[gkoneti]

Dear John, I have too changed oil at around 5000km and bill was around ₹.2000 including oil filter. oil used was Shell synthetic oil at Vibrant Ford service centre. How come you got such a weird number plate?

[prakash24979]

Hello everyone, I have recently installed Roger Motors suspension lift kit called Rogerab purchased online for Rs 6104/-. It has increased the ground clearance so much so that I no longer have to worry about those unusually high speed breakers.The kit is very easy to install and comes complete with six high quality zip ties to hold it in place. Another advantage is now I can keep the driver seat to its lowest position and still feel high plus extra leg room for rear seat occupants. The handling around corners and straights is phenomenal as usual.(Pic attached for reference)

Colin bottle used as reference

[deetjohn]

Originally Posted by gkoneti

Dear John, I have too changed oil at around 5000km and bill was around ₹.2000 including oil filter. oil used was Shell synthetic oil at Vibrant Ford service centre. How come you got such a weird number plate?

The final bill was around 2.3k for me too. The pocket friendly service was 350 and the rest was tax.

Shell is good news. You are lucky. Here the dealer doesn't have anything other than Castrol.

The number plate is some highly sophisticated work on MS Paint.

Originally Posted by prakash24979

Hello everyone, I have recently installed Roger Motors suspension lift kit called Rogerab purchased online for Rs 6104/-.

Are you talking about coil spring adjusters? Also, please post some before and after pics for reference if possible. Not able to make out much from the pics.

[prakash24979]

Are you talking about coil spring adjusters? Also, please post some before and after pics for reference if possible. Not able to make out much from the pics.[/quote]

I will post some pictures perhaps by tomorrow. As for your first question yes they are polyurethane coil spring adjusters that come with 1.5 lac km/3 years warranty . (Pic attached from Roger Motors site) You may check this link for Fiesta Rogerab [/url]http://www.rogermotors.com/rogerab/fiesta-rogerab/p-4545011-52540526498-cat.html#variant_id=4545011-52540526498[/url]

[gkoneti]

Finally Ford India has removed Fiesta from its website. Sad.

Interestingly when we open the webpage, it asks for a feedback survey pop-up window in which the picture used is from a Blue Candy colored Fiesta headlight.

[gkoneti]

Fiesta front glass area is huge and causes lot of reflection and glare while driving. Found the below dash mat from Aliexpress. Request your views.

https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32599372573.html

[Chuckster]

Originally Posted by gkoneti

Fiesta front glass area is huge and causes lot of reflection and glare while driving. Found the below dash mat from Aliexpress. Request your views.

https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32599372573.html

I have bought a similar mat for my spark, which had a beige dashboard. It was quite effective. Another option is to use polarized sunglasses that can cut the glare

[gkoneti]

Thanks Chuckster. Since am already four eyed man, can't have the luxury of polarized glasses. Thought of vkool film but it is very expensive at 12k. This mat is just 2k. Hence the plunge.

Pictures sent by Aliexpress seller are attached below. Seems to be good quality and fits well.

[Chuckster]

Originally Posted by gkoneti

Since am already four eyed man, can't have the luxury of polarized glasses.

Me too,mate . You have multiple options for prescription polarized sunglasses.

1) Nupolar - 4.5k
http://www.youngeroptics.com/nupolar.aspx
2) Xperio - 6k
http://www.xperiouvusa.com/
3) Drivewear - 16k (polarised and photochromatic)
http://www.drivewearlens.com/home.php?flashchange=8

Just be sure to get them done at a reputed optical shop. I currently use Xperio since they were the only one's available in 2010.

Originally Posted by gkoneti

Thought of vkool film but it is very expensive at 12k

My experience is that any sort of film on the wind-shield will increase the amount of glare reflected from the dashboard on to it.

Originally Posted by gkoneti

This mat is just 2k

The dash mat seems to be a steal at 2k. Mine was around 4k and shipped from S.Korea. Just be sure to get the correct version LHS vs RHS.

[deetjohn]

Originally Posted by gkoneti

Fiesta front glass area is huge and causes lot of reflection and glare while driving. Found the below dash mat from Aliexpress. Request your views.

The acute angle of the front windshield also doesn't help. But Thank God its all black on top.

Originally Posted by Chuckster

It was quite effective. Another option is to use polarized sunglasses that can cut the glare

+1

This is the best solution. I use 2 sunglasses and both of them are polarized. And they cut glare the best. Not only the windshield, but from the front windows as well, especially the silver ring on the AC vents. My eyes are too sensitive to sunlight and I just cannot drive without them.

One of my shades is a 3 years old Maui Jim. They work extremely well in the hot sun and MJ does powered glasses as well. A bit expensive but they are well built, lasts really long and its worth it as you almost use them everyday.

Originally Posted by Chuckster

My experience is that any sort of film on the wind-shield will increase the amount of glare reflected from the dashboard on to it.

+1

Some even attach a film on the windshield for their Chinese Head-Up Display to work properly. Besides, that mat atop the dash looks a bit awkward.

[deetjohn]

Went for a quick monsoon drive to Valparai this Saturday. Needless to say, it was amazing. Rains, jet black roads, very low traffic and Kerala flora and fauna in their absolute best.

