Team-BHP - Maruti Baleno : Official Review

My Baleno got its first service today (though the car's got only 410 Kms. in a month). I bought the underbelly anti-rust + silencer coating. It cost me Rs. 3100.
I have some dents on the lift doors and front bumper of the car. They told me that the whole left side of the car will be repainted and I should claim insurance and that I would need to leave the car at workshop for 7-10 days. I told them that I will decide about it later. Now I need to know if I decide to get it done after a month or so and the car gets a few more scratches (I am a new driver) will the insurance company create any problem? Do they simply reject your claim if they are not satisfied with your 'story' of how the car got damaged? :) I am attaching the pics of the car, before and after service and also of the dents and scratches.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr.Q (Post 3884736)

How so?
Can you tell me about the other A.S.S. scams i need to look out for?
I've seen people add that up at petrol pumps. It must be worth something?

I doubt we have had any solid reports which talks about noticeable diference when using such additives. If there was any, the manufacturer themselves would have recoemmended such things.

Anything that's not mentioned in the manual but recommended by the A$$ is a method to fleece money. The best thing is to stick to what is mentioned in the manual for each service.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chandra1 (Post 3885114)

....I have some dents on the lift doors and front bumper of the car. They told me that the whole left side of the car will be repainted and I should claim insurance and that I would need to leave the car at workshop for 7-10 days. I told them that I will decide about it later. Now I need to know if I decide to get it done after a month or so and the car gets a few more scratches (I am a new driver) will the insurance company create any problem? Do they simply reject your claim if they are not satisfied with your 'story' of how the car got damaged? :) I am attaching the pics of the car, before and after service and also of the dents and scratches.

Trust me, none of these are major issues where you deserve to lose te NCB. Rather, get a paint touch up (this is done free of cost) by the A$$. Being a new driver, there is a higher chance that you may end up having more scratches, so please all these till you become a good driver and do it one shot.

As for the bumper part caved it, the MA$$ can heat the bumper and bring it back to shape - I doubt they'll charge anything for that as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by swiftnfurious (Post 3885210)

Rather, get a paint touch up (this is done free of cost) by the A$$. ...
As for the bumper part caved it, the MA$$ can heat the bumper and bring it back to shape - I doubt they'll charge anything for that as well.

SA said if they do touch up job getting the insurance claim would be difficult. About the bumper the technician said, hitting from behind might not work well on plastics.
If I get these minor things done by a local mechanic will it cause any problem later when making insurance claim?

Quote:

Originally Posted by chandra1 (Post 3885227)

Touch up jobs are usually done foc or for a small price. I doubt if it has got to do anything with insurance claim in future at all. In my old car (manza) I have done multiple touchup myself with spray paint and when I claimed insurance for bumper there were no questions asked (I did not proceed with processing the claim as I had 50% ncb which I dint feel worthwhile losing)

The other part about bumper- it quite funny actually. Service centres and local mechanics heat bumper to straighten dents all the time. This tried and tested procedure works..just ask the service center guy not to take a hammer and bang the bumper. .just follow procedure

Quote:

Originally Posted by chandra1 (Post 3885227)

The intention of the touch up is that you don't have to claim insurance at all! :) All the problems you have listed are all minor issues which may seem big ones as this is your first ownership. Trust me, these are issues which are better ignored.

Once you do a touch up, none would be able to make that out as it would be near perfect for the small scratches. I am still not convinced about the bumper straightening - our cars have been thru such things which were corrected by heating and pushing these out. And remember, unless you have a bumper-to-bumper or full cover insurance, your bumper change is going to cost you 50% of the total cost.

Since you said you are a new driver, just get the paint touch up done and leave the bumper the it is (if they are not ready to correct it). I am not degrading your driving skills, but please don't spend much on these things till you are fairly experienced.

The insurance guys work as per their rapport with the service centre guys, they will sign off even minor issues if they have a good relationship with the service guys. My Swift's camber was replaced for a very minor alignment issue - no questions asked. A layman would have NEVER found the difference at all.

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Originally Posted by SRK (Post 3885264)

Guys does Maruti stop their production in January?

I called my RM today for inquiring about the Baleno he said that the plan is shut and production will resume only after 15th Jan, which I doubt.

I had booked an Alpha Petrol in November and was given a waiting period of 8-10 weeks. Have insisted on getting a 2016 made model only.

Well I got similar news from my RM and she told it's shut till 10th of january. I have no idea how credible is the information provided.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sathish81 (Post 3885236)

Touch up jobs are usually done foc or for a small price. I doubt if it has got to do anything with insurance claim in future at all.
The other part about bumper- it quite funny actually. Service centres and local mechanics heat bumper to straighten dents all the time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by swiftnfurious (Post 3885249)

Since you said you are a new driver, just get the paint touch up done and leave the bumper the it is (if they are not ready to correct it). I am not degrading your driving skills, but please don't spend much on these things till you are fairly experienced.

Thank you guys for the responses. You are right. My car cleaner cum driver also said the same thing - that I am getting too worried about these small things. He also advised me to leave these things as they are.
I will approach the service centre tomorrow again and will ask them to do the touch up and bumper straightening thing. But in case they refuse to oblige, can I get the same done at any other ASS (will they charge?) or local mechanic?

Quote:

Originally Posted by chandra1 (Post 3885286)

....I will approach the service centre tomorrow again and will ask them to do the touch up and bumper straightening thing. But in case they refuse to oblige, can I get the same done at any other ASS (will they charge?) or local mechanic?

A local mechanic may charge a bit for this, but A$$ may not. Club this with your next service please; dont visit the A$$ for this alone - you may end up wasting a whole day.

Be firm on you need it and you ain't gonna do a warranty claim; they'll oblige.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhansali_hardik (Post 3885280)

Well I got similar news from my RM and she told it's shut till 10th of january. I have no idea how credible is the information provided.

My Nexa sales guy confirmed to me yesterday that the plant had resumed production on 4th Jan. Strange that we have different info from different dealers.