In december I remember the workshop person giving me a 10-12k estimate and now suddenly it's 30k.

BHPian shrvenkataraman recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Got a Tiago BS4 2020 Jan, XZ version.

Recently got engine light symbol for a while and Tata showroom reset it

It turned on again and they checked and they are saying it's a catalytic converter failure and that replacement would cost 30k+ and that they have to order the part.

Is this right? Do catcons fail in under 50k kms? And do they cost this much for Tiago? In december I remember the workshop person saying 10-12k estimate and now suddenly it's 30k.

Car is at tata techwheels workshop in Jaipur sitapura. They are saying it will take 5-6 days for part to arrive.

What are the odds of catcon failure under 50k km of mileage? And how do I find out what the actual cost of catcon is - and if Tata is not having me overpay for it?

They said they'll have to keep the car for 5-6 days, i asked for it back until part arrives. They returned the car with 3 scratches below headlight.

They basically mentioned that as a policy Tata doesn't repair catcons because repair only means cleaning of the catalytic converter and if the cleaning is not thorough and even small amount of dirt or impurities remain inside that it will cause fault again.

They mentioned that it may be done aftermarket and that I'd have to contact someone who does it aftermarket, but even if it is done, there's a high risk of failure again. So they advise me to go for brand new catcon.

I am not a car guy, a software engineer here. So, I don't really understand these things and I try to read about all this. Not sure what's the next step here other than to wait for the catcon part arrival.

This was the error code diagnostic that they shared.

Here's what BHPian suhaas307 had to say on the matter:

Catalytic converters are generally very expensive, since they are packed with several precious metals such as palladium, rhodium, etc.

Normally, it is expected to cost upwards of 50k. Not sure what Tata charges for a replacement cat-con but I do not expect it to be cheap at all.

Please check with multiple dealers / authorised service centres.

Failure in 5 years / 15,000 km could be considered premature. You must press your dealership / authorised service centre to replace it at their cost or at a discounted rate at the very least.

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

CatCon failure under 50k kms seems very strange, almost impossible dare I say. Catalytic Converters can easily last over 10-15 years and upwards of 2 lakh kms if maintained properly. I would advise you to check this with another Tata Service Centre or an FNG to get various opinions and ensure it has been properly diagnosed.

The problem may lie with a faulty O2 sensor which is more known and prone to such issues hence the Check Engine Light, either way, it's easier and more cost-effective to rule out the smaller possibilities rather than jumping to an expensive solution that isn't even certain to fix the error.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

For a city ride, it’s hard to look beyond the sheer brilliance of the MG Comet.

BHPian Ripcord09 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

2025 Tata Tiago.ev

What you'll like:

• A well-rounded EV package at a sub-10 lakh rupee starting price. Total value-for-money
• Zero tailpipe emissions & green image will appeal to the environmentally-conscious
• Real-world range of ~200 km is adequate for city commutes & urban dwellers
• Stupendously cheap fuel cost of 1 rupee / km (if you charge at home)
• Peppy behaviour in "S" mode! "D" mode is rather tame though
• Selectable regenerative braking is a very welcome feature
• Sorted road manners due to the lower center of gravity & firmer suspension
• Smooth drive, no gears, light controls & compact size make it an ideal city car
• Well-designed interiors are likeable & user-friendly
• Features like the 8-speaker Harman audio system, cruise control, auto headlamps & wipers, connected car tech & more
• Solid build & construction. Tigor EV's 4-star GNCAP result is reassuring

What you won't:

• A stiff 3-lakh rupees more expensive than the Tiago Petrol AMT. You're paying for the tech & being an early adopter
• Needs a charging point installed at your home parking. This is not doable for many people
• ~200 km range means this is strictly a city car. No long highway runs
• Stiffer suspension than the regular Tiago means you feel more of the road. Bad roads are felt
• Power tapers off after 100 km/h; top speed of just 120 km/h
• No spare tyre, you will have to make do with a puncture repair kit. We suggest buying a spare
• Long “full tank” charging times in comparison with an ICE car. Overnight charging is best
• Some misses such as alloy wheels, adjustable rear headrests, etc.
• Rear headroom is tight. Also, a rare Tata car that cannot seat 5 (best for 4 adults)
• Tata's after-sales service quality is a hit or miss. Remains a gamble

Review Link

Facelift Review Link

MG Comet EV

What you'll like:

• An affordable EV that focuses on personal mobility
• Ultra-compact size, light steering and small turning radius make it perfect for crowded cities
• A well-built hatchback that doesn’t feel cheap
• Real world range should be 150 – 160 km which is enough for an urban commuter
• Adjustable drive modes and selectable regen braking are useful in various driving conditions
• Zero emissions, cheap running costs & green image will appeal to a lot of people
• Good-looking cabin that has adequate space for 4 people to drive around town
• Tech includes a 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, connected car benefits, cool starting procedure (no button to press), digital key sharing, etc.
• Good feature list includes LED headlamps, indirect TPMS, keyless entry, split folding rear seat, reverse parking camera with sensors, etc.
• Plenty of customization options and accessories to make your car truly

What you won't:

• Weird, funky styling may not appeal to everyone
• Not for people who want to do highway runs. This car is strictly for the city only
• 2-door design means difficult rear seat access. Also, it is a 4-seater, not 5
• 41 BHP motor isn’t fun-to-drive
• Can be used only as the 2nd or 3rd car of the house. Surely not your primary vehicle
• Zero boot space with all the seats up. You’ll have to fold the rear seats if you want to carry any luggage
• No DC fast charging or even AC fast charging options. Just home charging is available which takes 7 hours for a full charge (10 – 80% in 5 hours)
• The usual EV challenges (charging infrastructure, range anxiety, setting up home charging etc.)
• Missing features like seat height adjustment (tall drivers would want to lower the seat), rear washer and wiper, spare wheel!!
• 2-speaker sound system is just sad

Review Link

Citroen eC3

What you'll like:

• Funky looking electric hatchback. Crossover styling cues will appeal to the masses
• Real world range of ~200 km is good enough for city driving and urban commutes
• Zero emissions, cheap “fuel” costs, no gears, light controls & compact size make it an ideal city car
• Sorted handling characteristics, due to the lower center of gravity
• Good-looking cabin that is practical too
• 315-litre boot is very usable and fits a 15-inch spare wheel underneath
• 10-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Now gets connected car tech as well
• Lots of customization options and accessories to make your car truly unique

What you won't:

• Missing plenty of features – adjustable regeneration, electric ORVM adjustment, climate control, rear wiper & defogger, reversing camera, alloy wheels, etc.
• 56 BHP motor isn't very fun-to-drive. Top speed is limited to just 107 km/h
• 200 km range makes the eC3 strictly a city car. Not ideal for long-distance traveling
• No fast AC home charging even as an option. Either wait 10 hours or find a DC fast charger nearby
• The usual EV challenges (charging infrastructure, brand new tech could mean niggles, range anxiety)
• Quality of cabin materials doesn’t feel great; cost-cutting is pretty evident in certain areas
• Cabin width makes the interiors suitable for 4 adults, not 5
• Long-term reliability & after-sales service quality are big unknowns; dealer network is tiny

Review Link

Tata Punch.ev

What you'll like:

• A well-rounded EV package at an affordable price tag
• Punchy 121 BHP motor is enjoyable. 300 km real-world range is adequate for most people
• Zero emissions, cheap “fuel” costs, no gears, light controls & compact size make it an ideal city car
• Enjoyable 6-speaker Harman ICE. One of the better systems in this segment
• Sorted road manners & reassuring high speed stability
• Well-designed & practical cabin with enough space for 4 adults
• 366-liter boot is accommodating
• Loads of features such as ventilated seats, auto-dimming IRVM, multi-mode regen, cruise control, Arcade.ev apps, air purifier, wireless smartphone charging, sunroof and more
• Safety kit includes 6 airbags, disc brakes all-round, ESP, electronic parking brake, auto hold, blind spot view monitor, hill descent control, SOS calling function, etc.

What you won't:

• Fit, finish & interior quality - although satisfactory overall - still has room for improvement in some areas
• Suspension has a firm tune (R16 variants). It is compliant & liveable, but you do feel bad roads
• The usual EV challenges (charging infrastructure, brand new tech could mean niggles, range anxiety)
• No spare tyre, you will have to make do with a puncture repair kit! Good luck cruising on highways without a spare
• Cabin width makes 4 adults welcome, not 5
• Some missing goodies such as a split rear seat, rear A/C vents, spare wheel…
• Tata's after-sales service quality is a hit or miss. Remains a gamble

Review Link

Tata Tigor.ev

What you'll like:

• A competent EV package at an affordable starting price
• Zero tailpipe emissions & green image will appeal to the environmentally-conscious
• Real-world range of ~200 km is adequate for city commutes & urban dwellers
• Stupendously cheap fuel cost of 1 rupee / km (if you charge at home)
• Peppy behaviour in "S" mode! "D" mode is rather tame though
• Sorted road manners due to the lower center-of-gravity & firmer suspension
• Smooth drive, no gears, light controls & compact size make it an ideal city car
• Well-designed interiors are likeable & user-friendly
• Features like the 8-speaker Harman audio system, projector headlamps, connected car tech & more
• Solid build & construction. 4-star GNCAP safety rating is commendable

