[nilanjanray]

I might be going on a 6500km roadtrip to the Himalayas in June.

Need to get the 95K servicing done around 94K.

A plastic fender above the wheel arch has come off (had scraped and loosened it in the parking lot of a mall, then it flew off during highway driving). need to fix that. Need tyre rotation and balancing done, have to skim the brake discs, need to check batteries, clutch and brakes (precaution before driving in the mountains).

Route: Bangalore - Nagpur - Sagar - Agra - Kumaon and back through the Western route.

Sharing a few photos from the recent Satpura trip. The Fortuner performed flawlessly in the forest. I keep telling people to buy the 4WD version :-) Will start the travelogue if I get time.

[nilanjanray]

The Bison has a new companion - a red ANHC. A sophisticated urban chick, trying to get along with an old fashioned rustic guy.

Got the plastic cladding fixed, cost me 8.5K (!!!). For a simple plastic item, painting and labour. Robbery!

I will have to get the 95K servicing done around 93K.

After driving the ANHC for a while, I am missing the USB port and bluetooth hands free calling :-(

[CBlazer]

Sorry for posting this on your thread. I was looking for some information on T-Fort repair costs.

I hit a Fortuner from behind in slow moving traffic yesterday. Its bumper has some paint damage and a dent. Was completely my mistake and will pay for the repair. Yet to visit the ASC. How much do you think a complete bumper replacement + painting will cost?

[nilanjanray]

Originally Posted by CBlazer

Sorry for posting this on your thread. I was looking for some information on T-Fort repair costs.

I hit a Fortuner from behind in slow moving traffic yesterday. Its bumper has some paint damage and a dent. Was completely my mistake and will pay for the repair. Yet to visit the ASC. How much do you think a complete bumper replacement + painting will cost?

Should cost 30-35K, all inclusive

[ramanak]

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

Sharing a few photos from the recent Satpura trip.

Stunning Pics Nilanjan, National Geographic class.Leopard is so hard to spot which makes it priceless.

[GrammarNazi]

Brilliant pics! Nice thread nilanjanray

Originally Posted by CBlazer

...I hit a Fortuner from behind in slow moving traffic yesterday. Its bumper has some paint damage and a dent. Was completely my mistake and will pay for the repair. Yet to visit the ASC. How much do you think a complete bumper replacement + painting will cost?

If I may, offer to pay the "no claim bonus" that the owner would lose if he claims from his own insurance.

Nothing wrong in asking.

[nilanjanray]

Seems it will be a 7000 km trip. Need to get tyre rotation and alignment done before that. Wondering whether I should get it done at the ASC during the service, or go to a place like Madhu's.

[n.devdath]

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

Wondering whether I should get it done at the ASC during the service, or go to a place like Madhu's.

Madhu's or a reputed garage any day is my recommendation.

[nilanjanray]

Back after a 7000 km roadtrip to the Himalayas. The Bison performed well, except a couple of issues: a puncture (due to a sharp screw), and the horn developing a sore throat.

Will take it for 100K servicing.

A shot taken at ~11000 feet:

[nilanjanray]

Had to use 4L a bit when climbing a narrow trail to one of the resorts (up and down many times). The extra torque and reduced speed helps so much, when there is not much room for error.

Carried basic camera gear for this trip (i.e. didn''t rent a full frame DSLR or any special lens). A few shots:

[nilanjanray]

The vehicle finished 1 lakh km servicing a few days back.

The horn was replaced for Rs. 2.2 K. Other than that, the usual stuff - engine oil + filter change, propeller shaft greasing, usual checkups and top ups.

There is some rubber bush around the brake, that need to be replaced. Will get it done next time. The SA also advised that I replace fuel filter again (it had been replaced at 85K), and get the engine cleaned. Not sure whether this is for the ASC to get extra money, or is required (e.g. due to bad fuel in the mountains).

Otherwise, all OK with the vehicle. The Pirellis have done 32K km, doing alright. Grip in wet conditions is pretty good.

A photo from last month's roadtrip. Shot at 10,500 feet.

[noopster]

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

The vehicle finished 1 lakh km servicing a few days back.

Congrats on this milestone Nilanjan! Have updated your thread title to reflect this
Can you add a slightly more detailed post reflecting on 1L km of ownership? What went right, what went wrong, would you do it all over again type of stuff. I doubt there are too many Fortuners on the forum who've covered that much, so it would be very helpful to have the summary view.

[nilanjanray]

Originally Posted by noopster

Congrats on this milestone Nilanjan! Have updated your thread title to reflect this
Can you add a slightly more detailed post reflecting on 1L km of ownership? What went right, what went wrong, would you do it all over again type of stuff. I doubt there are too many Fortuners on the forum who've covered that much, so it would be very helpful to have the summary view.

A boring report. I am glad I bought the vehicle, no regrets. If I had to replace the vehicle, I would probably buy another Fortuner. I have spoken about the pros a number off times. Its an allrounder vehicle that can cruise for 1000 kms, go offroading the next morning, and after coming back, take you to office through city traffic. Without extra maintenance.

What could be better/went wrong? Insights:

1. Know what you are buying, and why. Body on frame, tall vehicle, average brakes, basic (but functional) interiors.
2. Tyres: the reliability curve is flat, with a steep drop in the end. But then the tyres had to put up with a lot of abuse.
3. Don't take the vehicle through water and slush unless you have to. I had the alternator acting funny after attending Toyota's offroading event (I did take it through the course multiple times, was having fun). But this holds true for any vehicle, including LC 200 and Nissan Patrol.
4. Don't trust ASCs blindly. Especially if you have a 4WD Fortuner. They are too used to doing SOPs, and have little clue about the extra stuff that a 4WD vehicle - especially one that is used for offroading - requires.
5. Middle seat is not that family friendly. Bumpy, body roll.
6. Lack of USB/Bluetooth sucks (true for 'Classic' Fortuners)
7. I have had minor issues that haven't been solved. E.g. kaat noise from the brakes, the ICE acting funny once in a while etc. But I have learnt to live with them.
8. Could attract women who love adventure
9. Could make bosses think you don't need raises

Biased opinion: Buy the Fortuner if you value 4WD capabilities, toughness and reliability. If you need a mallroader, or just a city slicker, there are too many cons with the vehicle (rustic, body roll, bumpy, brakes).

Bottomline: It's a Daniel Craig, not a Roger Moore.

[Manuuj]

Very Well put Nilanjan! The Fortuner is a Daniel Craig for sure! By the way i dont think you should need to replace the fuel filter at this stage since you just had it done at 85,000 kms.

In any case a fuel light will come on in the instrument cluster to let you know when its required.

Even i would replace my Fortuner with another Fortuner only. It is such a no nonsense vehicle. Mine is at the cusp of 1,50,000 kms and still running on the Original Clutch Plate.

Will post an update soon but to be honest there isn't anything really to report except that its running better than the day i got it.

Hope to be able to meet up when you are up North next.

[shibujp]

Congrats Nilanjan! I would call your Fortuner 1,00,000 kms young. To Toyota this is like 20K kms on any other manufacturer's car.

Great pics and writing. Always enjoy going through your thread.

Drive on,
Shibu.