I did not like the look of the Zen when it was launched. The Jellybean shape was something we had never seen before in India and was not easy to digest.

Car designs that grew on you with time

There are many cars that you can fall in love with at first sight. But then, there are quite a few cars that you may not find appealing to start with. However, with time you develop a liking for their styling as time goes by. Here are some cars that I felt were not to my liking in terms of styling when they were launched. With time though, I developed a liking for them.

Honda CR-V (2007)

This was the second CR-V generation to be launched in India. I had loved the earlier generation car with its boxy styling. After that, the new car looked bulbous. I remember comparing it to a bulldog and worse still, a toad. But as more and more of these cars hit the road, I warmed up to its looks. It was well-proportioned and looked much more in keeping with the times than the old car.

BMW 5 Series (E60)

The E60 5 Series replaced the much-loved E39. While it had great powertrains, when it came to looks, even some BMW fans found it rather ugly. I thought it was rather vulgar after the svelte E39. Chris Bangle's design was nowhere as understated as older 5ers. However, as the years went by, the E60 somehow started looking attractive. It was probably the aggressiveness of the design that struck a cord.

Tata Aria

The Aria was Tata's first crossover. With the way the bonnet was styled and the vertically stacked tail-lamps, it had a hint of Indica in its looks, which I had grown tired of. While I didn't really hate Aria's styling, I didn't find it very good-looking either. Then came the Mahindra XUV500, which was loud in comparison. It was only after that that I started finding some appeal in the Aria's design. The body didn't have many cuts and creases and in darker colours, the vehicle had a very dignified appearance.

Chevrolet Beat

On my first look at the Chevrolet Beat, I felt like someone had taken an axe to it. The headlights were too big and the rear looked like it ended without a warning. There were multiple cuts and creases all over the body of the car as well. Overall, too much styling for my liking! A couple of years down though, I found it a lot more acceptable. It came in some bright colours that made it stand out in the crowd. It looked funky and young in a sea of dull designs.

Maruti Zen

Big shock! Yes, I did not like the look of the Zen when it was launched. The Jellybean shape was something we had never seen before in India and was not easy to digest. Then, the car's front was longer than the rear overhang giving it a front-heavy appearance. In a short time though, the design became more palatable and very soon, it was my favourite hatchback in the market in every aspect and it remained like that till the introduction of the Fiat Palio. I loved its smooth and slippery shape and how proportionate the lights, grille, wheels and other elements were. If there was one car that I was sad to see go from our market, it was this.

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

When I saw this car first, I wanted to throw up. But I was very surprised to end up accepting it, especially after the effective facelifts. In fact, a friend or two had modified their Santro Xings and dare I say, they looked good to me.

Absolutely loved the W126, W140 and W220 S-Classes. When the W221 was launched, I found it to be too awkward & confused for an S-Class. Must admit, it has aged well and a well-maintained W221 turns my head today (W222 is still my no.1):

Here's what BHPian Eddy had to say on the matter:

S-Cross. When it was launched, I did not like the way it looked. But that did not stop me from buying it.

And eventually, the looks grew on me. Maybe because I owned it, or maybe it was like an AR Rahman song - takes a while to like some.

Here's what BHPian Kosfactor had to say on the matter:

Never quite liked this vehicle when I saw it first, I preferred the Safari`s shape instead.

As I grew up, I heard from may people including my dad that Scorpio`s shape is smart, except when I sat in the driver`s seat and went for a spin, what an amazing vehicle.

The looks indeed grew on me. My sister who is an art curator told me that old Scorpio had a distinct look different from other 'SUV's, new one looks like a typical SUV.

Perhaps she is right, I grew up to like its character and looks, no one would call a Rottweiler pretty and yet we love them.

Here's what BHPian smartcat had to say on the matter:

Most car designs will grow on you with time. Provided that it was or is a popular enough model that you see it frequently on the roads. For eg:

Toyota Qualis no longer looks ugly. Those who love boxy UVs might even like its looks now:

But Ssangyong Rodius still looks ugly! And that's simply because we don't see it on the road:

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

With proper precautions, anyone can refer and detail their car themselves at home, without any fancy equipment.

BHPian Adiiityaaa recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Introduction

Our Maruti Suzuki Zen will be completing 18 years with us soon, marking a really long run to emotionally connect it with us. It has served us really well in its lifetime and as far as I remember, has never left us stranded anywhere, has not thrown any tantrums, does not give big maintenance bills and is still good to drive as it was on the day purchased. However, with the days passing by, the color has started to fade. It still looks better than many new cars on the road, but has lost some of its glory. Hence, I have decided to detail it myself; both interior and exterior, all in my parking! [Moreover, a good friend of mine was restoring his '07 Honda Accord, which started the initial phase of getting things done by yourself bug] Before doing anything, I removed both the front and rear logo, colored them black and then installed later on, just to enhance the aesthetic appeal.