Started at 6 AM from Vytilla and had the roads to ourselves once we took diversion from Chalakudy.


Parked at a spot where the Ford was visible from a distance from either side.


We stopped on the bridge for a few minutes and within moments those pipes which carry water was engulfed in thick fog.




Drove the car with windows down inside the forest and the TDCi was sounding gorgeous. The very light turbo spool also felt really good. I don't get to hear it at all when the window is up.


The tea plantations starts once we cross Sholayar.


Had a lot of fun with the Fiesta on those tight twisty sections.




The roads are in excellent shape till just before the Kerala border and its okay in TN side.

[deetjohn]

Getting brand new rubber this week.

And the contenders are:


The Eagle NCT 5 is not showing any signs of wearing out.



Pic taken from the advt I have put up in OLX. Two guys have shown interest to pick these up. The make makes it very compelling.

[PratikPatel]

Great updates @deetjohn . Have been regularly checking the thread for updates. I don't have much to report other than wife is very happy with the car and zooms around more carefree now with the 35% more fuel efficiency offered by the diesel engine. Also the car is becoming smoother as it clocks more kilometres.

Have not done any upgrades as I am currently busy with the old car, but wife is demanding that I upgrade the entertainment system with better speakers and amplifiers and a boom box. So that is going to be the first thing to do soon enough. One thing I do wish is that Ford should have offered options for upgrade of ICE with touch screen and builtin navigation. Alas as the saying goes; "If wishes were horses, beggars would ride".

Interestingly, the Fiesta brand is now in its 40th year. Autocar UK magazine has done a feature on the Fiesta which is very interesting read.

[deetjohn]

Originally Posted by PratikPatel

Also the car is becoming smoother as it clocks more kilometres.

Yes, it is. And a fresh dose of oil does wonders.

Originally Posted by PratikPatel

Have not done any upgrades as I am currently busy with the old car, but wife is demanding that I upgrade the entertainment system with better speakers and amplifiers and a boom box. So that is going to be the first thing to do soon enough. One thing I do wish is that Ford should have offered options for upgrade of ICE with touch screen and builtin navigation.

Oh Yeah! Quite busy indeed.

Coming from the Swift, the stock ICE is good enough for me. When the bit rate is good, the system sounds very good indeed. Besides, I hate to pry open the door pads.

Do take a look at the optional OEM Sony DAB radio/CD system from UK. Its features a integrated satnav system with a 5” colour screen and a much better looking HU. Also includes eight premium audio speaker unit. Nothing like it if its plug and play.




http://www.ford.co.uk/Cars/Fiesta/Features

[deetjohn]

Originally Posted by deetjohn

Getting brand new rubber this week.

Got Michelin Primacy 3 ST almost 2 weeks back. I was really confused between Continental CMC MC 5 and 3 ST. Continental is rated better than Michelin based on international reviews but the Made in India tyre felt poorly built in the all important 'feel with your own hands' test.

On the other hand, the Michelin from Thailand felt much better. The tyre felt much stronger and the overall finish of the tyre be it the build of the tread blocks or the cleaner design of the side wall came across as higher grade. And 3 ST looks much better than MC5 too, also a wee bit wider. And I was really happy with XM2 on the Swift. So, decided to go with Michelin.

Besides, I have had this wary experience with Bridgestone Potenza GIII before. The first two sets that I used was made in Japan and it was simply one of the best tyres available in the market. Be it handling, ride or robustness. The third set which I bought was made in India and the whole experience was horrible. The tyres lost all its quality and edge when they started making it here. It was nosier and with much with less grip.

The price quoted by DBS was:
MC 5: 5,100
3 ST: 5,765

Got the alignment and wheel balancing also done. And currently maintaining 33 PSI all around.

The lot was from end Feb 2016 batch.




First impressions
1) The rolling resistance has gone down significantly. Take the foot off A pedal and the Fiesta just doesn't want to slow down at all. So, the car feels much freer under acceleration or while coasting.
2) As expected, its all very quiet now.
3) Ride has improved tremendously. Everything is a bit cushioned now.
4) The steering also feels a wee bit lighter.
5) I haven't pushed the car after getting the Michelin but it feels okay. Hope the roll isn't much. That's my biggest worry with the 3 ST when compared to the MC 5. But, looks like this is a much sportier tyre compared to XM2.
6) The wet grip is very good. Its nice to catch the two distinct lines left by the tyres on the road in the rear view mirror during or after a rain.
7) The obvious shortcomings are the premium pricing and the fact that broken roads make you slightly wary. But, I like to think Michelin has come a long way here. The XM2 was really robust, hope the 3 ST doesn't disappoint.


Also, made use of the Collinite 845 Insulator Wax to welcome the monsoon rains. Had got the UV wax treatment at 3M store a few weeks back. But they are really skimpy with wax applied on the car and I had to ask them to apply one more layer over the bonnet. Never going to get that done again over there. I felt their wax coat won't last even 2 weeks, so I topped it up with Collinite 845 at home. This one does last really long. But the rains have been poor so far. Hopefully, it will pick up in the coming days.