Team-BHP - Fiat Grande Punto : Test Drive & Review

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR (Post 2692980)

Saw reverse sensors at dealership for 3999. Anyone tried this? Is it just audio assist?

I got reverse sensors installed in my car from the dealership for Rs.3500 when I bought my car. It's not a Fiat genuine accessory. It's not fixed to the IRVM, but has a separate screen, which is placed on the extreme right beside the A-pillar. The screen shows the distance to the obstruction and a graphic with red/yellow/green colors depending on the distance. It also shouts out the distance and when the obstruction is less than 0.4m away, it shouts "STOP". These days, I never look at the display, but stop as soon as the lady in the reverse sensor shouts "STOP".

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR (Post 2692980)

Saw reverse sensors at dealership for 3999. Anyone tried this? Is it just audio assist?

I've installed this and its from Autocop.
It has a small graphic on the IRVM with distance indicator.
It switches on with the reverse gear.
Along with the graphic, there is a beep indication which is intermittent to start with and when the distance shows 0.3mts, it becomes continuous.

Its really helpful since the rear view is limited but the downside as someone has posted earlier is that we loose the day/night mirror functionality.
I don't know about other brands, but autocop mirror is like a Evening mirror...its not irritating in the night but also has good visibility during daytime.

Another friend's punto's reverse sensors has a separate screen for displaying distance but the lady shouting the distances and STOP can get irritating at times.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronin (Post 2693041)

To all those who are debating on the Punto v/s Swift deal, here is my 2 cents.

I have both the cars and after 50,000 each on both of them, the swift makes a hell lot of noise and all of it doesnt come from the engine. The suspension also have gone all squishy and I can feel all the imperfections of the road. Where as the Punto is still as good as new. No rattles, Suspension is still solid. Havent had any issues yet from the service guys. In fact it has been quite excellent even opening up their service centre at 10pm on a holiday to take care of a situation I had.

Initially we were all quite taken in by the sudden rush of power on the swift and the younger lot of the family made a beeline for the car. These days its the Punto, the car of choice.

Exact same experience here, with 55K KM on both my swift and punto, with similar time just more than 3 years on both the cars, the Punto looks good to go easily for another 4 years whereas we have already decided to sell off the swift and get another car. And since we already have a Punto in family we are looking for some different car but believe me friends it has been a nightmare to select any other car because you just don't get that solid feeling anywhere else.

Hi All,
I have been driving my newly acquired 2012 model White MJD GPunto. The car has done 420 odd kms in the odo. Today as i was cleaning the vehicle i could see soot formation on both the front alloys which i wiped out clean with a cloth.

It is very evident that the soot has permeated and found it's way somehow from the engine bay. I attached a pic of the cloth after wipe.

I am a first time owner of a diesel powered car, hence excuse my ignorance and confirm if such occurrences are uncommon for any diesel car for that matter. I feel odd about this whole thing..

Awaiting your valuable feedback on this for prompt action...

Quote:

Originally Posted by hemanth.anand (Post 2693565)

The sensors mounted on the rear bumpers are of black colour? Or do we have the option of choosing body coloured ones?

Is 100/90 headlamp upgrade recommended in Punto? Or stock headlamps do a good job?

Quote:

Originally Posted by sriramr9

Hey Sri,

First of all congrats for your punto. Don't feel odd and this is nothing to worry about.
The black powder like thing what you see on your front alloys is nothing but brake pad wear and tear dust. In my punto is also see this quite often.
Also, your car being new one, the brakes have just started to work so the blackening will be on a little higher side.
Once you clock few thousand kms this blackening will reduce but it will be still there.

Just enjoy the beauty and drive safely.

Cheers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Is 100/90 headlamp upgrade recommended in Punto? Or stock headlamps do a good job?

The stock lamps are just about right if you're going to stick speed limits. As the speed increases spotting objects becomes very difficult. Also the stock high beam does fairly good job. Why don't you try it for few days before upgrading?

I've been using 90/100 for about 30k and my headlights have darkened slightly - not noticeable really, but for me I can always replace the cluster not ourselves because indian highways is full of surprises.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

You do have the option of body coloured sensors, but you will loose the freedom of selecting the brand as your favourite brand might not have the color you are looking for.

Fiat Grande Punto : Test Drive & Review-image2274407039.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by sriramr9 (Post 2693741)

It nothing but brake dust... not soot. So you can relax & enjoy your punto without worries.

Quote:

Originally Posted by teky (Post 2693809)

If in 30 days you're able to notice the discoloration then in the future its only going to get worse.
Having said that I'm also planning to upgrade to 90/100w bulbs. Which bulbs are you using teky?

Quote:

Originally Posted by teky (Post 2693809)

I've been using 90/100 for about 30k and my headlights have darkened slightly - not noticeable really, but for me I can always replace the cluster not ourselves because indian highways is full of surprises.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hiren.mistry (Post 2694024)

If in 30 days you're able to notice the discoloration then in the future its only going to get worse.

hiren.mistry, teky has explicitly mentioned that his car has run ~30,000km and the headlamps have darkened slightly. I don't see any mention of 30 days.

May be you got confused of 30k to be 30 days. lol:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford5 (Post 2694036)

Forgive me, but I haven't noticed this brake pad dust on any other car till now? Is it specific to punto's?

Brake dust is common, AFAIK. My observation is that Fiat cars have the highest brake dust accumulation (take this as a remark from someone who hails from a family who has been using Fiat cars for more than a decade :D)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klub Class (Post 2694045)

Yikes!! :Shockked:
you're correct, I need to get my eyes checked. stupid:

Cheers