Yet another modded Bolero!

josepeter · 30th December 2008, 12:26

Why Bolero?

It was in September 2007 when I moved out from Mumbai to Chennai; the fact that Cochini was just 700 ks from Chennai and the new job being a 5 day-week affair meant I had to have a diesel; the thought of driving to Cochin every other weekend was too tempting to resist.

The Corsa 1.4; my steed for a year in Mumbai had to go; a bit painful though. I had picked this 4 year; 40K one up just for the lowish price and its superb condition in all its dazzling black glory. It was bitter pill to swallow since I had always considered the Corsa having the worst looking add on boot to a hatchback; and the few times I rode one in Cochin city made me swear at the Germans for making such a sluggish car; that was till I hit the expressway to pune. I vaguely remember munching down on the fillet'o'fish in McDs just thinking of the horrible drive I was just about to endure to Pune. Shock of my life..the Corsa started showing its colours past a sluggish 100 + Ks, I was found wanting when the clock showed 150, the car in true German tradition had impeccable highway manners, summoning my last bit of courage i floored and saw a hazy 160 or so before I quit. My friend and HiFi Guru Benny took over, he hit an indicated 175 Ks as if it was just another day. RESPECT was all that i had after that drive. With a lot of pain I let the CORSA go; I don't pride myself on that decision and don't think will ever.

I had to have a diesel; hmm..an opportunity to look at my favorite one; the Octy Combi. I did some scourging around for a used one for a while; couldn't find any in Mumbai; I guess combi owners just don't sell them! Buying new was out of question; not there yet...

I rode on in my trusty M800 till the new ride came along...

So the list of new car probables got going starting with the Logan diesel and Swift D; not much of a choice for diesel under 7L. An then came the Chennai rains, our beautiful tree lined streets looked like the swamps of the Sunderbans. Regardless I set off in the M800 with two of my colleagues to office; little did I know that I was equipped with a fly squarer to shoo off an ostrich. We kept going through knee deep water; windows rolled down, never letting the foot off the pedals at a scorching 5 kmph. As we turned towards the main road came a raging white elephant, the Safari turned my puny 800 into an aquarium; all three of us dripping to our undies, we came out of it with steam from the bonnet and one clear thought in my head..Ground Clearance - that's what I need to survive here.

It was all very simple then. What drinks diesel, has good GC, AC,PS and good FE and take abuse for a decade; and come at 6-7 L new? No brainer really!

My first test drive was in a used DI with no PS; I felt like driving a 1 BHK from the balcony; that was what it was. But I did see rickshaws giving way in respect and the wicked grin was back on my face.

A SLE it would be. Reason: I don't fancy Beige interiors in a tractor; and a premium of 60K+ isn't justified for PW+key-less entry + el cheapo CD for the top end SLX. I could do better with 60 K!

So on Dec 5th went my Black SLE; straight to the tyre shop; all decals peeled off and ready for some light modifications!

Essential Bolero modifications will continue in part II...

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Spitfire · 30th December 2008, 12:36

Welcome Jose. Probably one of the coolest mods on a Bolero ever.

ram.west · 30th December 2008, 12:38

Nice write up jose!!! and which part of chennai where you drenched by this white elephants rage!!

HappyWheels · 30th December 2008, 12:43

That was one neat narration! Gave a good laugh!

Nice start, Jose.

But having said this, I just am not happy at you not posting any photo's of your ride. Just the teaser on your avatar! Not fair!

Continue please.

madan80 · 30th December 2008, 12:46

nice writing style .. waiting for the rest.

snaronikar · 30th December 2008, 12:48

Nice to read the thread on what happened and why you decided on the car. Do post the pics of the modded Bolero.

HappyWheels · 30th December 2008, 12:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by ram.west

...and which part of chennai where you drenched by this white elephants rage!!

nice question Ram.

But say, why would you ask this question!!??

Disclaimer: Please do NOT read between the line! ROFL

Torqy · 30th December 2008, 13:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by josepeter

A SLE it would be. Reason: I don't fancy Beige interiors in a tractor; and a premium of 60K+ isn't justified for PW+key-less entry + el cheapo CD for the top end SLX. I could do better with 60 K!