Blacked-out rear logo

Under the hood

As mentioned earlier, the car has never faced a breakdown in the last 18 years. Hence, the bonnet was never opened frequently except for changing air filter and topping up washer fluid, thereby accumulating grime and dust as we never thought of cleaning it. The underside of bonnet has turned black-ish, most probably due to heat and carbon deposits [correct me if I am wrong].

Underside of Bonnet: Started the detailing process by cleaning the underside of the bonnet. It did not require much correction, hence, first washed it with normal water and let it dry. Then, applied Turtle Wax 1-step polishing compound evenly in small quantities. Buffed it off using some manpower and a microfiber towel. Immediate differences were visible, which motivate you to further proceed with your aim. Pardon me for dark images, but the motivation kicked in at 7 in the evening.

Engine Bay: Getting this cleaned was on my mind since a long time. The 18 years so far has lead to accumulation of grime, oil stains and so much dust in the Engine bay. I was always skeptical if I could wash the engine bay with water; what would happen if water went into Alternator, or a short circuit occurs, or something gets damaged? I'm sure many of us would've had this thought at least once. It is true that your car might get damaged, but with proper precautions, like:

• Not using Pressure Washer
• Covering every important component before dealing with water
• Making sure every spark plug is properly connected and all caps are properly sealed
• Completely drying the car before starting

You can clean your engine bay. Started off by covering the alternator with a plastic bag and disconnecting the battery. Continued further by spraying the Engine Degreaser finely over the engine bay and letting it rest for sometime. I used toothbrush and a metal wire brush to remove the grime. Finally, washed it with water using a hose and dried it off using a Garden Blower. To increase the aesthetic appeal, buffed up the sides using Turtle Wax 1-step polishing compound. I could, however, not achieve so great results in this step. There was not a major difference visible, hence, I plan to get it cleaned at a Car wash. It was at this point I felt that why detailing exists as a profession and not everyone can get it done properly.

Managed to get underside of bonnet back to original shade

Interior

Dashboard: A good looking dashboard ensures a good mood throughout the journey. The dashboard always stays in good shape, as I have a habit of wiping it with a damp cloth whenever I sit in the car. Cleaned it with a microfiber cloth and applied Waxpol Vinyl & Leather Polish using the applicator provided the package itself. It brings a glossy finish to the panel, and is visually appealing especially the dashboard is sun-kissed when cruising on a highway. Repeated the same process on the door pads as well as instrument cluster and AC controls to complete the look.

Floorboard: I occasionally clean the mats when I am at my native place, Kolhapur. So, floorboard area also remains clean throughout the year. Removed the mats and washed it with soap, brush and water. While they were drying, I used a Garden Blower to remove every solid particle from the carpet. When I removed the mats, I was greeted with sand from our Kunkeshwar Trip (Maruti Zen road-trip | Exploring the Kunkeshwar temple village), which was cleaned in this step. Wiped the carpet with a damp cloth before putting the mats back in.

Headliner: While this may not be an important part and is often ignored while cleaning as no one notices it much in non-sunroof cars, cleaning it can make your cabin feel fresher. I decided not to invest much in this step. I bought Ezee Liquid Detergent and mixed it with water. Using a sponge applicator, I cleaned the headliner and then wiped the residue with a microfiber cloth. Make sure you only use the foam and not water from the Ezee mixture; otherwise, your headliner might get damaged.

Seats: I used a Garden Blower to remove small impurities and then I cleaned the seats in the same way as I cleaned the headliner. Zen did not get leather seats during its production, hence, you cannot use any modern cleaner as such.

Glovebox and Boot: This area is often ignored, too. Started by first removing everything, and then used a Garden Blower to clean the area. Moreover, I washed the rubber mat from the boot and polished the glovebox using Waxpol

Vinyl & Leather Polish. Afterwards, neatly arranged everything back. Last step to finish with interior was to add a Car air freshener.

The Polish is extremely efficient and worth it

Exterior

Body:

Step 1: A quick wash using a 3M Car Shampoo was enough to make the car look so much better than earlier. The reason was- our society's watchman. Not that he did anything special, but instead, he used to not do anything! First of all, he used the same cloth for every car. Moreover, he did not care to change his water. Other than that, he left water as it is on the car, which left stains when dried. Now I understand, why many people, including some of us on the forum as well, prefer to clean the car themselves. Anyways, I dried the car using Microfiber towel after the wash.

