[architect]

Just a little update.

Eight year got completed without much hassle. However, the AC high speed fan had been acting up since last year. This time I took my car to World of Service (WoS), an independent garage run by a BHP-ian and Fiat owner. The entire AC, cooling system was overhauled. The alternator bearing was also replaced (both sets). Things are better now. Of course, the car has been running fine, just that an AC not functioning at its best, even if only for 10% of the time, can be pure torture in this weather.

Car completes 1,70,000 km this week. Let's see what comes up ahead.

[vamsi.kona]

Originally Posted by architect

I am not aware of what a cross rail is. Can you elaborate?

I am as knowledgeable as you are. I searched online but couldn't find relevant material. this is the best I could do.


http://www.99rpm.com/fiat/crossrail-...lio-stile.html

[saurabh041086]

Hi architect, Can you suggest me some reliable place in NCR where i can get EGR and manifold cleaning done for my Punto MJD.

[architect]

Originally Posted by saurabh041086

Hi architect, Can you suggest me some reliable place in NCR where i can get EGR and manifold cleaning done for my Punto MJD.

Saurabh, you obviously have a choice of Authorised Service Centres. Besides that, you could try World of Service. He does EGR cleaning. Just Google World of Service Noida.

[saurabh041086]

Originally Posted by architect

Saurabh, you obviously have a choice of Authorised Service Centres. Besides that, you could try World of Service. He does EGR cleaning. Just Google World of Service Noida.

Thank you. WOS is my regular service point. Somehow i found there prices for EGR cleaning a bit too steep.

[architect]

Well, the end of the ninth year approaches in 4 months and I will be finishing 1,80,000 km this week. What do I write now?

One thing, of course, is what to do with the car after the ninth year ends? NOC from RTO and sell to another person outside NCR or scrap? I really can't say as of now.

Then, of course, the question of a new car. I don't think I will find another car like this at this price point. There is something about 1990s engineering, manufacture and design that somehow doesn't come across from this century's stuff.

I want a car that is a little on the higher side with reasonable space and a decent engine. And an Automatic. And petrol (I am not taking risks with a car meant for ten years, going by regulations as of now). My knees are getting worse and I don't want to torture them any more than necessary. This is one physical issue with the Palio MJD's heavy clutch.

My shortlist, as of now, stands as:

1. Ecosport Petrol Automatic (Pros: safety kit, DCT, space, height, handling; Cons: fuel efficiency, reported DCT clutch issues)

2. Aspire Petrol Automatic (Pros: Price, Cons: same as above with boring ride and handling, too)

3. Jazz CVT (Pros: Fuel efficiency; Cons: power and price)

4. Baleno CVT: This is one is coming home in January for my sister. Will reserve judgement till I drive it a bit.

5. Dzire AT: Can't think of any major issues except that there are no airbags and I hate its looks and that AT will sap the otherwise fine 1.2 K series of power.

6. Polo / Ameo / Vento / Rapid 1.2 TSI DSG (I am not sure which comes with it and which doesn't): After 9 years with a Euro, I am not sure I want another one for ten years. My experience is that these cars are fantastic until something goes wrong. Then they are nightmares. Atleast Fiat nightmares are cheaper to wake up out of.

I quite like the Bolt / Zest otherwise but despite excellent low-end torque the petrol is kind of slow-ish, besides not having an AT in petrol.

I have 6-8 months to think before I decide. Let's see what happens.

[tortoiseNhare]

Originally Posted by architect

Then, of course, the question of a new car.

My shortlist, as of now, stands as:

1. Ecosport Petrol Automatic (Pros: safety kit, DCT, space, height, handling; Cons: fuel efficiency, reported DCT clutch issues)

My vote will be in favour of the Ecosport. I have driven the one (diesel) belonging to my brother-in-law quite a bit. Ergonomics is good. Steering, though not hydraulic, does not feel light on the highway. The car feels sturdily built even in comparison to Palio. Btw, is the petrol AT with ecoboost engine?

[ByDesign]

Nice to see some old names on here. Architect, tortoiseNhare, Palio Stile owners/enthusiasts. Glad to see your MJD is still going strong!

[architect]

Originally Posted by tortoiseNhare

My vote will be in favour of the Ecosport. I have driven the one (diesel) belonging to my brother-in-law quite a bit. Ergonomics is good. Steering, though not hydraulic, does not feel light on the highway. The car feels sturdily built even in comparison to Palio. Btw, is the petrol AT with ecoboost engine?

Vehicle quality and performance when new is one thing. Living with a vehicle for ten years is another thing altogether. Hence, decision is always difficult.

[architect]

Just adding a recent photo. Nothing else to update.

[PatienceWins]

Glad to see a well maintained Palio. Keep us updated about your future upgrade.

Originally Posted by tortoiseNhare

Btw, is the petrol AT with ecoboost engine?

No, AT comes with 1.5L petrol engine.

[vikasb]

@Architect. Bumped across this thread after a long time. Very informative and very well written. Palio is a good car and i enjoyed 4 years on my Palio multijet. Now having owned a Maruti, i would say that it's an altogether different ball game. Peace of mind is there with the great service network. I still miss the palio and i always wanted a punto but settled for a swift.
Your thread makes me think about my recent decision to retain my current swift diesel for another 100K. It might cost a bomb but i too have similar financial constraints.

[architect]

9 years will close within 10 days and odometer will cross 1,85,000 km. Car went on three trips this year, too, despite it being a very busy year for me due to other reasons. Two were regular runs to Jaipur and Alwar but one was the Kumaon run which does tend to give you an idea of how the car performs in all sorts of terrain. The synthetic oil has helped. Ever since I have moved to synthetic oil, car revvs better in the 2,000-3,000 RPM band.

For the ones who love figures, I am attaching the maintenance log.

[Oreen]

quick question about a petrol Palio 1.3 am driving temporarily.

the fuel injector lamp has suddenly come up for the last couple of days. I read that it might be due to a pressure wash which affects the relay. Not too worried about that because it is running smoothly at around 120 kph without any complaints.

what's more worrying is, there's tremendous heat in the boot, near the stepney. Now the petrol tank is near the boot, and that kind of heat is very risky. What can possibly cause so much heat at the back of the car? Is it the exhaust? Or worse still, is it the rear axle?

Can anybody throw some light? It isn't my car, and I have a 400 km trip coming up on Sunday, so a little apprehensive about taking it out. Am worried about a possible fire/explosion, or the rear axle giving up.

There are, however, no weird noises at high speeds.

[lejhoom]

Heat in the boot area is from the silencer. Looks like there's some miss - firing in the engine because of which the heat. Check with a mechanic ASAP.