The carmaker will focus on the T6 platform, that underpins the Everest and Ranger.

Ford is reportedly gearing up for its next innings in India. The brand is returning to the Indian market with the next-gen Endeavour but is unlikely to bring the EcoSport, Figo and Aspire back.

According to a media report, Ford will not bring smaller petrol or diesel models to the market. The carmaker will focus on the T6 platform, that underpins the Everest and Ranger.

Quoting an unnamed source, the report states, “That chapter [of made-in-India mass-market internal combustion engine models] is closed. Out internal combustion engine play in India will only be limited to T6 products.”

The Ford Everest and Ranger pickup have already been spotted in testing in India. Both models are being evaluated for local assembly, however the decision to start production would depend on the company’s EV plan.

Speaking of EVs, Ford is said to be working on an affordable EV based on a new platform. The low-cost EV platform is expected to spawn products that will rival the Tesla Model 3.

Source: Autocar India

The BMW G 310 GS, the EcoSport, the Jimny and the Gypsy King is my dream garage & I have them all.

BHPian Akash_1806 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hello everyone,

It has been quite some time since this thread was last updated. Work and responsibilities at home have kept me busy.

In my previous post, I admitted that I was too lazy to write an ownership review of all the vehicles at home. Hence, I will be posting timely updates here on this thread.

Also, the TBHP sticker set arrived and was applied to the rides.

Starting with the two-wheeled madness - BMW G 310 GS

The baby GS has clocked around 4000 kms, slightly less than my intended mileage. Delhi winters and a busy schedule are to blame for that. I went on a few short rides to Jewar and Leopard Trail, Gurgaon, in between.

The brake lever broke again while the bike was parked in Sector 18, Noida. I have ordered a replacement, which will be installed in a week or two.

Impressions after almost a year of riding:

1. One of the best motorcycles in the segment, whether in looks, drivetrain, build quality, or simply in its ability to bring a smile to my face every time I pick up the keys.
2. The gear shifting has improved significantly. As the 310 has a reverse inclined engine, shifting can be a little hard. However, adjusting the chain tension has helped.
3. Ride quality is amazing, handling potholes and bumps effortlessly.
4. No vibrations, no rattles, no drama. It rides like a charm.

Moving on to the family's daily runners, Ford 1.0 Ecosport

This one recently crossed the 80,000 km mark and will soon undergo servicing. NCR traffic has taken a toll on the clutch, which needs to be checked as it has become a little stiff. Additionally, the front suspension is due for replacement.

Recent experiences with Ford have not been great. The vehicle was taken to Gautam Buddh Ford for suspension replacement twice but was returned without any work being done. They started with excuses, blaming lateness for appointments, claiming the vehicle needed extensive work, and suggesting leaving it at the dealership for a few days, etc. I believe it is time to switch dealerships as I intend to keep this vehicle for the long term.

Quick question - When should the timing belt be replaced in the 1.0 Ecosport? The manual states it is fitted for life, but I consider it more of a gimmick. Any suggestions would be helpful.

Next, my trusted steed - Maruti Jimny Zeta AT

Well, this one has been my go-to car due to its automatic transmission, which is extremely convenient for city driving. It has completed 9000 km and will soon undergo the third free service/first oil change.

I have made a few cosmetic changes like adding Jimny Graphics from Nexa and a sticker set from our group, 'Cars of Hindustan - Driving for a Cause.' on both the front doors.

Off-road drives with the Jimny have been nothing but fun. Compared to the Gypsy, it can tackle similar terrain but with more comfort.

Observations after almost 7 months:

1. The K15B engine does not feel underpowered in my usage. The gearbox always seems to be in the right gear and does not hesitate to downshift when needed.
2. Performance with stock tyres has been more than satisfactory, both on and off-road. However, I am struggling to find the right tyre pressure. 26 PSI seems too low, and anything higher increases bouncing at the rear. Still experimenting.
3. No matter what the world thinks about this car, it turns heads. People look at it, stare at it, and even slow down on the road. I have started to enjoy these reactions.

Raw power? Yup, the King - Maruti Gypsy 1.3 MPFI

She saw the least usage in the past few months due to a lack of time and my inability to attend meets and events. Tried attaching a video of her cold start after almost 2 months of hibernation, but got some error.

There were a few issues in the past few months:

1. The starter relay malfunctioned, replaced.
2. Starter wiring was also replaced.
3. The clutch cable was replaced twice. Once when it snapped in the middle of a drive and the second time when the previous replacement was not done properly.
4. The wiring for the tachometer needs to be checked as it is not working.
5. Needs to be detailed; the paint has become quite rough and uneven (it is time for some TLC which has been pending for too long).

These are the updates and observations about my 'dream garage,' as I prefer to call it. I will be updating this thread regularly, provided I overcome my laziness and get back to what I love most, anything and everything on wheels.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The AC guys checked the AC functioning since the cooling was on top form - he suspected this to be because of Engine overheating. He wanted me to get the water pump, Thermostat and Radiator checked.

BHPian peterjim13 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

UPDATE

I do not remember when was the last time I updated here. But I had some eventful December, Jan & Feb and now the car is back at FASS on a problem that I think should be the root cause.