Step 2: After ensuring everything was dry, I applied Waxpol Rubbing Compound Green in small patches around the body. I first started with the bonnet: applied the compound, sprayed some water on it and then buffed it with a microfiber towel. After spending a lot of manpower, I was finally smiling when the old, dull bonnet was as clear as new one. A Polishing Machine would have really sped things up, but I wanted to make this DIY as pocket friendly as it could become. Also, make sure that you first test it on a small part of your car, because sometimes, the results cannot be in your favor. The excitement in me forgot to test it on a small part first but anyways it did not disappoint me.

Please zoom-in to see yellow-ish shade in before to pure color in after[/center][/i]

Step 3: While the two above steps were enough to make the car clean as per my requirements, the third step is to Polish the Car. I used the Turtle Wax 1-step polishing compound for the third step. The procedure to use it is the same as that of the second step. One of my friends uses Sheeba Multipurpose Liquid Polish in this step, which does make your car shine, but is temporary.

Step 4: The step 4 is aimed towards protection. This is an important step which ensures that your hard work stays for a longer duration. This involves either applying Ceramic Coating, Waxing or getting PPF for your car. I, however, omitted this step. I plan to get our car ceramic coated in future, after which, I will update about it in the thread.

Headlight: Washing the headlights with shampoo would not be enough. They were oxidized and hazed up. Replacing it was not an option and getting them done from outside was not worth it. In the mean time, I came across a thread started by @Ashtoncastelino on headlight restoration. Followed it step by step, which yielded me good results.

There was a slight improvement in Headlight throw as well

Windows: I cleaned the windows while washing the car. This was enough. But then, I found a Waxpol Glass Cleaner in my inventory. Sprayed it and then cleaned it with a microfiber towel. It did make the windows clearer, but I guess I could have omitted this step. I also topped up the Wiper washer fluid with Waxpol Windshield Cleaner Concentrate.

Tire's: I was going to use an Iron Remover. However, the accessories shop was out of stock. So, decided to use Soapy Water solution. I carefully sprayed each tire and mag wheel with Soapy water and used some brushes and a sponge to ensure that every area is covered. Washed it with water afterwards. Make sure to be quick in this step, as I advise not to keep this solution on wheels for long. Results receive rating of 3.5/5 from me. An iron remover is capable of removing all the stains of brake dust of all these years, and hence will give an even better finish.

Behind the License Plate: Impurities often get stuck in this area while washing your car. If this area isn't washed properly, which I have noticed on many car wash centers, it can even leave permanent stains on the body. Hence, I decided to clean this area as well. Just after removing the License plate, I was greeted with so much dirt that I was forced to wash this area again. Then after drying, buffed this area using Waxpol Rubbing Compound Green. For some stains which didn't came off, I sanded them off with 3M Wetordry Sheets - P2000. 2000 Grit is extremely smooth and will not damage your paint. However, make sure to use it smoothly, without applying much pressure.

Notice how bad this thing looks underneath!

I have replaced all the T10 bulbs in my car, and I'll soon write a post about it here.

Grill and Bumpers: Just as License Plate, there were some stains on the Grill as well Bumper, especially on the surface of the vents. These were tough ones which did not go off with rubbing compound, and were messing with the clean looks of the car. Moreover, the logos had popped out, maybe due to the age of the adhesive used. This allowed me to clean the stains from beneath them as well. I sanded them off with 3M Wetordry Sheets - P2000.

Conclusion

Products Used:

• Turtle Wax 1-step polishing compound
• Microfiber towel
• Toothbrush
• Metal wire brush
• Garden blower
• Engine Degreaser: Diesel
• Waxpol Vinyl & Leather Polish
• Ezee Liquid Detergent
• 3M Car Shampoo
• Waxpol Rubbing Compound Green
• Waxpol Glass Cleaner
• Waxpol Windshield Cleaner Concentrate
• Soapy Water: 1 Part of Dish wash liquid + 4 Parts of water + Baking soda
• 3M Wetordry Sheets - P2000

Please note that these are the exact products that I have used in the DIY, but I purchased them offline from my trusted accessories shop.