What you won't:

• A stiff 5-lakh rupees more expensive than the Tigor Petrol AMT
• Nexon EV is superior & not that far away in terms of pricing (or EMIs)
• ~200 km range means this is strictly a city car. No long highway runs
• Stiffer suspension than the regular Tigor means you feel more of the road. Bad roads are felt
• Power tapers off after 100 km/h; top speed of just 120 km/h
• Smaller 316L boot (regular Tigor = 419L) due to the intrusive spare tyre
• Some misses such as "P" mode on the shifter, adjustable regen braking & alloy wheels
• A rare Tata car that cannot seat 5 (best for 4 adults)
• Tata's after-sales service quality is a hit or miss. Remains a gamble

Review Link

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I'm mostly going to compare it with my old car which was a used 2011 VW Polo 1.6 petrol manual, which I drove around 50,000 km in 3 years.

BHPian M@DDY!! recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Hello Everyone,

I m sharing a detailed review of my Tiago after owning it for the first year and completing 19k kms. It will be a long one so I request you guys to stick around till the end.

I bought it on 31st Dec 2023 from Multitech Motors NH-19, Sector 31, Faridabad, Haryana and after all the year-end discounts and negotiations, it cost me around 6.10 lakhs on-road Faridabad with manufacturing of Dec 2023. Got PDI done from Zekardo and they gave a green signal with a 10/10 rating (this was my third time experience with Zekardo. Earlier I had two of my cars inspected by them - my Safari and Amaze and these guys have done a fabulous job always). At the time of delivery, the odo stood at just 9kms.

Delivery Day

Accessories brought from the showroom at the time of delivery

Android Infotainment with 2GB RAM and 32GB internal storage which supports wireless Android auto and Apple carplay. The sound quality is decent for my taste from the stock speakers which came from the factory.

Illuminated Scuff Plate

• Front Armrest
• Parcel Tray
• Freebies from the showroom - Mudflap, Basic Mats, Idol and Perfume

Aftermarket Mods

Graphene Coating with 5 years of life and annual checkups.

Headlights Upgraded with LED's in headlamps, Projector foglamps, and Auxiliary as well.

Steering Wrap

Ambient Lighting

• Horn upgraded to hella Chrome as the stock horn was out from a scooty and sounded really poor.
• Gfx Lifelong mats
• Qubo Front Dashcam with GPS
• Complete flooring done
• Sunshades
• Door edge Protector
• Rain visor

Driving Experience

I'm mostly going to compare it with my old car which was a used 2011 Polo 1.6 petrol manual which I drove around 50k kms in 3 years of my ownership.

In Tiago, one can evidently feel that it's a 3-pot engine with slight vibrations on the pedals and gear knob. In straight-line accelerations on non-elevated paved roads the car feels to have enough power for day-to-day city usage and on the highways to extract the max out of the engine one needs to push it beyond 2500-3000rpm and after around 4500-5000 rpm the power seems to taper down and it does not feel as peppy in the higher end of the rpm band and the engine doesn't seem to be much rev happy.

The suspension is quite amazing for Indian roads and highways as I have done long trips in this car including Delhi-Patna-Delhi twice non-stop for 14-15hrs and there was no pain in my back or anything like that at all. The steering feel is light and it weights up slightly at higher speeds but I definitely would have liked more heft to it. The feedback steering offers is quite good and direct and no issues with that part keeping in mind the cost of the car.

The clutch is extremely light and it's not a pain in heavy traffic conditions. The gear lever has short throws but doesn't feel good to hold and sometimes the gearbox is a bit notchy, especially in first and reverse. I feel the gearbox shift quality can be improved quite a bit as well as the material from which the gear lever is made should be improved.

On the hills, that's where I didn't find the engine to be as good and sufficient. I could feel the lag and had to drop a gear or two on inclines as the gradient increased to keep up with traffic. The fuel efficiency in the city ranges from 13-15kmpl depending on traffic conditions and on the highways, I usually get around 20-22kmpl and sometimes on expressways at a constant speed of 95-100 km/h I have been able to achieve even 23+kmpl. I usually fill it up with 95 octane.

Service Experiences

I have got the first 3 free services done.

1st service was done somewhere in January 2024 at 1.8k kms which cost around 2.8k Rupees approx because I had opted for underbody and silencer Anti rust coating. Service done at Metro Motors Ambala. Overall experience was amazing.

