[el lobo 6061]

Updates:

A. 2nd Paid Service done
Date : 4 April 2013
Service center : AutoBahn Automotive, Nerul Navi Mumbai (Previously KSM Motors)
Service Advisor (SA) : Mr. Mausir Khan
ODO at : 10,903 Kms

So it was time for my VW to visit her specialist doctor for the 2nd Service. As compared to other brands VW only has paid services no free services. I don't regret it, since 1 year / 15,000 Kms makes up for it. So in 2 years of ownership this is the second time I'm visiting the workshop. Compared to Honda or Hyundai I would have had to visit more number of times if had went for Honda City or Hyundai Verna.

My fellow bhpians @Souravc & @ninjatalli would be bashing me up for such low ODO on a TDi in two years. But it is a great improvement of about 172% since I had in previous year did just 4,000 Kms in a year. A 1,300+ Kms trip coming up in a few weeks.


I had booked the appointment 21 days prior since VW is known for 1 month of waiting period. Biggest development was KSM Motors has now changed over to AutoBahn Automotive. KSM motors workshop was closed for about 1 month while the transition took place between two entities. Still warranty claims hadn't initiated when I went for service when they opened on 1st April 2013.

I received reminder call from VW Workshop regarding my appointment 1 day prior to confirm about it. Good. I reached workshop at 10 am sharp. Lady at the reception checked her register for my name. Ask me to wait in customer lounge where you are offered tea/coffee and newspaper to read while you wait for a SA.

At 10:30 pm SA Mr Mausir Khan is allotted and he opens a job car for my vehicle. We then go out to check the car for any scratches and other stuff.

There were only two complaints from my side during the service which I elaborated to my SA.
1. Horn had mellowed down and didn't sound like VW any more
2. Boot lock acting finicky. Boot just wouldn't close sometimes and it used to make khad khad noise while opening.

SA tried to replicate both of them.
1. Horn showed its face as soon as it was pressed.
2. But boot lock, started acting all sweet and no more Khad Khad sound and would lock without any issue.

I was like. Getting the boot lock replaced was high on my agenda.

Asked the SA to try a few times. Luckily it started acting finicky. Best, boot now wouldn't even get locked. SA said he will ask the mechanic to look in and if the horn & boot cannot be repaired they would be replaced FOC(Free of cost).

New thing at VW Navi Mumbai : Dialogue Reception

SA : "Sir would you like to get dialogue reception done."
Me : "Thinking what is this".
SA : "Sir, we would raise the car on platform and a mechanic would inspect the under body and you to can view it for any under body damages"
Me : "Is it free of cost?". (Asked SA since VW charges for everything).
SA : "Yes, off course."
Me : "Yes why not with a big smile."

At the the entry towards the right they have their Dialogue Reception and the vehicle lift hydraulic machine. Checked the under body, no issues. Good.

I had asked the SA to not do the following on my car:
1. No car wash. I have a Karcher, I can do it on my own. Cool Rs. 500+ saved.
2. No engine coolant. It was few mm above Max, so no need.
3. No wiper wash fluid. I got 2 bottles of it.

SA was pursuing me to get 3M Car polish and AC disinfection done. I was like NO WAY I'm shelling out on these useless services.

So the car was taken in and I'm asked in to wait in customer lounge. I always stay at the workshop while I get my car serviced which means I need to take a Saturday off from office.

45 mins later mechanics are working on the car. Workshop head trying hard to close the boot and with no head way. Went towards the workshop area (which is actually prohibited). Asked the SA about the boot & horn. Both the parts were checked by mechanics and decided to replace them under warranty FOC.

But both the parts aren't available with the workshop. First thing comes to my mind, another visit to workshop, damn. Since KSM to AutoBahn transition still going on, they could only service and couldn't order any parts by raising a ticket in DISS as the systems were locked. SA said it would take another one month for them to be completely functional.

Told the SA to do the 2nd paid service and order the parts whenever the system would be up.

So finally by 4 pm car was serviced with wheel alignment, balancing and rotation done. Since I got the rotation done it was obvious to get the balancing & alignment done. Checked the car out but alignment was not proper.

Another round of alignment and finally it was up to my satisfaction.

Bill was readied and it came to Rs. 10,731 inclusive of everything. Could have saved about Rs. 2,000 if I hadn't got rotation, alignment , balancing and also fuel filter changed. Yes I got the fuel filter changed though I had only clocked about 7,000 Kms since VW recommends change over at 7,500 Kms if diesel has high sulfur content.

Checked the bill. They had charged me for GFF functions which basically is updation of ECU. If their systems are locked out how can they update an ECU, since it requires connection to VW server.