November - December 2023:

While I was preparing myself to leave with the issue, I noticed one more thing along the same lines.

After short drives or city drives especially with AC on - I observed that my radiator fan is mostly on High Speed, and then the compressor goes off. In a short time, the Fan goes back to low speed - but in a few seconds, the compressor comes back with a click.

So the jerk is that of the AC compressor going on and off. (my assumption)

While I was driving home for the Christmas holidays I had an uneventful drive until about 4 hours of drive till I reached the Wayanad hairpins. While I was preparing to take a steep climb on a curve, dropping down from 3rd gear to 2 within traffic - I felt a very strong power drop. The engine was running on AC, but the car did not have sufficient power to pull the RPMs up. I managed to park off the road, amidst a lot of honking.

I switched off the AC - and kept the car running for another 3-4 minutes and had the radiator fan go off. I started driving and it looked like nothing like this had happened.

FNG at Sulthan Bathery New Indian Service: Presented the car and they did not find anything, but attributed it to the loose accessory belt. Replaced it. - even I was not sure.

Drove back in January, planning to take this to the AC guy. But January and Feb became packed for me because of a family tragedy, where I couldn't spare time to look at it.

Car AC guy in Cochin Automobia, Kakkanad: Fast Forward to March - This Monday I took the car to the AC guys since I am travelling again to Wayanad this weekend and I also have another hill station drive planned shortly.

The AC guys checked the AC functioning since the cooling was in top form - he suspected this to be because of Engine overheating. He wanted me to get the water pump, Thermostat, and Radiator checked.

To iron out the resistor which helps the radiator fan switch between speeds, he poured some water into the condenser and we could see the radiator fan moving down from high speed.

FASS Cochin Kairali Ford, Kakkanad: Drove straight to the FASS, and after a day they looked at a pump closer to the Thermostat not heating up enough like it is expected to be after running. I hope the car geeks would understand this scenario better.

They suspect that the thermostat is not pumping sufficient coolant to manage the engine temperature as coolant levels are closer to max.

I feel:

• My car lost power on the hairpin as the engine heated up after a long drive.
• I learned that the AC compressor cuts off itself when the engine heats up.

By logic, this should solve it. But I am sad that I had to have the AC guy find it and not the FASS.

I am hoping to get an update today. By the way thermostat and coolant need to be replaced and may come close to 5K.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Ford has also filed a design patent for the new-gen Endeavour in India.

Ford has reportedly filed a new design patent for a mid-size SUV in India. This has sparked speculations about a possible replacement for the EcoSport.

The patent image reveals a front ¾ view of the SUV. It appears to be a mid-size SUV that could rival the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and Maruti Grand Vitara. It has a wide hexagonal grille with three-piece LED lights, flared wheel arches and a small rear quarter glass.

There have been rumours about Ford making a return to the Indian market. A design patent for the new-gen Endeavour was filed last month. It is said that the popular SUV could be introduced as a CBU around 2025.

More recently, the carmaker trademarked the Mustang Mach-E nametag in India. The electric crossover is expected to compete with premium EVs like the Mercedes EQE, BMW iX and the Audi Q8 e-tron.

That being said, Ford has been tight-lipped about its future plans for India.  

Source: Rushlane

Almost all my road trips will have circuitous route so that there is some variety and thrill while travelling.

BHPian jithin23 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Disclaimer This travelogue is going to be a lengthy one and I hope I am considered a normal person! I could find some time on a weekend to finish this travelogue as I'm on constant travel almost every weekend due to my personal and social commitments. I have clicked only a few pics from these mammoth drives as I had a very simple phone and I like to keep my experiences raw and real as well as re-live them by narrating over here. Most of you might be familiar with the mods and the build I've done on my car, but I also like to put all the mods on the car to good use by driving it around too

All work and no play make Jithin a dull man, right! Well, this man(yours truly) has been travelling like crazy for a long time but in 2022, The Red Dragon took him to places he had only written down on a piece of paper while graduating from College on a motorcycle was his dream. Such travels are still a dream for many and the Almighty has blessed me with good health and sufficient opportunities to explore the planet. Well, the place is almost the map of India. To top it off 80% of the drive was solo(Even if friends have accompanied me on this trip, I'll be the one behind the wheel and to speak as not all are familiar with Hindi). I've driven crazy distances and never felt fatigued despite the geographical changes and language barriers(I love to learn different languages as that is a major bridge for forging some really great bonds with people). Plus I was always inclined to Geography as a child and loved observing maps and atlases.

Of course, I have a few more states pending to visit and nobody has ever completed studying the entire syllabus for an exam right. So I wanted to leave out a few places so that I can travel those places with my future better half, else I'll be bored by saying I've seen almost all the places in India and she will give me a kicking as well. Plus when I travel abroad in the future I want to be in a position to tell that yes, I've been across India and I can understand the diversity it offers. To experience that diversity, there's nothing better than a road trip(rail too is fine) as it gives you the autonomy and flexibility to do whatever you want, wherever you want! The travelogues on team-bhp were partly an inspiration for me to do such drives, and I wanted to execute such drives on my own. I might remember only some of the places of stay or food as it has been more than a year since I returned from these trips.

