Fiat Grande Punto : Test Drive & Review

better4worse · 10th April 2010, 21:40

Hey, those of us booking the new punto or taking delivery, hope you guys are double checking on the Euro 4 aspect, coz there's lots of Euro 3 1.3 MJDs lying around. Hope you're checking the VIN number.

- B4W

Pyrotek · 11th April 2010, 09:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by better4worse

Hey, those of us booking the new punto or taking delivery, hope you guys are double checking on the Euro 4 aspect, coz there's lots of Euro 3 1.3 MJDs lying around. Hope you're checking the VIN number.

- B4W

Good point, but what is the VIN code (month of manufacture essentially) for Euro 4 Puntos anyway?

?ushk@r · 11th April 2010, 11:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by better4worse

Hey, those of us booking the new punto or taking delivery, hope you guys are double checking on the Euro 4 aspect, coz there's lots of Euro 3 1.3 MJDs lying around. Hope you're checking the VIN number.

- B4W

Yeah. I wanted to clarify this on behalf of my Friend. He is planning to go for a Nov '09 Punto 1.4 coz of the huge discount he is getting on the car. The car is perfect as he did a complete PDI on it. However, as suggested by one of the TeamBHPians, he enquired about the Euro rating and it is Euro III instead of Euro IV. How much is this a deal breaker? What are the issues going for a Euro III car in a city like Ahmedabad?

When he enquired, the salesguy replied 'Sir, this is indeed a Euro III car but the Engine is Euro IV compliant too'

'It doesn't make much of a difference. It's just a difference of one converter'

Please reply....... the deal has to be sealed!!

sdp1975 · 11th April 2010, 11:21

Doesn't make much difference if you are getting a good discount and the car is in good shape. Make sure that the RTO will register a BS-III vehicle though.

aditya116 · 11th April 2010, 14:22

Arent all puntos bs4 since day 1?

better4worse · 11th April 2010, 15:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by aditya116

Arent all puntos bs4 since day 1?

Nope, thats for sure ! Lots of BS III's lying around at dealers. I have booked mine (1.3 MJD) and have been told that there is a wait period of 7-10 days for the BS IV models, as they are yet to arrive in the chosen colour. I have had a look at the stock (inventory XL), lots of BS -IV Petrol Punto's are available with the dealers owing to the attractive stereo offer on 1.2. Note - this could be a dealer specific scenario.

- B4W

PS: I've heard that the Petrol 1.2's (BS IV) are having trouble with AC cooling and are coming back to the workshop for coil replacements(covered under warranty ). Can somebody confirm that ?

ms001 · 11th April 2010, 19:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by ?ushk@r

Yeah. I wanted to clarify this on behalf of my Friend. He is planning to go for a Nov '09 Punto 1.4 coz of the huge discount he is getting on the car. The car is perfect as he did a complete PDI on it. However, as suggested by one of the TeamBHPians, he enquired about the Euro rating and it is Euro III instead of Euro IV. How much is this a deal breaker? What are the issues going for a Euro III car in a city like Ahmedabad?

When he enquired, the salesguy replied 'Sir, this is indeed a Euro III car but the Engine is Euro IV compliant too'

'It doesn't make much of a difference. It's just a difference of one converter'

Please reply....... the deal has to be sealed!!

just confirm with rto/dealer if they will register a euro 3 car in your city or no, if yes go for it its not an issue.Just bargain for as much discount as possible.

fireblade007 · 11th April 2010, 19:54

The under surface of the bumper of my friend's punto emotion diesel easily scraps in bad roads. Any solutions for this problem?

.anshuman · 11th April 2010, 21:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by fireblade007

The under surface of the bumper of my friend's punto emotion diesel easily scraps in bad roads. Any solutions for this problem?

The car comes with metal protection plate. I have hit the chin of the car quite hard several times due to unexpected deep potholes, there was a loud sound but no damage just some scratches that too very minor ones.

Punto comes with good ground clearance, the only recommended way to avoid the car scraping is to drive cautiously. Raising the ride height by modifying the suspension will have more adverse effects than good ones.

better4worse · 11th April 2010, 23:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by ms001

just confirm with rto/dealer if they will register a euro 3 car in your city or no, if yes go for it its not an issue.Just bargain for as much discount as possible.