Some of them could not make it here as they were either borrowed or were empty

Time Required:

• Under the Hood: 01 hour 43 minutes
• Interior: 02 hours 19 minutes
• Exterior: 03 hours 32 minutes [took some help from a friend]

What Next:

The DIY turned out as I expected. However, the car has started showing its age- although I achieved good results, they are temporary. The paint has chips here and there, especially on the bonnet, the brakes have some rusting on them, the scratches on the bumper, etc. all these things make me consider getting the car repainted. I plan on getting ceramic coating done on my car, myself, in the parking! But considering the current condition and look of the car, I think it will be an overkill. If I somehow make my mind to do it, I will be using Avalon King Armor Shield IX.

With this, I conclude my post on detailing our Maruti Zen. With proper precautions, anyone can refer and detail their car themselves at home, without any fancy equipment. Thank you for your engagement, and I hope you found it informative and enjoyed reading. Cheers!

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The line-up included different models like the 800, Zen, Baleno and Gypsy. There was even a Versa too.

BHPian Aditya recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

The Classic Maruti Day 2023 was held in Mumbai today.

The event was organised by some enthusiastic owners headed by BHPian BeemerBug_06:

More than 40 older vehicles from India's largest carmaker lined up at Utopia City, Worli. The list included 800s, Zens, Balenos, Gypsys and even a Versa.

Let's start with the first Maruti model introduced in India - the 800 (SS80).

You sit down low in one of these... just like a sports car:

Stock interior:

The second-gen 800 or SB308 replaced the SS80 in 1986. Most of us would have had one at some point in time:

A couple of Gypsys attended the event:

Continue reading Aditya's post about the 2023 Classic Maruti Day in Mumbai for BHPian comments, insights and more information.

Mahindra Bolero, when launched, had a very macho appeal and a crude, simple, yet elegant design. Now, I feel it has a chrome-filled cartoonish face.

BHPian AYP recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

This thread is to point out the instances of a manufacturer spoiling the looks of their car in the process of facelifting it. Let me do the honours:

Skoda-

The Octavia MK2 (Laura) pre-facelift, was my favourite and still continues to be my favourite among all the Octavias. While most of my classmates used to drool over the Civic, the Laura was the one which had my heart, especially the L&K in red shade. The PD motor was music to my ears. The facelift though, spoiled the look completely with its bulbous headlamps.

The beauty-

The beast-

Don't take me wrong. The Laura facelift was a beautiful car by itself but when compared to the pre-facelift, it paled completely.

Mahindra-

The Bolero when launched, used to have a very macho appeal about it. It had a crude, simple, yet elegant design. The Bolero of today still has that macho appeal but gone are the simple and elegant design elements and instead we have a chrome-filled cartoonish face.

The OG-

The new Bolero with dollops of chrome (just what most Indians want)-

Here's what BHPian Mr.Boss had to say about the matter:

Personally, I'm not convinced with the Zen facelift. Though the change is very minimal, the old jellybean shape is still a looker.

Here's what BHPian dhanushs had to say about the matter:

For me, it's the Verna. An already bad-looking car worsened!

Old Variant

New Variant

Here's what BHPian saikishor had to say about the matter:

Maruti S-Cross comes to my mind immediately after reading the title of this thread. The original one especially in the top alpha trim looked elegant IMO but the facelift didn't have the same elegance as the previous model.

Here's what BHPian GreyNomad replied:

It’s actually the opposite. The first-gen SCross bombed primarily due to its looks. The refreshed version actually did decent numbers and the front fascia redesign and the Nexa Blue colour contributed to it.

Only if they had plonked that sweet 1.6D into the facelift model!

Here's what BHPian rishi.roger had to say about the matter:

The first car that immediately rings a bell is the latest Hyundai Verna. Haven't seen a worse facelift than Verna in quite some time.

Also, the new Nexon looks more like a raised hatchback (which it really is) than an SUV character in the previous design.

Also, I disagree with the post stating that the S-Cross facelift looked worse than the original. In fact, the facelifted S-Cross looked times better. IMO, a facelift well done to a car that deserved applause. Such a shame, it didn't sell for long.

Here's what BHPian mgastor2022grey had to say about the matter:

My vote is for the Hector Plus (6 and 7-seater versions). It had such a beautiful and some sort of Mercedes-inspired grille at the front. Even though the car was slightly out of proportion, it was very handsome and nonetheless a looker.

Later, MG decided to 'facelift' the car by giving it fake-silver jewelry and some chrome-bling to make it ugly! I hate the big grille. Wonder why car makers are doing it.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

A rusted apron in an Old Maruti Zen or Esteem can literally be the end of the car as it will cause the car to sag to one side.

BHPian BeemerBug_06 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

With the monsoon finally here, it's time for another update. Thankfully a major issue was averted before it began pouring in Mumbai.