Checked with head mechanic and he confirmed that they cannot update the ECU since their systems are locked out.

Told the SA about it. He checked with the head mechanic and ECU update wasn't done. SA said they would update the ECU when I come for horn & boot lock replacement. I told him to give me in writing that the ECU would be updated for free during next visit on bill, which he obliged and did the same.

The bill also mentioned about horn & boot lock replacement in addition to ECU update. So if VW later refuses it, I have got it in writing.

Issues and problems :
1. Seat frame replacement not done since it was closed. Whenever they would restart would have it done.
2. Grease marks here and there. Since I have quick detailer could get them off easily.

Bid adieu and off to home.

2nd Service bill below for reference:




Fast forward to 1.5 months, called the SA about the parts replacement. I could live with a mellowed down horn but the boot lock could give up on me anytime. SA called back to confirm that the parts have arrived in stock and I could come over to workshop to get it done. Another Saturday on the horizon to get it done.


2. Another visit to the workshop.

Date : 18 May 2013
Parts to be replaced : Boot lock and horn.
Work to be done : ECU Update.

SA opened the job card and mentioned about parts replacement but didn't wrote about ECU update. I though he would get it done, but. Parts were replaced in 2 hrs and the car was parked outside with no ECU update done.

I was quite furious since I already paid for a ECU update in 2nd service and with no update done again. Straight went and met with workshop manager Mr Pujari. Told him the complete ordeal and also showed the bill where SA had mentioned about the ECU update to be done on next service.

He checks it up and ask for the car to be brought in. Car is connected with their VAS machine and update starts. It usually takes about 45 mins to do it.

ECU update:

Mechanic connected a battery charger while the ECU update is done since it drains the battery during the process.

While I was waiting in customer lounge, thought of lets go and check out the car. I hear a TDi car being revved all the way to redline multiple times. I was thinking whose car is being screwed by mechanics by so much of revving.

Another surprise in making....

It's my very own car, but there is no one sitting in the car. Straight went to my car to see what is going on. It's the VAS machine doing it. Asked the mechanic what is going on?

It was the "Injection Rectification", done to improve the fueling and adjust the ECU to work better. If I remember correctly a bhpian with Shadow Blue Vento too had got it done by filling up additional fuel since the update requires certain amount of fuel.

All in all
1. My Vento TDi received a remap of sorts.
2. Boot lock changed FOC.
3. Horn changed FOC.

So bill was readied and I paid zilch as it was all covered under warranty and ECU update was already paid for. SA gave one copy to me. Again bid adieu until 3rd paid service.


Driving impression after both the service done.
1. After the ECU "Injection Rectification" remap, the engine feels much better. Power is a bit quicker and lesser noise.
2. Horn is amazingly loud with a true VW sound.
3. Boot lock again functional and opens like a charm.

Upcoming endeavors:
1. Detailing due to prepare the car for rains in 1st week of June.
2. 1,300+ Kms road trip.

Parts replacement bill for reference:

[newtonMeter]

Originally Posted by el lobo 6061

It was the "Injection Rectification", done to improve the fueling and adjust the ECU to work better. If I remember correctly a bhpian with Shadow Blue Vento too had got it done by filling up additional fuel since the update requires certain amount of fuel.

Yep that shadow blue bhpian was me post injector update, there is drastic reduction in morning clatter too.

[thoma]

Originally Posted by el lobo 6061

Bill was readied and it came to Rs. 10,731 inclusive of everything.

What is with this 'Vehicle front + rear measured' for INR 354? I have seen this in someone else's bill on the forum.

Hope Volkswagen won't object getting the WA/WB done outside.

Since you are a detailing buff and a careful handler of the car, I believe that your knight have been elusive of even the slightest scratch. My first scratch happened around the 2.5k kms on the front bumper and the underlying black plastic has been scraped too.

[el lobo 6061]

Originally Posted by thoma

What is with this 'Vehicle front + rear measured' for INR 354? I have seen this in someone else's bill on the forum.

Hope Volkswagen won't object getting the WA/WB done outside.

"Vehicle front + rear measured" is the wheel alignment in VW definition. You can always get wheel alignment & balancing done from outside. Since I don't do much running, so once in a year get it done from VW Workshop itself.

Originally Posted by thoma

Since you are a detailing buff and a careful handler of the car, I believe that your knight have been elusive of even the slightest scratch. My first scratch happened around the 2.5k kms on the front bumper and the underlying black plastic has been scraped too.

