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-   -   Review: 2nd-gen Maruti WagonR (2010) (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-drives-initial-ownership-reports/80144-review-2nd-gen-maruti-wagonr-2010-a-50.html)

I would suggest to clean and grease the front caliper pins and also clean, grease and check the rear brake system, especially the master cylinders( point 6 in this link)

I had taken a 2001 wagonR which had heating brakes to a MASS and turned out that both rear master cylinders had seized creating a constant drag. Since the car barely did any significant kms after the initial 3-4 years it turned out that the brakes weren't touched since the last 13-14 years. Changing of all pads, shoes, cylinders, greasing etc. came to about 6500 all inclusive 1-2 years ago.

Our WagonR is nearing its yearly maintenance schedule. It's a 2013 model with 36K Kms on Odo. Have been doing the yearly service from their service centre. From the past two years have noticed a wheezing sound from the engine bay when the speed nears 40km/hr and sound increases with speed further. I also think sound increases while the AC is switched on. Is it normal to have this sound?

Also another doubt I have is regarding its fuel efficiency. We get a mileage near 15km/l. The usual driving pattern is a mix of city and highway drive in equal proportions. We only use AC for half the time. Also I don't go past 65-70 km/hr speed due to the Kerala roads and also due to the said noise issue.

Is it normal for the WagonRs to show these issues. Comparing with other cars in and just above the segment, I find other cars are more refined and have better mileage. Is this issue specific with my car or would it be common with ageing.

Expecting replies from experienced owners, so that the suggestions could be pointed out during our next service. Thanks in advance.

Got the WagonR serviced from a FNG. The noise was from one of the wheel bearing and got it changed. The overall cost of the service and change of parts was ₹3.1K. ₹700 for a bearing, ₹150 for bearing lathe charges, ₹1100 for engine oil and oil filter, ₹1200 as the labour charge. Usually had been servicing from authorised service centre and this time decided to try a different place. Overall satisfied with the service at the FNG.

Hello everyone hope you all are doing great!,after reading the title you might be thinking who is this boy and those who know that it was a PR strategy by MSIL for their 2nd gen WagonR launched in 2010 they might be thinking when did a bread-box shaped, simple tiny hatchback can become somebody's beloved but you know what, it simply does, so much so that I'm willing to retain it for as long as possible.

Buying the blue-eyed boy
Its a story dating back to end of 2011, my dad was using a 2001 MS800 EX MPFi model(a pretty rare and performance oriented machine for its time), with newer, modern cars on the street we felt the need to upgrade our ride too.

Surprisingly it wasn't MSIL but Hyundai which initially was our preference thanks in no small measure due to the fact that we were also owning a 2000 Hyundai Santro and I had recently bought a 2009 i20 Asta both of which were terrific, the model which suited my dad was the i10 Sportz 1.2Kappa, and even though I liked the TD my dad wasn't very convinced, maybe due to his long experience with MSIL.

Additionally I also convinced my dad for Volkswagen Polo 1.2MPi Comfortline model which was just a little out of his budget but was a terrific car with such an emphasis to build quality and safety but sadly my mom wasn't very convinced about the cozy rear seat experience and my dad was also wary of the high service costs, thus with an heavy heart I had to cross out the Polo as well.

Apart from that we tried cars like Ford Figo, Chevrolet Beat, Maruti's own Swift Dzire, Ritz etc but all were crossed out for some reason or the other and my parents settled for the WagonR only, I personally remember getting the booking done and opted for the Baker's chocolate shade as I felt it was kinda unique but got a hell lot of scolding at home as both of them didn't like brown due to which later the colour was changed to Breeze Blue, also I really tried to convince my dad to upgrade to Vxi(O) with dual airbags and ABS but dad didn't pay up extra 35,000Rs or so extra citing he would never drive beyond city limits and since it wasn't my personal car I couldn't argue much.

