The Aria has crossed 50,000kms in less than 2 years of ownership. Have been leading a sedate life as far as driving is concerned in the last 9 months else would have crossed 65,000 kms in normal course.
Latest Significant update post the Konkan experience has been the replacement of the DMF (Dual Mass Flywheel, associated stuff and the Clutch and Pressure plates) besides the Gearbox all under warranty. Yes the Clutch and Pressure plates would have worn out in normal course as well but when checked they still had 40% + life left but it would have been fool hardy to not replace them when the other elements in the chain were being changed. Explained my position - to Tata Motors CSM who had initially felt that I should pay for the Clutch and Pressure plates since the car had reached close to 50,000 kms - that I would have possibly not needed to relplace them till 75k-80k kms if it were not for the DMF (which had developed vibrations.) So that was a goodwill gesture from TATA but backed by logic from my end to nudge them towards it. Need to thank Rakesh(W), Devendra(W), Sujoy(S) and Natrajan(S) from TATA in the Service dept acoss west and south India for their support at various times. Besides Wasan Motors Service Advisor Sunder Suverna who was a great help at all times even if I was outstation. Machines have issues (some more than others) it is the handling of issues that matter the most to me. Machines have issues - some more than others - it is handling of issues that matters the most to me. Makes living with a TATA possible.
For those who feel I am going soft even in the face of issues, lets skip the conversation on what caused this early replacement requirement at this stage and reliabilty etc. we have discussed that enough at various times, I guess. To sum up I feel that a failure of any of the element in the Gearbox, clutch, DMF path has an impact on the other elements if not detected soon enough.
The Transmission now feels as smooth as when new - of course it is now new.
Do need to mention here that my Laura DMF had also need to be replaced at about 45k-50k kms and it had costed me Rs. 43,000 then as it was out of the 2 year warranty, but here since this was well within warranty it was replaced at company cost and also that it cost about Rs. 25,000 with labour and taxes for that part. So in terms of part cost it is signicantly lower than in the similarly priced TATA than in the Skoda inspite of rationalization of Skoda spare part prices in recent times.
Also for info of all: Skoda Laura too has SMF (single mass flywheel) option as a replacement of the DMF for certain models.
And the Aria Pure LX that has just been introduced to go below the 10L pricepoint skips on DMF with a SMF to save on costs. It then goes very close the the Innova in bare bones specs though it still has higher power, GC, All round disk brakes and larger tyres.
Have not forgotten to post the Konkan experience snaps will do so soon, need to select and resize them as yet.