The big black brute truck comes home!!!! ( Safari 2.2 VTT EX )

freewheelburnin · 12th September 2009, 23:28

Hi Pramod,
It did not take me long to figure out that it is you

Anyways congrats on your I20 purchase.Lets try to meet up sometime bro.Looking forward to more pics of your car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildon

Sorry for joining this party so late. Congrats on your new buy. What about a "HOSKOTE" trip with this ! :-)

Bhargava_sr · 12th September 2009, 23:29

Hi Freewhellburnin,

Congrats purchasing the BEAST, you seem to be great maintaining the blacky - Mineral water wash

Nice report and enjoyed reading your experience, Discount part was really good, better to have extended warranty on TATA's.

Great Deal, enjoy and drive safe

freewheelburnin · 12th September 2009, 23:32

Thanks Bhargava!Yes extended warranty is a must on a TATA vehicle.

blackbeast · 13th September 2009, 11:51

freewheelburnin,

Nice pics from your kerala trip. I still cannot believe how you wash this elephant with just 4.5 litres. i washed only once so far and i think i emptied half the over head tank. ( my own house though, its not an apartment). Especially, when it rains it impossible to do with just 4.5 litres. Here is what tell you to do. wash the cladding, under chassis ( how much ever you could ) and the rest of the body you can use the mineral water.

The 3m cloth was out of stock in spar. but i picked it up from metro along with some wind shield washer. i picked up one more thing. Its like a glove with a lot of threads like the mop used for floor wash. You can wear it and wipe it for drying. It works really good. I will show you on monday.

freewheelburnin · 14th September 2009, 23:55

Blackbeast,
After a good pressure wash at a service station,wax your car.This is much easier than you think.After that a spray of water is all it needs to remove the dirt.A 3M cloth if used to wipe dry will give a good finish by working the wax back into a shine.This will not work if your car does not bead water(ie wax coating is absent).

freewheelburnin · 1st October 2009, 12:30

Car crossed 4000 Kms now.
Issues faced till now
1)Door lock issue
2)Fuel lid was not closing properly.Fixed by myself.

Upgrades till now
1)Damping @6500 was really worth and i really dont find the need to upgrade speakers.Sounds atleast 2x or 3x better.I compared them with an undamped safari and the difference is simply mind blowing.

gowda79 · 1st October 2009, 13:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by freewheelburnin

Upgrades till now
1)Damping @6500 was really worth and i really dont find the need to upgrade speakers.Sounds atleast 2x or 3x better.I compared them with an undamped safari and the difference is simply mind blowing.

Can you put some details on the above mentioned upgrade and some pictures.

freewheelburnin · 29th January 2010, 12:37

Latest update..., The car has now done 10,000 kilometers.Number of visits to A.S.S=2
1)For 1000 kms service
2)At 6000 kms a voluntary oil change.

Issues faced till now
1)Door lock issue(Was fixed in first service)
2)Rattling of the window glasses on bad roads.(Yet to visit the A.S.S).

How the car feels now
The engine performance and smoothness has only improved.The car is a joy to drive both in city and highways.Absolutely satisfied with the vehicle.I thank Team-bhp for the unbiased reviews which helped me to decide on this vehicle.I am a Tata Fan now!!Hope it stays like that in times to come!! Fingers crossed.

HappyWheels · 21st April 2010, 15:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by freewheelburnin

...The damping cost me 6500 including dynamat xtreme and some kind of closed cell foam. Galaxy guys did i good job i must say. Very professional. I would consider it as money well spent...

FWB,

Thinking of doing something similar. A few Safari guys are meeting for an early morning ride to Nandhi hills this Saturday, do join, if you can. Would love to have a look at this setup of yours.

And, Galaxy is a shop here or Kerala?

kaviprem · 21st April 2010, 16:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by HappyWheels

....A few Safari guys are meeting for an early morning ride to Nandhi hills this Saturday, do join, if you can...

What time ? and Where is the meeting point ?
I will try to make it.

Prem.

HappyWheels · 21st April 2010, 17:00

^^ Kavi,

Meeting at CCD on the BIAL road at 6am and then driving to Nandhi hills. Then some tech talks, along with breakfast, and start back by 9am.

freewheelburnin · 7th July 2010, 13:06

Sorry for not posting much.Was pre-occupied with office work.The Car has completed 15,000 kilometers now.Here are the issues faced
1)Wiper washer fluid tank had some leak and was replaced in warranty
2)The gear and clutch had become harder
3)Power steering harder
4)Had some minor rattling from door-pads.
5)There was a brake fluid leak.
All issues were fixed by service center.The Service by KHT Motors was pretty decent.They have a well equipped workshop and the service quality and customer interaction was good.They picked the vehicle and dropped at office.I have taken AMC and the service was totally free except for 350 or so for Bardahl treatment which i requested.The vehicle is a joy to drive and absolutely love it.