2nd service was done somewhere in May-June 2024 where the bill was around Rs 300. This amount was charged on account of some lubes and interior protection cover. Service done at Arya Motors Sector 52, Gurgaon and the overall experience wasn't good and this felt like a typical Tata Motors service centre and I had to personally remind the mechanic and advisor to check all the points and it took a whole day just for an inspection service at 7500 kms.

3rd service was done in Nov 2024 at 15.5k kms which cost 4.6k with Silver AMC package which was valid only on this particular service. This was my first oil change service. Service done at Sab Motors Mathura Road New Delhi. Te experience was great and they returned the car on the promised time and the mechanic working was quite active and was solving all the issues. I had a complaint with rattling from the dashboard which they resolved by sticking on some foam and also resolved my issue of slight tilt of steering angle to the left side using my obd port and the steering calibration software from their service laptop.

Trips done till now

• Delhi-Patna-Delhi
• Delhi-Muzaffarpur-Delhi
• Delhi-Ambala-Delhi done numerous times
• Delhi-Morni Hills(Panchkula)-Delhi
• Delhi-Chandigarh-Delhi
• Delhi-Shimla-Delhi

Future Mods Planned

• Alloys and Tyre upgrade
• Puddle Lamps from Tata Motors official accessories
• Leather Seat Covers
• Sound Damping and maybe a possible audio upgrade if I felt the need for it.
• Throttle Controller or Stage 1 tune - Need some advice regarding the same from fellow Bhpians.

Some Pictures

Thanks a lot for all your patience.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I learnt a few basics of car AC systems and got an opportunity to get my hands dirty in the process of cleaning the evaporator. Also saved ~6K and avoided scratches on the dashboard.

BHPian 250Nm recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

The Problem:

With more than 110K on the odo in the 8.5 years of my 2016 Tiago, it started to show AC issues in the past few weeks. While the unit itself appeared to be working fine, there would be suddenly no air from the vents after about an hour of driving (read AC running). I could hear the blower motor noise as well as the compressor kicking in but no sign of air or cooling from the vents. There was also ice formation in the passenger footwell area where the air filter and evaporator coil are located.

Workshop Visit:

As with most Tata owners, I was afraid to visit the ASC and took the car to an FNG AC workshop along with a friend of mine. The moment they heard my car's age & odo, they were certain that the evaporator coil (also called as cooling coil) would have clogged with dirt and needs cleaning. This has more to do with TML using a mesh filter which allows fine dust to pass through, unlike paper filters used in most cars these days. They also hooked up a pressure gauge to the low pressure port and found the pressure be fine:

A quote of 6K was given to us, requiring 3 to 5 days to remove the dashboard, then remove the coil for a thorough cleaning. I was apprehensive of getting scratches & damages to the dashboard plastics in this process. After some discussions with the FNG owner, we left the place, asking some time to think about getting the repair work done.

DIY Idea:

Later that day, my friend looked up a few YT DIY videos and shared one of them where a coil cleaning liquid was sprayed onto the coil from the "air circulation" vent located near air filter. Rather than using a spray, my friend suggested using just air compressor to clean the coil before finalizing the FNG visit. One fine evening, I drove up to his place where he had access to a small industrial air compressor and attempted the process.

Cleaning Process:

First we removed the air con air filter using the Taparia 974 stubby screw driver which I had bought only for my regular filter cleaning activity. Then we used the compressor gun from the air circulation vent (from the side) and air filter opening (from the bottom). Since I had driven ~10km to his place, the coil already had moisture on it thereby helping with the dirt to loosen up and fall down on the carpet area. We placed a waste cotton cloth on the floor to prevent stains on my stock carpet which had no floor matting. After about 10 minutes we inspected using phone camera and found the coil it to be much cleaner than before. Tested the AC for few minutes and again used compressed air for a final ~5 minutes before re-installing air filter.

Before (missed to click a clear picture):

Air gun (from the side):

Air gun (from the bottom):

Notice the dirt on the floor area from the cleaning process:

After:

Here is a pic from another Tiago owner from our social media group with his 6 year old Tiago:

Outcome:

Right after the cleaning process, I observed much better air flow (almost 2X) through the vents and felt happy about our attempt, despite not being the permanent solution. To ensure I did not feel a placebo effect, I did not inform this activity to better half who immediately felt the chilling air flow and even reduced the temperature knob that was never touched for a long long time .

Learnings:

I learnt a few basics of car AC systems and got an opportunity to get my hands dirty in the process of cleaning the evaporator. Also saved ~6K and avoided scratches on the dashboard. I have driven around 1000 km since then and did not face the issue yet. Will continue to observe the performance, especially during long drives and update this thread.

