[justin.das]

Originally Posted by Klub Class

Somewhere in the first quarter of 2011, our GP's front left alloys got bent. Though we could experience a slight wobble at speeds excess of 80km/h

I am facing a similar issue with my linea.vibration at 60km/hr and above even in very good roads, can feel the vibration at the seats and steering.while checking with the service center they told me about the probability of alloy damage(all other mechanical parts are working.wheel alignment and balancing done).They suggested me to replace the alloy wheels.happy to know that its repairable.searching for a metal and welding industry to repair the alloy if any fellow mates knows where it can be done at ernakulam or trivandrum please inform.Thanks in advance

[autocrat]

Originally Posted by Gadgetfreak

This is an excellent Ownership Review. Loved the entire thread. I have ordered a racechip for my linea and a GC kit installation is under progress as I am writing this. Do you recommend K&N air filter for Linea 1.3 mjd EM PK. The SS manager told me that this will not make much of a change as these are turbocharge engine and are very capable of pulling required AIR irrespective of air filter.

Changing to k&n air filter will make the breathing easier (less resistance). The turbo will take care of making available additional air mass.

I personally feel more resistance in air filter = cleaner air = better engine. It will be good if someone provides better information.

[shibujp]

Originally Posted by epicenter.rulez

... but the point there was that the car went out of warranty at 80k kilometers. here, the car is still under warranty till 150 k kilometers. hence the reason for sticking to the schedules.

thanks for the perspective on the ownership experience. The 150k warranty explains a lot and really adds value to the ownership experience.

Completely agree with your way of dealing with the service center folks except for the "treats" bit - cmon you need to give the other owners a break !!


Drive on,
Shibu.

[epicenter.rulez]

Originally Posted by shibujp

thanks for the perspective on the ownership experience. The 150k warranty explains a lot and really adds value to the ownership experience.

Completely agree with your way of dealing with the service center folks except for the "treats" bit - cmon you need to give the other owners a break !!


Drive on,
Shibu.

hehe,
if it worked for me, it could work for you too.
try it, its not that expensive

[epicenter.rulez]

hi gaaij
the car crossed 120000 today. the service is still a couple of thousand kilometers away.
Lost a tail lamp bulb yesterday and its irritating to see the warning glowing in the speedo console.
will be replacing it today or tomorrow.
With the summers coming in full swing, thinking of getting the a/c checked and the evap coil serviced.
Even the front left wheel seems to be running a negative camber and looks like either the balljoint or the elastic pad has conked out.
As the car still runs on extended warranty, will be getting it done with the service itself.
I am off to meet 40 bullets and 53 riders tomorrow to Bordi where the mumbai bullet club called the Bisons are coming for a weekend.
Drive safe, always wear a seatbelt.

[autocrat]

Originally Posted by epicenter.rulez

hi gaaij
the car crossed 120000 today. the service is still a couple of thousand kilometers away.
Lost a tail lamp bulb yesterday and its irritating to see the warning glowing in the speedo console.

Your thread instills a lot of confidence in Fiat owners

The warning seems to be doing its job - to force us to get the bulb replaced. I think I will keep a few bulbs in my car - number plate, cabin lighting, tail and brake light bulbs.

[devansn]

epicenter! What a public service you have done by making this thread and keeping it up to date. Truly appreciate the kind of enthusiasm and honesty you have shown in maintaining your car as well as this thread! Thank you so much... This is going to be my bible...

BTW, while reading through every page, one thing kept worrying me too much - the fear of the next page being the last... And that happened. But since the read was so entertaining, assuring (being a Punto owner myself, 80 K and 6 months younger to yours, in Tuscan Wine) and enlightening, was able to accept the inevitable end of the thread, hoping that I would be able to read the next pages soon...

A couple of questions:
1. Aren't alloys covered under warranty? Insurance, it may not be. I had three of my alloys bent as well. But did not have the wisdom then to try for warranty coverage before fixing them at a local garage. Only later I heard that I should have tried warranty. Sad part is that the alloys look ugly now with scars all around - since they were heated and then corrected. Alloys can be painted (same silver colour)?
2. How often did you decarbonize the engine?
3. At around 40K Kms, a tyre change is on cards for me too. Yoko C Drives are the best in your opinion? I was contemplating Bridgestore Turanza E60s. Ride, handling and longevity wise?

Devan.

[epicenter.rulez]

Originally Posted by devansn

epicenter! What a public service you have done by making this thread and keeping it up to date. Truly appreciate the kind of enthusiasm and honesty you have shown in maintaining your car as well as this thread! Thank you so much... This is going to be my bible...

BTW, while reading through every page, one thing kept worrying me too much - the fear of the next page being the last... And that happened. But since the read was so entertaining, assuring (being a Punto owner myself, 80 K and 6 months younger to yours, in Tuscan Wine) and enlightening, was able to accept the inevitable end of the thread, hoping that I would be able to read the next pages soon...

A couple of questions:
1. Aren't alloys covered under warranty? Insurance, it may not be. I had three of my alloys bent as well. But did not have the wisdom then to try for warranty coverage before fixing them at a local garage. Only later I heard that I should have tried warranty. Sad part is that the alloys look ugly now with scars all around - since they were heated and then corrected. Alloys can be painted (same silver colour)?
2. How often did you decarbonize the engine?
3. At around 40K Kms, a tyre change is on cards for me too. Yoko C Drives are the best in your opinion? I was contemplating Bridgestore Turanza E60s. Ride, handling and longevity wise?

