Team-BHP - Renault Duster : Official Review

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaiserketkar (Post 3208265)

Well it IS the dealers fault along with the company's. You can't absolve the dealer the responsibility. It's his job to keep stock, if a part is unavailable order for it and follow it up to make sure it comes in a reasonable period of time.

I should have clarified that the unavailability of many parts is because the factory cannot/is not supplying them to Dealers in a timely basis. What is the dealer to do in cases the factory has decided to use every part to maximize production of vehicles that are back ordered rather than slow down production to meet spare part requests? Unfortunately Consumer Protection is weak in India. Abroad, warranty repairs have to be completed within a certain time frame by the Warrantor, in this case Renault) if not he would have to make the Warantee whole (pay for rental car etc.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdman (Post 3208637)

Yes, I agree. This us where the support offered by the company is very critical. That is why I mentioned the dealer is responsible ALONG WITH the company.

As for the consumer protection, there may not be a mechanism in place so the customer needs to fight for himself. If the repairs are delayed beyond a reasonable time frame because of some fault of the company or dealer, then you are well within your right to demand for a replacement vehicle. If need be this can be taken up with the company management.
I've seen instances in which M&M ASCs have given the customer a xylo or another Scorpio while his Scorpio was waiting for spares. I'm sure Renault must have a similar policy in place. You just have to be ready to fight for it.

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Originally Posted by himadrimondal (Post 3204746)

1465kms, in a single day, reached Delhi around 10.30pm.
What a car, loveing every minute of my association with it.

Attachment 1123704

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Originally Posted by Neil Roy (Post 3204869)

The similarities never end.
I have never felt so safe or never trusted the reliability of any vehicle the same way I look at the Duster.

No wonder, as a duster owner, I too feel the same. During one of long trip (from Chennai to Tanjore) I got stomach cramp in Tanjore, it was so severe, I was not even able to sit or lie down. I was worried about my return trip with my family (wife and two kids). After 3 hours of rest, I got into my Duster, I drove to Chennai without any pit-stop. No strain and no pain. I rate my car 10 stars for its comfort!!!.

I had to take my 50 days old daughter for vaccination today, & when I was nearing the hospital, I was following a Duster on a bad patch. In fact, my non-enthusiast wife pointed put how the vehicle was rocking on the pot holes, much like our own Santro Xing, & also chided me about telling the all in family that its got a pliant ride. I was clueless...

Guys what could be the reason? Over-inflated tyres or market hype of the magic carpet ride... I believe it is the former. Your call please:.

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Originally Posted by CARDEEP (Post 3210939)

Guys what could be the reason? Over-inflated tyres or market hype of the magic carpet ride... I believe it is the former. Your call please:.

By my experience. Going too slow on portholes will cause the rocking. But still from inside it's not hard shocks. Feels like a boat. A little speed will smooth out the road. And yes the tyre inflated more than 30ps is bad.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CARDEEP (Post 3210939)

I was following a Duster on a bad patch. In fact, my non-enthusiast wife pointed put how the vehicle was rocking on the pot holes, much like our own Santro Xing, & also chided me about telling the all in family that its got a pliant ride. I was clueless...

Guys what could be the reason? Over-inflated tyres or market hype of the magic carpet ride... I believe it is the former. Your call please:.

I hope your joking. Just by looking at the car in front you are able to see whether it has a pliant ride or not?

Unless your sitting in the car and feel uncomfortable your post is pointless.

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Originally Posted by Vid6639 (Post 3211293)

I hope your joking. Just by looking at the car in front you are able to see whether it has a pliant ride or not?

Unless your sitting in the car and feel uncomfortable your post is pointless.

@Vid6639 It wasn't much difficult... the vehicle was jumping out of potholes & almost landing with a thud, even when the speeds were 10 kmph in that section. Add to this, the driver's head was moving sideways like an earthen toy with spring attached at the neck every-time the tyres wound hit a pothole. I felt the ride in my car was more comfortable for my wife & infant daughter, who slept through the way to Doctor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CARDEEP (Post 3211502)

the vehicle was jumping out of potholes & almost landing with a thud, even when the speeds were 10 kmph in that section. Add to this, the driver's head was moving sideways like an earthen toy with spring attached at the neck every-time the tyres wound hit a pothole.

That's strange. Even an over inflated tyres wouldn't cause this reaction from Duster. It behaves quite refined.

When I drove out of showroom, the tyres were set around 40ps. Just for feel, I had driven for around 100kms before deflating the tyres to 30ps. Driven alone and with family.

The wheels felt hard and bouncy, yet not the way you saw the Duster rocking.

IMO at 29ps tyre pressure the ride comfort is the best.

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Originally Posted by sumeshmani (Post 3211558)

During normal driving (in the night), I can barely make out any difference when switching them on.

During a recent trip to Ooty I've done some decent hill driving in rain, fog and slush. Both night and day. The lights are sufficient for most circumstances.
If you plan fast drive at night, I'll recommend to go for additional lamps and not alter existing setup.

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Originally Posted by ssmani (Post 3210849)

Good for you. In my case I am experiencing lower back pain after a longish drives of late. Not sure if this because of the seat. I feel it is not supportive and think that I am thrown about (by millimetres ) in the seat. May be it is the after market seat covers I added? The loose seat rails may be? Or could it be that I am no longer fit? :)

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Originally Posted by thalavoy (Post 3211709)

May be as models differ in back rest/support adjustment for driver (present / abscent). Yours does not have it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by CARDEEP (Post 3210939)

........ In fact, my non-enthusiast wife pointed put how the vehicle was rocking on the pot holes, much like our own Santro Xing, & also chided me about telling the all in family that its got a pliant ride. I was clueless...

Nothing is what it seems on the outside. I bought a Bolero just riding behind it and being floored by it's seemingly planted drive over rough roads.Once I was on the driver's seat, It redefined the term tumbletop action:D (No offence to bolero owners - Still feel it is the best low cost SUV on indian roads). Maybe your santro being smaller in size was able to negotiate those pot hole filled roads better than the Duster or maybe the driver was intentionally driving into potholes for reasons best known to him . Having said that, I love the way duster performs on my regular semi off-road sojourns. It is definitely more comfortable than any of my previous rides.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thalavoy (Post 3211709)

Are you buckled up? I was never a seat belt guy beforestupid: but after I got the Duster I always buckle up. The high pickup combined with the high GC might momentarily give a sudden jerk your body which is not very pleasant if you do not anticipate it. Cause of lower back pain might be more due to the hard clutch. I have completed 38000 KMs and recently when I went to the service center I checked on the clutch of a brand 110. The clutch was definitely softer.As your ride gets older the clutch invariably becomes harder.Check out sciatica on wikipedia. It might give you some hints.