Some of you might think why I'm not posting too much on Instagram or I could have been a YouTuber. I want to enjoy the present and live in the moment at that place and not be carried away by curating videos(no offence to the Youtubers or Instagrammers) and there are many who do it as a means of living and I respect their choice. Like I mentioned earlier, I want my experiences to be read and I have documented this for my future reference. And of course, you folks are aware of the after-effects of the place after one influencer goes to a particular place or restaurant for example. I believe in word-of-mouth experiences. Plus I do not refer much to any travel forum too so that I can get a proper feel of travelling on my own.

Some might even think after reading this travelogue, how on earth does this guy pull it off! I'll give a bit of a background for the same. In the year 2008( I was in class 7) and Volvo buses were the fad in Bangalore back then. I was supposed to watch a movie in Inox(this too was a fad back then) with my friends but for some reason, my friends ditched the movie plan. I took a bus pass and started exploring the city bit by bit alone. Back then in one single day, I travelled from Majestic to Kadugodi, then Majestic in the same Volvo. Again from Majestic to Nelamangala and back in the same bus and then from Majestic to Attibele to Silk Board to my locality near Kalyan Nagar. Full paisa vasool of that pass(I still remember it was 150 Rs for the Vajra day pass and that itself was pricey) as well as explored the then tourist spots such as Isckon and the likes and the rest is history! There are some more insane stories of mine but I think I'll keep that a secret(Take a guess: Varaanam Aayirram-inspired scene, however, I travelled within India itself during college days).

Moreover, what's the point of paying an EMI on the car when it's not put to use properly. I remember a saying as well: "The more miles a car is driven, its value depreciates but the experiences of that individual increase in value". Plus in my case, the car and experiences are immense. My parents have had no issues with my travel as long as I'm working and earning for myself because I remember that my parents were like you're free to do whatever you want after you start earning and I started living my dream one by one as we never know what's in store for us the next day. We can earn money in several legal ways but the bonds with people and the memories are priceless, no amount of money can suffice that. My Travels might be a bit extreme on a short notice, my style of travel is a bit different and I do not click too many pics as well, as I always like to tell a story. Please read it with an open mind and perspective. I'm sharing my personal perspective and learnings from the trip over here, so kindly bear with the long hours of driving and jumping state by state. I love to drive so much because I felt connected with an automobile, I was deprived of driving, a lack of a car for the initial 4-5 years after I earned my license. I then decided, that one day I would drive across the world in my own car and start with the home country first! My personal best has been 1200kms in 14 hours from Bangalore to Nagpur, 1000 kms in 11 hours(Bangalore-Shirdi).

I'm really grateful to all my friends, acquaintances, family, and the Indian Army(at the borders) for helping me on such crazy drives! These drives are a testament and a token of gratitude to the travel, automobile community, and Ford, you have given me a lot of firsts in my life! For making my life better right from my first flight to visit the factory(partly sponsored by Ford!) to my first relationship(the girl asked me out seeing my travel stories, now back to being happily single), my first job(I narrated how I got the First EcoSport and the cross country drive), the first car I sat in(A 1998 Ford Escort 1.8D), my first own car(My Red Dragon) and a lot more, especially great friends who are family within as well as outside the Bhpian community. Without it I would have still been without an identity and purpose in my life.

The Blue EcoSport has taken me to another country,(An unplanned drive: Bangalore to Bhutan in an EcoSport) the Red made me explore the country in detail. I'll focus more on the travels with the Red Dragon and I've split the Pan-India Drive into two parts:

Part 1. Bangalore - Leh- Bangalore (7,800 kms): This was during June-July 2022

Part 2. Bangalore - North East(Upto Tawang)- Bangalore(9,800 kms): This was during Oct-Nov 2022.

Almost all my road trips will have a circuitous route so that there is some variety and thrill while travelling. I have condensed the information over here as much as possibe and I have left out explaining about places or things to do as many Bhpians or Google Ammayi have shared info on these. I'll be sharing only my experiences here.

P.S.: Both were unplanned trips. I just empty my closet into the car's boot and off we go!

My OEM+ Steed without the Shelby grill

Without further Ado, let's take off into this travelogue!

Part 1: Getting Leh'd for the second time(this time by car from home)

Day 1: The Random Rush(21 June 2022)

Distance Driven: 1,087 km(Bangalore-Nagpur)

Time Taken: 15h 38m

After a hard day's work and meetings, I was thinking I hadn't driven much this year and I always wanted to drive to every place in the country and I was bored of driving within South India, so I just emptied my closet into the car's boot and I set off on the highway with the compass pointing towards North on the Speedo. I usually carry a baseball bat, a portable inverter(so that I can work from the car itself) tyre inflator, and repair kit and a water can. Plus some muesli to snack up as I don't prefer processed snacks much.

