[storme'd]

Originally Posted by torquing_points

15000 KM report Hi guys -- 15000 kilometers are up, and its time for another quick note. The summary is that my ride is now very comfortable because (1) I have stopped sitting in the back seat and (2) I now have a good sound system. Here are detailed notes: (1) I finally realized that Tata warranty is worth nothing, since they refused to (or were unable to) fix steering wobbling under warranty, so I decided that its time to now install a sound system that would make the ride pleasant. So I dumped a fair amount on damping, amps, sub and speakers. (2) The engine now has more of a grunt like the old Safari, not the quiter hum that the Storme seemed to have when I bought it. Doesnt bother me -- I was expecting it to show its true Safari colors soon (3) rattling is back on the tailgate, but this time im not bothering to fix it. I just turn the volume knob up (4) The car really does well on the highways, but I absolutely dread going on poor roads. while it handles them well from a 'not-breaking' perspective, its not as comfortable as most sedans would be. Sitting in the back seat while going on very bumpy roads (which I need to) is like sitting in a food processor (5) I bought this car because I often have to wade through insane amounts of water when I go to work. This car does this very well. The attached pictures will show you how much water I actually go through on a daily basis during the monsoons. Overall, I needed a battle tank that can go through anything. This car does that very well. It does rattle a bit, and its not as refined as they pretended it was going to be. But then I didnt buy a Safari for its refined nature. Its still a beast -- luckily thats what I wanted.

Mind giving us details on our system and damages it caused. Also, how was the 3rd service experience?

[torquing_points]

Originally Posted by storme'd

Mind giving us details on our system and damages it caused. Also, how was the 3rd service experience?

Hi -- so I threw away the trash head unit, and put a new HU, added a jbl amp and a sub and added focal infinity speakers. The only problem is that the car bumps around so much that the wiring keeps coming loose and I have to keep attaching it again. There are no damages -- just that I was worried that this voids the warranty. I was told by tata that this wasn't the case -- but you never know what fine print they use in the future to deny.

I would highly recommend a new sound system and damping. It changed the experience of the car completely.

Haven't sent it in for the third service yet -- will do so tomorrow

[YGarg]

Strangely, your experience with the storme (wobbling, rattles, built quality etc) and TASS is different than other owners on Tbhp, and it does shake my confidence in the worth of this vehicle. This is one of the reasons holding me from paying the booking amt to dealer, even after finalizing the deal on EX in UB. However as my heart is still on it, some advice from you will be highly appreciated!

[n.devdath]

Originally Posted by torquing_points

Overall, I needed a battle tank that can go through anything. This car does that very well. It does rattle a bit, and its not as refined as they pretended it was going to be. But then I didnt buy a Safari for its refined nature. Its still a beast -- luckily thats what I wanted.

You seem to be pretty happy with your Storme, so far.
What has been your average fuel efficiency?
Any other issues apart from rattling plastics and the iffy ride quality (though the Safari ride is actually the best you can get)?

[torquing_points]

Well the reason that my experience is different is that this is my first diesel tank and my previous cars were premium petrol sedans. Most people probably won't notice the rattles but i do. Our duster has got more creaks than the storme btw and they're both exactly as old. I can't see why anyone would think that this isn't worth it -- the niggles and rattles are the reason that this car is available at this price point. If not, I think this thing would be at least 7-8 lakh rupees more. This is best car in the segment by a mile.

There are tons of other niggles - like the stupid wash nozzle automatically adjusts itself to throw water over the car. But I overlook them because they're not that important to me.

Also you have to keep in mind the ridiculous road (?) that I travel on every day.

[4x4addict]

Originally Posted by torquing_points

(4) The car really does well on the highways, but I absolutely dread going on poor roads. while it handles them well from a 'not-breaking' perspective, its not as comfortable as most sedans would be. Sitting in the back seat while going on very bumpy roads (which I need to) is like sitting in a food processor

I am surprised at this comment as I thought Storme was the gold standard in ride comfort, especially the middle row.

[quadra]

Originally Posted by 4x4addict

I am surprised at this comment as I thought Storme was the gold standard in ride comfort, especially the middle row.

I agree. Don't own the safari yet however it's a dream t buy one. From what I have heard from this forum, 2.2dicor owners haven't complained of the middle seat but have praised TATA for the unbeatable comfort it offers. Few storme owners though have reported the middle seat comfort has slightly gone down but after reading your report, I am disappointed with TATA.