So on Dec 5th went my Black SLE; straight to the tyre shop; all decals peeled off and ready for some light modifications!

My thoughts exactly. I too peeled off all the decals from the SLE before driving out of the showroom.

ram.west · 30th December 2008, 13:27

Just that during this recent rains, I by mistake barged into deep waters in adyar

and had to keep up the rev's to avoid the vehicle stalling!! So just wondered if it could have been me. But i don't remember coming across any other car during the hurry.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HappyWheels

nice question Ram.

But say, why would you ask this question!!??

Disclaimer: Please do NOT read between the line! ROFL

Fountainheader · 30th December 2008, 13:36

Haha..driving a 1BHK from the balcony. That was funny!

snaronikar · 30th December 2008, 13:41

OT: @ Ram: Hahaha...you are now feeling guilty, brother. Lets hope he is not the one. But the person came in your white elephant's rage would have hurled the choicest absues at you.

Its a fact...

ram.west · 30th December 2008, 13:54

@snaronikar: I do think its not me . Because the street i plunged through was a deserted interior road in Adyar. Whereas jose was talking about a Main Road. But actually i would have got those curses, from the residents of the street.

But man that day i had no intentions of crawling even if someone had come in the side, as the water was am sure was so deep the my front bumper was almost submerged. And if i had even thought about slowing down, i'm sure i would have got stuck.

Torqy · 30th December 2008, 14:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by ram.west

And if i had even thought about slowing down, i'm sure i would have got stuck.

@ram.west, it's possible to drive slow keeping the engine rpm high.
We call it burning the clutch.

ram.west · 30th December 2008, 14:35

@Torqy: i could have , but i did not intend to either

, because it was a deserted street.

josepeter · 30th December 2008, 17:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by HappyWheels

That was one neat narration! Gave a good laugh!

Nice start, Jose.

But having said this, I just am not happy at you not posting any photo's of your ride. Just the teaser on your avatar! Not fair!

Continue please.

I have posted many pics in the Intro thread.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ram.west

Nice write up jose!!! and which part of chennai where you drenched by this white elephants rage!!

Buddy, was it you in the white safari? I need to buy you a drink for that!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ram.west

Nice write up jose!!! and which part of chennai where you drenched by this white elephants rage!!

The white elephant sunk my M800 in Bazulla road; just near the Thirumalai pillai junction.