Set off from home at midnight and reached Hyderabad by 7 am. Crashed into a friend's PG for a few hours to get some sleep and met a fellow EcoSport owner, had a sumptuous lunch(of course Biryani!) at Pista house and I continued my journey towards Nagpur by 3.30 PM. The overall drive for this stretch is uneventful, but I like the reserve forest stretch after Adilabad which feels like driving in a vast expanse of foliage. This was the first time I was traversing beyond the Deccan Plateau by car and I cherished driving every single km of my drive. Energy levels were quite high and I used to take a break after every 150-200km or 2 hrs 30 min.

Booked a stay near Ganeshpeth in Nagpur and I called it a day by 10.30 and completed some work till 12 am (I was working in night shift during 2022). All I had thought was I'd reach Delhi and then let the steering decide the direction for me.

A few pics from Day 1

An average range of 800+kms tank to tank is impressive

Kashmir ain't that far away

I like the Adilabad stretch from Hyd-Nagpur

Stay at Nagpur

Distance for today

Day 2: Dilwalo Ki Dilli!(22/23 Jun 2022)

Distance Driven: 1,080 km(Nagpur-Delhi)

Time Taken: 16h 10m

Started off a bit late from Nagpur by 10 am after having breakfast at Haldirams, buying the OG Nagpur orange for the trip, and within no time I reached Pench National Park. What amazed me was the way the roads are built over a forest thereby ensuring hassle-free movement of vehicles above and animals below the bridge. I was grinning ear to ear as the stretches were scenic though the region is arid. Was gunning the car down as though I was driving on a track and the car was sticking to the road like a rail!

Nagpur Oranges

One of the several tank fills

Once you enter MP, the roads get even more deserted and the weather gets hotter. By noon I was scouting for food options, so I zeroed in on Midway Treat by MP Tourism as I'm skeptical to try random food joints on the highway as I'll be travelling for at least 2 weeks. Had parathas and panner curry and then I set off further into the hinterlands as the sun was setting on the horizon, I reached Jhansi and stopped for a quick kullhad chai plus sutta break(I quit smoking now as I write this travelogue). The dragon has been an amazing companion and I did not feel one bit tired despite driving crazy distances at crazy speeds. Attended a couple of meetings in the car itself and then I stopped at a Rajasthani Restaurant in Gwalior. Started at 10 pm from Gwalior and reached Delhi by 3 am via the Yamuna Expressway. The drive on the expressway was surreal and I hit some mad speeds on that road. Reached a friend's place and slept for the day in Delhi.

A quick cladding wash

Bangalore to Delhi Stats

Day 3: Manali Madness

Distance Driven: 508 km(23/24 June 2022)

Time Taken: 16h 21m

We started off a bit late close to 11 pm in order to avoid traffic at Delhi. I had taken my friend along too(though I was driving for the maximum amount of time) as he hadn't travelled much within the country. We stop at Amrik Sukhdev Dhaba for a sumptuous dinner(the usual Parantha and Subzi when in North India). Post dinner, we sped past Chandigarh in a couple of hours and the cops had flagged me down for tint. I have sunshades and mild tint on the car so that the interiors remain cool, so I paid the fine to the cops and started ascending Himachal within 40-50 kms from Chandigarh.

Once you enter Himachal, it is all a touristy vibe up to Sissu. We were stopped by a harrier en route after he saw me zipping past him. He enquired where I was from and he thought I was from Kerala(by my looks and my car). Most of them in the North have a perception that if a South Indian is travelling by car that means they're from Kerala, then I sit and tell them that I'm from Karnataka as my car has KA plates. We were driving slowly in the traffic and reached Manali for lunch and we stopped for the day.

As I decided that today was a rest day, after some scouting we found a place to stay and I bought a jerry can(basically an old oil can) and a tow rope as I know that the terrain beyond Manali is unforgiving. After refreshing, we went to Hadimba temple and Mall Road in Manali. That was the time I decided that would be my only visit/stay in Manali as it was too crowded even in June.However, the vintage Manali charm was missing.

In terms of food, Siddu(an XL-sized momo) was really tasty and I liked the night vibe in some of the cafes in Manali.

One funny incident was my manager somehow got wind that I was not in Bangalore(that year WFH was allowed and I made the best use of it by travelling every week!), called me up that night and he started stating some HR policy that you have to inform if you're out of Bangalore, I told him that VPN rule applies if you travel overseas and not within the country as per the policy and I like to keep my personal interests away from my work and colleagues unless I vibe well with them. Then I sorted the work scene and he told me to apply for leave I asked him for a week's leave and he approved it immediately and I had to return back to Bangalore on the 8th day! Till then I used to work and attend meetings in the car or hotel wherever I stayed during my shift hours.

The stay at Manali

Day 4: Ascent towards Hanle

Distance Driven: 320 km(25 June 2022)

Time Taken: 12 hrs

We started driving towards Leh road and the traffic was at its peak till Tandi. I fueled up the car the previous night itself and filled the Jerry can too as I know that in Tandi there will be a huge line for fuel because from Tandi to Leh, there are no fuel pumps at all! Not even a bit of vegetation. Almost everyone wanted a pic at the Rohtang tunnel which further added to the time.We stopped at a kutty restaurant for a quick snack and food stop and I didn't click too many pics at Suraj Tal either as it was too crowded. Felt almost like a jaathre(which means a crowded market/mela in Kannada) there(even in Khardung La as well). Then we were gaining good pace and the topography was rapidly changing with a dip in weather. We quickly crossed Jispa by noon and the roads were literally a bliss to drive.

