Team-BHP - Tata Nano Twist XT : Driven

Quote:

Originally Posted by sun_king (Post 3620962)

No grinding noise for me, but sometimes there are random clicks from the dashboard, like some ancient relays are being opened or closed. But there is nothing blinking or any electric malfunctions, just the aperiodic "ticks" that tend to annoy. I am planning to check it out during the first service since it is not affecting anything. The grinding may be more serious since it could be from undesired contact of some rotating parts, would suggest at least calling the service folks in case you cannot get the vehicle to the service center. I am no expert, so this is a guess, the thing rotating in that area that can make an audible noise would be the power steering mechanism.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nijelj (Post 3621026)

This could be the radiator fan relays kicking in to reduce coolant temp and/or the AC clutch relay. These are both normal.

Please get these checked immediately, and don't wait for the first service. I haven't faced these problems after 3 years of using the vehicle.

The noise reduced and was not there intermittently. Got the 1000kms service done yesterday. Apparently the noise was due to some issues with the dashboard rattling, the service center guys said they had put some packing materials behind the speeodometer console and so far the noise hasn't come back.
They had adjusted clutch play and the gears engage smoothly now. One minor niggle is that sometimes the car does not start at the first crank, this does not happen always. Noticed this happening especially after some spirited driving and if i switch off the engine without letting it idle for about half a minute. Not sure what the relation is. Was not able to reporduce this at the service center, will revisit if the issue re-occurs.

Need some advice on the following:

- Nano Twist does not have a rear fog light unlike the LX version. Tata has just left the space with empty plastic and it looks ugly. Checked it with the service center folks and they said it would need replacement of the combination switch since the rear fog lamp requires a separate switch with assorted wiring. Any body tried this?
- The inside rear view mirror is not the day/night type. The service center did not have Stock of the LX version mirror. Any alternatives?
- Horn upgrade - Asked the service center folks if i can fit OE versions of some other Tata cars like Zest, they said it comes with different connectors and will need slicing of wires :Frustrati. Not sure if should hold this off till i get the starting issue sorted out. Else they might blame this as the cause.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sreedharan (Post 3628747)

Hi friends,
Looking at so many happy owners in T-BHP, i was convinced to go for a Nano twist.

After being mocked by friends and colleagues (who have only seen a nano on the roads) when i told about this idea, I gave them back with all facts and ownership blogs.

Had exactly the same experience. Still getting mocked, but dont care anymore :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sreedharan (Post 3628747)

I called TAFE dealership at Pallikaranai and asked if i could come for a TD. The dealership guy told that i can come by 7.30pm as the TD vehicle had to come from another dealership 30kms away.

I and 2 of my friends went there at 7.30pm to see a showroom under renovation. We were greeted by the lone in-charge and asked to be seated. We started fiddling the new Tata Bolt.

Then the guy told that the vehicle won't be available as the other guy is yet to start. I was furious and shouted at him for wasting our time by making us drive all the way. He promised to bring the car to my home tomorrow.

Then i asked him to give the Bolt diesel for TD. He gave the keys and we happily took a ride. Whats ridiculous is that a car that came into sale 5 yrs back is not available for TD, where as the one yet to go live was on offer :Frustrati

The Tafe dealership was less than satisfactory. But the sales adviser "Jayalakshmi" was however very helpful and courteous. The only issue was that she was only one responding in the whole showroom. If i had not finalized the deal with Concorde motors, i would have taken it from Tafe just for the sincerity she had shown.

Why dont you try Concorde Velachery. These guys are good. I had interacted with Satish from sales who was very helpful. Infact I took the test drive on the first visit in less than 10mins inside the showroom. I wanted to check the climbing ability of Nano and took it inside the parking of the Pheonix mall velachery, climbed the slope and stopped it halfway just to check if it will start climbing without any drama. The car did. Satish was patient and courteous the whole time. None of that "no saar, we cannot do that, you cannot drive there" etc. The other folks like the sales head "Ambika" was quite responsive and responds to complaints.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sreedharan (Post 3628747)

I asked for the quote for Nano XT.
Ex Showroom: 2,50,969
Tax + Reg: 27,397
Insurance: 10,039
Logistics: 3,000
AMC GOLD (2Y/20K kms): 3,500

On road price: 2,94,905

Discounts:
Corp -3000
2014 mod -30,000
2015 mod -0
I didn't feel that spending 30K extra on 2015 model made any sense. Hence knocking if out of the equation.
2014 model price: 2,61,905/-

Can someone please suggest if this offer is good?
Is it possible to get more discount?

I got my nano 2014 for 2,44,500 with some freebies put in. However i booked in December end. Bargain hard, prices will surely come down and helps to visit all tata showrooms in town. I had visited both Concorde, Tafe and called VST before finalizing the deal. Trust me it helps especially when you quote the names of the sales personnel in other showrooms :).

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpnofear (Post 3623279)

One major issue I'm noticing is with the Power Steering.

Every time the engine is switched off and re-started again, the power steering becomes unresponsive, and the auto-return does not work for a while.
The vehicle continues to go in the direction the steering is turned, and does not return to center position when the steering is released.

This happens for the first 100 to 500 meters (sometimes longer) and then it becomes normal and auto-return starts to work.

GP

Checked on my Nano Twist today. The power steering seems to be active from the moment the engine is switched on. If at all there is a delay, it is not more than 5 seconds (that is roughly the time I need to put on the seat belt :)).