A few months ago, I noticed the car's interior smelt a bit musty like a stack of old newspapers. I noticed it almost immediately because I ensure it is otherwise always smelling clean and fresh thanks to the AmbiPur I use. It didn't take me long to figure out that the smell was due to stagnant water which had somehow made its way into the cabin and was collecting on the carpet by the passenger footwell.

I decided to ignore it for a few days and drive. After a week, the water made its way into the cabin again right after the car was cleaned by the cleaner. It was then that I realised that my car had finally begun to show signs of what I call the "slow death". To confirm, I poured some water directly onto the wiper cowl area, and as expected, it crept into the cabin from behind the dashboard.

The affected area is the firewall, in between the dashboard and engine bay. Water enters it from the cowl panel space and collects, causing it to rust out. The firewall is a very vulnerable rust spot in all Old Maruti Suzuki cars and can cause hell if it's not repaired on time. The rust slowly spreads from there to the strut mount area and then to the aprons. A rusted apron in an Old Maruti Zen or Esteem can literally be the end of the car as it will cause the car to sag to one side. Even if repaired, there's no guarantee that it will be as good again. So I urge all those of you who wish to keep your old Marutis alive to attend to the firewall area and prevent it from rusting as much as possible. If it's already started, fix it immediately.

As I plan to retain the car for as long as I can, I decided to fix it. I asked at a few known places and was given a rather high quote for the repair which did not seem worth it. Finally, the car was dropped off at my buddy Noel's place in Belapur. Those of you hailing from Navi Mumbai would probably know that Noel runs a place called Nelly Auto and does good work at a reasonable rate.

I dropped the car off to Noel on the 17th of June and was told it would be ready within a week if all goes well.

Two days later, I received a couple of pictures from him of the damage.

To my surprise, the rust was not as bad as I expected. However, this was not a good sign either, I thank my stars that it was saved in the nick of time!

Anti-rust was generously applied in the area. Post application, I should not face any trouble for at least the next 3-5 years.

In exactly a week's time, the car was ready and I went to pick it up. Noel and his guys did a very quick and efficient job. Yesterday was a rainy day and I got caught in a heavy downpour on my way back from Noel's. Not a single drop of water made its way into the cabin, hence a job well done

If you are in Navi Mumbai and need someone good and reliable to look into your automotive needs. I would definitely recommend Nelly Auto. Noel is very sincere and will do right by any and every car. Do give him a buzz if needed.

As for the car, I plan to give it a bit of a break in the monsoons but will of course ensure it is driven regularly again post that.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Seems I had forgotten about how sweetly the engine purrs in the midst of daily driving the car.

BHPian BeemerBug_06 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

4 years have flown past and how!

As I type this update, I can't believe it has been 4 years since I got 1513. It only seems like yesterday that it came home, as my first car and the one that I would "learn" to drive in. My folks didn't know at the time that I already knew how to drive lol

A lot has happened over these 4 years and all I can say is that I'm glad to have kept the car and have it by my side. The car has been part of several first experiences I've had, including the first time I got my hands dirty working on a car to having my first accident, and many more which I need not mention here.

One of the first pictures I took of the car back in 2018, just around the time we finalised the deal.

The most recent picture of the car was taken during a Sunday morning drive, a week or so ago.

As part of the upkeep of the car, I have made it a point to have the annual service and maintenance work of the car done between the months of March and April, since it's around the time the ownership period increases by
a year.

Last year at about 33,500km I had the oil changed along with the addition of new coolant after a radiator flush (coolant was done last in 2019), a simple brake service and a tune-up for the carburettor. The car has been driven about 7k km since then and work was done at 40,120 km.

This year, however, I decided to do things a little more extensively. Besides a basic mechanical service, I also opted to change the Gear Oil and Spark plugs this time around as I myself don't know exactly when they were changed last. So as part of preventive maintenance, I decided to add it to the service plan. Time for some real pampering.

The goodies!

Note that this car has had Castrol Magnatech Synthetic Oil of grade 10W40 used for it since over the past decade, so I decided to stick with it. In my experience, it has been very good and lasts the prescribed interval of 5k km. I have also noticed that it causes the motor to run and rev super smoothly. Would 100% recommend to all Zen owners. IF you do not wish to go the synthetic way, then Castrol GTX 5W30 is the best one to go for.

As for the gear oil, the owner's manual prescribes 2.4 litres of gear oil of grade 75W90. Since I could not find Castrol, I went for Eneos which is also a reputed brand.