At Jispa

By evening we crossed the Gata loops as there was a truck which turned turtle while he was negotiating a turn. Plus Gata loops were fun to drive with a tuned car but perilous at the same time as there are no guard rails and one wrong move, you're gone! We also saw a toppled Ecosport too over there. We stopped for Maggi and I had already downloaded offline maps, I was looking for a place to crash for the night. We stopped near Tso Kar tents and surprisingly we had natural light till 7.30-8 ish in the evening in this part of the country. The Harrier gang split towards Leh and Me and my friend towards Tso Kar.

That frame!

Day 5: A failed attempt to Umling La and then to Leh

Distance Driven: 350 km(25 June 2022)

Time Taken: 14 hrs

We started early around 5 am towards Hanle and after some mild off-roading and stream crossings, we reached a place called Mahe(not the one in Kerala) and wrote the details of my car and my ID.I always carry my passport in if I'm travelling across the tropic of cancer in my car as I might drift off to another country if I feel like it. After Mahe, I missed noticing a gap in the road, and my car got stuck in that gap. Luckily the car didn't slip off into the ditch nearby and there was a BRO truck filled with laboureres at the right time. I took their help and within 5 minutes we were back on the road again! We stopped at Nyoma for breakfast and to withdraw some money and I really loved the eerie silence and the aura around this place that I was just gazing at the nature and mountains for half an hour straight. Post Nyoma, there is a check post at Loma and I did not have a permit. Then I convinced the army personnel and they let me go as they saw my car's plates. A few stretches were being patched but the roads were very well maintained. by 10ish we reached Hanle and we spotted a few bikers and a UP16 Thar and asked them if they knew the route to Umling La. I went to the Hanle gompa and I was again sitting and viewing the mountains(I wish the roads the world over had a fuss-free system like the European Union). By noon we decided to head towards Umling La I tried going through 3 routes but my car's tyres were giving up and the battery was in its last stages. I tried the photi la route and this was under construction after a few kms. I also tried going along with some bikers by crossing a ground-type route but a GJ Skoda owner was like this route isn't good and he had to turn back. Talk about worst luck :(. Then I also wanted to try via Loma as there was a longer route to Umling la, but that was even more dangerous and as I knew my car's condition plus a solo driver(my friend was barely 20, so I couldn't risk putting his life under risk too), I decided that I'll head to Leh and visit Hanle and Umling La next time. Moreover, we didn't have any stay options too in Hanle as the places were full and I had only very limited cash in my wallet.

I thought this signboard was a sign of completing one of my bucket lists, but the list still remains on for a greater purpose

No man's land for kilometers and kilometers

Hanle Gompa is in the background. Next time I'll stay and visit the observatory too

We drove towards Leh, after helping an Army gypsy and a truck as its axle had broken. Fortunately, the. jerry can come to use and I could fill up half a tank of diesel in my car and continue towards Leh. At one of the Checkposts, I got lucky as one of the army personnel gave 2 packs of Juice and biscuits as he saw my car and me driving post dusk and by 10ish at night we reached Leh and stayed for the night at Sponbo guest house. It's a simple guesthouse with home-cooked food and car parking for 2 cars with a TT table. Wanted to explore Leh Market and stay for a day to rest.

A long drive to China Anyone?

Dragon gave itself and me a warning in the form of a weak battery by the ABS light glowing in the ignition. In another few kms, we would have conquered Umling La. Must have been 18,000+ ft for sure

Sometimes it is the journey, not the destination we need to focus on

Continue reading BHPian jithin23 report for more insights and information.

The mileage has improved greatly and the most heartening part- it’s munching miles just like the way it has been meant to.

BHPian ABHI_1512 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

1,60,000 km update:

Baahon completed the above landmark a few days back. The service for the same was done at the Ganges Ford service centre here in Calcutta and it was wonderful as usual. The best part was the service cost which came to below 4K and included the change of oil filter, AC filter, and engine oil. The Ford Happy Pocket Service is indeed a very commendable effort from a company which has stopped selling vehicles in the country a few years back.

The nozzle of the washer was also changed since the throw of the spray was less than normal. Apart from this, the usual tantrum of the boot release lever was also fixed.

The battery is also doing fine as of now and the battery report says the same. The clutch and the brake disks are doing well too and don’t need any immediate intervention. All in all, this service turned out to be the most routine.

Baahon is running just like new after the EGR cleaning. The mileage has improved greatly and the most heartening part- it’s munching miles just like the way it has been meant to. The sluggishness is all gone and during a recent highway run, it picked up speeds all too well.

Sharing some pictures from a recent highway run and for the season which heralds the arrival of the season, here in Bengal.

A few pictures from the Dimna lake near Jamshedpur. The other Ecosport in this post belongs to a good friend named Nayanjyoti from Guwahati who is a traveller in every sense. His Ecosport is also tuned and produces a whopping 140PS power after the remap. He and a few BHPians from Assam were part of the recent drive to Dalma range near Jamshedpur, more on that will be mentioned in the meet section soon.

