Hey guys,
Here I am with 10000 KM mark.. It took me 3 years to cross this mark..
So following are the updates:
Run: 10022KM
FE: City 12-13 without AC, 11-12 with AC
Highway: 16-17.8 without AC, 14.5-15 with AC
Best FE extracted 17.8 KMPL on mumbai tripby driving in
80-90KMPH speed
1. Ride and handling: Straight line stability is like god's envy.. Many times touched 145 KMPH but no sign of loosing control... Enjoyed it while had been to konkan... All winding roads and me cruising at 50-60 on ghat roads... Cornering is a bit worried factor with stock Bridgestone S322. Have not used car extensively so not planning to go for wider tyre before I burn the current rubber to an extent..
2. Build: Last time when I serviced had a rattling problem in rear door glass.. It was because Jay-Vijay guys did not do good job when they replaced the right rear door.. BU Bhandari guys have successfully removed it.. So far no rattling from dashboard as of now... Interiors are old but looks solid and are ergonomic.. I hate new interiors colors though.. Mine is all black..
3. Engine: Since I had done Bardhal engine tune up, I can see performance of the engine has improved.. Now engine is more rev happy.. I can feel the difference even when I switch on the AC. No drop in engine performance as it used to be before the engine flush and tuneup. It costed me 1600/- for engine flush and tune up and done it as BU bhandari at 3rd service 8500 KM..
4. Tires: Using Bridgestone S322 since 3years. Came as OEM. It is 175/65 R14 with FIAT alloys. Cornering is not great with this tyre. Straight line stability is good though. Noise is not that much once you roll up the windows.. They are ok-ok tyres though. Alloys are too good. I have not faced any problems with them. Looks great when in 40-50 speed. Spare tyre is not alloy wheel.
5. Repairs and accidents:
a. Had windshield changed for 10K. My expenses 500/-
b. Rear right door changed for 10K. One bike maniac collided..
He paid the insurance difference if 3K.
c. Wipers gone bad: Changed the OEM syndicate wipers to Bosch.
Performance is not improved as I was expecting. Changed for 350/-.
6. Insurance: Changed from National insurance to oriental insurance. As a new customer they charged me 9900/- for this year.
7. Service: Till last year, car always serviced at Jay-Vijay. Did not face any problem with the service. I bought it from Jay-Vijay and it was nice a experience. Since this year shifted to BU Bhandari. Recently got 3rd service done at their service center. Fellow TBHPian "Turbosam" is working with BU Bhandari and he takes care of my car whenever I am there. He is looking after FIAT division in BU. 3rd service was done nicely and all the problems I asked to fix are in fixed now. Will be visiting them shortly for the crankshaft oil leakage problem.
8. Misc:
a. Facing starting problems recently. The reason according to few TBHPians is starter motor. Will update once it is rectified.
b. In last service it is rectified that crankshaft oil leakage. BU Bhandari quoted 1200/- for the repair. 300-400 for part and rest as labor.
c. Driveshaft rubber wrap gone bad. Will cost 300/- approx.
Overall, I enjoyed each KM of it
. Its a pleasure to drive Palio on highways.. Never felt any stress even after driving 300KM at a stretch.. I am short 5'4", so never faced problem of steering rubbing against laps.
I am one totally satisfied customer of FIAT abd their legendry *** . Awaiting for Grande Punto and Linea.. Either of them will be my next buy...
Thanks for going through lengthy update...
Cheers
Abhijeet