Not so sure about the steering auto-return though. It doesn't seem to work very consistently. However, I had not felt the need for auto-return so far in this car, and I guess many owners may not even notice.

@sun_king: thanks for your inputs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by philipreji (Post 3630428)

Checked on my Nano Twist today. The power steering seems to be active from the moment the engine is switched on.
...
Not so sure about the steering auto-return though. It doesn't seem to work very consistently. However, I had not felt the need for auto-return so far in this car, and I guess many owners may not even notice.

Hi philipreji, thanks for checking this.

Guys... just wanted to clarify one thing from my end.
The power steering _IS_ active from the moment the engine is started.

The only issue is with the active-return feature that does not start functioning until after few hundred meters (at every re-start).

I've given my Nano for first service today, and explained the issue to them.

Meanwhile, I test drove couple of other Nano Twists at the service centre, and noticed the same behavior. Seems like it is the same with all Twists.

Quote:

Originally Posted by madhu33 (Post 3630605)

Steering Autoreturn function may have mild variation in behaviour depending on the surface, speed of the vehicle. It is normal. nothing to worry.

Thanks madhu33,
I believe the active-return feature should function consistently and should be active from the start.

In my case, once it gets activated (after the initial delay), there is no further variation in behavior, and works flawlessly until the next restart.

My concern with this is that, when you are used to the active-return functioning properly, after completing a turn/U-turn you would just release the steering and let it come back to center position, and continue driving straight. But when you re-start (generally in traffic stops) and then make a turn and release the steering (assuming it to come back) it does not return, and continue in the turn direction, which is dangerous and you may bump into someone.

Let me see if there is any improvement (after service) once I get back the car this evening. Anyway I will try and raise this concern with tatamotors via email.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpnofear (Post 3630634)

The only issue is with the active-return feature that does not start functioning until after few hundred meters (at every re-start).

make a turn and release the steering (assuming it to come back) it does not return, and continue in the turn direction, which is dangerous and you may bump into someone.

Let me see if there is any improvement (after service) once I get back the car this evening. Anyway I will try and raise this concern with tatamotors via email.

Very strange this - the steering mechanism is designed in such a way that as soon as forward motion starts with hands off, the front wheels self centre, based on caster angles, see:
https://books.google.co.in/books?id=...20cars&f=false
This is old technology.
All power steering cars I have owned and my non PS Nano do this - even my first Fiat 1100 of 1971 did this.
I was surprised to read PS Nano marketing talk about self centring as if it was an innovation - it isn't.

Hi Madhu and gpnofear,

Quote:

Originally Posted by madhu33 (Post 3630605)

Steering Autoreturn function may have mild variation in behaviour depending on the surface, speed of the vehicle. It is normal. nothing to worry.

Thanks. I checked the autoreturn feature again. You are right - no major variations once activated: only mild variations which can be ignored in general.

I also felt that from the feedback given by this steering, one inherently knows when the autoreturn is active and when it is not (similar to knowing when to change gear from the engine feedback, rather than by looking at the speedometer or tachometer).

Reji

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sawyer (Post 3630984)

the steering mechanism is designed in such a way that as soon as forward motion starts with hands off, the front wheels self centre, based on caster angles

This is old technology.

Thanks for the information on the self centering technology.
I do believe this is how it should be, but I guess the EPS is somehow preventing this during startup

Quote:

Originally Posted by philipreji (Post 3633647)

I also felt that from the feedback given by this steering, one inherently knows when the autoreturn is active and when it is not (similar to knowing when to change gear from the engine feedback, rather than by looking at the speedometer or tachometer).

Agree :thumbs up !!

BTW, I got the first service done, but no improvements with the steering active-return issue.
I see that sometimes it doesn't get activated even after driving 3+ Kms, but sometimes it is activated almost from the start. This inconsistency is very annoying, as I have to be always checking if it is functioning until it gets activated, and if I have to re-start during the drive, the drama starts again :Frustrati

Thinking of taking it to another service center, just to try my luck, hoping someone there knows anything about it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by knaveen (Post 362891)

Bargain hard, prices will surely come down and helps to visit all tata showrooms in town. I had visited both Concorde, Tafe and called VST before finalizing the deal. Trust me it helps especially when you quote the names of the sales personnel in other showrooms :).

Finally I have booked the Nano Twist Damson Purple from TAFE. I ve got a deal of INR 2,50,000/- along with b2b insurance, Stg cover, Mud flaps, Floor mat & Perfume.

The final price that Concorde could offer was 2.54L with b2b ins and only Mudflap.
So 4K + a few cheap accessories were the deal breakers.

Your suggestion really helped to get the best price :thumbs up. Thanks a ton!

Now the wait begins! First things i am planning is to replace the horn, get a decent seat cover (art leather) and also put on Day-night IVRM. Let me know if i have missed out anything major.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sreedharan (Post 3635574)

Congrats clap:.

Don't think anything else is required. I got the seat covers on a 50% discount (nano - embossed seat covers) from Tata. On the day-night mirror all the service centers in chennai did not have stock of Nano OEM (the one on LX version). So i opted for the one in Indica, costed about 700 bucks including the fitment from SIFA motors. Regarding the horn, still confused about the warranty status after fitment. Also, i had a minor starting issue cropping up. Will wait for a month or so, if the issue does not re-occur will go in for the horn upgrade. Do let me know once you change it.