Palio MJD SDX, 3000 Km Review

zaks · 22nd September 2008, 08:31

Hi All,
I bought the car in June and thought it is time I put down my experiences with my car which has completed 3000km so far.

Why I bought the car:
I was looking for a car with a bill around 5lakhs, with enough space and which could seat 5 without cramping and had a comfortable ride and good build quality. My intention was to own the car for long term so resale value was not considered. The Palio MJD satisfied these criteria the best and it's A.S.S is not so bad as to make it a deciding point. Even if I had to buy a car now, it would still be the MJD.

Now coming to the car:
Looks: The best among its class for me

Interior: Not latest but I find it neat and aesthetic but doesn't have many pockets for stuff and no bottle holder which I think is needed.
Drive: Handles superbly though there is some body roll. The NVH is quite low and reduces after a couple of services. The ride comfort is very high and suspension can handle any bad road without complaints. The turning radius is a little long but driving in city and highway is a breeze. The gears are smooth and soft.
A.S.S: Got done my first service done and had the oil and filter changed, no problems.
Space: Good amount of seating and boot space. Driving seat position and incline is well suited for long journeys.
Power: Lots of pulling power and can take 5 adults on a full fledged trip without much ado.
Brakes: Ok and does the job though could have been better.

I have finished my first service and didn't have much spending to do other than oil and filter since it was not recommended for first service.

Issues so far:
None except my ignition switch started malfunctioning one day on the road and I had to push start it. This is a rare case I believe.
The switch was replaced but they have charged me (Rs.600) saying they have to check it out with FIAT. Shouldn't this be under warranty?

Mileage:
I haven't done many long trips and the car has been used mostly for office commute which is about 35km/day. I am getting around 17.5kmpl in city with approx 10% ac with bumper2bumper traffic included. The highway mileage should be over 20kmpl I think, though I haven't measured.

Overall I am very satisfied with the car

jkdas · 22nd September 2008, 08:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by zaks;986313
Now coming to the car:

Looks: The best among its class for me
[My vote too!]

Brakes: Ok and does the job though could have been better. [I found it to be good ]

Issues so far:
None except my ignition switch started malfunctioning one day on the road and I had to push start it. This is a rare case I believe.
The switch was replaced but they have charged me (Rs.600) saying they have to check it out with FIAT. Shouldn't this be under warranty?

[They should not have charged you]

Do call them up regarding the switch stuff.

zaks · 22nd September 2008, 09:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkdas

Do call them up regarding the switch stuff.

The service center said they would find out and refund the amount. But I want to know why this doubt?

ImmortalZ · 22nd September 2008, 10:21

It does not come under normal wear and tear. Therefore it's a manufacturing defect they have to replace under warranty. You should get your money back.

finneyp · 22nd September 2008, 10:23

Zaks, Nice short review!

Yes, your ignition switch should be replaced under warranty!
If the ASC doesn't agree on that, shoot a mail to: service@fiapl.com

jazzy_2cool · 22nd September 2008, 10:48

Hmmm, Finally Mr .Zaks wakes up ,Had been waiting to read you review .
Nice one

dude131 · 22nd September 2008, 10:55

I thought the FIAT manual recommends that you do not push start the car.
Not sure if it only applies to the 1.6.
I could be wrong here.

zaks · 22nd September 2008, 11:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzy_2cool

Hmmm, Finally Mr .Zaks wakes up ,Had been waiting to read you review .
Nice one

No Jazzy, am here on this forum most of the time but was too lazy to post

..did a short trip yesterday and took her up to 140 on NICE with 4 adults, very stable indeed.
BTW I just checked my oil and it's already black in colour. Is this normal as I have filled it fresh during my first service which was approx 1.5 months back.

jazzy_2cool · 22nd September 2008, 17:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by zaks

No Jazzy, am here on this forum most of the time but was too lazy to post

..did a short trip yesterday and took her up to 140 on NICE with 4 adults, very stable indeed.
BTW I just checked my oil and it's already black in colour. Is this normal as I have filled it fresh during my first service which was approx 1.5 months back.

Yes Pal Its Normal so dont worry ,

I followed Fiat recommends Oil Change and Oil Filter Change only at second service so you can think what would be the shade will be the oil in car.

22nd September 2008, 08:31	#1
zaks BANNED Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 952 Thanked: 181 Times View My Garage	Palio MJD SDX, 3000 Km Review Hi All, I bought the car in June and thought it is time I put down my experiences with my car which has completed 3000km so far. Why I bought the car: I was looking for a car with a bill around 5lakhs, with enough space and which could seat 5 without cramping and had a comfortable ride and good build quality. My intention was to own the car for long term so resale value was not considered. The Palio MJD satisfied these criteria the best and it's A.S.S is not so bad as to make it a deciding point. Even if I had to buy a car now, it would still be the MJD. Now coming to the car: Looks: The best among its class for me Interior: Not latest but I find it neat and aesthetic but doesn't have many pockets for stuff and no bottle holder which I think is needed. Drive: Handles superbly though there is some body roll. The NVH is quite low and reduces after a couple of services. The ride comfort is very high and suspension can handle any bad road without complaints. The turning radius is a little long but driving in city and highway is a breeze. The gears are smooth and soft. A.S.S: Got done my first service done and had the oil and filter changed, no problems. Space: Good amount of seating and boot space. Driving seat position and incline is well suited for long journeys. Power: Lots of pulling power and can take 5 adults on a full fledged trip without much ado. Brakes: Ok and does the job though could have been better. I have finished my first service and didn't have much spending to do other than oil and filter since it was not recommended for first service. Issues so far: None except my ignition switch started malfunctioning one day on the road and I had to push start it. This is a rare case I believe. The switch was replaced but they have charged me (Rs.600) saying they have to check it out with FIAT. Shouldn't this be under warranty? Mileage: I haven't done many long trips and the car has been used mostly for office commute which is about 35km/day. I am getting around 17.5kmpl in city with approx 10% ac with bumper2bumper traffic included. The highway mileage should be over 20kmpl I think, though I haven't measured. Overall I am very satisfied with the car
	() Thanks

22nd September 2008, 10:21	#4
ImmortalZ Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 2,179 Thanked: 488 Times View My Garage	It does not come under normal wear and tear. Therefore it's a manufacturing defect they have to replace under warranty. You should get your money back.
	() Thanks

22nd September 2008, 10:23	#5
finneyp Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,716 Thanked: 319 Times View My Garage	Zaks, Nice short review! Yes, your ignition switch should be replaced under warranty! If the ASC doesn't agree on that, shoot a mail to: service@fiapl.com
	() Thanks

22nd September 2008, 10:48	#6
jazzy_2cool BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 277 Thanked: 0 Times	Hmmm, Finally Mr .Zaks wakes up ,Had been waiting to read you review . Nice one
	() Thanks

22nd September 2008, 10:55	#7
dude131 BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Goa / Melbourne Posts: 125 Thanked: Once	I thought the FIAT manual recommends that you do not push start the car. Not sure if it only applies to the 1.6. I could be wrong here.
	() Thanks