My huge Sedan - Maroon Chevrolet Optra Magnum LT 2.0

sylvan · 23rd December 2009, 17:26

There was a minor Tuk-Tuk sound from the rear when on 1st and 2nd gear or when the car is moving in neutral. Took it to Kropex and the reason given was that there were some stones between wheel and brakes!!!
The front tyres were swapped and the sound vanished. As expected there was minor drift towards the left. Waiting to do a wheel balancing during the first service.

3000 kms done in 3 weeks and have done bangalore-chennai stretch twice. During the first trip optra returned me with figures of 13 kmpl (Mostly at 100kph/2k pm and occasional 150kph/3k rpm) on highways and 9 in city. The second one gave me with 15 kmpl on highways(Mostly at 120 kmph at 2.5k rpm) and 10 in city

. I am already a happy owner.

Highflyer · 3rd February 2011, 20:50

Hi Sylvan,
Howz your Maggy driving now? Any issues with the fit or finish till now?

drjumbo · 11th February 2011, 23:11

CONGRATS MAN!!!! great ride....she's one of the few diesels in SHIMLA that survive without getting burnt!! shes so powerfull even before the turbo shoots up that she can go up steep hills without the turbo...which many other diesel ones cant do...and that colour is a killerrrrrr! i find the alloys kind of CUTE.. dunno why people dont like them..they are "RETRO CLASSY " like the GOLDY OLDY's....KEEP THEM!

visweshkalambur · 21st February 2011, 12:29

HEy Sylvan,

Congratulations on your Maggy. I am waiting for my delivery of the Maggy. I was hearing that the Maggy gives around 13 - 14 in city with ac and around 16 in Highways. Though the numbers you qoute for Highway is more or less around this, i see a good difference in the city numbers. Can other owners of Maggy throw some light on this please?

sylvan · 24th February 2011, 09:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by visweshkalambur

HEy Sylvan,

Congratulations on your Maggy. I am waiting for my delivery of the Maggy. I was hearing that the Maggy gives around 13 - 14 in city with ac and around 16 in Highways. Though the numbers you qoute for Highway is more or less around this, i see a good difference in the city numbers. Can other owners of Maggy throw some light on this please?

For my driving conditions, which is 20% city and 80% highways, I usually get 15 or 16 on highways and 12 in city. I once got 16 on a salem trip. No ACs and the odo was always at 2000rpm

sylvan · 24th February 2011, 09:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by drjumbo

CONGRATS MAN!!!! great ride....she's one of the few diesels in SHIMLA that survive without getting burnt!! shes so powerfull even before the turbo shoots up that she can go up steep hills without the turbo...which many other diesel ones cant do...and that colour is a killerrrrrr! i find the alloys kind of CUTE.. dunno why people dont like them..they are "RETRO CLASSY " like the GOLDY OLDY's....KEEP THEM!

True. Even at 1900 rpm this car has enough power. I beg to differ with the alloys as they could have been a lot better. Thats the only part of my car that I dont like.

sylvan · 24th February 2011, 10:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Highflyer

Hi Sylvan,
Howz your Maggy driving now? Any issues with the fit or finish till now?

Done 20k kms. The drive just keeps getting smoother. The fit and finish of this car is quite good. I was only thinking about hardening the shocks as that would improve the handling, but I will lose out on the drive comfort that I now get. There is nothing you would say that is really wrong with this car. If one thinks of not selling a car within 5 years, then I would strongly recommend the Magnum.

DMehta · 2nd March 2011, 00:20

Congrats on a fulfilling ownership experience with the optra. This is surely the best vfm car in the mid level sedans category.
I wanted to ask you this, that since you have completed 20k with the car, how is the suspension? Is it a nice and firm ride or does it have a loose suspension like the swift?
Did you face any issues like rattling or any other unwanted noises till date?

sylvan · 2nd March 2011, 17:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMehta

Congrats on a fulfilling ownership experience with the optra. This is surely the best vfm car in the mid level sedans category.
I wanted to ask you this, that since you have completed 20k with the car, how is the suspension? Is it a nice and firm ride or does it have a loose suspension like the swift?
Did you face any issues like rattling or any other unwanted noises till date?

The suspension is soft and I like it that way.
There werent any rattling issues as such. But I once had some loose gravel that got locked in the wheels and that was creating some rattling noise. I just did another 500kms last week(chennai-salem-Bangalore) and the ride was butter smooth.

sylvan · 27th September 2011, 17:15

Completed 25000 kms and the drive has only got smoother.
Except for an accident last Jan, there has been no major trouble with Optra. Off late, there is a good number of Optra bookings that we see on TBhp and its always good to see more of them on road.

