The new logan 1.5 DCI DLS - test driven

deepakhon · 18th April 2007, 14:25

Just happened to read BS Motoring's review on Logan. Some points the reviewer made looked pretty interesting:
1. The front power window control is on the dash because Renault wanted to save the door costs by not having electricals included there.
2. The dials do not have redline marked because they wanted to use the same ones for petrol and diesel cars.

So much for cost cutting!

Source:
Top Story - A no-nonsense car, anyone? - Business Standard Motoring

Steeroid · 18th April 2007, 14:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by deepakhon

Just happened to read BS Motoring's review on Logan. Some points the reviewer made looked pretty interesting:

I read that too, but I had some questions on those observations:

1. The front power window control is on the dash because Renault wanted to save the door costs by not having electricals included there.

If no electricals are included on the front doors, how do the power windows move? Obviously the motor and the wiring for it has to be in the door panels. So that observation by BSM is pretty stupid.

2. The dials do not have redline marked because they wanted to use the same ones for petrol and diesel cars.

Quote:

Originally Posted by deepakhon

So much for cost cutting!

Amen! And to think that our journos bought that logic and actually published it in all seriousness !!!!!!!!

Source:

benbsb29 · 18th April 2007, 14:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979

They can't do that GTO, they have to buy 8Lac version. In india all taxis have to be white. Logan does not come in white in low end versions to prevent taxi owners buying it. thats what I meant by alienating that segment.

I think you got that point incorrect there.
You do find cabs in various dark shades too... just that white is the sort of accepted norm.

Take a look at the Ambys in Kerala for instance. They have taxi licence plates, and can be seen in various colours besides white. I dont think there is a specific rule as such.

deepakhon · 18th April 2007, 14:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steeroid

If no electricals are included on the front doors, how do the power windows move? Obviously the motor and the wiring for it has to be in the door panels. So that observation by BSM is pretty stupid.

Hmmm... I never thought of that too. Looks like I am as stupid as those journos

suman · 18th April 2007, 14:45

E_T, this has to be one of the best reviews that I've read. So what do we have here? A pretty plain & boring car which has a few pluses but they don't stand out at all, certainly not when compared to the competition.

Disappointing really, I'd expected much more from this car

extreme_torque · 18th April 2007, 14:56

Thanks guys for the appreciation.... makes the effort worthwhile.
The problem with the logan is that everything just works, the engine the suspension... there's nothing that stands out, there's nothing that would make you want to drive it, the X-factor as they say.

Steeroid · 18th April 2007, 16:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by deepakhon

Hmmm... I never thought of that too. Looks like I am as stupid as those journos

Nope there is another explanation for cost-cutting. They probably wanted to use the same interior door panels for the power window and non-power window models. All they need to do for the manual windows is to drill a hole for the winder and put an ambassador-like metal cap on it.

Heights of cost-cutting. I think Carlos Ghosn is taking his reputation too seriously. They're cutting costs like nobody else and are yet not the most economical option - there's something wrong with this approach.

arif_t01 · 19th April 2007, 11:17

And i can't understand the logic behind introducing Aluminium/Steel inserts in Dash, centre console, around A/C vents and even in the Gear knob, if they were trying to keep cost-cutting to the max. maybe

I mean, all the other car manufacturers introduced them for increasing the snob value, right?

Dippy · 19th April 2007, 11:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steeroid

Nope there is another explanation for cost-cutting. They probably wanted to use the same interior door panels for the power window and non-power window models. All they need to do for the manual windows is to drill a hole for the winder and put an ambassador-like metal cap on it.

Heights of cost-cutting. I think Carlos Ghosn is taking his reputation too seriously. They're cutting costs like nobody else and are yet not the most economical option - there's something wrong with this approach.

Steeroid, carrying forward your point and after reading E Ts review on the car, I came to a conclusion that there is a lot of cost cutting in the Logan. But inspite of this the Logan really isnt low priced. I'm sure the Mumbai price for a diesel Logan will exceed 7 lakhs.

Got a call from the Renault showroom yesterday offering a test drive. Might add mytwo bits after a TD on Sunday

benbsb29 · 19th April 2007, 11:35

Awaiting results from your TD, Dippy.
Somehow, as of the standings so far, the Logan doesnt seem to have any particular reason why a customer should bother with it, and not go with the competition.

rajneeesh · 19th April 2007, 13:21

The logan may be a priced a bit on the higher side . It should have been priced about 75 k lowerr for the DLS. However, at that price it does offer an Airbag, a trip computer and a music system whereas the Verna does not offer any thing. Renault would do well to look at features like climate control on the top end along with a tilt steering.

