usually from steering rack. You can get it repaired with suspension work.

You can get a Autocop or similar from 3k onwards. Why spend 8k ?

if 80k on original clutch, then it might be the clutch.

Cant help much on this, but certainly recommend a double din with touch and bluetooth pairing should be the one you should be looking for.

hope this helps.

[james]

Originally Posted by TorquePeedo

2. The driver side lock latch is gone kaput as I can unlock the central lock using the key from the driver side but when i lock using the key from the driver side only the driver side door locks but if i lock using the button on the driver side door all 4 doors get locked. Motorcraft gave me a option to replace the latch for 8k (essentially the whole central lock assembly)

Ive had this same issue in the past! If you take out the door card and plastic, you will notice a lot of rods going from the lock(key) to the actuator, knob etc. At some place, you will notice that 2 parallel rods are connected with a small box like thingie with 4 screws! One of the rods seem to be slipping. You need to tighten those screws and all should be well! make sure the rods are in the right position before tightening the screws!

Cheers!

[TorquePeedo]

Got the shockers changed.

Munjal shockers for all for costed Rs. 14800.
Shocker kit Rs. 1200
Minda remote lock kit Rs. 2800
Labour Rs. 1500

Got it done from a garage near my house.

Latch problem became redundant after the remote lock.

Still to be done:
1. Steering bolts to be changed
2. Audio head to be changed
3. Left side view mirror to be changed.
4. Seat covers to be put.

[v&v]

Its been long long time , i last updated this thread.

My Baleno has now completed 14years this May 15th. I was in kerala for a 15 days vacation and really enjoyed driving it around. Even kids are still very attached to the car.

I have changed the DL registration to KL registration. Took six months time. No major hassle.

Problems : Nothing major except earlier reported. Power windows. Passenger side is a pain. Gets stuck for no reason.

Compressor conked off. Replaced with a used one. Costed 3.5k only.
Minor leak developed in radiator, rectified locally.

The double DIN touch screen not responding to touch. May due to less usage. Didnt fiddle it much.

Rear bearing are bit noisy. Still no major concern.
Gearbox - Seal leakage - 1-2 drops. Avoiding any work.
Maruti ASS is just 1/2 a km from my home. So service has been never a issue.

Now the car runs about 200 - 300 kms a month. Max 2500 - 3000 kms a year.

Latest pics

[Nissan1180]

What a beautifully maintained Baleno

The challenge today is to buy a car that provides a similar driving experience at the same price. I think the only car that comes close to the value offered by the Baleno (back then) is the Honda Amaze- a reliable car with decent performance figures and a good boot space.
Surprisingly, the main area where it falls short is also the same as the Baleno- a dated interior.

[v&v]

Thanks Nissan1180. Yes still it bring smile when u drive. It's more enjoyable to drive on winding Kerala roads.

I too agree about the interior part. It's in a way is blessing in disguise as the maintenance is bare minimum...

[Dev-Gun]

Good to see the condition of your Baleno v&v. I am still roaring my ways in delhi/ncr happily with My 2005 Black Beauty ! It has done 106000 kms. Want to put some good 5 spoke alloys on 185/65/14 tyres...if someone could suggest me.

Thanks im advance,

Dev-Gun

[v&v]

Thanks Dev. I picked up alloys from Reliance Auto ambiance mall Gurgaon.
Best Is search online for design.. The approach a dealer.