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Originally Posted by Torq In my quest for a C-SUV + DIESEL + AUTO tranny i have now landed here. Have taken long TD for Brezza (meh!), XUV 300 (small boot space, at a very high premium), NEXON (peculiar design), KIA SELTOS (even the k+ variant is beyond budget, to add to it, poor mileage)
What do you guys think of Duster AMT?
It's longer than 4M, seems competent on highways as well as city, large boot, comfortable front and rear seats.
Heard/read somewhere that the 110PS engine has some issues with fuel injectors. Can anyone shed some light over it?
How's the gear shift in AMT? |
Hi,
I had recently replaced my 2013 Manual DsL 110 Duster with a 2019 AMT 110 DSL. My old duster had done 1,80,000 kms in its 5 and a half year life with me and served me well in its time. The Duster is a no nonsense vehicle with no fuss about it. Yes, it is dated when compared to the newer cars/suvs available in the market currently. Its USP is its brilliant ride and handling. No car/suv, even in the current market scenario, can match the Duster for that in my humble opinion.
The old duster did have the injector/pump malfunction issue, but then I lived with it without replacing it. The problem cropped up in the fourth year of ownership after the 4 year warranty period had expired. The warning light started blinking and when inspected at the service center, it was diagnosed as the injector/pump malfunction. I was asked to replace it and the cost was around 65K for it. I declined changing it and continued running with it. The hazard warning light would only come up once in a while and it would go off on its own after a while. I ignored it and continued using the vehicle with no issues at all. The vehicle continued running without any issues ( I could've been lucky) and I intended to change/replace the injector/pump only when it was absolutely necessary and if the vehicle stalled. This never happened.
Last month I got a call from the local Renault Dealer in Kerala that they were offering good discounts on the Phase II (Not the 2019 facelifted version, but the previous version) Renault Dusters. They offered me a RxS Variant Duster with AMT Diesel 110 with an ex showroom price of Rs.9.99 L !!! This would translate to an on road price in Kerala at Rs.11.50 Lakhs which included the road tax, b2b insurance for 3 years (1st year b2b and 2nd and 3rd year, third party) 5 years extended warranty, fastag and essential accessories pack (Mud flaps and carpets). At 11.50 L for an auto diesel duster is a steal and I immediately took up the offer, sold my old duster and took delivery of the Duster AMT.
The AMT in the Duster is very convenient since the old duster had quite a hard clutch and one would easily tire the left leg in bumper to bumper traffic. The AMT takes care of this. The drivability of the AMT is nothing phenomenal compared to the proper automatics like CVTs and DSGs. But, to be honest, I was pleasantly surprised with the Duster AMT as it had relatively lesser turbo lag compared to the brezza AMT. There is a lag in the first and second gearing but for a normal, sedate driver, like me, this is perfectly fine and I can live with it. Some reviews had mentioned about the head nod effect of the AMT while upshifting from the 1st and 2nd gears. I think Renault has addressed it to a certain extend and this is negligible in my opinion. The AMT just needs some time to get used to and once you know the vehicle and the vehicle knows your driving dynamics, the drive is a breeze.
The interiors of the car has been slightly updated. It now get a touch screen display with android auto/apple carplay as standard. The touch screen response in not lightning fast but very much usable. Bluetooth connectivity is good ( The old one was difficult to pair). The in-cabin insulation is good and the doors have proper rubber beading and shut with a assuring thud. The engine noise is vastly improved and the newer engine is well insulated. There are certain areas where the quality has gone down from the older duster like the AC vents, which is appears to be made of thinner and more fragile material. The seats are also draped in fabric which is inferior to the earlier material. Will need to use a proper cover for it as it does not seem built to take regular abuse. The Instrument cluster also seems to have taken a cost cutting effect and now comes with a basic console although certain elements have been added digitally.
One thing which has remained is the Ride and Handling of the vehicle. And this is the reason I love driving the duster even after so many years of living with it. None of the more fancy new vehicles can match the Duster in the ride and handling department !!!.
I have driven the new Duster AMT for about 2000 kms and it returns a milage of 14 in city and 18 on the highway. Done the first 2000 kms service/checkup and there was no cost for it. About the injector failure that people fear about the Duster 110, I think the 5 year/100,000 kms extended warranty will take care of that.
I am one HAPPY Renault Duster AMT owner
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