[rendezvous]

Hi -

I'd need some suggestion:
1. I've been informed by 1st Choice guys that some oil is leaking from the front shockers of my car (Optra Royale). Due to that issue, shockers have to be replaced. I'm not sure about that. They've quoted expense of 5-6k for both the front shockers. They also informed me that my car has hydraulic shockers. Need some tips to save that amount?
2. I was giving it a thought to raise my car from back equivalent to SX4 (just to improve ground clearance to some extent) How can that be done & with how much cost?
3. I also want to change the horn of car. When pressed, at times it honks & at times it doesn't. So thought of changing it too. My car has dual tone horn (default). Suggest me some good dual-tone honk (how about Skoda's horn) & what price tag?

PS: I'm in Hyderabad. Suggest me good place where I can buy it from.

Thanks

[rendezvous]

Any suggestions? I've been waiting to hear from someone on this.

[Ice]

Originally Posted by rendezvous

Hi -

I'd need some suggestion:
1. I've been informed by 1st Choice guys that some oil is leaking from the front shockers of my car (Optra Royale). Due to that issue, shockers have to be replaced. I'm not sure about that. They've quoted expense of 5-6k for both the front shockers. They also informed me that my car has hydraulic shockers. Need some tips to save that amount? How many km has your car run? Shocks normally don't start wearing out before 40K, unless its being driven very hard over very bad roads. Have you seen the oil yourself? Is there any squeaking/Thud-Thud sound from the shocks?
If the shocks are leaking oil, then the faulty piece is normally the rubber seals on the edges. It could also be a cracked shock. If the shocks are indeed leaking oil, then I suggest that you change them at the authorised service centre. 5-6k incl. labour at an a.s.s. sounds reasonable in my opinion

2. I was giving it a thought to raise my car from back equivalent to SX4 (just to improve ground clearance to some extent) How can that be done & with how much cost? Can't comment on this. One thing though - any fiddling with the ride height will affect the high-speed dynamics of the car.
3. I also want to change the horn of car. When pressed, at times it honks & at times it doesn't. So thought of changing it too. My car has dual tone horn (default). Suggest me some good dual-tone honk (how about Skoda's horn) & what price tag?
The Roots Vibrasonic is a really good, low maintenace horn. With wiring, cutout, and installation it works out to around Rs. 1,300.
The Hella Redgrille is also a good horn, and retails at Rs.1250 (folks, correct me if there are cheaper options out there). However, there a lot of fake redgrills out there, and these may fail very quickly.
A third option is the Roots Windtone horn, which is excellent but needs to be fixed in a certain way so as to prevent water seepage into the horn.

PS: I'm in Hyderabad. Suggest me good place where I can buy it from.

Thanks

Hey Rendezvous...sorry for the late responses. Usually the folks here are all over a thread the moment its published.

I've tried answering your queries in bold, in the quoted text above.

Cheers and all the best!

[wanderernomad]

Hey RV do you ahve a detailed ownership report on your car here? I am planning to pick up a second hand Optra Royale from a frined and wanted to know major issues , FE and general upkeep of the car over a period of time.

[mdesai_1981]

hi wanderernmad, i had an optraused for a year and half and had purchased a second hand model. the FE what u should expect is somehwere around 8~9kmpl for 1.6 vgis. and the maintainence is not tht high. regular service and thats it. its a tough car ad has no problems at all. only make sure its not an accident car and the condition of the car. waht i bought was a 13000km driven 1&1/2 yr driven car. got it serviced all fluids replaced including coolant and all. checked all the components and tht was it. small niggling issues were maintenence related tkc n enjoy. its a good car great ride quality and my top speed was 180km/h absolutely stable . tkc n cheers

[wanderernomad]

@mdesai, thanks Mate. The car is clean and belongs to a very close friend. Done only about 15K Kms in the last 4 years.

[mdesai_1981]

that is great then go for it. but remember your optra will have a manual and it has got exactly waht you have to do at the end of 4 years or 40000kms. do that service and you'll be fine for a year. also if money is not a problem then u can put in mobil or castrol edge. both are good i've personally seen superb effects of them ;the engine noise and vibration level dropped by alomst 30~40% super silent car!
but its your call. enjoy the car. tkc

[rendezvous]

Originally Posted by Ice

Hey Rendezvous...sorry for the late responses. Usually the folks here are all over a thread the moment its published.

I've tried answering your queries in bold, in the quoted text above.

Cheers and all the best!

Thanks buddy....
1. I've optraised till 37k as of now in 4yrs. I don't see any oil leaking when the car is at halt. I don't either hear any thud noise. So what's the solution?

2. I agree but I don't want to make major changes just raise a bit from the back.

[animdas]

Hi rendezvous,
What did you do finally?
Even I was told of the same thing- "you cannot see the oil" was clarified to me very clearly. The car has done ~36000km. I don't think I should replace them- however, the cost is now 3.5k/ shocker

Any idea?

Thanks