Dear BHPians,
I wanted to write an ownership review on my newly acquired Linea 125s, but unfortunately events unfolded in such a manner that I am writing a long post (kindly bear) on my experience on buying a FIAT car from their flagship dealership - Landmark Lifestyle Cars, Mumbai.
I had booked the car on 31-Dec-2016, received delivery of the same (manufactured Aug 2016) on 18-Jan-2017. I had gone for a PDI at their workshop in Andheri and had a few cosmetic issues that I wanted resolved before delivery -
1. Front driver side door not completely aligned with the rest of the body in shut position.
2. Chrome badge of Linea on the boot had some imperfections (Part was later replaced in warranty)
3. Soiled interiors especially front 2 seats, sun glass holder and carpets. Front seat plastic covers were completely ripped off.
4. Inner roof lining moved considerably
All being cosmetic ones I thought they would be fixed during delivery, but only #4 was fixed. #2 as mentioned was replaced in warranty later after I again pointed out during delivery, #3 was done in just right before me after I again complained, #1 being as it was (I let that be as of now).
Now for the shocker - during the PDI on delivery day the external fuel cap just didn't close. I had to bring it to the dealership's notice and they weren't aware of this. It took another almost 1 hour to fix the issue. Another issue I noticed and brought to the dealership was a rattle in the rear right side door handle while closing the door.
Thereafter before driving off with the new car I took a quick drive with the sales advisor and all seemed fine. But that evening I realized that there is some noise from the bonnet area on uneven roads, especially ones with paver blocks. Also there was brake squealing during slow breaking at low speeds. A day later (Jan 20) I take it to the service center of Landmark in Andheri and it was diagnosed that the bonnet wasn't sitting flush after closing and there was some play causing the noise on uneven surfaces. I also again brought to their notice about the rear door handle rattle issue and they just greased the door which really didn't make any difference. On the break squealing I was told that it takes time for new disc brakes to bed-in and should be after about 500 kms
A few days later I started hearing slight noise from the front suspension area on uneven surfaces. I knew there was some issue with the suspension and decided to bring it up when I visit the workshop for replacement part in point # 2 above. Also there were some plastic rubbing noise from the dashboard area near the steering rack.
I duly got a call from the dealership when the part arrived and I took my car for the part replacement with around 550 km on the odo. I also mentioned about the front suspension noise but was told that it was basically body noise and nothing major to worry!! Also regarding the noise from dashboard the explanation was that since the plastic parts expand under sun's heat!! Then why wasn't it there in the test drive car was my question. And since it could involve removing dashboard I let that issue be as it is for now. On brake squeal, they cleaned the brakes and the squeal was gone, but wait, its back by the time I am home (~25 kms) from the service center!!
So I had to again take the car back to the service center, where after consultation with Mr. Valsan from FCA it was decided to change the pads and discs. For the suspension noise, they were re-torqued but the issue remained and I was asked to keep the car for atleast a day for them to find the issue and I told them I will get it back again as I had to have the car that weekend. After brakes and pads were replaced the squeal did not present itself for a couple of days. But then it came back with a vengeance and was worse than before. I informed the service center and then it was decided they replace the calipers as well. In between I had e-mailed by concerns to Mangesh Kodalkar from FCA and he had assured me that all my issues will be taken care of. It took more than 2 weeks for the calipers to come and in that period the squeal was almost gone, not 100%, but much much better than before and so I decided I will not change the calipers.
I was planning to get the car to the service center for the suspension issue on 16-Mar, but in an unfortunate incident my rear left window glass was broke open on 15-Mar and I took the car that day itself to the service center. As usual the part wasn't in stock and they had to place order for that and I had to keep the car at the workshop till the window glass was replaced. This also helped them diagnose the issue with the suspension and concluded that the front right shock-absorber is the culprit and will order that part. I was also told that the rear right door handle will also be replaced in warranty for the rattle issue. On 18-Mar I got the car back with new rear left window glass fitted, but unfortunately they smeared the glue (that came with the plastic covering the window in packaging) on the body paint and now the body paint has streaks of glue on it. The service advisor has told that they'll get it cleaned when I next come, and I don't know when it'll be as it depends on part availability.
As of today I am still awaiting the shock absorbers and rear right door handle to be replaced (and with a messed up paint work on left side rear door). I am updated that there was a set of T-Jet shock aborbers already on order and even FCA plant doesn't have it and has put it in back order.
The fault here lies with both - FCA and Landmark. FCA for poor QC processes and not having stock in supply especially for cars that have been in production for close to a decade. Landmark for their indifference to the customer right from PDI, delivery to the after sales experience. The pain lies with a customer believing and putting his hard earned money on a brand that is on life-support in India.
Definitely I wouldn't suggest either of them to a new customer with my experience till now. And such service on an existing product I don't know how they'll serve the Jeep clients.
Linea 125s a wonderful and beautiful machine, appreciated by all who rode in it and received second glances from many including my office and apartment security, was even appreciated by the guy at the air filling station at local petrol pump specifically on its build quality. But these issues and the after sales experience so far has left a bad taste.
PS - The other day a guy on a bike stops at the signal besides me to tell that the rear right tyres are wobbling
. I didn't feel any difference to ride quality but will get the alignment checked ASAP. Hope its not another issue that just cropped up.