No, there are scratches. 3 on the left side of front bumper due to my own error. Rest of them due to children in my building. Recently my car was parked in my bldg & some one scratched front fender so badly that primer is visible and cannot be rectified even by rubbing compound. Hate such morons.

Interior is in absolutely perfect, since no one can mess it up.

[Amogh Barakol]

Hello , El lobo ! i Have been following your post for quite a while . I must say , quite well done ! Very informative and well written . It has helped me in convincing my Dad to book a Vento ! I'm soon to receive delivery of a 2013 VW Vento in the stunning Pearl Black finish . Will be posting an Ownership thread soon . I Have been waiting to thank you for quite some time but i had to wait in the moderation queue ( being a newbie and all ! :P ).

[el lobo 6061]

Its been a while since I have updated my "Dark Knight's" thread. Car is doing great and clocking more and more miles. So here are the updates in chronological order.

Long Drive : Navi Mumbai - Kolhapur - Goa.
Date : 12 - 16 June 2013.

Goa is always special place because of the atmosphere, great food, shacks, etc. Since monsoon had already arrived in Mumbai which meant pleasant whether for a long drive after the scorching heat of summers. Goa was the unanimous selection. Dates were fixed.

The longest drive under taken by me with family was a mere 440 Kms in a single day. This time it was almost 610 Kms so we decided to break the journey at Kolhapur and visit places over there as well.

Car was all prepped up, fuel filled upto brim with extra 6-7 litres with help from a small secrret button inside the tank, nitrogen in tyres, oil check, coolant check, lights check, etc.

So on 12 June we departed early morning at 6:30 am. Drive through Mum-Pune E-Way is always a breeze, followed by exiting Pune and continuing onto NH4 till Kolhapur. By 11:30 am we were in Kolhapur. Crashed in at Hotel Opal recommended by HVK sir. Great hotel and very good food.

Few of our friends were surprised that we were able to reach Kolhapur so quickly with 45 min break included. All credits to Vento and great 1.6 TDi which keeps going on & on.

Freshened up and had lunch at hotel itself. Then headed out to visit Mahalaxmi temple and Maharaja's Palace. Palace has a huge collection of antiques and stuffed animals(Taxidermy). Maharajas did a lot of hunt back then. There is also a lake where there are many types of dear which can be viewed at ease from a distance.

Next day 13 June 2013:

Departed from Hotel Opal to our destination Club Mahindra Varca Beach Goa. Driving through NH4 is damn fun. If it was not for the turn towards Nipani I would have continued further onto the superb roads till Bangalore.

Spent the next days visiting North & South Goa, mostly beaches and having great food at Martins Corner, Fisherman Wharf, and other regulars. Already had been to Goa in 2007, so this time it was more relaxed and gourmet.

16 June 2013:

Quickly days passed and it was 16 June 2013 to return back to Navi Mumbai. We decided to make it a single journey of 610 kms without breaking off at Kolhapur. And it was, we departed at 6:00 am from Club Mahindra Varca Beach and reached home by 6:00 pm with heavy downpour at certain section.

So a new record for me of doing 610 Kms in a single day.

Few pics:

Dark Knight awaiting to rise again after a early morning breakfast somewhere after Pune.


The Maharaja's Palace, Kolhapur.


Various animals at the Palace grounds enclosure








The Mahalaxmi Temple, Kolhapur.


Club Mahindra Varca Beach's private beach


Awaiting at a railway crossing. Quite rare these days.


There comes the roaring diesel powered locomotive


Steed resting while we have tea & wada pav at a road side eatery





Drive : Global Vipassana Pagoda
Date : 10 Aug 2013

Another lazy Sunday and what to do? Driving Vento is sort like an addiction and you get these pangs to head out some place on a weekend.

So decided to head out to Global Vipassana Pagoda which is a very quaint and quite place. Also the place is famous for the massive inner dome seats over 8000 people. Must visit place as it gives a great view of the mangroves and the air over there just needs to be felt. Pure and clean.

Few pics from the drive:
















Drive : Navi Mumbai to Prati Balaji and Lavasa
Date : 31 Aug 2013

Another drive on a weekend. Its just addictive.

Decided to head off to visit temple namely Prati Balaji Tirupati which is just after Pune on NH4, location. Its an actual imitation of Tirupati Temple constructed by Venkys Group to enable who cannot visit actual Tirupati Temple given their own constraints.

Nice temple and upkeep is just great. You get a laddo once you complete a full parikrama of the temple, also a coupon to have food at their cafeteria for free though we skipped it.

Next we headed out to visit Lavasa. Heard a lot about it and also the twisting roads leading to it are great as well. As it was around 1 pm by the time we were nearing Pune, we all decided to have lunch at Woods en-route to Lavasa. Okay place but good food.