Lukeskywalker · 7th July 2010, 18:53

Quote:

The gear and clutch had become harder

How was the clutch hardness rectified?

freewheelburnin · 27th January 2011, 15:29

The vehicle has now crossed 26,000 Kilometers.
The Bad and the ugly.
1)Power window issue post delivery.Fixed
2)Fuel lid not opening correctly.Fixed
3)Turbocharger mounting was loose.Fixed
4)Oil leak from a pipe which feeds oil to turbo charger.Fixed
5)Remote battery down.Fixed
Coming back to the good part.Overall i am really happy with the performance of the vehicle and have never faced any show stopper issues or been stranded.It still feels good driving the car since past 2 years.The Safari pulls like a locomotive and is really powerful.It brings a smile on my face everyday.I just make sure that some simple things are taken care of
1)Never drive at low RPMS.(Cleans out carbon and avoids vibrations )
2)System D( Not using since past 2 months as it is not available in kochi)
3)Not riding the clutch atleast as far as i can.
4)30 second start and stop atleast 95 percent of the times.
5)No pressure wash for engine.
6)Tyre pressure checks every week.

Total cost of maintenance till now :
1)Rs 400 Dove tail for tail gate.
2)Rs 9000 AMC valid till 30,000 Kms or 3 years whichever is earlier.This will include oil changes and cost of all consumables.

freewheelburnin · 13th July 2012, 11:56

Heads up!!! 45,000 Kilometers update.Had to change suspension bushes,Changed clutch plate as per advice from service adviser.Gear box synchronizers replaced in warranty.OEM battery replaced recently.Tyres are getting older.Initially there was steering column sound and noise from the propeller shaft which disappeared over time.The vehicle has given me decent reliability and has not broken down yet.(Except when it failed to start when battery was damaged).Still love the Safari feeling.Fingers crossed hope i still have the same opinion tomorrow.I am planning to go to Germany or Dallas(Not finalised the destination).Planning to lent it out to some relative who can maintain the vehicle or need to sell it(Though i feel saddened by the thought).

These are the only things i have tried to observe
1)20 to 30 seconds on start and stop
2)Rev the vehicle to 3000 or 3500 RPM to clear it's throat every day.
3)Check fluid levels once a month.

12th September 2009, 23:29	#77
Bhargava_sr BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: HOSUR Posts: 317 Thanked: 18 Times View My Garage	Hi Freewhellburnin, Congrats purchasing the BEAST, you seem to be great maintaining the blacky - Mineral water wash Nice report and enjoyed reading your experience, Discount part was really good, better to have extended warranty on TATA's. Great Deal, enjoy and drive safe
	() Thanks

12th September 2009, 23:32	#78
freewheelburnin BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: bangalore Posts: 277 Thanked: 33 Times View My Garage	Thanks Bhargava!Yes extended warranty is a must on a TATA vehicle.
	() Thanks

13th September 2009, 11:51	#79
blackbeast BHPian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 349 Thanked: 161 Times	freewheelburnin, Nice pics from your kerala trip. I still cannot believe how you wash this elephant with just 4.5 litres. i washed only once so far and i think i emptied half the over head tank. ( my own house though, its not an apartment). Especially, when it rains it impossible to do with just 4.5 litres. Here is what tell you to do. wash the cladding, under chassis ( how much ever you could ) and the rest of the body you can use the mineral water. The 3m cloth was out of stock in spar. but i picked it up from metro along with some wind shield washer. i picked up one more thing. Its like a glove with a lot of threads like the mop used for floor wash. You can wear it and wipe it for drying. It works really good. I will show you on monday.
	(1) Thanks

14th September 2009, 23:55	#80
freewheelburnin BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: bangalore Posts: 277 Thanked: 33 Times View My Garage	Blackbeast, After a good pressure wash at a service station,wax your car.This is much easier than you think.After that a spray of water is all it needs to remove the dirt.A 3M cloth if used to wipe dry will give a good finish by working the wax back into a shine.This will not work if your car does not bead water(ie wax coating is absent).
	() Thanks