The coolant I opt for is also made by Castrol. It is a concentrate and prescribes that the ideal mix for your car's radiator is 1 litre of coolant and 3 litres of water (preferably distilled water)

Brake fluid is nothing special, just basic DOT 3 brake oil which is pink in colour.

The plugs are regular NGK R plugs bearing the number BPR5ES. They are compatible with BS6 petrol and CNG cars as well. I was considering putting Iridium plugs in the car, however, it was turning out to be an expensive ordeal, so had to push it for the next time.

Has anyone here used Iridium plugs for their Zen?

If yes, please elaborate on how much of a difference it really makes to the car vis-a-vis performance, mileage and maintenance.

The condition of the fluids after a year of daily use and about 7500km of running. Well due for a change as you can see!

This time around I decided to make a quick DIY job out of the oil change and coolant change, instead of sending it over to the mechanics. So one evening, my compound was turned into a makeshift workshop.

Special thanks to my buddies Ananth (vishy_76), Aadesh, and Janak who stopped by and helped out. It was an eventful evening indeed.

Getting our hands all dirty !

Use OEM wherever possible!

The old coolant. While it may still appear green, it was not in good shape. The mixture consisted of dirty water, muck and rust. Again overdue for a change.

Flushing the radiator and cooling system turned out to be the most time-consuming job and it took us 2-3 full flushes to get all the mud and rust out of the radiator and block respectively. Seeing the all-mucky green and brown water turn to crystal clear clean water was satisfying indeed.

Post that the radiator drain plug was put back and we topped it up with the correct mix of water and coolant. The expansion tank too was deep cleaned.

The following day! A very noticeable difference.

Also, I had forgotten how good the car feels after an oil change. The first drive, post the oil change felt heavenly. It pulled extra cleanly and once again became super silent. Seems I had forgotten about how sweetly the engine purrs in the midst of daily driving the car.

Continue reading BHPian BeemerBug_06's Zen maintenance for more insights and information.

It starts immediately and idles well. But the moment I shift into 1st gear and accelerate, the engine appears to choke up and shuts down.

BHPian pheru8b recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I bought one of the last Zens which had a carburetor in 2000. The car has been a reliable companion all these years, and I have done over 90k km in it. I even proposed to my wife in the car, so letting it go isn't an option!

Now 22 years old, the engine has a strange issue.

It starts immediately and idles well. But the moment I shift into 1st gear and accelerate, the engine appears to choke up and shuts down. After 3 to 4 minutes of idling the issue reduces, but doesn't go away, so while I can drive the car, every time I accelerate, it first slows down, struggles a bit like it's timing is off, then slowly, very slowly, starts to pick up speed. It works fine till the next red light, when this struggle starts all over again when I start driving from stop.

I've tried 2 mechanics, and both are nonplussed. I've changed the air filter, engine oil, spark plugs, carburetor, to no avail.

Can anyone please help me, or recommend a good engine specialist is south or Central mumbai?

Here's what BHPian Beemerbug_06 had to say on the matter:

Hey man, first off all great to see that you've retained the car. Secondly, the problem faced by you isn't anything extraordinary. It's a common occurrence for carburetted cars. I too faced something similar in my own Zen which is a 96' carb model. As per what you've written, I think the carburettor is probably clogged with gunk and dirt accumulated over time , which is causing the "Slow Jet" to not work properly. The slow jet is a vital component necessary to keep the car running smoothly at low speeds and RPMs . If not the slow jet, then it could be an issue with the accelerator pump. I think a complete carb service, overhaul, tune-up and tappet set is in order for your car.

Also, what about the fuel filter and fuel pump assembly ? Have you replaced them too ?

For any further queries feel free to PM me at anytime

Here's my thread which is all about my Zen. This portion specifically focuses on a similar issue I faced with my carb.

Here's what BHPian Jeroen had to say on the matter:

Beemerbug has some very good points.

In addition I would check a few ignition components and settings.

Did you check the contact breaker? Is the gap set sufficiently? What is the state of the contacts? They do wear down, so do need adjusting and ultimately replacing.

I would also check the static and dynamic advance of the ignition. Recently I have had some issues with my W123 which is also a carburettor engine.

You, or your mechanic, should ideally have a timing light and or dwell meter. Although it might be possible to measure the static advance with a simple test light.

You are likely to have a vacuum and or centrifugal advance on the distributor. Make sure they work correctly. Vacuum hoses perish causes less vacuum. The mechanical centrifugal advance wears out after a while.

Here's what BHPian bikertillidie had to say on the matter:

Please check the fuel system starting with the fuel pump, strainer, fuel filter, fuel lines. Hope there isn't any clogging nor leakage.