While this may be a temporary solution, it worked quite well for me and and went ahead with creating this thread, which might help others. Looking forward to BHPians' comments on this approach and pitfalls if any so that corrective actions can be taken.

Drive safe!

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Good to see protective cover for the rubber along with additional hooks for different arm designs.

BHPian 250Nm recently shared this with other enthusiasts

Turns out Schaffler was out of stock and I was asked if am fine with Bosch. Rejected the offer right away and asked if they had Hella in stock. Luckily they had them and were shipped out the next day (ships from Chennai).

Blades were packed in a paperboard box and arrived safe via Professional Courier. Both units had 3D hologram with Sep-2024 manufactured dates.

Good to see protective cover for the rubber along with additional hooks for different arm designs.

Comparing the removed Bosch blade vs Hella. Visually, Hella appears to have higher pressure points than Bosch.

Installation was quick and easy. Time to wait for some rains in order to test these out

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The updated Tiago is expected to be unveiled at Bharat Mobility Expo 2025.

Tata Motors has shared the first teaser image of the 2025 Tiago. The hatchback is expected to receive minor cosmetic updates and new features. It is likely to be unveiled at the upcoming Bharat Mobility Expo.

The teaser reveals a familiar silhouette with the same dual-tone alloy wheels as the outgoing model. The new Tiago could get a slightly revised front fascia; among other minor changes. Note the new shark fin antenna at the back.

The 2025 Tata Tiago is also expected to receive a few changes on the interior. The car could be offered with a new touchscreen infotainment system with updated connected features and perhaps an optional sunroof.

Under the bonnet, the Tiago will continue with the same 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine. It produces 85 BHP and 113 Nm and will be paired with either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT.

The 2025 Tata Tiago.ev is expected to receive similar updates. Both versions will come in new colour options.

Wrapping with a picture of Toothless and LightFury, clicked at different times, at the same spot.

BHPian saurabhgupta710 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

The 50K KM Update

1330 days and Toothless has clocked 50K Km!

Did a short weekend drive to Belur and Haleebidu, and what better way then to clock the milestone yet on another roadtrip!

Belur Temple:

View from Yagachi Dam:

Sunset hues:

Wrapping with a picture of Toothless and LightFury, clicked at different times, at same spot (Near Kedareshwara Temple in Haleebidu)

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Being born in the mid-90s, I had the privilege of witnessing some automotive legends, the Ambassador, Contessa, Omni, Zen, the first-gen Safari, and many more.

BHPian LHRider recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Hey fellow BHPians, I hope you're all doing well! I've been a silent reader for quite some time, but today I feel inspired to share something special. This is the story of "my car" a journey that has forged an unbreakable bond between human and machine.
To give a little background, being born in the mid-90s, I had the privilege of witnessing some automotive legends, the Ambassador, Contessa (what a beauty!), Omni, Zen, the first-gen Safari, and many more. These machines shaped the golden era of the Indian automotive landscape that followed.

I have learned driving on the Santro zing, what a car it was. The handling, fit and finish, air conditioning, and the seating comfort. Family upgraded to this from maruti 800 and yes this upgrade made all the difference in our perspective of automobile.

Fast forward to 2009, family welcomed the Hyundai i10 (Kappa), and it completely redefined driving aesthetics for a daily car. With its sharp handling, power, and comfort, the i10's European-like design may not have been love at first sight, but it grew on me quickly. This was the year I began my driving journey—a dream come true for a kid who could recognise cars just by their headlights, taillights, or side profile. Sitting behind the wheel of the 1200cc Kappa engine delivering 82 PS, I instantly fell in love with driving.

The downside of falling in love with driving was that I didn’t have access to the car whenever I wanted. Since it was a family car, and my elders were frequently traveling both in and out of the city, I only got to drive it about once a week—definitely no more than twice. So, my dream of being behind the wheel was a bit limited. This was the time I made a firm promise to myself-once I complete my undergrad, I will land a job and buy myself a car-my car.

By 2021, despite having completed my undergrad and working for three years, I still hadn’t bought my own car. Instead, I drove a 2008 WagonR, fondly called "RWagon" The reason was simple-while I wanted to buy my own car, my finances weren’t in the best shape—not because of low earnings but due to poor money management. Plus, my family insisted I use the RWagon, as we already had three cars at home and there was no need for a new one.

2020 was a surprising year with COVID, and it was also when I started my own venture in Manali, Himachal Pradesh. This meant frequent drives between Delhi and Manali in RWagon, and I truly realized how reliable Marutis are—no fuss, no major maintenance issues, and the car never needed a service above 5K, even after 12 years and 1.2 lakh kms on the odometer.