1st October 2009, 12:30	#81
freewheelburnin BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: bangalore Posts: 277 Thanked: 33 Times View My Garage	Car crossed 4000 Kms now. Issues faced till now 1)Door lock issue 2)Fuel lid was not closing properly.Fixed by myself. Upgrades till now 1)Damping @6500 was really worth and i really dont find the need to upgrade speakers.Sounds atleast 2x or 3x better.I compared them with an undamped safari and the difference is simply mind blowing.
	() Thanks

29th January 2010, 12:37	#83
freewheelburnin BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: bangalore Posts: 277 Thanked: 33 Times View My Garage	Latest update..., The car has now done 10,000 kilometers.Number of visits to A.S.S=2 1)For 1000 kms service 2)At 6000 kms a voluntary oil change. Issues faced till now 1)Door lock issue(Was fixed in first service) 2)Rattling of the window glasses on bad roads.(Yet to visit the A.S.S). How the car feels now The engine performance and smoothness has only improved.The car is a joy to drive both in city and highways.Absolutely satisfied with the vehicle.I thank Team-bhp for the unbiased reviews which helped me to decide on this vehicle.I am a Tata Fan now!!Hope it stays like that in times to come!! Fingers crossed.
	() Thanks

21st April 2010, 17:00	#86
HappyWheels Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4,106 Thanked: 537 Times	^^ Kavi, Meeting at CCD on the BIAL road at 6am and then driving to Nandhi hills. Then some tech talks, along with breakfast, and start back by 9am.
	() Thanks

7th July 2010, 13:06	#87
freewheelburnin BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: bangalore Posts: 277 Thanked: 33 Times View My Garage	Sorry for not posting much.Was pre-occupied with office work.The Car has completed 15,000 kilometers now.Here are the issues faced 1)Wiper washer fluid tank had some leak and was replaced in warranty 2)The gear and clutch had become harder 3)Power steering harder 4)Had some minor rattling from door-pads. 5)There was a brake fluid leak. All issues were fixed by service center.The Service by KHT Motors was pretty decent.They have a well equipped workshop and the service quality and customer interaction was good.They picked the vehicle and dropped at office.I have taken AMC and the service was totally free except for 350 or so for Bardahl treatment which i requested.The vehicle is a joy to drive and absolutely love it.
	() Thanks

27th January 2011, 15:29	#89
freewheelburnin BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: bangalore Posts: 277 Thanked: 33 Times View My Garage	Re: The big black brute truck comes home!!!! ( Safari 2.2 VTT EX ) The vehicle has now crossed 26,000 Kilometers. The Bad and the ugly. 1)Power window issue post delivery.Fixed 2)Fuel lid not opening correctly.Fixed 3)Turbocharger mounting was loose.Fixed 4)Oil leak from a pipe which feeds oil to turbo charger.Fixed 5)Remote battery down.Fixed Coming back to the good part.Overall i am really happy with the performance of the vehicle and have never faced any show stopper issues or been stranded.It still feels good driving the car since past 2 years.The Safari pulls like a locomotive and is really powerful.It brings a smile on my face everyday.I just make sure that some simple things are taken care of 1)Never drive at low RPMS.(Cleans out carbon and avoids vibrations ) 2)System D( Not using since past 2 months as it is not available in kochi) 3)Not riding the clutch atleast as far as i can. 4)30 second start and stop atleast 95 percent of the times. 5)No pressure wash for engine. 6)Tyre pressure checks every week. Total cost of maintenance till now : 1)Rs 400 Dove tail for tail gate. 2)Rs 9000 AMC valid till 30,000 Kms or 3 years whichever is earlier.This will include oil changes and cost of all consumables.
	() Thanks

13th July 2012, 11:56	#90
freewheelburnin BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: bangalore Posts: 277 Thanked: 33 Times View My Garage	Re: The big black brute truck comes home!!!! ( Safari 2.2 VTT EX ) Heads up!!! 45,000 Kilometers update.Had to change suspension bushes,Changed clutch plate as per advice from service adviser.Gear box synchronizers replaced in warranty.OEM battery replaced recently.Tyres are getting older.Initially there was steering column sound and noise from the propeller shaft which disappeared over time.The vehicle has given me decent reliability and has not broken down yet.(Except when it failed to start when battery was damaged).Still love the Safari feeling.Fingers crossed hope i still have the same opinion tomorrow.I am planning to go to Germany or Dallas(Not finalised the destination).Planning to lent it out to some relative who can maintain the vehicle or need to sell it(Though i feel saddened by the thought). These are the only things i have tried to observe 1)20 to 30 seconds on start and stop 2)Rev the vehicle to 3000 or 3500 RPM to clear it's throat every day. 3)Check fluid levels once a month. Last edited by freewheelburnin : 13th July 2012 at 11:59.
	() Thanks