Got delivery of a close friend's Ertiga yesterday. Its a Red ZDi delivered after nearly 4 months of wait having booked on 14 Apr. Lovely car. Looks fab in Red color. Have to lay hands on drive yet and will have thorough experience in days to come. However a quick few initial observations (some comparison is always going to be from my side with Innova as I have one since ages now, so this is not to discourage anybody and my personal observations):
1. Middle row seats are quite a squeeze for 3 compared to Innova, no way one can get the same comfort as in Innova and similar for 3rd row. But seems to decenly carry 2+2+2. Have to get thorough experience of the 3rd row yet.
2. For me sitting in 2nd row, the a/c vents seemed to come on my face directly and roofline little low so when we went over potholes I thought I was going to touch the a/c roofline atleast on a couple of occasions. I think taller people at 5'8"+ would need to be wary and remain properly belted.
3. Pull from standstill is bit problem for newbies who are used to petrol as my friend experienced for the first drive including on the steep gradient in our complex where it stalled and proved difficult to climb at first but was managed in few moments, probably just needs getting used to.
Some points while taking delivery:
1. Always follow the proper PDIs, papers checking, thorough car inspection and get things in writing before taking car keys in hand.
2. Although all papers were in place with correct details and arranged properly, we found some issues on car which I would like to highlight for the benefit of the people taking delivery:
a. 2" thin scratch on front bumper RHS corner - agreed to get done at first service
b. small .5" scratch on RHS rear door, touch-up was already done by dealership before we noticed - agreed to get done properly at first service
Above two are unavoidable and not much can be done about them to get factory finish and may have to live with it with minor recovery in first 1000km service. However the big one is below.
c. Dent on LHS rear door middle lower part, just below door waistline.
The dealer thought of taking and doing it casually casting aside as a minor issue and started arguing that it will be taken care with dent repair.
I put my foot down giving some rap to them that nothing doing, the door will have to be replaced else we will right away talk to Maruti. Gave them some gyan on principals since there is nothing less they are charging, it is their duty to upkeep the car uptil delivery atleast and going out of dealership and even a pin-point dent would have been unacceptable on a car that is yet to be handed over and residing in their own compound. Also told them we share all things on our Team-BHP forum and this will also go in there. Seeing the firm stand, they had internal discussion and came back accepting replacement, that the door will be ordered and asa it arrives it will be replaced.
