Upgrade existing or sell/lateral upgrade?
I have a 2012 manufactured, 2013 registered Maruti Ertiga VDI, done 136,000Kms. I bought this car for Rs. 200,000/- in October 2020 at 105,000kms, from my in-laws family but the car was pretty abused (outer body + suspension), driven by at-the-least 7-8 people including family members and drivers.
I got this Ertiga as an interim car after an impulse sale

of my well-maintained 2015 TATA ZEST XT-D Manual, Red Colour in August 2020; got 50% of the purchase price. My ZEST served me pretty well and covered 98,500kms by March 2020 (till first lockdown). It was a nice, well-built car and except for the Thermostat Housing Failure break-down, I had no-issues or complaints, no-rattles either.
Though bought as an interim car, I started to appreciate the Ertiga for it offered in-terms of versatility, ease to drive, lower spares & maintenance costs, comfortable/sturdy/fuel efficient (80-90Kmph speed range), and I am fine with the ‘average’ outright power with full load.
Since October 2020 to till-date, the following have been replaced in Maruti Ertiga at a FNG and the engine oil and filter were changed every 10,000km at the same FNG, the most recent was done at 135,000kms. For the previous 2 oil changes, used Motul 8100-X-cess 5W40, fully synthetic oil and very satisfied with this oil.
- Rear Shock Absorbers – replaced
- Front lower arms (both sides) - replaced
- Tie-Rods – replaced
- EGR and Intercooler – “cleaned” at 115,000kms
- Thermostat Housing replaced – infamous known issue with the 1.3L Fiat Engine cars; my 2015 TATA Zest QJET-90 (sold) had it too.
- Timing chain + tensioner (the guides were OK- not replaced) – replaced at 115,000kms
- Clutch plates – replaced at 110,000kms
- Gear oil, Oil Seal, Calliper Pins, Air & Fuel Filter – replaced
- Engine A-mount (RHS) – replaced at 135,000kms
- Steering Box (full unit) – replaced at 135,000kms
Upgrades include:
- Black steering wheel with horn pad (prev-gen Celerio’s)
- Black steering column case/cover
- Black gear knob and boot (Baleno’s)
- Pioneer touchscreen head-unit - DMH-Z5290BT
- Headlight relay upgrade – much needed and most useful upgrade
Damage to wallet, for the above Replacements/Services (oil service included)/Upgrades (Pioneer HU), was up to Rs. 100,000/-, over 2 years, including the FNG labour charges.
Current issues / problems with the Ertiga:
- In spite of the suspension work, it does not feel tight to drive
- Each and every body panel has a dent(s); both the bumpers have Tears and Cracks and are screwed to the bumper holders.
- Wheel Well linings might need replacing
- Audio speakers are on the way out
- Seat belts are clumsy and front seat ones don’t wind back.
- Floor carpet is clumsy – currently it is a plastic laminate carpet.
- Boot door Rattles and more rattles everywhere
- Cracked driver door interior trim
- Cracked RHS Tail lamp
- Headlamps are faded with hairline cracks
- Lastly, it does not have safety features like airbags, stronger body etc, though it has ABS.
Currently we have the following cars at home:
- 2012 Maruti Ertiga VDI – 136,000kms (beater car, was my daily driver till June 2022)
- June 2020 – Toyota Glanza V-CVT – done 17,000Kms (my current daily driver)
- Feb 2015 – Mercedes Benz W212 E-Class 250 CDI – done 46,000kms (show-off car
)
My usage is 20-25,000Kms/year and I prefer a diesel, sturdy, reasonable ground clearance and a comfortable vehicle. Glanza is not comfortable for my daily 75kms drive; too stiff and the CVT is not that powerful.
Now the question is – what to do with the Ertiga, should I spend more money and get the niggles, minor repairs, full denting & tinkering work, fresh coat of paint, spruce up the Interiors; make them all-black interiors etc. and new audio speakers & damping?
The above works might cost around 1-1.30L; is it worth spending this amount on a 2012 Ertiga. Eventually, I would like to move on to an Electric or Hybrid car in a couple of years,
Or Sell it, might get around 3L and add another 7-8L to get used Creta/Hexa/Marazzo or something similar till the electric/hybrid cars become a norm. I am not really keen on a brand new Fossil fuel car, due to, (1) - the suitable ones are not less than 20-25L (on-road) and (2) - it’s anyone’s guess as to how much these new cars would be worth in the 3-5 years’ time.
My Dad says, start using the E-class as it getting older and he will use the Glanza, as his daily usage has reduced off-late and he also says, not to spend much on the Ertiga and leave it as a beater car. Currently, my dad, my wife and I drive regularly.
Please share your opinions and suggestions.
Cheers.