[mrwalker]

Originally Posted by _raVan_

Thanks for the review MrWalker. How is the riding feel of the AT?

Was just going to post something in this regard! Got another TD from another dealer where I got to drive both ZXi AT and VXi MT along the highway and use the top gears for a good stretch...

VXi MT:
- As usual the speedo was "not working" , but sales exec was honest enough to say that it is a delivery vehicle so we should do a limited drive, so again didn't push it
- Able to rapidly upshift from 1-5 due to the level highway and found that the gearshift is smooth and as long as you time the shifts right the vehicle powers away quite quickly
- The clutch push-back on this one was a lot more gentle and didn't face problems starting off from 1st
- However I did hit a no-gear once while up-shifting to 3rd and this seems to be corroborated from a 3,000 km update from a SX4 VVT owner link
- The above is a little sad as the engine does need to be kept above 2,000 rpm to get decent performance and having a buggy gearbox doesn't help.
- Downshifting to 3rd is a very common excercise while overtaking and if this is not smooth we have a problem. Of course I've got used to operating the WagonR gearbox smoothly so should be a piece of cake for me to handle this!
- The good part (again from the link above) is the 11.3 mileage in city with 50% AC in B2B traffic. Much better than the old one I think

ZXi AT
- This was a proper demo vehicle so no hesitations in pushing it
- Left hand and leg free was a bit of a novelty but got used to it quite quickly. Stretched the leg and fiddled with the steering audio controls with the hand. They are quite well placed and easily accessible
- Stomp the accelerator and the AT does a good job of pulling away quickly and accelerating, but obviously not as fast as the MT. Still managed to quickly catch up with a Swift that crossed me when I was joining the highway and then coast past it on an uphill slope
- However all this is done by using much higher RPMs than one would use in the MT. Typically with accelerator to the floor and in D3 mode (highway) the AT shifts to the next gear at around 4,500 rpm at which point it drops to around 2,500 rpm.
- This is because of having just 4 gears I guess (unlike the City AT that has 5) and I'm sure the mileage figure will be very different from that on the MT
- Able to change lanes at 100 kmph smoothly and without any problems. Took it up to 120 kmph and was smooth sailing as well
- Also took it on a very bad stretch of village road that resembled a WRC gravel circuit frequented by elephants
- Any ideas of doing any off-roading due to the high GC were quickly put to rest. You get a bounce and shake from every pothole, first tried doing it at 20 kmph but soon slowed down to 10 kmph. Even then my existing bad back was sore all evening after the ride

Pricing & Delivery
- Got to hear the 'discount' word from this dealer which was nice, he was willing to throw in some accessories as well, but all this still doesn't add up to the discounts available at other places
- Also willing to provide access to the vehicle during PDI without a condition that I will have to take that one only
- Again the variant and colours I want are available in stock

[marathp]

Originally Posted by mrwalker

- However I did hit a no-gear once while up-shifting to 3rd and this seems to be corroborated from a 3,000 km update from a SX4 VVT owner link

Originally Posted by mrwalker

- The good part (again from the link above) is the 11.3 mileage in city with 50% AC in B2B traffic. Much better than the old one I think

@mrwalker - It was me who posted these, but was not for VVT model. Mine is a non-VVT model

[Atul-C]

Originally Posted by james

Im attaching some pics of the mats!
Attachment 240847
Attachment 240848

Nice KeyChains you got there!!!

However guys!!!! Is it true that new SX4 comes with L Shaped headrest for rear seats to improve visibility when there is no passenger in the back-seat?

[mrwalker]

Originally Posted by marathp

@mrwalker - It was me who posted these, but was not for VVT model. Mine is a non-VVT model

Many apologies! Didn't read it carefully...

Looks like an old gear-shift problem has carried on to the new version as well..

Re mileage, I forgot James earlier comment

"With very sedate driving(read less than 2.5-3k rpm), the car is giving about 14kmpl. Tested this with topup to topup method. And all this on mangalore's famed roads!"

[_raVan_]

Hows the road noise at 80+ kmph? Dont mind me asking this, but I think i saw some SX4s with Unidirectional tyres. Hows the ones on the ZXi?

[mrwalker]

Originally Posted by _raVan_

Hows the road noise at 80+ kmph? Dont mind me asking this, but I think i saw some SX4s with Unidirectional tyres. Hows the ones on the ZXi?

Road noise is minimal even at 100 kmph, the main noise you will hear will be that of the engine.. I liked it, but I'm sure some people will not, especially at high RPMs

Damn! Missed checking for Unidirectional tyres, had heard the same from some other places, but forgot to check it out. If they're Unidirectional I will certainly get them replaced immediately, even though I don't like making too many changes to stock equipment...