DriverR · 19th April 2007, 15:02

[quote=raajks;414727]Clarification
========
Ground clearance is 172 mm and 155 (Laden)

One doubt.... When other cars mention gc of 160mm, 170mm etc, do they also mean the un-laden gc? If yes, then why oh why did the brilliant minds at Mahindra say gc of 155mm, and create a -ve impression! Frankly, I was extremely put off by that figure sitting in the specs data.
Anyways, does not matter to me. All the best to the people who buy the car. I would not buy it at the current prices, but I'm sure there will be takers for it. So wishing them the very best.

Ricky_63 · 19th April 2007, 17:21

I appreciate them for the effort, but they should have been careful with the pricing. To me, having just one reverse light at the rear is hideous !!

As far as I remember, the 1.3 Ikon used to have ONE reverse light in 2000 model, correct me if I am wrong. Not that I am for it, it definately looks weird. maybe M&M thought, if Ford can do it so can we !!!!

Cheers

Ricky_63 · 19th April 2007, 17:24

From the looks of this thread I don't see many BHPians buying this car !!

w 12 · 19th April 2007, 17:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricky_63

As far as I remember, the 1.3 Ikon used to have ONE reverse light in 2000 model, correct me if I am wrong.
Cheers

you are right..even today many cars come with only one reverse light..including Indica / xeta. not sure about the indigo though..

18th April 2007, 14:25	#91
deepakhon Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,441 Thanked: 65 Times	Just happened to read BS Motoring's review on Logan. Some points the reviewer made looked pretty interesting: 1. The front power window control is on the dash because Renault wanted to save the door costs by not having electricals included there. 2. The dials do not have redline marked because they wanted to use the same ones for petrol and diesel cars. So much for cost cutting! Source: Top Story - A no-nonsense car, anyone? - Business Standard Motoring
	() Thanks

18th April 2007, 14:45	#95
suman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Kolkata Posts: 4,589 Thanked: 279 Times View My Garage	E_T, this has to be one of the best reviews that I've read. So what do we have here? A pretty plain & boring car which has a few pluses but they don't stand out at all, certainly not when compared to the competition. Disappointing really, I'd expected much more from this car
	() Thanks

18th April 2007, 14:56	#96
extreme_torque Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Melbourne Posts: 4,377 Thanked: 5,105 Times	Thanks guys for the appreciation.... makes the effort worthwhile. The problem with the logan is that everything just works, the engine the suspension... there's nothing that stands out, there's nothing that would make you want to drive it, the X-factor as they say.
	() Thanks

19th April 2007, 11:17	#98
arif_t01 BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Trivandrum, Ker Posts: 356 Thanked: 343 Times	And i can't understand the logic behind introducing Aluminium/Steel inserts in Dash, centre console, around A/C vents and even in the Gear knob, if they were trying to keep cost-cutting to the max. maybe I mean, all the other car manufacturers introduced them for increasing the snob value, right?
	() Thanks

19th April 2007, 11:35	#100
benbsb29 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brisbane Posts: 9,968 Thanked: 13,218 Times View My Garage	Awaiting results from your TD, Dippy. Somehow, as of the standings so far, the Logan doesnt seem to have any particular reason why a customer should bother with it, and not go with the competition.
	() Thanks

19th April 2007, 13:21	#101
rajneeesh Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: noida Posts: 1,114 Thanked: 542 Times	Maverick The logan may be a priced a bit on the higher side . It should have been priced about 75 k lowerr for the DLS. However, at that price it does offer an Airbag, a trip computer and a music system whereas the Verna does not offer any thing. Renault would do well to look at features like climate control on the top end along with a tilt steering.
	() Thanks

19th April 2007, 15:02	#102
DriverR BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 414 Thanked: 526 Times	[quote=raajks;414727]Clarification ======== Ground clearance is 172 mm and 155 (Laden) One doubt.... When other cars mention gc of 160mm, 170mm etc, do they also mean the un-laden gc? If yes, then why oh why did the brilliant minds at Mahindra say gc of 155mm, and create a -ve impression! Frankly, I was extremely put off by that figure sitting in the specs data. Anyways, does not matter to me. All the best to the people who buy the car. I would not buy it at the current prices, but I'm sure there will be takers for it. So wishing them the very best.
	() Thanks

19th April 2007, 17:21	#103
Ricky_63 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 3,885 Thanked: 518 Times View My Garage	I appreciate them for the effort, but they should have been careful with the pricing. To me, having just one reverse light at the rear is hideous !! As far as I remember, the 1.3 Ikon used to have ONE reverse light in 2000 model, correct me if I am wrong. Not that I am for it, it definately looks weird. maybe M&M thought, if Ford can do it so can we !!!! Cheers Last edited by Ricky_63 : 19th April 2007 at 17:22.
	() Thanks

19th April 2007, 17:24	#104
Ricky_63 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 3,885 Thanked: 518 Times View My Garage	From the looks of this thread I don't see many BHPians buying this car !!
	() Thanks