[oldmonk]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Even my GV bonnet lining has peeled off over years.

Good to know I'm not alone. I've had really bad luck with cars and have had the strangest of problems. Recently Palio was in the garage for 2 months waiting for a part - the battery tray!

Originally Posted by m-hawk

hardly done 3800 km s in last 2.5 yr s

Buy it!

[sudev]

Originally Posted by m-hawk

looking at the enthusiasm from you guy s even i am tempted to buy the GV belonging to one of my neighbour s which has hardly done 3800 km s in last 2.5 yrs....

Snare that one pronto!

[oldmonk]

Was thinking of upsizing to 235/65 R17, A/T. Started off with wanting either Michelin or Yokohoma. Called Sai Iyengar, Madhu's, Super Tyre Tech, Yokohoma KA sales guy, tyrestore.in in Chennai - nobody has stock. Even when I ask them for any brand A/T in this size. Sucks!

What are my options here..?

[Samurai]

If you want a very rare size, be ready to pay very high price and wait very long. Gurkha owners have similar dilemma. I gave up and upgraded to 235/70R16, now I have plenty of options.

[Guna]

Originally Posted by oldmonk

Was thinking of upsizing to 235/65 R17, A/T. Started off with wanting either Michelin or Yokohoma. Called Sai Iyengar, Madhu's, Super Tyre Tech, Yokohoma KA sales guy, tyrestore.in in Chennai - nobody has stock. Even when I ask them for any brand A/T in this size. Sucks!

What are my options here..?

Did you consider Cooper? Supposed to be specialists in AT/MT tires.

[The_Warrior]

Is it true that the GV is being launched with a 2.0 ltr Diesel Engine?? If it is not a mere speculation, has anyone got a idea about the launch date??

[oldmonk]

Originally Posted by The_Warrior

Diesel Engine??

No clue. But it is long overdue!

Originally Posted by Samurai

235/70R16, now I have plenty of options.

I was desperate enough to considering buying new 16" rims and putting higher profile tires, 17" seemed to have non existent A/T options. May be also because of all the ISI hoopla?

Originally Posted by Guna

Did you consider Cooper? Supposed to be specialists in AT/MT tires.

Didn't know this brand.. But I had asked all these guys to give me whatever was available and all came up empty.

Anyways, got lucky with contant follow ups with the Yohohoma wholesaler. He called to say he had 245/65 R17 Geolandar A/Ts. Saw 3.46% diameter increase (apparently upto 3% is acceptable) and the tires were manufactured in Feb '09. But still went ahead and bought them. No fouling yet, but I guess real test is on bumpy terrain. Have kept the old tires just in case, let's see what happens!

[sudev]

I would say also apply SLIME treatment. Since you are going for DS2011 it will prevent air loss due to accidental punctures from thorns. Downside is some amount of vibrations (unbalancing) at high speed runs.

[oldmonk]

Originally Posted by sudev

I would say also apply SLIME treatment. Since you are going for DS2011 it will prevent air loss due to accidental punctures from thorns. Downside is some amount of vibrations (unbalancing) at high speed runs.

Sounds promising. At what speed do vibrations start (for you)?

[sudev]

Between 100~110 kmph and then they appear disappear at various speed levels.

[oldmonk]

Originally Posted by sudev

Between 100~110 kmph and then they appear disappear at various speed levels.

That was very accurate Sudev, vibrations started like clockwork at 100. Lasted till 110 and never came back (tested till 170). Thanks again for the SLIME advice, didn't have a single puncture even though many times we had taken short cuts over bushes to get back on track.

Took the car for inspection to the dealer after Desert Storm. Rubbing compound to remove scratch marks, topped up some fluids, and for good measure replaced engine, differential and transfer oil. Cleaned air and A/C dust filter (both had become brown) and that was it. Surprised to find that there was nothing else that had to be done. Suspension, brakes, clutch, propeller/drive shafts etc. were all fine. I had driven aggressively through the course, and remember hitting bottom quite a few times. Skid plates really came through I guess. Terrain also has to be thanked, sand and slush are probably much easier on the car.

My Desert Storm campaign had ended on the 3rd night. Fan belt snapped, and I didn't have a spare. Which was very very stupid of me! By the time I towed the car into town, found a fan belt (not original) and got the car running, rally had already moved on.

Anyway it was fun while it lasted. I was in Endure (TSD), and even though it is a navigator's rally, I was new to the terrain and thoroughly enjoyed driving. Most of the competitive sections were closed stages with dirt/sand/marshy tracks. In many places I had to drive fast (either average speed specified was high, or my navigator had miscalculated and we were running late) and GV's handling and stability was spectacular.

[sudev]

Not done Oldmonk, not done. You (and your navigator) have to write in blow by blow detailed account. It would be interesting to get an in cabin view of proceedings. There are already two threads of Marshal's view.

OTH fan belt going off so early is something of mystery to me. Unless some one at last service left grease/oil on the belt it should last much longer.

Full marks to GV for coming through without any other hiccup.

[oldmonk]

Originally Posted by sudev

have to write

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...itors-log.html

[sudev]

Thanks.
LOL!! Enjoying the "travelogue"

[oldmonk]

Originally Posted by oldmonk

Fan belt snapped

Replaced the tensioner assembly today.

There was a Suzuki directive (dealer called couple of weeks back) asking all GV 2.4 Petrol vehicles to replace the tensioner. Apparently the spring inside was prone to breaking, making the belt loose and sometimes making it to come off!