TATA will not confirm this so it's upto you to enlighten us. Are the middle row seats really that bad ?

[narayan]

Torquing pts - i think you may want to clarify on the middle row comfort part a bit more

1) are the roads you travel full of uneveness in terms of big potholes ?
2) what speeds do you maintain on these roads ?

while the Storme/Safari middle row is definetly the gold standard in comfort, if one goes very fast on a uneven surface, the car will definetly move left to right which is common.

in a sedan, one might take the same road at a very low speed and might end up believing the sedan is more comfortable

so it would be good to add more details.

[sourabhzen]

Originally Posted by torquing_points

Our duster has got more creaks than the storme btw and they're both exactly as old. I can't see why anyone would think that this isn't worth it -- the niggles and rattles are the reason that this car is available at this price point. If not, I think this thing would be at least 7-8 lakh rupees more. This is best car in the segment by a mile..

Nicely put. I am saving for long time to get a Storme. This post of yours have inspired more confidence to proceed with the choice.

[AVR]

Originally Posted by torquing_points

like the stupid wash nozzle automatically adjusts itself to throw water over the car. But I overlook them because they're not that important to me.

Off-topic maybe but don't ignore this. I've had a bike rider come and fight with me about the water that my old 800 was throwing on him and his wife when they were going for a wedding. I wanted to apologize to him but I couldn't stop laughing!

Cheers,
Adi

[Seran Manian]

@torquing_points: Nice honest review. Fun to read the way it is presented. I had a Tata Indica for 8 years, Sumo for 5 years and that experience taught me not to go for it again. I went for Mahindra Logun, just doing preventive maintenance only for the past 5 years and it keeps me going with out any worries.

[torquing_points]

Originally Posted by narayan

Torquing pts - i think you may want to clarify on the middle row comfort part a bit more 1) are the roads you travel full of uneveness in terms of big potholes ? 2) what speeds do you maintain on these roads ? while the Storme/Safari middle row is definetly the gold standard in comfort, if one goes very fast on a uneven surface, the car will definetly move left to right which is common. in a sedan, one might take the same road at a very low speed and might end up believing the sedan is more comfortable so it would be good to add more details.

Since a lot of people are asking about this-- The roads that I travel on are the worst you'll find. They are roads which were paved once upon a time, but successive monsoons have killed the road with no repairs. I often have to go meet customers in areas where the roads aren't fully built. That said, even on moderate bumps on not-so-good highways, the duster back seat comfort is far more, and whenever I'm being driven with multiple people, I always pull out the duster. Low center of gravity I guess. The storme back seat is far superior to fortuner, dicor and the fortuner (let's not even talk about the Scorpio) -- but (a) the front seat is better and (b) the duster back seat is better Then again who is buying the safari for back seat comfort?? (I know I did, but I've also moved to the passenger seat)

PS- mr. Ygarg -- just buy it. There's nothing else at this price point that gives you this value. Your next best option is the fortuner which is several segments above.

[V12Doc]

@torquing_points.For Comfort did you think of upsizing your tyres. 235 on a such a heavy and tall car is a bit bad IMO. Even though the bridgestones are pretty good and long lasting but try upsizing to 255. Difference will be commendable. I have a 2.2 Dicor and upsized my tyres and the car now feels way better planted and ride comfort is better. Would probably solve the middle bench problem

[torquing_points]

Originally Posted by V12Doc

@torquing_points.For Comfort did you think of upsizing your tyres. 235 on a such a heavy and tall car is a bit bad IMO. Even though the bridgestones are pretty good and long lasting but try upsizing to 255. Difference will be commendable. I have a 2.2 Dicor and upsized my tyres and the car now feels way better planted and ride comfort is better. Would probably solve the middle bench problem

I haven't considered it so far -- I've heard a horror story about a dicor with slightly larger shoes where everytime the car turns sharp left, the rubber grinds on the well -- did you notice this on yours? Also do the 255s go on the same wheels?

[V12Doc]

Originally Posted by torquing_points

I haven't considered it so far -- I've heard a horror story about a dicor with slightly larger shoes where everytime the car turns sharp left, the rubber grinds on the well -- did you notice this on yours? Also do the 255s go on the same wheels?

Yes the 255 go on the same wheel. Saves u changing new wheels. And also my car used to oversteer a lot with 235 and it doesn't do that now on 255. The rubber doesn't grind on the well until you upgrade to really huge ones. I put in 255/65/16. It goes pretty well with the car