Next, check the ignition system - ignition coil, HT leads, spark plugs, distributor cap and rotor. Clean up everything as necessary.

Service the carburettor, pay attention to the jets, dashpots, vacuum lines, fuel enrichment device(aka accelerator pump), butterfly valves (both primary and secondary), replace all gaskets/seals during the process.

Run a compression test on all cylinders, adjust tappets per specification.

Last, check and adjust ignition timing as needed, tune up the carburettor.

P. S. Do check the timing belt as well. 22 years is a long time. The tensioner can become weak, and I have seen belts slip a tooth or two.

Please PM me in case of any doubts.

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The event witnessed a variety of cars such as classic 800, Zen, Esteem, Baleno and Gypsy.

BHPian Nair.V8 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

The 2022 Classic Maruti Day was held on 18/12/2022 (Sunday) in Mumbai.

I had the pleasure of participating with a good friend’s Zen Carbon. Since he was abroad, he was kind enough to let me take his recently restored beauty to this year’s event. The restoration was done quite recently at 4S Auto (South Bombay). The gleaming black paint job and contrasting tan-leather interiors made this beauty an eyeball magnet on the streets.

The event commenced at 7:30 am at an empty parking lot in BKC, where all participants gathered and parked categorically. A wide variety of classic 800s, Zens, Esteems, Balenos & Gypsys had turned up this time. At around 9:00 am the organizers had a quick briefing with all the participants before the rally was flagged off.

The crisp Sunday morning air and sparse traffic made this a rather joyful drive for all. The convoy drove from BKC – Bandra Worli Sea link – Worli Sea face – Marine Drive – back to Haji Ali – Phoenix Mills (Lower Parel). The event concluded with breakfast at Mcdonald's, Phoenix Mills (sponsored by Fortpoint Maruti Suzuki).

A big shoutout to the event organizers for making this a smooth, trouble-free, and enjoyable experience for all participants.

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An exhaust and a nice set of alloy wheels in my opinion are the only modifications one should do for a ZEN.

BHPian BeemerBug_06 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hello again!

Most of you would recount that during the initial ownership phase of 1513, I was adamant about leaving the car bone stock because I felt it was just too nice to meddle with. Almost 4 years down the line, I still think the car is too nice to meddle with. However, I do like subtle modifications, especially those reminiscent of a bygone era.

In October 2020, I got the mag wheels installed for the car. Post that, I still felt it needed a nice subtle exhaust. An exhaust and a nice set of alloy wheels in my opinion are the only modifications one should do for a ZEN, which will complete the car.

So after much contemplation and introspection. I finally did it.

Here are some images from D-DAY (5th November 2022)

The work was done at the one and only Automech Exhausts at Lower Parel in Mumbai. Automech requires no introduction and they are very highly reputed. I'd like to give a special thanks to the staff and Mr Vivek Bhatt of Automech for doing a brilliant job and creating the perfect exhaust for 1513.

Mind you, I have gone in for a very subtle tone exhaust. I hate obnoxiously loud exhausts which are nothing but noisemakers. Hence, went in for a subtle-sounding one which only amplifies the sweet engine noise at high RPMs, else it is barely heard. Also, I did not go in for a full free-flow exhaust from the headers to the tailpipe. Instead, I had a custom mid-pipe, expansion chamber and muffler put for the car, along with an automech tip.

The entire job cost me around 3.5k rupees which was both reasonable and worthwhile. As for the fuel economy, it remains the same as it was previously with no noticeable change

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Today, the ODO stands at 1,43,000. Over the years, she has been performing flawlessly.

BHPian vijuk21 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hello Everyone,

We got into the Zen mode in Oct 2003. That is when the Zen entered our lives.

My daughter was born on Sep 2, 2003 and we got our Zen in Oct. Don't remember the exact date.

I am the second owner. Got it from an automotive company in Hosur for a great deal.

Few points of the car

1. It is a Zen Lx model.
2. No frills car. No power steering and no power windows
3. Carburetted and not MPFI
4. I had upgraded her wheels to alloy wheels and they gave a bit of muscle to the car which otherwise was very timid.
5. The ODO had clocked ~43,000.
6. This shade of Grey color was the best. Many have asked the name of the color and I have always told them Grey.

