[prince_pervez]

Originally Posted by madhukar_n

if it is maintained well then no problem for close to 150K kms.

Aaah!! Music to the ears!

[Trust_In_Thrust]

Well i have managed to stick up the OEM rear parcel tray with Elfy .Also i have used jumping rod bush to support the tray at two points against the hatchdoor when it closes.

Another issue i face is side panels noise.(I mean the plastic part).I am thinking of using a thin rubber sheet or foam to dampen it on all doors and also use silicone tube (one that is used to stick up glasses) to put up two coats on all four doors on the inside .

[prince_pervez]

Originally Posted by Trust_In_Thrust

Well i have managed to stick up the OEM rear parcel tray with Elfy .Also i have used jumping rod bush to support the tray at two points against the hatchdoor when it closes.

Good! Now be careful when handling your luggage in the rear. If the setup is disturbed, the creeking starts.

EDIT: I have given my zen for service today. Quite a lot of things to be done. Cannister, Exhaust cleaning, Power steering overhaul and oil replacement (only if needed), Clutch check up, Electricals checkup, installing 90/100 bulbs with relay, AC vents/blower check for dust, AC gas if required, Tyres could do another 5K he said and general service. Quote is around 6-7 K but lets see.

[Trust_In_Thrust]

Well finally i got a lot of namda from a total loss corolla for the door panels of the zen.I also it fitted today on all four doors .The external noise have been suppressed a lot .
Now i am scouting for some another luxury total loss car for floors matting ( all the three layers that are there the thick namda , the dense foam/plastic sheet , and there is some thin sheet also )and finally the carpet that i already have will be installed .
Also got the brakes pad changed to Rane from KBX for Rs 230/- + Rs 50/- Labor. And the brakes are very good now atlest 40% better compared to crappy KBX pads(run only 17000 kms).

[black12rr]

Hey that a nice car , did 2003 LXI come with body colored bumpers ?.Some of the 2003 zen lxi have black color bumpers?.
Whats the update on the car now ? .

[Trust_In_Thrust]

It has been long since i updated the thread .
The Zen has run now 85000kms .
Following jobs done since i acquired Zen .
1.) Every 5000kms Engine Oil Total 7000 plus air filter Plus Oil Filter from FNG , INR1700/-
2.) Every 2500kms Cleaned with Pressure air from inside and engine bay from FNG INR50/-
3.) Clutch, Clutch Bearing ,Pressure Plate changed at 70000kms from MASS , Approx Inr7000/-
4.) A valve on top of fuel tank changed at 65000kms from MASS . Approx Inr1000/-
5.) Both Aprons reset to factory specs using Carotronic at MASS at 80000km.Took one full day .The front tyres were off by about .25degrees on right and 1 degree on left side.
Now it is perfect .Approx Inr 5000/- .
6.) Font Left Headlight Changed at 50000kms for Inr 1500/- from MASS. A motorcyclist coming from blind spot shattered it .
7.) Rear Both Quarter panels repainted due to paint chipping when i tried fitting 165/65R13 Tyres on 5.5J alloys.Bough the combo for about Inr 23000/- at 60000kms . Sold the alloys and tyres for 19000/- inr at 61000kms. Ever since the shoes are Michelin 145/80R12 on OEM rims.
8.) Steering Rack Changes at about 65000kms from MASS for INR 3600/-.
9.) Front Brake shoes changed at every 20000kms for 300INR from FNG.
10.) Delphi AC Compressor , Cooling Coil , Bottle changed in 2012 for 15000/- INR from FNG . MASS rates were double .
11.) Every year AC gas empty and refill at MASS . Inr 800/- .
12.) Tappet Adjustment Every 25000kms at MASS . Inr 730/- .
13.) Every 10000kms Alignment Balancing at MASS . Inr 600/- approx.Get Discount always
14.)Tyres OEM GPS2 Changed at 25000kms to Michelin XM1+ approx Inr11000/-
Second set alloy plus 165/65R13 removed after 100kms (quarter panel paint damage happened due to this).Currently running on second set of XM1+ changed at 61000 kms .
15.) Front Suspension Arms , Shocker Bushes changed at every 20000kms at MASS . Approx 3000/- INR.
16.) Kenwood 8016BT , JBL 1004 and JBL 3501 , Polk DB691 at rear , Infinity comps at front & Polk MM x 2 10inch woofer doing audio duty since long. The Polk MM were added last year .(Previously it was Infinity Ref 12inch woofer)
17.) Car daily washed by washmen with sweet water.
18.) Weekly wash on Sunday by myself.
19.) Underbody rubber coating done twice . Once at 25000kms and then at 84000kms. Cost 1000/- INR .
20.) Both front L & R fenders changed once due to bikers . Done at MASS . Inr 7000/- Inr.
21.) All 4engine mounts changed at 8000kms at MASS . Approx 2500/- INR
22.) Timing Belt, Bearing Changed with AC and alternator belt at 80000kms . Approx 5000/- INR
23.) Coolant change twice 30000kms and 60000kms . Cost per time about 300INR .I use Elf Blue Color.
24.) Gear Oil Changed twice . Cost approx 800/- INR.
25.) Wiper Assembly Changed once Denso from MASS. Inr 1200/-.
26.) Wiper Blades changed every year . Inr 500/-.
27.) Front windscreen film Llumar .Inr 2000/-.Still wears it.
28.) 3M RE50 Side and Back . Inr 3300/- . Had to remove it.