James would you be able to answer this one please?

[nairrk]

Try avoid buying a car (any brand/any model/any variant) from the dealer who is giving the car for TD which is suppposed to deliver to another party. What guarantee, he will not do same with your car also ?. This is definitely bad practise as far as a showroom/dealer is concerned?

[_raVan_]

Originally Posted by mrwalker

Road noise is minimal even at 100 kmph, the main noise you will hear will be that of the engine.. I liked it, but I'm sure some people will not, especially at high RPMs

Damn! Missed checking for Unidirectional tyres, had heard the same from some other places, but forgot to check it out. If they're Unidirectional I will certainly get them replaced immediately, even though I don't like making too many changes to stock equipment...

James would you be able to answer this one please?

Why would you want to change unidirectional tyres? Its true that it will wear out a bit faster than the normal ones, but it helps in better grip and reducing tyre noise. (Courtesy AutoBild Magazine)

[SX4LOVER]

the noise is probably due to the weight of the car since it weighs more than most of the cars in its class, and due to the tyre size (again bigger than other cars in its class). however it also depends on the condition of the road. i've experience quieter rides on freshly laid roads.

[mrwalker]

Originally Posted by nairrk

Try avoid buying a car (any brand/any model/any variant) from the dealer who is giving the car for TD which is suppposed to deliver to another party. What guarantee, he will not do same with your car also ?. This is definitely bad practise as far as a showroom/dealer is concerned?

True, but what alternative does the dealer or the buyer have? Maruti needs to understand that it cannot provide TD vehicles just for one top end variant when there are choices of engine (Petrol/ Diesel) and transmission (MT/ AT) available.

Ideal situation would be that the dealer maintains TD vehicles for at least these options (Petrol/ Diesel/ AT/ MT) but how many do this/ will do this unless the manufacturer pushes them to?

Originally Posted by _raVan_

Why would you want to change unidirectional tyres? Its true that it will wear out a bit faster than the normal ones, but it helps in better grip and reducing tyre noise. (Courtesy AutoBild Magazine)

My main grouse is re tyre rotation. I would like that all 5 tyres be regularly rotated. For unidirectional tyres this
- Will cause more wear and tear on the beading as you would need to remove them from the rim and remount when switching sides
- Will not be possible for the spare tyre, which I believe is not Unidirectional, as it may need to replace a tyre on either side

I would go with acceptable tyre noise and grip instead.

[DigitalDragon]

I have been searching for a good replacement for the stock JK Vectra of SX4 ZXi. But because of its odd profile ( 205/60 - R16) not much options are available. However these are the options I have checked, with the same profile:

1. Michelin Primacy LC
2. Bridgestone GIII Potenza / GR 80 Turanza
3. Yokohama DNA DB ES501
4. Continental CPC2

Can anybody suggest which one will be better ? Michelin is way ahead in terms of cost - almost by 2000/- per tyre.

[_raVan_]

Originally Posted by DigitalDragon

I have been searching for a good replacement for the stock JK Vectra of SX4 ZXi. But because of its odd profile ( 205/60 - R16) not much options are available. However these are the options I have checked, with the same profile:

1. Michelin Primacy LC
2. Bridgestone GIII Potenza / GR 80 Turanza
3. Yokohama DNA DB ES501
4. Continental CPC2

Can anybody suggest which one will be better ? Michelin is way ahead in terms of cost - almost by 2000/- per tyre.

I would recommend Bridgestone. Though I dont know whether paying 2000 rs extra for Michellin is worth it.

Also, anyone has the link or pdf for the accessories list for SX4? I am not able to find it on the official site.

[abhi182]

I am trying to negotiate with multiple dealers for a discount on the Zxi VVT in Pune
Best I have achieved so far is 10K cash discount ( I don't care for the supposed freebies/accessories from the dealer)

Any better luck on your side?

[DigitalDragon]

Originally Posted by abhi182

I am trying to negotiate with multiple dealers for a discount on the Zxi VVT in Pune
Best I have achieved so far is 10K cash discount ( I don't care for the supposed freebies/accessories from the dealer)

Any better luck on your side?

Have you checked what discounts they are giving in Mumbai ? May be a good idea to buy from Mum if discounts are more there.

[SX4LOVER]

Originally Posted by _raVan_

I would recommend Bridgestone. Though I dont know whether paying 2000 rs extra for Michellin is worth it.

Also, anyone has the link or pdf for the accessories list for SX4? I am not able to find it on the official site.

may be you could try this.
Genuine Accessories