She has been with us since then and helpful as given below

1. Good family car and came at the right time post my child was born.
2. Helped us move around cities and long drives
3. Very useful while constructing my house in 2009. Since the back seats fold, I was able to load her with luggage and move.
4. My daughter is now 18 and is now learning to drive using the Zen which is older than her :-)
5. I love her for the simplicity and her great looks despite her age

Today, the ODO stands at 1,43,000. Over the years, she has been performing flawlessly. We have developed a sort of bonding with her and hence heart tells me not to sell her.

With age, I am now getting few challenges as listed below:

• AC is not working which is a major deterrent for me to take the car out
• Mileage has dropped considerably. I guess this can be tweaked by a good mechanic. Kalyani motors whitefield do not have good technicians who can tune her carburetor. I am also not sure if I need to do a complete overhaul of the engine.
• Availability of spare parts is a concern. Kalyani motors did not have spares for AC / window mechanisms which are stuck
• Pressure from family to sell it rather than keeping it idle and rust. I park it in the road as I don't have much parking space.
• No good mechanic to tune such cars now. Please suggest if you know any in Bangalore

I am in a dilema to sell it or refurbish this beauty. Wanted to know your views on it. Should I sell or should I do a refurbish and use her ?

Given below are few pics of my beauty

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

Time to sell. It's a 23-year old Maruti (much longer than it was designed for), run 1.4 lakh km, has the usual age-related problems and you don't have parking for it.

There is some sort of bonding because of all the associated memories, but nothing special about the car per se (different matter if it was a 1st-gen Vtec, vRS, a Gypsy or something niche).

Time to sell it and move onto newer, faster, better machinery . Today's hatchbacks & compact SUVs are wonderful (some have fast engines) and will nicely compliment your Skoda Laura. If you don't need another car, sell the Zen and use the money to improve / mod your Laura.

Here's what BHPian PreludeSH had to say on the matter:

Keep it if parking is not an issue. I had one 1999 Vx which was my first car bought for my parents. My Brother took it later and sold it

He got good value too. But it will feel very unsafe sitting in one and cant be used in higher speed situations or highways.

Here's what BHPian Rajeevraj had to say on the matter:

The car seems to have reached the end of it's useful life at least as far you are concerned. Came into your life at the right time, has served for 100k km, has been part of key moments like your daughters birth to being the car she learnt driving on. So in my view, your use for it is done. No point restoring and keeping it unused. It will again deteriorate in no time.

Best is to sell, and maybe to someone who can restore and have some use for it. If you are looking for an service center who can probably restore this, you can check with Engineering Exponents or Krithi Car Care

Maybe you can check with above places, what it takes to solve the pending issues and then find a good buyer for it.

Here's what BHPian ninjatalli had to say on the matter:

I see the problems you are having as cosmetic. If the Skoda Laura is your default car for longer distances, then this car would be perfect for in-city short trips. I think the main issue for you is getting a good FNG mechanic who can work around and resolve your car problems. If it was your primary car, then I'd agree with @GTO - sell it off. But it's the second car; and I don't think you'd be interested in taking up additional EMIs for a new car (I believe you are already looking for a replacement for your Laura).

I would suggest reaching out to fellow Zen owner @jensjoseph; I'm sure lot of the spare parts & other issues you are facing, he's probably faced them too. Plus both of you are Bangalore based so have a connect and figure out the next steps. Get a reliable FNG and most of your issues should be sorted; I seriously think you can live with the other minor constraints wherever possible - say for e.g. a weak or no AC in Bangalore's cooler weather.

Edit: The only scenario where I'd suggest selling is if your family is good with one single car. Then you could sell both your aging vehicles and get a new car.

Here's what BHPian smartcat had to say on the matter:

If you get the AC fixed, keep it. Check what parts are needed to fix and buy it from websites like Boodmo.com. After fixing the AC, use it as a second car. It is fine if it is parked outside.

However, you definitely need a new car, especially for highway runs.

Here's what BHPian IshaanIan had to say on the matter:

I voted for keep as I assumed it was the same Zen as I saw just recently in another new thread but reading about it not having power steering and being a carb model with you experiencing issues when it comes to its maintenance, I wish there was an option to change the vote to NO.

1st of all you should not have trouble maintaining a Maruti. Secondly, if anything needs this much love and care there ought to be someone younger in the family who takes charge of it as your time might be more valuable than theirs to be spending effort in maintenance. Last but not the least, it is a carb model without power steering. You deserve a more reliable fuel injected car and you can give your daughter a break from the steering.

The car looks nice I must admit with the grey paint and those alloys which look so quintessentially 90s/early 2000s (My favorite era in automotive design). That said, being someone who owns an arguably old 2004 2.4lac run WagonR, I would say sell your Zen and just pick up an S-Presso

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