Experiences
Apart from complements and a lot of them , offers for buying , people dropping there numbers at traffic lights with request to call them when i sell the Zen, People even stop me sometimes and ask do i plan to sell.
1.) I never regret my decision of buying a second hand car.
2.) I love Zen .
3.) It is point and shoot .
4.) Super dollops of fun doing Zig Zag and engine braking .
5.) Love looks on people faces with modern day cars when they just cant keep up in traffic when they sometimes catch on traffic lights.
6.) 1st 0-45kmph Rev Limiter , 2nd to 85kmph Rev Limiter , 3rd to 125kmph Rev Limiter , 4th to 160kmph .Every time i love it .
7.) Driving Agressively fuel cost is 6.5INR per km .Driving Easily fuel cost is below 4INR per km.
8.) AC is not enough to cool when temp is above 45degrees.
9.) Sometimes when driving hard tyres gives out white smoke when i come to stop at redlights . I do not do any wheel spin or tyre lock outs. It catches attention of everyone around and the fragnance drives me nuts .

What is planned
1.) Zen D / Esteem brakes , I think this also needs changing to 13inch rims.
2.) Esteem Euro II engine as stock replacement.
3.) Changing to alloys from Chevy Spark. I think PCD is same .When brake swap happens.
4.) Tyres best time will be change to Turanza ER60.

Issues :
Only one for which i spent last year on replacement of valve (which is located at top of fuel tank). The issue is when the car is running on hot day in B2B traffic during start from stop the car bucks for a moment and then it is fine until i come .

[Trust_In_Thrust]

Few Pictures i clicked today of the Zen .

[Grr7]

Originally Posted by Trust_In_Thrust

Few Pictures i clicked today of the Zen .

That is one beautiful car you have there.

Since, you are maintaining it so diligently and updating the thread, a couple of questions from another zen owner:

1. The rear bottom brake light: How was it installed? Cost and installation directions. Plus any leads of which MASS can do this. I inquired at MSM, Jahangirpuri, G.T.Road and those guys were totally unaware of it.

2. The center console around the gear lever. I am sure this was not there in the standard Zen Lxi 2003 model. Was it picked from alto or another car with a direct/modified fit?

3. What ICE: How are the front speakers installed, don't seems to be the usual size (4 inches) that zen's doors can accommodate. Plus rear installation of speakers (you don't have CNG kit installed in this car, isn't it?).

4. Any solutions in site for alloy wheels fouling with rear wheel arch. I have 4.5J 13 inches alloy rims (don't ask me how i procured these, took few months of search to say the least) with 155/65 R13 Accelere tires and they foul often despite installation of 1 inch spacers along with new OEM dampers.

Regards
Gaurav

[saket77]

Originally Posted by Grr7

Since, you are maintaining it so diligently and updating the thread, a couple of questions from another zen owner:

Another one here: I see a 'EZEN' monogram at the rear. Is it only a monogram or you have already got that Esteem's powerplant under the hood? & do we have an "EZEN" monogram available or is it some DIY job?