Still, I clearly told them that I'll be fitting accessories of my choice and even if it meant paying extra I would be doing that from my wallet to which they thankfully obliged. MSIL was kind enough to throw in 20,000INR worth of free accessories which was a lot back then. The first accessory I liked were the alloys but those costed 5,000 apiece meaning whole freebie amount would go in that alone, to which I decided to buy the alloys separately from my own wallet, apart from that picked the standard set of seat covers, mats, carpets, body cover, door visor, idol, parking sensors etc

We took the delivery on the eve of Dhanteras of 2012 on very unique date of 10/11/12:).

Initially when we bought the car home I personally admit I wasn't too happy with WagonR and planned to get rid of it after 5years and gift my dad a good new car like Vento but as time progressed I started appreciating the WagonR for what it is, a no-nonsense, practical, cheap to maintain, fuss free hatchback.

Even though the car is not at all comfortable at highway speeds, has poorly controlled NVH and kinda poor A/C cooling even today I do not find any reason to upgrade this car, I'll explain you why.

First of all, my dad has stopped driving altogether as seeing today's traffic he becomes a touch too paranoid(naturally so) raising his BP which could be quite dangerous considering he is a senior citizen apart from that he just wants to relax and take life slowly after completing his almost 40long years of hardwork as a metallurgical engineer from IIT Kanpur and just goes out for his timely health checkups, so the usage has come down drastically for the WagonR limited to town running, therefore it makes much more sense to retain and use it than selling it out just because its 12years old, additionally my dad being an engineer has a good habit of maintaining his car to the T and thankfully I've inherited this from him therefore the WagonR is in perfect condition, its always serviced from the same ASC its been visiting for the past 12 years, additionally I've had gone one step ahead now by sourcing MGP Shell Helix 5W30 oil as ASC used to stock only EcStar(basically Servo) 0W20/16 BS6 oil only. I've had posted about the service experience recently in Team BHP, would be cross-posting it here too, https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techn...ml#post5500172

Additionally, as of now where my WagonR is registered there's no such 15year ban on petrol vehicles(hopefully it stays that way), once the current RC expires(which is still in distant future around late 2027),I would be carrying out the FC renewal and re-passing done too like I've did for my i20.

Apart from all of this, WagonR is not just a car for us, it has an sentimental value to it, and I guess its natural considering how long this car is been with us, so when we are clearly retaining it I've decided to spruce it up just a little bit to keep it up to the times(at least those possible easily).

Have done the following mods and plan to do some for which I may require some help from you BHPians, so feel free to write suggestions and additional jobs.

1. Power Horns- My WagonR came with simple single tone disc type horns which barely caught anybody's attention especially of those errant squid riders and indisciplined 3wheelers, therefore decided to upgrade to dual tone wind tones, chose the Hella chrome series which sounds exactly like Creta's Bosch horns, the pitch, amplitude all are spot on, I really love this really sweet sounding type horns.
   
   
2. Powerful lights- This one IMHO was much more required in my car and especially on pitch dark roads during night the throw was grossly inadequate from stock bulbs, the high beams were pathetic, plus if there's some oncoming traffic you're completely blinded by its glare and my poor high beams just cannot fight against those psycho drivers, for a long time I searched for some good lights ranging from Philips Racing Vision to Osram NightBreakers but heard mixed reviews about them, after a long research came across a pair of good LEDs which don't scatter out and provide a good beam with adequate dipper and really powerful uppers without using additional power as compared to stock bulbs, additionally it should be a plug&play type and a direct fit in my car. I went ahead and bought these only when a fellow BHPian praised highly about the same, the lights in question are the Autobahn F5 GPX3, you can look for them in google and order from their website, also they've great WhatsApp/E-mail support with 7day return policy and 2years warranty period, please do note I have no any associations with them and a simple consumer of their product. Will be attaching pictures of the light performance for your reference.

