[wangdu]

Originally Posted by Heavy Horse

2. What sort of body cover do you recommend ? Asking because of the SPINDLY antenna. If it was the shark fin type I would'nt have worried.

Thanks once again for your highly informative posts.

Actually, you can remove the spindly antenna when you want to put cover on the car. That way you can pick any of the covers you like without worrying about bending the protruding antenna. I didn't know it can be removed until recently so now I just put the antenna back in place when needed. Cheers!

[Heavy Horse]

Originally Posted by wangdu

Actually, you can remove the spindly antenna when you want to put cover on the car.

Thanks Wangdu. Is the antenna a screw on type ? If so, this sounds like a great solution.

[wangdu]

Originally Posted by Heavy Horse

Thanks Wangdu. Is the antenna a screw on type ? If so, this sounds like a great solution.

Yes, it is unless they have changed it recently.

[Hvt77]

Originally Posted by Heavy Horse

I'm thinking of changing my antenna to a shark fin one used in Honda City.
Like to know if anybody has done that and what has been the experience.

Quite a few chaps have done that it seems, a friend of mine used the shark fin ones available in all BRV colors on amazon.in, and his initial feedback was quite good. Others had apprehensions about the radio reception quality, but he said he could not notice any difference.

PS: My car was delivered last year when I was out of country, hence I had bought this cover from amazon, worked well for the 2 months it was under wraps, but my dad did get an extra belt sewed onto it as it came with just one belt which was proving insufficient under windy conditions for such a lengthy car! Since my dad had put it on, he didn't check about the spindly antenna issue, and I have not noticed any problems with radio reception for a year now since then!

Galaxy G7 Car Body Cover-Honda BRV, about INR 800 /-

[Heavy Horse]

Originally Posted by Hvt77

Quite a few chaps have done that it seems, a friend of mine used the shark fin ones available in all BRV colors on amazon.in, and his initial feedback was quite good. Others had apprehensions about the radio reception quality, but he said he could not notice any difference.

Don't want to risk buying from Amazon. I've asked the dealer to use the one they use for Honda City. Off course it will be a much more expensive but worth it I would imagine. The dealer has quoted Rs 4500/- for the job and colour match as well. Off course my SA told me that in some cases it has not worked well.

So,apart from the body cover issue, the shark fin antenna is aesthetically more pleasing.

[Hvt77]

Originally Posted by Heavy Horse

Don't want to risk buying from Amazon. I've asked the dealer to use the one they use for Honda City. Off course it will be a much more expensive but worth it I would imagine. The dealer has quoted Rs 4500/- for the job and colour match as well. Off course my SA told me that in some cases it has not worked well.

So,apart from the body cover issue, the shark fin antenna is aesthetically more pleasing.

Totally agree, it looks much better aesthetically too, and always good to get it done by the dealer!

But, either your dealer is more amenable to your suggestions, having had a such a long association with you, or maybe Honda has recently allowed them to do that (put the City's shark fin on the BRV), cos when I had asked them about the same a year back, they had said its not on the official list of accessories and hence they cannot put it!

Let me ask my guy once more next time I go there! :-)

[Heavy Horse]

Originally Posted by Hvt77

Let me ask my guy once more next time I go there! :-)

Who's your dealer. Mine is Western Honda.

[wangdu]

No more "Why not an automatic?" question . In addition free marketing the fact that Honda does have a BRV Automatic.

Ebay

[SmartCat]

Some quality / cost cutting issues to report:

The chrome at the front is not your typical chrome plating over metal after all. It is plastic, with paint over it. A flying stone chipped off the paint revealing grey plastic



The plastic clip on the AC slider has fallen off. Oddly, I'm not able to find it anywhere inside the car either.



When a heavy set person sits on it, the middle row seat (behind front passenger seat) makes a creaking sound on bad roads.



Other than that, all is well. 16,000 kms done, mostly on highways.

[wangdu]

Update on my BRV:

Got the 3rd service done at 11 months (9000kms) as BRV has serious mile munching to do over Christmas/New year (5000+kms) starting from Faridabad/NCR to PB, back to NCR and then down to Bangalore via Bombay and back.

In addition to Oil & filter change, I asked the air filter to be changed much to mechanic's surprise. I showed him the strands coming off the filter and despite his cleaning with air it still felt bit dirty. God, how could an OCD'd petrol head let engine choke for cleaner air or even let partial dirty air into the combustion chamber . Also, I had to remind them to do wheel rotation (3rd svc routine) which again bewildered the mechanic, I wondered why.

Now, not sure how many of us know this but BRV will be provided with an option of cabin air filter soon the svc manager said. Presently there's no a/c filter in BRV/Amaze (and Jazz maybe) and there's a circular out there from Honda that a provision will be provided to put in a/c filter soon. How much soon, no idea.

Total cost, ~ 2200/-

Merry Christmas & Happy New year, enjoy your holidays, live to drive! Cheers!

[Heavy Horse]

OK finally got it done.
Changed to the Shark Fin antenna. Cost Rs 4500/- at the dealer.
Interestingly I had asked him to put the City fin, but he refused !!!
Probably instructions from Honda.

Anyway looks good and works well.

See the BEFORE and AFTER pictures.

[SmartCat]

Back from a trip to Kodaikanal. It is insanely popular with tourists from Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. I got a lowly FE of 13.5 kmpl during the 1,200 km long trip, thanks to Bangalore-like traffic jams near tourist spots.



Great weather though! There was mist everywhere even in the afternoon. And yes, nights were freezing cold. Some pics:

[Rudra Sen]

Originally Posted by smartcat

Back from a trip to Kodaikanal.

Do you get a feeling (especially when you're alone) of rear is giving up during a sharp turn? Say at a speed around 60-70kmph.

I'm asking because I felt the same during my Honda's Bhutan drive.

[SmartCat]

Originally Posted by Rudra Sen

Do you get a feeling (especially when you're alone) of rear is giving up during a sharp turn? Say at a speed around 60-70kmph. I'm asking because I felt the same during my Honda's Bhutan drive.

"Rear giving up" as in the rear slides around as you make quick turns? If yes, in a FWD car, something like that will happen only if rear tyres have significantly lower tread depth than front tyres (especially on gravel road or wet tarmac road). That also explains why you faced the issue when you were driving alone.

On my car, the rear tracks true. The only difference between BR-V and my previous two cars (Optra, Civic) when it comes to handling is that understeer comes a bit early. No complaints in steering, brakes and body control department.

[Rudra Sen]

Originally Posted by smartcat

"Rear giving up" as in the rear slides around as you make quick turns? If yes, in a FWD car, something like that will happen only if rear tyres have significantly lower tread depth than front tyres (especially on gravel road or wet tarmac road). That also explains why you faced the issue when you were driving alone.

Cars were all from Honda and with new tyres. Roads were smooth and dry.

On my car, the rear tracks true. The only difference between BR-V and my previous two cars (Optra, Civic) when it comes to handling is that understeer comes a bit early. No complaints in steering, brakes and body control department.

I still drive my old Optra and never felt this under/over steer issue.

May be you can explain this with demo when we meet in Bangalore.