And this last picture was very graciously clicked by BHPian ChiranjitP, can’t thank him enough.

So, this post concludes the report about the milestone as of now and I hope to keep adding to the miles as Baahon steps into its ninth year.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

An entry-level adventure tourer, a versatile petrol 4x4 with AT, a nimble turbo-petrol C-SUV and a raw and unadulterated project car.

BHPian Akash_1806 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I am starting this thread to share a 22-year-old's dream garage - a dream that took many years to materialize. It's a combination of vehicles, each excelling in its own segment. I won't delve into technical details and reviews, as there are already informative posts on our forum. Instead, I'll provide my observations, both pros and cons, based on my personal experience.

Starting with my background:

I'm 22 years old and work for a startup in North India. I've been a car enthusiast for as long as I can remember, and my passion began with my Hot Wheels collection, which now boasts more than 200 die-cast vehicles. I've been driving since I turned 18 and have covered over 1,50,000 kilometres in the past 4 years.

A brief overview of vehicles we've owned in the past:

• 1996 Bajaj Chetak: Purchased pre-owned in 1997 and sold in 2010, this scooter was driven 90,000 kilometres over 13 years by my grandfather.
• 1998 Hero-Honda Splendor: Bought new in 1998 and sold in 2019, this motorcycle covered a total of 2,32,000 kilometres in 21 years, ridden mostly by my father.
• 2000 Maruti 800 4 Speed: Acquired pre-owned in 2001 and sold in 2015, this car travelled 73,000 kilometres in 14 years, driven by both my father and grandfather.
• 2006 Hyundai Santro (Converted to CNG in 2013): This car served as a learning vehicle for me and my mother. We drove it for around 45,000 kilometres. It was purchased new in 2006 and sold in 2021, accumulating a total of 137,000 kilometres in 15 years within the family.
• 2014 Nissan Terrano: Purchased new in 2014 and sold in 2023, this SUV was driven for a total of 1,48,000 kilometres by my dad and me in 9 years, with 58,000 kilometres driven by me in 2 years.

Now, onto the title of the thread - A Dream Garage:

I've been planning to write a combined ownership report of all my vehicles, but I must confess, I'm a bit too lazy for that. However, I believe that each vehicle in my garage is unique in its own way and cannot be compared to each other or to any other vehicle. For my family and me, every machine is special, and it wouldn't be fair to compare them.

2023 BMW GS 310

The first time I saw the baby GS at Lutyens Motorrad, Okhla.

We purchased the baby GS brand new in April 2023 and have ridden it approximately 2,000 kilometres to date. This machine introduced us to modern-day motorcycles. The initial observations can be found here.

Pros:

• A well-engineered product resulting from the BMW-TVS partnership, evident in various aspects.
• It boasts sorted driving dynamics, providing a stable and reliable ride and handling experience.
• The build quality is top-notch, with no rattles or vibrations from the body or drivetrain.
• The 310cc reverse-inclined engine, generating 34bhp and 28nm, is smooth and offers decent fuel economy (averaging 35 kmpl in typical riding conditions). It doesn't heat up like other motorcycles in its segment.
• The upright seating and riding position, which were essential for me and my father, are comfortable.
• BMW's after-sales service and customer support have been excellent, with no major issues encountered.

Cons:

• The cost of spare parts and service is on the higher side. For instance, a brake lever replacement costs around Rs 6000, and the 1000 km service costs approximately Rs 5500. This cost reflects the premium associated with the BMW brand and customer service.
• While the engine is smooth and refined, the same cannot be said for the 6-speed gearbox. It feels clunky, and shifting between 1-N-2 and vice versa can be challenging.
• Although there are no vibrations or rattles, the bike becomes quite vibey around the seat and fuel tank at around 6000rpm.

2023 Maruti Suzuki Jimny Zeta AT

We took delivery of this vehicle on August 30, 2023, from Fairdeals Nexa, Sector-10, Noida. We've driven it around 600 kilometres so far. We were looking to replace our 2014 Nissan Terrano, and my dad was particularly impressed with the Jimny, especially its smooth and refined automatic transmission. The initial observations can be found here.

Pros:

• We adore Jimny's looks and its no-nonsense boxy design.
• The K15B+4AT combination feels decent, and it doesn't feel underpowered in our use case. The car always seems to be in the right gear (possibly due to having fewer gears).
• It's a proper petrol 4x4 AT with a low ratio and most of the bells and whistles, all under 17 lakhs. Features include 6 airbags, ABS, Hill Descent Control, Speed Chimes, Seatbelt reminders, and more.
• The NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) levels are excellent, especially when compared to my previous daily driver, a 1.5 K9K Diesel Nissan Terrano.
• With its compact body structure, lightweight, and 103hp on tap, this vehicle is fun to drive and handles small bumps and potholes exceptionally well.

Cons:

• Although the ride quality is better than the Thar, it doesn't quite match up to our Ecosport or the previously owned Terrano.
• The engine behaves like a turbo-petrol when it comes to fuel efficiency. Even the slightest touch on the accelerator pedal results in extremely low fuel efficiency. Coasting seems to be the only option for longer stretches.
• The stock tires are fine for on-road usage and extremely mild off-road trails. However, extreme rough road or off-road usage may necessitate a switch to all-terrain or mud-terrain tires.