Additionally have planned the following mods too:

• Auto Dimming IRVM- When you travel during night you have come across the situation where an unnecessarily speeding car comes honking and incessantly flashing powerful LED Beams towards you causing you eye pain and driving distraction which can be dangerous, sadly the thing is my WagonR doesn't even come with manual dimming IRVM and no way I can dim it, but I really wish to somehow fit Baleno's/Brezza's Auto dImming IRVM to enhance my night drive comfort, I've seen people fitting electrochromic mirror especially Honda City's IRVM into other cars. So I ask fellow BHPians have anybody done this kind of mod if they happen to own WagonR of my vintage and can you please shed light how I can do it. Suggestions and advice really appreciated.
  
  
• Colour TouchScreen Stereo system- Sometimes even when you're travelling in known places you do require Google Maps and during those times I've to rely on my cellphone which can be dangerous and obviously distracting, additionally my WagonR doesn't even have a USB input(it required a very unique Adaptor which was Made In Japan and was never available with my dealer), therefore I have decided to upgrade the stereo to a colour touchscreen system, I'm against those Android screens even though they offer many features because they don't fit flush and somehow don't suit my taste I want more of an MGA Approved sort of flush fitting system which is why I've finalised on the Sony XAV AX3200(long name yes, but Sony fans like me are used to it viz WH1000XM3, WF1000XM5 etc) attaching the link of MGA website itself https://www.marutisuzuki.com/genuine...90j0m83kd9-670

Lastly, as promised attaching the headlight performance of the new lights.

Blue-eyed boy literally gets blue eyes:)


Very satisfactory low beams(dipper)


Extremely powerful high beams(upper)
.

If you have reached till the end I'm extremely thankful to you all since hardly people show any love towards these cars let alone such an old one but at the end of the day a true enthusiast loves all types of cars without any discrimination.

Thank you
Tony

We have one parked for life with us too.
I was amazed at how similar our use case was, is and so is ashis89's.
Seems like the blue-eyed-boys chose their drivers rather than the other way round and I remember saying the same for the S-Cross too :)

True, not a car you drool over but over the years I have nothing but respect for it. It made me understand why cars like the wagonR sell consistently and value what they bring to the table and the ubiquitous "Maruti benefits".

After 8+ years, I can concur that if one wants to understand why something sells which shouldn't, own one.

Happy to read about your WagonR story. Glad you are keeping it.

Just wanted to confirm on the lights as they look way better than Phillips extreme vision pro. I was looking to upgrade my Swift's headlight and went for Xtreme vision pro but the improvement is marginal and I am still looking for something better. Is it G-XP3? Or GPX3?

Thank you for appreciating my WagonR story!

The lights are AutoBahn F5 G-XP3, any typing error in the original post is highly regretted, yes these lights are very satisfactory and have improved night visibility by miles.

Additionally for your Swift you can also try out Philips Ultinon Access LEDs, these are also same plug&play type and additionally they come in two varieties, if you want white lights you can get one and if you like slightly warmer color temperature which should give a good throw during rain and fog there's that type too. I'm too keen on getting the latter one for my i20 soon.

Co-incident or destined my dad's WagonR bears a JH01 number plate only :).



Exactly, not everybody wants a garage queen because honestly speaking in today's day and age we need at least a no-nonsense practical car which will fulfill the functional requirement as a means of transport without any fuss, doesn't have any special dietary requirements, requires very nominal maintenance, has lower repair costs and insurance premium, add up all the factors in today's time of job and finance insecurity you'll realise why MSIL cars make so much sense. One of my friend has a Baleno 1.2, it's a 2021 model but due to very heavy running has already crossed 240000kms and apart from minor rattles in the cabin the car runs perfectly, there's no unwanted sound from the engine bay, pickup is effortless and clutch is feather light, also as an added bonus even though his car is one above base Delta variant it comes with factory fitted rear wash wipe and very BRIGHT LED headlights which do a fab job of lighting up the road ahead, in fact honestly speaking even I used to look down upon Baleno as a cheaply built, shoddy hatchback just made to look premium but once I drove that car it has earned my respect!