Next was driving straight towards Lavasa. Roads were great to push the car around. Reached Lavasa and parked at their parking lot and went around the place exploring it. Quite a few restaurants over there if you are hungry. Given its monsoon, weather was great with rains and Sun playing hide and seek.

Few pics from Lavasa drive. No pics of temple though.

Lunch at Woods, Pune.










Some great B&W shots







Teaser pic of what's more to come. A drive with fellow bhpian @santoshr into the clouds. Can you all identify the fiery red car ahead?



All the pics have been clicked by my younger brother who is an avid photographer.

[torque18]

That's the mighty sibling of your car

[el lobo 6061]

Another Short Drive : Aamby Valley
Date : 29 Sept 2013

It had been more than a month since we had gone on a drive. Criteria were early morning short drive to enjoy the twisting and winding roads and good breakfast.

Aamby Valley matched all the criteria since it is the closest place from Navi Mumbai with good fun to drive roads. So headed out there on a Sunday with fellow bhpian @santoshr joining in from Pune. Since both of us share the same car twins and we also have one thing in common that being, heading out for a drive whenever given an opportunity. Few messages and we both were fixed onto it.

Early morning drive through E-Way is always fun and monsoon made it more fun. E-Way is a combination of both flat out straight & twisting roads. Germans enjoy both these and its a pleasure.

We met up at Kamat Restaurant which is just after Lonavala Exit. Its a center point for both Mumbai & Pune folks to meet up. Great sumptuous breakfast. Whats surprising is whenever you reach there on a early Sunday morning you would definitely find Harley Davidson, Hayabusa, Bullets, other superbikes. All of them were entertaining us with their orchestra of exhaust. Harley Davidson sounded great and could wake up a neighborhood with their exhaust.

Later we headed out to Aamby Valley through twisting and winding roads. Another opportunity to push car since both the aspect are forte for great handling German cars.

What was surprising as we were heading up, thick clouds engulfed us with visibility of just a few feet. Clouds all around us with our Vento & Rapid tearing through them. Though at Aamby Valley we didn't find any clouds which gave a good opportunity to have a short photoshoot of our cars.

Also got to drive Santosh's remapped Rapid by Tune-O-Tronics coupled with great handling Yoko S-Drives 205 patch rubber. Now I too am contemplating for a remap on my Vento. Remap surely made Rapid more eager and it wasn't holding back which you even in in 1st & 2nd gear.

Drive down was also great fun but thick clouds restricted speeds.

Look forward to more such quick and fun filled drives.

Few pictures:

Rapid leading the way up to Aamby.






Short photoshoot at Aamby.










Proud owners, Santosh with his Rapid and yours truly with Dark Knight, Vento.


A quick drive of Rapid which after remap has become Rapidly fast.

Originally Posted by torque18

That's the mighty sibling of your car

You are absolutely correct.

[Warwithwheels]

Originally Posted by el lobo 6061

Finally purchased new contacts lenses(bulbs) for my Dark Knight. Got the following from R.K.Enterprises at Opera House, Mumbai.

Philips Essential Vision H4 100/90W Rs. 300 per piece X 2
Philips Blue Vision HB4 9006 55W 4000K Rs. 675 per set. X 1
Philips Blue Vision T10 W5W 4000K Rs. 100 per set. X 2
All the prices are including Vat 12.5% with bill.

Sorry to quote you on an old post. I just came across your DIY lamp upgrade. Totally cool I must say.

Just wanted to know if any relay was used for the head lamp upgrade?

[el lobo 6061]

Originally Posted by Warwithwheels

I just came across your DIY lamp upgrade. Totally cool I must say.

Just wanted to know if any relay was used for the head lamp upgrade?

Yes relay is used since 100/90W bulbs generate a lot of heat which will melt normal plastic H4 holder because of which getting a relay with ceramic holder is important. Earlier I was having a PMP relay and currently running a Roots relay. You could try to get either of Philips, Hella, Bosch & Roots relay.

It was quite a experience upgrading bulbs by my own and please don't be sorry, you can always quote any post of mine how old it may be. Good to know if I could be of any help

[Warwithwheels]

Originally Posted by el lobo 6061

Good to know if I could be of any help

Thanks a ton for the instant reply. Will sure follow your advice when I get my hands on the Vento.

The Vento bug has bit me recently. Read all the 13 pages in one go. Prolly the most detailed ownership report I have ever read on TBHP

How do you find the ground clearance of the Vento? My current daily drive is a 2012 Figo D and I am quite OK with its Low GC. Any idea how does the GC of Vento compare to that of the Figo?