However, there were downsides-safety, power on steep hills, and overall ride comfort. Don’t get me wrong, RWagon was incredibly dependable, but considering its age and the heavy load it carried during those 13-hour trips between Delhi and Manali, it was starting to show its limitations.

Then came the real test in 2021, while driving between Kanpur and Delhi, the air conditioning failed, and the car began overheating. We somehow made it to Delhi, and my trusted mechanic, Ejaz bhai, informed me that the cooling system needed a complete overhaul, costing around ₹20K. After a thorough inspection, he advised, “Bhaiya, aap gaadi badal lo” (Bro, it’s time to change the car). He had two solid reasons- RWagon's age and the demands I was putting on it. While he did some jugaad to fix the AC, it only worked at night, failing in the slightest sunlight.
It was clear—RWagon had done its time.

By this time, I had saved a good amount from my corporate job, and my Manali venture was generating decent returns. After a few hours of financial planning, I decided it was time to finally fulfill my dream of owning my car. With a budget set at 7 lakhs, my options were the Kwid facelift, Ford Figo, Swift, i10 Nios, and Tiago facelift.
I test drove the Kwid and i10 Nios. The Kwid's top model lacked essentials like a good music system, power, seating comfort, and space—definitely not for me. The i10 Nios Magna, though tempting due to my soft spot for the i10 brand, didn’t meet my expectations in terms of drive stability, build quality, and rear-seat comfort, though it scored well on tech and front seating. Ultimately, it was crossed off for its build and power.
The Ford Figo was out of the running as the dealership itself warned about service issues and Ford's exit from the Indian market. I also ruled out the Swift after a friend warned me about its safety, especially considering 70% of my driving would be on highways.
Then came the Tiago facelift. I had driven the first-gen Tiago and was impressed with its driving experience and safety, although I wasn’t a fan of its looks. I skipped the Baleno and Altroz as their base models under ₹7 lakhs lacked key features.
I headed to ARYA TATA in Gurgaon for a test drive of the facelifted Tiago. After a 30-40 minute wait, the car was ready.
YES the test rive was impressive, the strong thud, music system, the seat height, driving dynamics- this car impressed me on all these fronts.
In terms of space I actually noticed that the rear seat offered good amount of legroom- I am exact 6ft tool and with the driver's seat height adjusted to my driving position, I was able to sit comfortably in the rear row. Me and my childhood friend closely checked the car on all fronts and after 15 mins we landed onto the conclusion- This is IT!!

Now came the time to go for the right variant- the offerings were XE, XT(O), XT, XZ & XZ+
XZ+ was crossed off as this was crossing 7 lakhs mark.
XE & XT(O) were also crossed off as both were base models and something was missing from both of these.
The final decision was between XT and XZ - very inclined towards XZ as it offered touchscreen with andriod auto and apple car play, along with look like alloys, fog lights and it was right in the budget - 6.85 lacs with basic accesories. But as the world works - you always don't get what you want!!

The SA told that XZ has 6 weeks of waiting period and he would try to get the vehicle delivered in 4-5 weeks but I have to wait.
The problem was, I required the vehicle within 2 weeks of time as I had to travel to Manali for my business and because of covid situation public transports were not available readily.
But as said-you don't get what you want but still you can have some!!

The next day SA called and gave me some good news- There was a couple who booked XT but their loan was not getting processed, hence after much try they cancelled their booking and the vehicle would be arriving in the next 3 days.
One man's loss is another man's gain

Well the XT lacked 3 things - no touchscreen, no alloys and no fog lights.
After analysing I concluded that touchscreen is a good to have feature not must have, XT offered 4 built in speakers and Harman in Dash music system and the sound quality is BOMB , *look like alloys doesn't create the vibes of alloys eventually and both XT & XZ have same tyre dimensions, fog lights can be fitted as accessories. Finally it was decided Tiago facelift XT will be the 1st "my car"

Since it arrived in 2021, this little machine has never failed to put a smile on my face every time I drive it. From the mountain roads of Manali to Darcha La, highway trips from Himachal to Delhi, Delhi to my hometown Kanpur, and adventures through Mussoorie, Almora, Gangolihat in Uttarakhand, this car has seen it all. One of the most memorable journeys was the epic 2100 km drive from Kanpur to Bangalore in 2022, when two friends and I moved to Bangalore for work.
Whether it’s been trips from Bangalore to Ooty, Coorg, Munnar, Pondicherry, or other hill stations, this "little tiger" has conquered every terrain—tarmac, concrete, sand, stones, mud, snowy slopes, and the slippery monsoon roads of the Western Ghats, through it all.
With 3 years complete and 34K on the odometer it has never failed to impress, making every journey memorable.
I somewhere read this -"The bond between a machine and its driver is like the soul of the machine and the body of the human-where the soul intuitively understands what the body desires"

Well this is my first post and definitely a long one, please give it a read and apologies for mistakes while typing (have crossed checked though)
Let me know for any feedback or any of you want to know about the travels with the "Tiger"
For now just some images to cherish together!!