Recent modifications
Upgraded Head lamps to Phillips 100/90
Got new floor mats for 500 bucks

Planned upgrades

By Jan 2012
Change HU to Pioneer AVH-P3350BT
MMI Vx140s

By Jun 2012
Change alloys and upgrade tyres to Michelin Primacy LC

I guess this make Optra as good as any car in 15L range. Plush ride, loads of power at any gear, breezy acceleration, effortless overtaking when needed, bountiful space. 90% of my drive is on highways and IMO there isnt a better choice even today.

NoRules · 27th September 2011, 19:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by sylvan

I guess this make Optra as good as any car in 15L range. Plush ride, loads of power at any gear, breezy acceleration, effortless overtaking when needed, bountiful space. 90% of my drive is on highways and IMO there isnt a better choice even today.

Make that "in 10-11L range". I am happy to know you finished 25000 kms without any major issue / trouble. Wishing you many more happy miles.

phenomonstar · 30th September 2011, 14:27

[quote=sylvan;2522040]Completed 25000 kms and the drive has only got smoother.
Except for an accident last Jan, there has been no major trouble with Optra. Off late, there is a good number of Optra bookings that we see on TBhp and its always good to see more of them on road.

Hey Sylvan,

Congrats on completing 25k with the optra.
I got mine delivered day before yesterday, and clocked just over a 100k already. This, even when my office and home are 2 km apart!
It seems like i am just looking for an excuse to take it for a drive.

I've another thread on here somewhere about my disappointment with the Fluidic Verna. I sold mine off within 25 days of purchase.

The optra is an absolute delight. Yesterday I took it on the Sea-link in Mumbai and took it upto triple digit speeds in a very relaxed and controlled manner.
Surprisingly, the speedo was showing 130 + and yet the car felt like it was going at around 90.
Felt absolutely safe.
Wife loves it, folks love it. We own a Merc C250 CDI which my dad drives more, and he keeps saying the ride is similar to that of the Merc.

I am super happy!

sylvan · 2nd October 2011, 15:05

Hi Phenomonstar,I am following your thread on Fluidic disappointment. New Verna sure looks good, but I wasnt sure about its handling as I never drove it. Your choice is definitely a good one in terms of VFM and drive comfort. I hardly take it in City, it is always on highways for which it is the best fit

sylvan · 3rd October 2011, 10:49

Does anyone know about how effective the coil spring adjusters are for magnum. I am looking for a solution to reduce the underbody scraping as much as possible.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techni...uspension.html

sylvan · 18th November 2011, 11:28

Completed 25K service yesterday and she drives smoother than ever.
- Oil/filter Change
- Brake calipers cleaned
- Back row lamp replaced

Worked out to around 3.7k. Wheel balancing and rotation already done a few weeks back at Madhus. Thinking of going for Nitrogen as you get it free when filling diesel for Rs.1000. Looking to go for new ICE next month. Have to check it out with AudioPlanet guys. Will post those updates as and when the task is completed.

23rd December 2009, 17:26	#46
sylvan BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bangalore/Chennai Posts: 151 Thanked: 3 Times	3 Weeks Report There was a minor Tuk-Tuk sound from the rear when on 1st and 2nd gear or when the car is moving in neutral. Took it to Kropex and the reason given was that there were some stones between wheel and brakes!!! The front tyres were swapped and the sound vanished. As expected there was minor drift towards the left. Waiting to do a wheel balancing during the first service. 3000 kms done in 3 weeks and have done bangalore-chennai stretch twice. During the first trip optra returned me with figures of 13 kmpl (Mostly at 100kph/2k pm and occasional 150kph/3k rpm) on highways and 9 in city. The second one gave me with 15 kmpl on highways(Mostly at 120 kmph at 2.5k rpm) and 10 in city . I am already a happy owner. Last edited by sylvan : 23rd December 2009 at 17:30. Reason: 3 Weeks Report
	() Thanks

3rd February 2011, 20:50	#47
Highflyer BHPian Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 167 Thanked: 97 Times	Re: My huge Sedan - Maroon Chevrolet Optra Magnum LT 2.0 Hi Sylvan, Howz your Maggy driving now? Any issues with the fit or finish till now?
	() Thanks

11th February 2011, 23:11	#48
drjumbo BHPian Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: shimla Posts: 53 Thanked: 43 Times	Re: My huge Sedan - Maroon Chevrolet Optra Magnum LT 2.0 CONGRATS MAN!!!! great ride....she's one of the few diesels in SHIMLA that survive without getting burnt!! shes so powerfull even before the turbo shoots up that she can go up steep hills without the turbo...which many other diesel ones cant do...and that colour is a killerrrrrr! i find the alloys kind of CUTE.. dunno why people dont like them..they are "RETRO CLASSY " like the GOLDY OLDY's....KEEP THEM!
	() Thanks