2014 Ford Ecosport 1.0 Ecoboost Titanium

This vehicle was purchased pre-owned in 2021 with approximately 60,000 kilometres on the clock. It has covered around 20,000 kilometres to date, driven by my mom and dad.

Pros:

• The 1.0 3-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, producing 125hp (stock) and paired with a 5-speed MT, is extremely fun to drive.
• It handles like it's on rails, with no surprises in terms of ride quality and handling. I particularly enjoy the hatchback-like handling in corners.
• The spare parts and service costs are reasonable. We haven't encountered any issues with Ford's service so far, and we hope it remains the same.
• Loaded with features compared to the Terrano of the same manufacturing year.
• The build quality seems decent, and the NVH levels are on the better side.

Cons:

• The 1.0 turbo-petrol has mediocre fuel efficiency. City driving yields around 10 km/l, and sensible highway driving provide around 14 km/l.
• With Ford India's exit, we are uncertain about the quality of spare parts and service.
• The ride quality is acceptable but on the stiffer side. All the bumps and undulations are felt inside the cabin.
• The 1.0 3-cylinder engine doesn't sound good at higher RPMs. It's average at best, and the signature 3-cylinder vibrations become noticeable at higher RPMs.

The Project Car and Off-road Build, the 2005 Ex-Army Maruti Gypsy King 1.3 MPFI (prepped to taste)

I affectionately call it the 'King.' We acquired it in 2020 (it was registered in 2016 with a few modifications already done) and have driven it around 19,000 kilometres since then, mostly by me. It has undergone various modifications but remains as robust as any off-roader can be. It was built by Auto Attitudes in Noida, courtesy of a fellow BHPian, Amanpreet.

The list of mods includes:

1. FFE Side exit with Performance Headers.
2. K&N Air Filter, Conical type.
3. Gabriel Shock Absorbers.
4. One less leaf spring on each wheel.
5. AC.
6. Radiator from 1.6 Baleno.
7. Upgraded cooling system with an electric fan.
8. 65 Amp Battery.
9. NGK Iridium Spark Plugs.
10. 6-inch Extended Rally Cabin.
11. JBR Reclining Racing Seats.
12. Blaupunkt Music System with two 6-inch JBL speakers.
13. Checkered floor and bed plates.
14. Tachometer.
15. Yokohama Geolander All-Terrain Tires, 205/70/15, on stock steel rims.

Pros:

• An extremely capable and mod-friendly G13BB engine, a proper 4x4 with low ratio, and no electrical aids for pure driving bliss.
• Spare parts and service costs are minimal compared to other vehicles, and spare parts availability is not a concern.
• A no-nonsense off-road machine built for one purpose: conquering obstacles one after the other.
• Did I mention that the Gypsy is extremely mod-friendly? Modified NA builds have reached up to 190hp, and TC builds have achieved a whopping 450hp at the crank.
• The narrow body structure is a blessing in traffic.
• The mods done to the engine provide excellent low-end torque and a livable mid-range, which is not the strong suit of NA petrol engines.

Cons:

• Power steering? Power Windows? Stock AC? Creature comforts? These terms are foreign to the Gypsy.
• Gypsies tend to overheat in extreme off-road and traffic conditions if the radiator hasn't been upgraded.
• The less said about the ride quality, the better. A Gypsy is only stable when it's at a standstill, thanks to its leaf spring suspension.
• Fuel Efficiency? What is that? It gives me around 6 to 8 km/l on average.
• It can only be driven on private roads or tracks due to the NGT ban on 15-year-old petrol vehicles.

After going through the above-mentioned points and details about the vehicles, a question might arise for the readers: How is this a dream garage?

To answer that question, I'd like to emphasize that I have realistic dreams and ambitions in life. I believe that things in life take time and happen only at the right moment. While I do think that this garage could use a proper 7-seater SUV (perhaps a Fortuner?) and a fast sedan or sports car (maybe a pre-owned 530D or a Porsche Cayman?), I feel that this is a perfect dream garage for someone like me. It surpasses what I had imagined five years ago, wondering if I'd be able to own my chosen cars in my early twenties. And here I am, with these beauties from the diverse and amazing world of wheels.

An entry-level adventure tourer, a versatile petrol 4x4 with AT and plenty of features, a nimble and comfortable turbo-petrol C-SUV, and a raw and unadulterated project car that would terrify any sane person (read non-enthusiasts). It's a perfect experience!

Ending the post with 2 beautiful pictures.

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They could not root cause and suggested a PCM+Wiring harness replacement at Rs 70,000

BHPian rajathv8 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Posting on behalf of a family member.