Can they and will they ...RTO ? Dealer would surely like to get Euro 3's (in his inventory kitty) off his back ! but is it legal to register a BS 3 when BS 4 is mandatory std for the city ?

samsan02 · 12th April 2010, 01:23

Why dont you guys check with Fiat directly, I have a feeling all the ones sold earlier are also euro 4 complaint. BS IV is same as euro 4 as per my understanding. Euro 4 engines already sell in europe and why would they become different when they come to india, its the same engine I believe.
I think 1.4 fire is already euro 4 complaint, since the day of launch. I may be wrong here but its better to check with Fiat directly.

ms001 · 12th April 2010, 09:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by better4worse

Can they and will they ...RTO ? Dealer would surely like to get Euro 3's (in his inventory kitty) off his back ! but is it legal to register a BS 3 when BS 4 is mandatory std for the city ?

i have no clarity about it , best would be to contact RTO/agents in your city.

NutsNBolts · 12th April 2010, 15:03

Regsitration is done based on Form 21 issued by manufacturer. This form, given on the basis of chassis number will clearly mention whether the vehicle is BS III or IV. So the RTO will register it only as per that form.

better4worse · 12th April 2010, 19:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by NutsNBolts

Regsitration is done based on Form 21 issued by manufacturer. This form, given on the basis of chassis number will clearly mention whether the vehicle is BS III or IV. So the RTO will register it only as per that form.

The dealer says..the registration happens at the RTO for BS -3 , one has to pay an additional fine of 1100 Rs. Convenient..isn't it ?

NutsNBolts · 12th April 2010, 20:22

I don't know about that, because your registration will be based on Form 21 and that is what will be held in the RTO office records. It is up to you if want to follow that track. After taking his share, RTO will wash his hands off from any kind of trouble you may face. Just my two cents.

10th April 2010, 21:40	#1651
better4worse BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 302 Thanked: 2 Times	Hey, those of us booking the new punto or taking delivery, hope you guys are double checking on the Euro 4 aspect, coz there's lots of Euro 3 1.3 MJDs lying around. Hope you're checking the VIN number. - B4W
	() Thanks

11th April 2010, 11:21	#1654
sdp1975 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,700 Thanked: 1,273 Times View My Garage	Doesn't make much difference if you are getting a good discount and the car is in good shape. Make sure that the RTO will register a BS-III vehicle though.
	() Thanks

11th April 2010, 14:22	#1655
aditya116 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: calicut Posts: 317 Thanked: 51 Times	Arent all puntos bs4 since day 1?
	() Thanks

11th April 2010, 19:54	#1658
fireblade007 BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Thrissur Posts: 167 Thanked: 104 Times	The under surface of the bumper of my friend's punto emotion diesel easily scraps in bad roads. Any solutions for this problem?
	() Thanks

12th April 2010, 01:23	#1661
samsan02 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 410 Thanked: 21 Times	Why dont you guys check with Fiat directly, I have a feeling all the ones sold earlier are also euro 4 complaint. BS IV is same as euro 4 as per my understanding. Euro 4 engines already sell in europe and why would they become different when they come to india, its the same engine I believe. I think 1.4 fire is already euro 4 complaint, since the day of launch. I may be wrong here but its better to check with Fiat directly.
	() Thanks

12th April 2010, 15:03	#1663
NutsNBolts BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Jammu Posts: 817 Thanked: 41 Times View My Garage	Regsitration is done based on Form 21 issued by manufacturer. This form, given on the basis of chassis number will clearly mention whether the vehicle is BS III or IV. So the RTO will register it only as per that form.
	() Thanks

12th April 2010, 20:22	#1665
NutsNBolts BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Jammu Posts: 817 Thanked: 41 Times View My Garage	I don't know about that, because your registration will be based on Form 21 and that is what will be held in the RTO office records. It is up to you if want to follow that track. After taking his share, RTO will wash his hands off from any kind of trouble you may face. Just my two cents.
	() Thanks