21st February 2011, 12:29	#49
visweshkalambur BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 103 Thanked: 10 Times	Re: My huge Sedan - Maroon Chevrolet Optra Magnum LT 2.0 HEy Sylvan, Congratulations on your Maggy. I am waiting for my delivery of the Maggy. I was hearing that the Maggy gives around 13 - 14 in city with ac and around 16 in Highways. Though the numbers you qoute for Highway is more or less around this, i see a good difference in the city numbers. Can other owners of Maggy throw some light on this please?
	() Thanks

2nd March 2011, 00:20	#53
DMehta BANNED Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Mumbai Posts: 232 Thanked: 4 Times	Re: My huge Sedan - Maroon Chevrolet Optra Magnum LT 2.0 Congrats on a fulfilling ownership experience with the optra. This is surely the best vfm car in the mid level sedans category. I wanted to ask you this, that since you have completed 20k with the car, how is the suspension? Is it a nice and firm ride or does it have a loose suspension like the swift? Did you face any issues like rattling or any other unwanted noises till date?
	() Thanks

27th September 2011, 17:15	#55
sylvan BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bangalore/Chennai Posts: 151 Thanked: 3 Times	My huge Sedan - Maroon Chevrolet Optra Magnum LT 2.0 - 25k UPDATE Completed 25000 kms and the drive has only got smoother. Except for an accident last Jan, there has been no major trouble with Optra. Off late, there is a good number of Optra bookings that we see on TBhp and its always good to see more of them on road. Recent modifications Upgraded Head lamps to Phillips 100/90 Got new floor mats for 500 bucks Planned upgrades By Jan 2012 Change HU to Pioneer AVH-P3350BT MMI Vx140s By Jun 2012 Change alloys and upgrade tyres to Michelin Primacy LC I guess this make Optra as good as any car in 15L range. Plush ride, loads of power at any gear, breezy acceleration, effortless overtaking when needed, bountiful space. 90% of my drive is on highways and IMO there isnt a better choice even today.
	(1) Thanks

30th September 2011, 14:27	#57
phenomonstar Newbie Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Mumbai Posts: 20 Thanked: 28 Times	Re: My huge Sedan - Maroon Chevrolet Optra Magnum LT 2.0 - 25k UPDATE [quote=sylvan;2522040]Completed 25000 kms and the drive has only got smoother. Except for an accident last Jan, there has been no major trouble with Optra. Off late, there is a good number of Optra bookings that we see on TBhp and its always good to see more of them on road. Hey Sylvan, Congrats on completing 25k with the optra. I got mine delivered day before yesterday, and clocked just over a 100k already. This, even when my office and home are 2 km apart! It seems like i am just looking for an excuse to take it for a drive. I've another thread on here somewhere about my disappointment with the Fluidic Verna. I sold mine off within 25 days of purchase. The optra is an absolute delight. Yesterday I took it on the Sea-link in Mumbai and took it upto triple digit speeds in a very relaxed and controlled manner. Surprisingly, the speedo was showing 130 + and yet the car felt like it was going at around 90. Felt absolutely safe. Wife loves it, folks love it. We own a Merc C250 CDI which my dad drives more, and he keeps saying the ride is similar to that of the Merc. I am super happy! Last edited by phenomonstar : 30th September 2011 at 14:46.
	() Thanks

2nd October 2011, 15:05	#58
sylvan BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bangalore/Chennai Posts: 151 Thanked: 3 Times	Re: My huge Sedan - Maroon Chevrolet Optra Magnum LT 2.0 Hi Phenomonstar,I am following your thread on Fluidic disappointment. New Verna sure looks good, but I wasnt sure about its handling as I never drove it. Your choice is definitely a good one in terms of VFM and drive comfort. I hardly take it in City, it is always on highways for which it is the best fit
	() Thanks

3rd October 2011, 10:49	#59
sylvan BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bangalore/Chennai Posts: 151 Thanked: 3 Times	Re: My huge Sedan - Maroon Chevrolet Optra Magnum LT 2.0 Does anyone know about how effective the coil spring adjusters are for magnum. I am looking for a solution to reduce the underbody scraping as much as possible. http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techni...uspension.html
	() Thanks

18th November 2011, 11:28	#60
sylvan BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bangalore/Chennai Posts: 151 Thanked: 3 Times	Re: My huge Sedan - Maroon Chevrolet Optra Magnum LT 2.0 Completed 25K service yesterday and she drives smoother than ever. - Oil/filter Change - Brake calipers cleaned - Back row lamp replaced Worked out to around 3.7k. Wheel balancing and rotation already done a few weeks back at Madhus. Thinking of going for Nitrogen as you get it free when filling diesel for Rs.1000. Looking to go for new ICE next month. Have to check it out with AudioPlanet guys. Will post those updates as and when the task is completed.
	() Thanks