Thank you folks

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I do wish to email Tata and claim this to be a manufacturing defect. It is silly to not provide rubberised contact points.

BHPian lemedico recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

For context, mine is a 2021 BS6 XZA+ petrol Tiago, which has been very well cared for and also been the subject of many DIY jobs to enhance it's feature list

• Auto-dimming IRVM
• Boot lamp install
• AMT oil change
• Armrest installation

So naturally, when a mechanical or electrical fault occurs, it strikes you hard to learn that even a Tbhp's avid DIYer's machines are not exempt from troubles. Not that owning a Tata is the most peaceful to start with!

I took my car to work, there were no issues in the aircon that morning. When I was going home in the evening, the car and mechanicals were working fine but the aircon was not cooling. I tried many on/off's, rummaged around the engine bay and even scanned my ECU with an OBD2 scanner + Torque mobile app. There were no faults at all. I did however notice a hissing sound in the cabin when the aircon button was pressed for ON.
Somehow, I made it home in absolute heat and humidity. I don't remember being in any vehicle without aircon for at least 30 years!

Stopped off at my FNG who does aircon work as well, his apprentice mentioned it was most likely a condenser/evaporator leak and would need to dismantle the whole dashboard to access it. I felt miserable hearing that, as no car is worth driving with the rattles it develops after such brutal work.
I refused to immediately leave the car for its repair job as I wanted to do some research myself.

I also have an extended warranty for this car and whatever the fault and bad parts, Tata would replace but at the expense of my mental health and countless days without the car. We just cannot EVER get a good service experience at their workshops and even worse are the ones in Agra.

At home, I noticed an oil patch on the granite surfaced parking, the spot reserved for this car! It had leaked some oil overnight and nobody noticed it due to being masked by the rainfall earlier on. When it dried up, the patch of oil remained.

This was actually very happy news for me, as I ascertained it is definitely not a condenser/evaporator fault but rather something external like the compressor or gas lines. Putting two and two together that is, the sudden aircon failure and the appearance of leaked oil=aircon compressor oil leak and gas leak.

I went back to the FNG, narrated my findings and he immediately started to inspect the system from the radiator towards the cabin and the gas lines.

Now here we find an interesting fault. There are aluminium gas lines( also called liquid lines in mechanic lingo) which run from the compressor and towards the cabin, into the condenser/evaporator. In the Tiago/Tigor, they run parallel to the underbody, bolted directly on. One right-angle bend is in direct contact with the chassis and due to vibrational abrasion, it had eroded away to form a hole! This is right behind the front left wheel.

On further inspection, we noticed a right mess of condenser oil spray on the left axle area. Luckily, dismantling that section of pipe was not too difficult.

After taking it out, we could see the damaged area and then decided to swap the part out of pocket instead of claiming warranty. Unfortunately, it was not available in the market at that moment, and online is out of the question with delayed shipping. The mechanic suggested silver metal welding. Cost just Rs. 250 for it and it seems to be hardy. We wrapped up all contact points with old rubber scraps, refitted the pipe and charged up the system with new oil and Floron gas.

The system is working well now, cools well and all like nothing happened. If it conks out again, or the compressor fails due to being run without oil on the day of the fault, I will reluctantly have to go to Tata to make use of the extended warranty. For now, dashboard disaster averted!

I do wish to email Tata and claim this to be a manufacturing defect. It is silly to not provide rubberised contact points. Definitely a sue-worthy incident in the US, but hey we're in India and sab chalta hai.

Dear fellow Tata Tiago and Tigor owners, please inspect your car's underbodies and wedge in some rubber protection to prevent a leak (PUN INTENDED). It will save you an unnecessary headache.

I would like to extend this PSA to all Tata owners as I am not sure if the design is any different on their other cars like the Nexon, Punch etc/

Here are some photos to do the visual explaining

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Tata owners who are getting poor FE from their Nexon, Tiago, Tigor, I suggest you observe the coolant temperature gauge on the cluster to see if the described erratic behavior is seen.