BTW, you car still looks in pristine shape. Cannot tell that it has done close to a lac of kms.!

Regards,
Saket

[vivekjayasheel]

I have a Riviera Red June-2001 MPFI. These cars are brilliant to drive and own, and with a little care, last forever.

[Maxwell Arthur]

Originally Posted by saket77

Another one here: I see a 'EZEN' monogram at the rear. Is it only a monogram or you have already got that Esteem's powerplant under the hood? & do we have an "EZEN" monogram available or is it some DIY job?

BTW, you car still looks in pristine shape. Cannot tell that it has done close to a lac of kms.!

Regards,
Saket

The pics on the first page show that the car is the LXi version but has been rebadged to VXi in the latest pics.

[Trust_In_Thrust]

Originally Posted by Grr7

That is one beautiful car you have there. *****

1.) Maruti has the same Fog light for Zen , Swift , Ritz . I bough one for approx inr450/- .Mounting bracket was made by Body shop guys for 500Rs .I had to wire it with parking lights as the switch for fog light and rear demister is not made by Maruti anymore and it is not available form OEM companies too.It used to come only in Zen Vxi.
2.) Centre Console is from Zen Vxi OEM.
3.) Front Speakers are Infinity 6.5inch with tweeter near side rear view mirrors. 6.5inchers are mounted directly on the door panel .I had to cut the inner sheet metal at correct places else i would have lost option to tighten screws .The tweeters are mounted by making holes on side panels.I dont have any CNG . Rear is made up of 2 6x9's Polk DB691 and 2x10inch Polk MM woofers.All are mounted on MDF board.
4.) If 4.5J wheels are correct and with upto 165/65 R13 on 5J wheel wells will not foul. This is well documented on Team BHP . You can hammer the insider lips of the rear quarter panels to resolve the issue .Also Chevorlet Spark also has same PCD and alloy for that comes in 4.5J size with 155/70R13 Tyres .So you can use spark alloys too on Zen. ( I think so)

@saket77 : Ezen monogram ,FNG got arranged for me.I think they got it done from one of those factories who make such monograms.People sometimes ask if this is some limited model of Zen .

@Maxwell Arthur : The Lxi badge had rusted and MASS had only Vxi Badge in stock .

[Trust_In_Thrust]

The only problem in Zen related to car accelerating(just when clutch gets engaged it used to momentary loose all power ) on very hot days from standstill is hopefully resolved .The spark plugs used by MASS were of Denso make and now i am running MICO Bosch and have not faced problem since last few days . I am still not sure if it was the spark plugs .Also i await hot days as temperature have lowered during day in Delhi since last few days.

[Trust_In_Thrust]

Just completed 550kms(Overall Fuel Avg 16.25km/l and for 60% of driving time 120+ speeds ,5th gear rarely used ) to & fro from Delhi to Chandigarh .As always it was a blast .Parking the car in garage there were slight vibrations at idle(w/o AC) so sprayed STP to clean the throttle body .The result was not perfect so ended up opening the throttle body and dismantling the IAC valve. Couple of ear bud sticks , light dose of STP cleaner ,dirty hands and the vibrations are gone.

[Trust_In_Thrust]

For past few months i had been getting a pierce whining noise sometime on random.Few days while turning off the ignition got it and i immediately brought the key back in ignition position(engine is off now). I hear the same piercing noise and i shoot it down to radiator fan.Also for few months i was getting vibrations when radiator fan used to run. So decided to open up the radiator fan.
Observations : There was one big crack from the axis of fan about 4cms in length and a minor crack on opposite side about 2cms long. The whining noise was coming from the fan motor (the lubrication had dried up in the fan bearing.)
Bought a Fan (plastic part only )genuine Indrad make (this is the OEM who had supplied Fan/motor to Maruti for my Zen) .Cost of Fan 150INR , 250INR labour , total 400rs.
The carbon had much life left in them as per Mechanic so he cleaned the motor from carbon dust and reassembled the motor after greasing the bearings.Also the mechanic said Indrad electricals were better in life compared to Denso .( I am surprised by this statement)
Now i dont have any vibration and noise .