[BulZire]

verditer, I saw you yesterday around 5 PM in Sapphire Toys koromangala-Sony world signal with your family. I was running to catch a guy in OASIS mall, so couldn't stop and speak to you. May be next time we will have a chat.

[verditer]

Originally Posted by BulZire

verditer, I saw you yesterday around 5 PM in Sapphire Toys koromangala-Sony world signal with your family. I was running to catch a guy in OASIS mall, so couldn't stop and speak to you. May be next time we will have a chat.

Hey BUL - good to know. Yes,, we were there at that time doing some shopping.
Catch you sometime.

[verditer]

The brake pedal was having too much play, and braking effect was very less even after fully depressing the pedal, for last 2 days.
Took her to KHT this afternoon, and Sharanappa found that the brake oil was almost empty, and on further checking, was leaking from front right brake caliper side.

He took 1/2 hour to replace a washer and top up the oil. Braking is back to good now.

[verditer]

Time for some pics - Parked at home after a nice Sunday wash and wax.

[verditer]

It has been pending for a while now, so I took her out today to Tyre Empire and got the wheels aligned, balanced and 5 wheel rotated.

She is approaching 25000, and runs like a horse at its prime.
Super smooth, ever ready to sprint.
Nothing to complain about, just 1 or 2 squeaks and rattles that I'm closing in on the culprit.

Will write a little elaborate review after 25K.
What worries me is very soon we will go in for the 30K service which is the last free service!!! But yea, I'm enjoying her like anything. Each KM is a pleasure.

[verditer]

This is the 8th month since purchase, and Bulgy completed crossed 25000 kms on the Odo yesterday. Very very satisifed and thrilled to own this beast - a boyhood dream.

There haven't been any major issues till date with her - just continues to run like a horse from Day 1.
The engine is smooth and I love to hear that purring when is cruising around 2K rpm.

I love everything about her, and there are only very few things I wish were better
- Couple of squeaks here and there, need to fix
- The NVH is a little higher than comfortable when you rev up to upshift, it does get really smooth after the upshift though. Minor irritant


She is a car that will keep you involved with her throughout the ownership. You will want to change this or that, add this or that now and then; she will have a squeak or two to look into by you occasionally; some sensor or a minor device may malfunction - you may take her to TASS or it will resolve by itself sometimes; you become finicky about wheel alignment, balancing and rotation every 10K or so; and there is always this ever present desire to take her out for a real long drive;

Space, Road Presence, Highway Comfort, Strong Burst of Power after 2K RPM that will leave other cars far behind, Driver View, Good Looks Turn Heads and so on are highlights of this wonderful car. You gotta drive her to feel it. She can be a tame elephant swaying side to side if you drive her sedately, and at the same time she can become a raging bull that demands and takes respect on the road and keep surging ahead if you drive her spiritedly.

On the nicks and cuts side, I broke a rear fog lamp and the left rear view mirror - both my faults - and need to be fixed as soon as I can manage a couple of hours. And yes, she has a couple of minor scratches here and there as testimony to some misadventures and bravery on the road.

[BulZire]

Nice short review from a true safari lover. Had seen your Bulgy couple of times around ITPL and koromangala, still it looks new out of showroom. Wish you many more hassle free miles in it.

any lateral upgrade planned ? like tyres, alloys, ICU, 3M's ?

And what's that yellow sticker on the driver door ?

[verditer]

Hi Bul - thanks for your kind words.

No lateral upgrades planned at this time - but have in mind to fit a nudgeguard and a luggage rack sometime in near future..

The yellow sticker on the driver door is the Camel Trophy logo sticker I got through brother from UK. Cool huh? :-)

[recker_us]

Originally Posted by verditer

What worries me is very soon we will go in for the 30K service which is the last free service!!! But yea, I'm enjoying her like anything. Each KM is a pleasure.

Hi Suresh,
Good to see the black bull serving you like a charm
Did you check whether you can buy an AMC now? I had bought an AMC covering free service till 40000km for 15k. With just 6000 kms done in 4 months, looks like I wont need to spend on servicing for next 2 years.

[verditer]

Originally Posted by recker_us

Hi Suresh,
Good to see the black bull serving you like a charm
Did you check whether you can buy an AMC now? I had bought an AMC covering free service till 40000km for 15k. With just 6000 kms done in 4 months, looks like I wont need to spend on servicing for next 2 years.

Hi Recker_US(JP?) - I am not comfortable giving a lumpsum for AMC - I think it suits me to bear the service costs as and when they occur - more over when I looked at the AMC charges, it was very high for high mileage plans so didn't go for it.

Anyway it is such a joy and pleasure to drive her, and she serves the family like anything - so I am happy to spend on her service charges and other bills. Fuel economy is also good, so no complaints.

[verditer]

Bulgy went in for her 4th Free Service (30K service) today at KHT; she is at 29,600kms.

Few minor niggles/issues were
-Replace rear right fog lamp (had broken it couple of months ago)
-Rear left door unable to open from inside even with child lock not on
-Vibration in front bonnet grill when engine is running - something loose
-Wipers to be replaced, been leaving streaks and noisy for some time
-Told to check timing belt
-SA Ramesh said he'll check brake pads, if required will replace

Hope KHT does a good job with this important service.

[kaviprem]

Originally Posted by verditer

...
-Replace rear right fog lamp (had broken it couple of months ago)
...

Out of curiosity, where is the "rear" fog lamps in [your] Safari ?

Prem.

[verditer]

Originally Posted by kaviprem

Out of curiosity, where is the "rear" fog lamps in [your] Safari ?

Prem.

Ok, I meant this one. Is there a different name to it? :-)

[kaviprem]

^^ Oopsie ... I am assuming its just a reflector. Is there a lamp inside and a fog lamp ?
I really need to check my VX !!!

Prem.

[verditer]

Originally Posted by kaviprem

^^ Oopsie ... I am assuming its just a reflector. Is there a lamp inside and a fog lamp ?
I really need to check my VX !!!

Prem.

Yes sir, you need to really check your VX. :-) There is a lamp inside my Nov 2010 EX.