BHPian sagarpadaki recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Soft failure of thermostat in Tiago, Tigor, Nexon

This thread is to highlight the partial failure of thermostat in the petrol and diesel variants of the Tata Tiago, Tigor, Nexon cars which results in low FE and also can lead to potential wrong diagnosis for the low FE. The issue was present in my 2018 Tiago done around 25k kms.

On Tiago, three bars on the temperature meter in the instrument cluster indicates that the engine coolant has reached the optimum operating temperature. Usually, it takes 3-5 kms of driving for the coolant to reach optimum temperature of 92-degree Celsius from a cold start. Since October 2023, I noticed that the temperature bar did not reach 3 bars but was stuck at 2 bars unless in a bumper-to-bumper traffic, in which case, it would reach three bars. Once the roads opened up and the car gained speed for a while, the temperature dropped back to two bars. During early morning cold starts, where the ambient temperature was around 18 degrees during winter, the temperature meter did not even reach two bars even after driving for 5 kms. Also, started to notice that the fuel efficiency has reduced. I was getting just under 10 in normal traffic conditions and in bumper to bumper started to get 7-8 kmpl. Even on highways, the fuel efficiency dropped by 2-3 kmpl.

I discussed this issue with my friend Ashton, who is also a bhpian. We thought the reason for the temperature bar not reaching 3 was most likely due to a faulty thermostat. And since the engine was not reaching the optimum temperature, the ECU was increasing the fueling, thereby causing the drop in fuel efficiency. Ashton gave a link to a discussion in a BMW forum, where the soft failing issue of thermostat of a 3 series was discussed. A soft failing thermostat is where, the thermostat does not open or close according to the temperature range it is supposed to work. It remains open even after the coolant temperature has reduced below the thermostat's closing temperature, thereby causing the coolant to flow into the radiator and get cooled further, thereby reducing its temperature. The thermostat does not work consistently.

Ordeal with Tata Motors service - Key motors

I gave the car to Key motors service, Kanakapura road in the last week of March, explaining the issue in detail to the Service advisor whose name started with B(Do not want to take his name here). The next day, the Service advisor called back saying everything is fine and there is no issue with the thermostat nor with the fuel efficiency . I was really annoyed and asked him to explain what was the problem that I had. He was not even able to explain the problem that I had described him the day earlier! In fact, I had written the problem elaborately in the job card. I went to the service center and took a test drive with the Senior tech with their laptop hooked up to the OBD scanner and monitored the coolant temperature. There was fluctuation in the temperature reading where the coolant temperature dropped as low as 82 degrees with AC on a hot summer day where the outside temperature was 36 degrees. The coolant temperature meter dropped to 1 bar 2-3 times during the test drive of over 10 kms. It did reach 92 degrees in B2B traffic with coolant temperature meter registering 3 bars. The senior tech reluctantly agreed that there is something wrong with the thermostat and told they will place order for the same. He also added that, there have not replaced a thermostat in any Tata vehicle till now irrespective of how many kms they had run! I called them at least 20 times over the next couple of weeks to check if the thermostat has arrived or the ETA. They just gave a canned response. I did not even get one call back from them. Pathetic diagnosis of the problem and on top of that heights of incompetency! Customer service- what is that?

DIY to the rescue

I discussed this with Ashton and decided to order the part from Boodmo and do a DIY thermostat replacement. This is the part

Placed the order and the part arrived in 5 days. I replaced the thermostat- hardly took 30 mins. Went for a test drive and voila! Problem solved . The coolant temperature reached 3 bars within 3 kms of my drive and remained there. I also hooked up a generic OBD2 scan tool and monitored the coolant temperature in the Torque app. The temperature varied between 88 to 92 degrees and dropping to 86 on open roads. 86 degrees registers 2 bars in the console. But, within a minute in B2B traffic the temperature was back to 92/93 degrees. I monitored the FE over the next tankful and the FE went back to normal levels of 12-13kmpl in city and 17+kmpl on highways.

Conclusion

Tata owners who are getting poor FE from their Nexon, Tiago, Tigor, I suggest you observe the coolant temperature gauge on the cluster to see if the described erratic behavior is seen. Tata removed the coolant temperature meter from Tiago/Tigor sometime after 2018, I think. In that case, hook up any generic OBD scanner and monitor the coolant temperature to check if the coolant is reaching the optimal temperature of 86-92 degrees and staying in that range before you consider any part replacement to address poor FE. The same thermostat is used by Tiago, Tigor and Nexon so there is a good chance that these cars can face this issue. I do not know if the issue is with a batch of thermostats or all. Also, this issue, highlights and reinforces the need to have a functional coolant temperature meter in the cluster of all cars!

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