[el lobo 6061]

Originally Posted by Warwithwheels

How do you find the ground clearance of the Vento? My current daily drive is a 2012 Figo D and I am quite OK with its Low GC. Any idea how does the GC of Vento compare to that of the Figo?

Vento GC is one of the best not just because of the given 168 mm but also for the suspension setup it has which is perfect combination of soft & hard, a sweet spot. Have only scrapped it once because of my silly mistake of wrong judgement, but no damage to underbelly. Recently had driven on a very tough terrain where the road had many ups & down and water filled potholes which made judgement of depth of pot hole difficult. But Vento came out with flying colors and I became more confident of it.

Certainly with all the cars upto C+ segment sedans, Vento is the one which will not scrape at all compared to others because of its perfect suspension which has a very less travel.

Originally Posted by Warwithwheels

The Vento bug has bit me recently. Read all the 13 pages in one go. Prolly the most detailed ownership report I have ever read on TBHP

Thanks for those kind words of appreciation, good to know.

[el lobo 6061]

Visit to Vashi RTO : Hypothecation Removal after Auto Loan closure

The car loan recently got over after paying up the EMI's and so received closure letter, 2 copies of Form 35 and NOC letter from bank. They were quick in sending up the documents for removal of hypothecation.

The NOC letter sent by bank is valid for 3 months only which meant hypothecation removal needs to be done before it. Went by myself and got it done. No need of any agents as it is a very simple process. Got the process info from Automotive India forum, which was quite helpful.

Below is the process of getting hypothecation removal.

Once you close the Auto loan, Bank would send by post

1) Closure Letter
2) NOC for RTO & Insurance Company
3) Form 35

Keep a couple of xerox copies of your Smart Card & item 1-3 handy for your documentation & use, until the new one arrives.

Following is the procedure for "Hypothecation Cancellation" at Vashi (Navi Mumbai) RTO (working days Mon-Fri ; 11 am to 5 pm)

1) Closure Letter
2) NOC for RTO (with name, signature & date at appropriate places)
3) Form 35 (with name, signature & date at appropriate places)
4) Copy of valid PUC (Pollution control for cars above 1yr from DOM)
5) Copy of valid Insurance Policy
6) Smart Card (buy plastic cover from Xerox shop and keep it in so that you could pin everything together)
7) 2 copies of Bank Confirmation Form (again from the Xerox shop)

Day 1
- Staple all the above documents & Visit "Counter no. 6" to get the person check all documents (sits on extreme ride side while we are facing the counter)
- Once signed, go to "Counter no. 13" and get the no due seal signed
- Go back to "Counter no. 6" and get sign on Bank Confirmation Form
- Go to concerned Bank and produce the RTO confirmation form, thereby they would provide the "Confirmation Closure Letter"

Day 2
- Pin 1) to 7) along with the CCL and go to "Counter no.6" Jr. Clerk, who would sign
- Go to person on extreme right and get his sign as well
- Go to Asst RTO for his sign
- Go to "Counter no.1" and pay Rs 250/- which is for
a) RC Delivery Charge - 50
b) Cancellation of Hypothecation -100
c) Dulpicate RC of LMV (Car) - 100
- Now again go to "Counter no. 6", to the person sitting in the center window. He will collect the documents and give you the copy of payment done, and ask to visit after 2 days.

Day 3
- Go to "Counter no.6" middle window person and show him the receipt. He will verify details on computer and print "Owner Confirmation Letter", wherein we are asked to check all data and sign with name. (PS. Visit after 12pm only as before that he would not take any requests of HP cancellation )
- Go to "Counter no.5" and pay Rs 350/- for New Smart Card. this will be sent by post to your address within 20 working days.

Got the work done in 2 days by doing second day work on first day itself. So in all you will need 2 visits to be made and a charge of Rs 600 for Hypothecation Removal. New RC card should come by speed post within 20-25 days.

[Warwithwheels]

Have you sold your car bro?

Spotted a pic of your car in olx

http://newdelhi.olx.in/black-thunder...-iid-530378990

[el lobo 6061]

Originally Posted by Warwithwheels

Have you sold your car bro?

Spotted a pic of your car in olx

http://newdelhi.olx.in/black-thunder...-iid-530378990

Attachment 1162078

No bro, not selling my car in the near future. That's plagiarism. Someone has picked up photos from my ownership thread and posted them as his own.
The first pic posted by the owner is his own whereas the next one has been plagiarized from my thread. Have submitted a request to OLX to have the image removed asap. Hoping they do the needful. Thanks for bringing to notice.