The only new car today which I find worthy of replacing the WagonR(if I ever do and highly unlikely) would be the Honda Elevate, it has Japanese origin and thus usual traits of QDR, additionally it gets some useful goodies like LED Projector Headlights and Foglights, 17" wheels with Bridgestone Turanza tyres and fuss free ownership experience of a Honda with upto 10years warranty! Like WagonR it ain't a looker at all, neither it has features nor a hi-fi Turbo Petrol/Diesel engine option with DCT box but one thing for sure it won't give you nightmares during its entire ownership period with you. Honestly speaking, in 2024 Indian market is too immature to understand Honda Cars.

Anyways, thanks for reading my post and hope you too have good times with your WagonR in the future. Wish you a happy festive season ahead! :)

Just like you, I’ve grown to love my 2013 i10, and want to retain it for the longest time possible. But being a manual and father being a senior citizen, (and me mostly staying out of country) would mean that the i10 would probably only sit in my garage for a good 2 or 3 more years before it is swapped out for an automatic.

Cheers mate. You wouldn’t find a similar car with no nonsense ability in today’s time. Enjoy the baby while it lasts.

- Nice, we might bump into each other(figuratively) at some point then :)
- Love the interiors of the Elevate ZX along with the brilliant iVTEC and as I have heard, excellent ride and handling like the GrandVitara/HyRyder but personally its the Elevate for me too.

But I still find it hard to replace the wagonR. During the last 12 months I desperately wanted the K12B in the garage and an automatic to make things easy for my father in our traffic and had zeroed in on the Ignis as a worthy replacement but it didn't work out then. What I felt was that the spaciousness you feel in the wagonR has really spoilt us even though we never use the available headroom.
But if I have to pick an upgrade for city duties, I would choose the Brezza so that I retain the Maruti benefits :)

Happy Festivities to you and your loved ones too.

What a nice and heartfelt sentiment filled write up.
I am 100% with you. Love these old cars. They have ‘Soul’. Thanks for sharing this story!

I can see some parallels with my story of the blue eyed boy. Now, its only been two days since I handed it over to the dealer for exchanging it for a new Honda Elevate VX CVT, I am already feeling lost, especially as I am still awaiting delivery of my new car.

I took delivery on the dame day, the same breeze blue, albeit LXi. I had just become the father of my second child and upgrading from a bike to a car had become a necessity. I took a few driving classes before the purchase, honed my skills on this car and and what a ride it has been!

I have driven it all over Kerala and even took it to Ooty, while I was settled at Calicut. I have driven it in the crazy Delhi traffic and negotiated the jam packed NH-24 during the rush hours.
Couldn't agree more. It has always been my trusted workhorse and the appreciation was always there in the background. When I had decided to exchange it for a new automatic car, driven by my chronic back pain and resulting occasional numbness in my left leg, the appreciation only grew deeper. After taking test drives of other cars, when I drove my blue eyed boy, I felt like I was not missing much, the suspension is good enough, the seats are comfortable enough, the noise is nothing that some good music can't overcome and the engine is nimble and responsive enough. It's just my back and leg that prompted me to change.

I hope the Elevate serves me equally well!

Actually, I would have loved to keep it, considering that it had only done 67K, and how smooth a transition it was from the driving lessons to actually driving this car. My daughter has crossed 16 and an year or two down the line, she might have used it to practice her driving. More so because it had manual transmission and I think it is important to know how to drive a manual car even though she might end up driving an automatic anyway. But alas! economic concerns didn't allow me to keep it and I had to let it go with a heavy heart.

My 12 year ownership was reasonably trouble free, apart from the occasional puncture and replacement required for the clutch, battery and the AC compressor.

What made me happy was the unexpectedly good resale value. I almost got the price I named, 2.35L to be exact, having asked for 2.5.
Again I agree. It felt like parting with a family member and even my children looked longingly, almost tearfully, at the car as it was being driven away by the dealer.

So long, my dear blue eyed boy! I will always remember you with a smile.

Here are some parting shots for those interested, sorry for the not so good photos and the paunch rl: