[better4worse]

Originally Posted by SumitBahl

This is what i am contemplating to buy:
Fiat Grande Punto Abarth NEW ORIGINAL REAR EMBLEM : eBay Motors (item 120554023540 end time Apr-14-10 12:10:14 PDT)
Fiat Grande Punto Abarth NEW ORIGINAL FRONT EMBLEM : eBay Motors (item 120554023571 end time May-07-10 12:10:17 PDT)

Costs $90 for front and rear (without shipping).
Shipping should be close to $15.

I got the tyre checked today. It is repairable.
I have planned to get it repaired and use it as a spare tyre and buy a new one to replace the damaged tyre.

I will have to pay a difference of Rs. 2700 after deducting the amount for the stock spare tyre.

Got the scratches checked as well. Most of them were gone using thinner. That guy had some leftover paint in the same color.
He used a brush to paint and scratch is almost hidden.

Planning to keep it that way.

No I meant the B/W Abarth Emblem
posting a couple of pics for the same..infact more than that !

[SumitBahl]

Looking at the shape of the logo, I dont think it would be direct fit in Indian punto.
This one is rounded, Indian model has more of a oval shape and slightly bigger too.

[NutsNBolts]

The outer ring of the Fiat logo is round, but interior ring is elliptical. I think it is possible to fit this logo in the current one.

[better4worse]

Originally Posted by NutsNBolts

The outer ring of the Fiat logo is round, but interior ring is elliptical. I think it is possible to fit this logo in the current one.

True, I thought so too ! But the bigger question is where is this available for sale?

- B4W

[SumitBahl]

Try contacting the person who owns the car in picture.
Did you get the picture from a forum?

I checked on eBay. They do not have anything in B&W.

[SumitBahl]

UPDATE: First service 3000 kms.

Got the first service done a few days ago.
They do not change anything in first service.
Oil levels were checked, air filter was cleaned and the car was washed.

I was facing a problem with the fuse of blower. Fuse has blown twice before.

I told my SA about the problem and he asked me if the fuse is blown when I put the blower on 4th speed, I hadn't noticed that till now.

He puts the blower on 4th speed and the fuse goes kaput within 5 secs.

He says there is a problem with blower motor and it would need a replacement, which would be done under warranty.

He check his inventory and luckily one new motor was there and it was replaced under warranty.

New one costs close to Rs. 3000.

I did not change the oil, I was told that punto comes with synthetic oil. So, I felt there is not need to change the oil.

Service was done at Joshi autozone. I would recommend them for TATA / FIAT cars.

Their car wash facility is excellent. First they pressure wash it on a ramp. Then the car goes through an automated car wash facility.
After that there were atleast 10 guys cleaning, polishing and vacuuming the car inside out.

The total bill for the service was zilch.

Attached are a few pictures.

PS. I will post some better full size pictures from the photoshoot later. Need to resize them.

PS2. I did not park the car in front of the gate.

[akshay4587]

Nice
She looks haute as ever
Arent the tints too dark?
are they legal around chandigarh?

[better4worse]

Originally Posted by akshay4587

Nice
She looks haute as ever
Arent the tints too dark?
are they legal around chandigarh?

Last pic...she looks smoking HOT and yes the tints are fairly dark !

[Amartya]

Whoa! The last picture in the sequence is really fantastic. With the picture take in the shade with ambient light, the red looks drool worthy.

Thanks for sharing the service experience, I also liked the fact that the service adviser troubleshooted the problem really well.

[SumitBahl]

Originally Posted by akshay4587

Nice
She looks haute as ever
Arent the tints too dark?
are they legal around chandigarh?

Windows have 40% visibility all around (except windscreen), 60% film.
Allowed is 50% film on sides and 40% (60% visibility) on back.
Yes, its a bit darker than allowed, but I didn't have any problems with cops so far. Maybe they are too busy admiring her.

Originally Posted by better4worse

Last pic...she looks smoking HOT and yes the tints are fairly dark !

Thanks.

Last picture cmae out really well, considering all are taken from cell phone camera.

Originally Posted by Amartya

Whoa! The last picture in the sequence is really fantastic. With the picture take in the shade with ambient light, the red looks drool worthy.

Thanks for sharing the service experience, I also liked the fact that the service adviser troubleshooted the problem really well.

I too was impressed with the fact that problem was troubleshooted quickly (and fixed too). I have had gone to other dealership (HIND Motors) couple of times with this problem. And they jsut changed the fuse and charged me Rs. 60 both times.
I understand that fuses are not under warranty, but if its going off due to some technical problem with the a/c, they should change it under warranty.

Anyways, all well that ends well.
__________________________________________________ __

Had a minor incident today afternoon.

I was driving down to home with my wife and I hear a bang. Initially it seemed like some big stone hit the rear of the car.

I stopped, got out of the car and saw a girl on the road. This stupid simply drove her scooter into my car.
I was amazed, how could you hit a moving car from rear.

Anyways, asked her if she was ok. She said, she was fine and really sorry and told me that she really "TRIED" braking but couldn't stop the scooter.

There were a few nasty scratches and the light in bumper was crushed. She gave me her number and address and told me that she will pay me for the damages.

I went to the workshop, got the light replaced and most of the scratches were gone with the thinner.

There are a few scratches left, which I will attend to later.

Light replacement costed Rs. 780 (with labor and taxes).

Here are a few pictures:









__________________________________________________ __________

I upgraded my HU to Kenwood eXcelon x994

I am very happy with the new HU. It sounds much better than my older one. There are plethora of settings, that have really confused me. I am not sure what many of them means.

I have left tuning to friend Abhishek.

There is very notable change in the sound. My current setup of speakers (Infinity Reference components and Infinity reference rears) sound much much better with this HU.

I never thought HU could make such a huge difference. Suddenly, my car needs damping (I still do not have sub installed).

A few pictures of the HU:

























PS. All pictures taken with cell phone camera.
__________________________________________________ ____

Coming up next: Complete photoshoot of the car.

[Amartya]

Bad luck about the accident. Glad to hear that the car is back in shape and the girl was unhurt.

Rs-780 seems a little steep, would you mind sharing the price of the spare and the labour separately?

[SumitBahl]

Originally Posted by Amartya

Bad luck about the accident. Glad to hear that the car is back in shape and the girl was unhurt.

Rs-780 seems a little steep, would you mind sharing the price of the spare and the labour separately?

That light sure was expensive. I was expecting it to be more in range of Rs.300.

Price of the part was Rs. 725 (incl taxes).
Labor was Rs. 50 + Rs. 5 (Tax).

[better4worse]

@Sumit - Again, the HU looks fantastic...How much did the new set cost you ? Can you share some details as to whats different in terms of sound quality from the last one, why and hows it better ? and why this sudden need for damping ?

Well, I am to get ICE done to my car in sometime, so I am looking for some fresh ideas here.

-B4W

[SumitBahl]

Originally Posted by better4worse

@Sumit - Again, the HU looks fantastic...How much did the new set cost you ? Can you share some details as to whats different in terms of sound quality from the last one, why and hows it better ? and why this sudden need for damping ?

Well, I am to get ICE done to my car in sometime, so I am looking for some fresh ideas here.

-B4W

Thanks a lot.

I bought it form the classified section of TBHP.
This guy bought it from the US and used it for 3 days. He wanted to upgrade to double din and he was letting this one go.
He bought it for $300 I think.

I got it for 13k. X794 costed Rs. 21k in India. This is a newer model, should be costing more than 21k, I think.

The music is more detailed now, Vocals are clearer and bass has definitely increased. Comparing these to my older HU. Rest of the setup is same.

I have set bass levels a little bit high and the door panels shiver when volume is pumped, thats why i think I will need damping.

Next in line is mono amp and a sub.

BTW, you bought your Punto? I missed the ownership thread. Which color did you finally go for?

[better4worse]

Originally Posted by SumitBahl

Thanks a lot.

I bought it form the classified section of TBHP.
This guy bought it from the US and used it for 3 days. He wanted to upgrade to double din and he was letting this one go.
He bought it for $300 I think.

I got it for 13k. X794 costed Rs. 21k in India. This is a newer model, should be costing more than 21k, I think.

You got it dirt cheap,,,yet again! Not to forget the FIAT alloys you picked up for 9K. Great going champ !

Originally Posted by SumitBahl

The music is more detailed now, Vocals are clearer and bass has definitely increased. Comparing these to my older HU. Rest of the setup is same.

I have set bass levels a little bit high and the door panels shiver when volume is pumped, thats why i think I will need damping.

Next in line is mono amp and a sub.

You know 'abhibh' aka abhishek recommended your setup with my kinda budget. Man, I am so going green with 'J' right now, I haven't even begun and you've already upgraded!

Originally Posted by SumitBahl

BTW, you bought your Punto? I missed the ownership thread. Which color did you finally go for?

Yes I did...Yes I did ! Medium Grey Sire.
As for the ownership thread that will have to wait for sometime as I am hopping around the place like a frog just about now. I have started work on the content and will start the thread in a fortnight when I am back in Delhi for good.

-B4W