Car:

2015 EcoSport TDCi MT run 55K Km.

Symptom:

• On a drive, the car lost power and went into limp mode with the transmission warning light ON. Took it to the ASC.
• A few days later drove back home from ASC (5KM) and this time there were no issues with the car (accelerating normally) except the transmission warning light ON.
• Currently, the car idles fine - did not take it out for a drive, engine rev matches accelerator input - transmission warning light ON

ASC Story:

• Car was with ASC for 4 days
• The scan showed P060D code - this code basically implies the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) cannot judge the Accelerator Pedal Position (APP)
• ASC looked for wire damage in the engine bay/interior/dashboard.
• They could not root cause and suggested a PCM+Wiring harness replacement @70K
• ASC didn't seem to have technical expertise for what seemed to require a complex analysis -they kept referring back to Ford tech on-call.

Other Options:

Spoke to an ECM repair outlet who seemed confident that this is a PCM issue (on call only - didn't take the car to them yet) and offered to fix it for ~12K

My thoughts:

• From what I understand issue can be one of these: Accelerator sensor/ Wiring / PCM
• Engine revs match accelerator input currently at home at idle - so the accelerator/speed sensor may be fine
• ASC checked the wiring in the engine bay/interior thoroughly so ruling that out
• Seems to point to PCM

My questions:

1. Has anyone faced this issue before?
2. Any reference FNG/PCM specialist I can consult?
3. Is there anything specific I can try before touching the PCM?
4. Why did the ASC suggest a PCM + Harness change? Does the harness have to be specific to/match the PCM or are they just playing it safe to rule out wire damage?

Error code from the scan:

1st Update:

We had another mechanic run a diagnostic with the scanner. The APP reading swings from 7% to 66%, with no accelerator input to full accelerator input. He was expecting closer to the ideal 0-100% reading.

He removed the accelerator pedal and tested it on another EcoSport. Based on this he said the accelerator sensor is not faulty - I wasn't with him during the test so I am not sure what the readings were on the test car.

2nd update:

I had a chat with the mechanic about the method he used to test the accelerator pedal. He swapped it into another EcoSport and checked for error lights on the dash. He did not specifically check for the APP readings on the scanner. When I inspected the 6 pins on the accelerator pedal, it seemed to look alright. The pedal is made by Hella in Germany and costs Rs 6200 on Boodmo. It is held in place by 2 bolts and has a 6-pin connector.

The PCM was fixed by the specialist - ubiquitous "replaced IC" was the only feedback upon probing about specifics. The PCM failed to work as the car seemed to not recognize the key with a blinking key light on the Speedo console. The PCM and key have been sent back.

The pins on the PCM did not have any corrosion on it.

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Ford's service centre agreed to replace all the parts and re-program the ECU.

BHPian W.A.G.7 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

So, just to put another perspective. I am facing the same issue with my 2018 Ecosport - Titanium 1.5L petrol. Prior to COVID-19 - Dhone Ford tried resolving the problem by "re-routing" the wiring harness (according to them) and flashing the ECU.

A couple of weeks back, we faced this problem a lot while driving on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway. It could have turned fatal for us, as the power and speed dropped, almost instantly. Thankfully we were able to take it to the service lane on the left, all four times.

Today I gave it to Dhone Ford for another round of review. They scanned and traced the error to the powertrain module. The fault code shown was P2135. They agreed to replace all the parts and re-program the ECU. There may have been a silent recall for this problem, but I don't remember Ford giving any such advisory.

Here is the table from the rough estimate that they have provided.

BTW: Check row number 8 in the table. I have a feeling that this is tacked on - mine is a 1.5L Dragon engine, so why does the charge for the 1.0L G-TDI appear there? I am assuming this would be the 1.0L Ecoboost motor for which they have added the charge. On a hilarious note - they even added the charge for the adhesive tape!

I will get the car back on Monday, I will update here on how it goes.

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The car is peppier now & the mileage figures have also improved tremendously as well.

BHPian ABHI_1512 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Baahon is chugging along nicely after the 1,50k service which as expected, came to around ₹5400 out of which the servicing labour charges were around ₹2500. The usual suspects like oil change, oil filter change, and air filter change accounted for the rest. The discs are holding up well and don’t need replacement as of now. The rest of the mechanicals are all good and don’t need any interference. The battery is though, at the end of its life and will soon need replacement.

The car was getting a little sluggish and it was an indication that the EGR valve required a thorough cleaning. As Arjab also suggested above, the cleaning of the valve was impending anyways. So, the EGR valve was finally opened up and cleaned properly. The work was done courtesy of BHPian dip27in since the ASS’s will hardly do such a labour-intensive job. In fact, the ASS flatly said that Ford Cars don’t need EGR cleaning at all

The car was opened up and what followed was a test of patience. The opening of the EGR valve and the subsequent cleaning was as cumbersome and labouring as it can get. No wonder the ASS's don’t want to do that kind of work.

This was after almost 3 hours of labour that the entire assembly was finally out of the car. The amount of sludge which came out after cleaning was truly an eye-opener.

Anyways, the car is peppier now after the cleaning and is running like new. The mileage figures have also improved tremendously as well. So, with all these jobs done, Baahon needed a highway run and so the Independence Day weekend came in handy. A quick trip to nearby Murshidabad amidst blinding rain was made. Baahon performed just as it should and the car now looks good for munching more miles than ever. Sharing some pictures from the historical town of Murshidabad here :

So ending this post with a picture of Baahon in the midst of some monsoon greens.

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