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30th December 2008, 12:26	#1
josepeter BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 416 Thanked: 565 Times	Yet another modded Bolero! Why Bolero? It was in September 2007 when I moved out from Mumbai to Chennai; the fact that Cochini was just 700 ks from Chennai and the new job being a 5 day-week affair meant I had to have a diesel; the thought of driving to Cochin every other weekend was too tempting to resist. The Corsa 1.4; my steed for a year in Mumbai had to go; a bit painful though. I had picked this 4 year; 40K one up just for the lowish price and its superb condition in all its dazzling black glory. It was bitter pill to swallow since I had always considered the Corsa having the worst looking add on boot to a hatchback; and the few times I rode one in Cochin city made me swear at the Germans for making such a sluggish car; that was till I hit the expressway to pune. I vaguely remember munching down on the fillet'o'fish in McDs just thinking of the horrible drive I was just about to endure to Pune. Shock of my life..the Corsa started showing its colours past a sluggish 100 + Ks, I was found wanting when the clock showed 150, the car in true German tradition had impeccable highway manners, summoning my last bit of courage i floored and saw a hazy 160 or so before I quit. My friend and HiFi Guru Benny took over, he hit an indicated 175 Ks as if it was just another day. RESPECT was all that i had after that drive. With a lot of pain I let the CORSA go; I don't pride myself on that decision and don't think will ever. I had to have a diesel; hmm..an opportunity to look at my favorite one; the Octy Combi. I did some scourging around for a used one for a while; couldn't find any in Mumbai; I guess combi owners just don't sell them! Buying new was out of question; not there yet... I rode on in my trusty M800 till the new ride came along... So the list of new car probables got going starting with the Logan diesel and Swift D; not much of a choice for diesel under 7L. An then came the Chennai rains, our beautiful tree lined streets looked like the swamps of the Sunderbans. Regardless I set off in the M800 with two of my colleagues to office; little did I know that I was equipped with a fly squarer to shoo off an ostrich. We kept going through knee deep water; windows rolled down, never letting the foot off the pedals at a scorching 5 kmph. As we turned towards the main road came a raging white elephant, the Safari turned my puny 800 into an aquarium; all three of us dripping to our undies, we came out of it with steam from the bonnet and one clear thought in my head..Ground Clearance - that's what I need to survive here. It was all very simple then. What drinks diesel, has good GC, AC,PS and good FE and take abuse for a decade; and come at 6-7 L new? No brainer really! My first test drive was in a used DI with no PS; I felt like driving a 1 BHK from the balcony; that was what it was. But I did see rickshaws giving way in respect and the wicked grin was back on my face. A SLE it would be. Reason: I don't fancy Beige interiors in a tractor; and a premium of 60K+ isn't justified for PW+key-less entry + el cheapo CD for the top end SLX. I could do better with 60 K! So on Dec 5th went my Black SLE; straight to the tyre shop; all decals peeled off and ready for some light modifications! Essential Bolero modifications will continue in part II... Note from the Team-BHP Support: Post Edited. Smilie usage is restricted to two per post on Team-BHP. Please refrain from using excessive smilies. We advise you to read the Announcements and Board Rules section before proceeding any further. Last edited by Jaggu : 30th December 2008 at 12:29. Reason: smilies
	(3) Thanks

30th December 2008, 12:36	#2
Spitfire BANNED Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Panaji - Goa/Bangalore - Karnataka Posts: 3,312 Thanked: 774 Times	Welcome Jose. Probably one of the coolest mods on a Bolero ever.
	() Thanks

30th December 2008, 12:38	#3
ram.west BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: New Hartford,NY Posts: 418 Thanked: 28 Times	Nice write up jose!!! and which part of chennai where you drenched by this white elephants rage!!
	() Thanks

30th December 2008, 12:43	#4
HappyWheels Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4,106 Thanked: 537 Times	That was one neat narration! Gave a good laugh! Nice start, Jose. But having said this, I just am not happy at you not posting any photo's of your ride. Just the teaser on your avatar! Not fair! Continue please.
	() Thanks

30th December 2008, 12:46	#5
madan80 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 1,360 Thanked: 80 Times View My Garage	nice writing style .. waiting for the rest.
	() Thanks

30th December 2008, 12:48	#6
snaronikar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 2,845 Thanked: 29 Times View My Garage	Nice to read the thread on what happened and why you decided on the car. Do post the pics of the modded Bolero.
	() Thanks

30th December 2008, 13:36	#10
Fountainheader Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Silicon Valley Posts: 1,501 Thanked: 13 Times View My Garage	Haha..driving a 1BHK from the balcony. That was funny!
	() Thanks

30th December 2008, 13:41	#11
snaronikar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 2,845 Thanked: 29 Times View My Garage	OT: @ Ram: Hahaha...you are now feeling guilty, brother. Lets hope he is not the one. But the person came in your white elephant's rage would have hurled the choicest absues at you. Its a fact...
	() Thanks

30th December 2008, 13:54	#12
ram.west BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: New Hartford,NY Posts: 418 Thanked: 28 Times	@snaronikar: I do think its not me . Because the street i plunged through was a deserted interior road in Adyar. Whereas jose was talking about a Main Road. But actually i would have got those curses, from the residents of the street. But man that day i had no intentions of crawling even if someone had come in the side, as the water was am sure was so deep the my front bumper was almost submerged. And if i had even thought about slowing down, i'm sure i would have got stuck.
	() Thanks

30th December 2008, 14:35	#14
ram.west BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: New Hartford,NY Posts: 418 Thanked: 28 Times	@Torqy: i could have , but i did not intend to either, because it was a deserted street.
	() Thanks