Devan.

hi devan,
first of all, many thanks for taking the time out to go through my rants.
now coming to your questions:

1. alloys are not covered under warranty. agree with you that they do look ugly after the truing job at the local workshops, but if you have somebody who can do up a good paintjob, the scars can be gotten rid off. luckily i have both sandblasting/pretreatment and powdercoating/liquidpainting at my place so i'll probably shotblast them and powder coat them a dark grey silver sort of in the days to come.

2. i've decarbonised the engine twice. once at around 20k or something and once at the 84k mark. the egr is cleaned up whenever the car goes in for service at the A. S. S. its complimentary by the guys who do up the car

3. My C drives are already crossing the 40k mark and look good to go for another 20k kilometers or maybe upto the end of summers. i'll again go in for yokohamas only. maybe a different pattern. i've never tried the turanzas so i cant comment on them. i'll only talk about something i am using and not copy and paste from somebody else's review just to make me sound mr. know it all.
if the bridgestones instill confidence in you, go for them by all means.

hope this helps.
drive safe, always wear a seatbelt.

[fiestarry]

@epicenter rulez; Sirji you are one meticulous and articulate guy. You have shown the Janta that good maintenance and some TLC is the basic need for every car. I too was keen on the Punto MJD at one time but it didnt suit me with the longish pedal travel and all. But you have shown that the car is a real cool Gal and will slave for you if you dont skimp on the TLC. Reading your posts makes me want to write in your unhurried and informative style.
The Punto can easily last 4- 5 L km in the hands of folks like you. I think you are an ideal candidate for the greatest number of km done in an Indian made car. I have heard of Volvos and Mercs doing millions of km.

[devansn]

Thanks for your detailed reply, epicenter!

Originally Posted by epicenter.rulez

hi devan,
first of all, many thanks for taking the time out to go through my rants.
Your so-called rants were music to my ears, my friend... :-)
now coming to your questions:

1. alloys are not covered under warranty. agree with you that they do look ugly after the truing job at the local workshops, but if you have somebody who can do up a good paintjob, the scars can be gotten rid off. luckily i have both sandblasting/pretreatment and powdercoating/liquidpainting at my place so i'll probably shotblast them and powder coat them a dark grey silver sort of in the days to come.
I believe there would be someone out here in Coimbatore. Let me check out. That it can be painted is a relief.

2. i've decarbonised the engine twice. once at around 20k or something and once at the 84k mark. the egr is cleaned up whenever the car goes in for service at the A. S. S. its complimentary by the guys who do up the car
Mine is 35-40K old now. Do you see any issues if I do them in the next service?

3. My C drives are already crossing the 40k mark and look good to go for another 20k kilometers or maybe upto the end of summers. i'll again go in for yokohamas only. maybe a different pattern. i've never tried the turanzas so i cant comment on them. i'll only talk about something i am using and not copy and paste from somebody else's review just to make me sound mr. know it all.
if the bridgestones instill confidence in you, go for them by all means.
Thanks for your feedback on C Drives. I have been hearing from many that C Drive is better than Bridgestone in many ways - except for may be longevity. Moreover, Bridgestone dealer quoted me Rs. 6800/- per tyre! By the way, at 4900 a tyre, C Drive cost that I was quoted is reasonable?

hope this helps.
drive safe, always wear a seatbelt.

Thanks again... By the way, whats the latest score (your Punto's ODO reading)?

[epicenter.rulez]

Originally Posted by devansn

Thanks for your detailed reply, epicenter!



Thanks again... By the way, whats the latest score (your Punto's ODO reading)?

Hi Devan,
Pic attached for authentication

drive safe, always wear a seatbelt!

[devansn]

Wow! So at this rate, by September 2013, you would reach 2 lakh kms... :-) Oh, with the planned Leh Ladakh trip, you may manage even before...

[epicenter.rulez]

hi gaaij,
slightly off topic, but couldnt resist to do this.
moderators, please delete or move if this doesnt belong here.
Got a quad projector setup for my VW Vento. Fired up the DRLS and couldnt stop myself from taking a photo. Low res ofcourse, but this is a teaser.
If this stays here, more pics to come.
For your viewing pleasure, if any!
drive safe, always wear a seatbelt.

[Schoudhury]

Originally Posted by epicenter.rulez

hi gaaij,
slightly off topic, but couldnt resist to do this.
moderators, please delete or move if this doesnt belong here.
Got a quad projector setup for my VW Vento. Fired up the DRLS and couldnt stop myself from taking a photo. Low res ofcourse, but this is a teaser.
If this stays here, more pics to come.
For your viewing pleasure, if any!
drive safe, always wear a seatbelt.

Please post some more pictures of the headlamps .
Did you source them, so you got it done like this .
Let us know more about it .

Also did we miss a Vento thread from your side .

cheers

[epicenter.rulez]

Originally Posted by Schoudhury

Please post some more pictures of the headlamps .
Did you source them, so you got it done like this .
Let us know more about it .

Also did we miss a Vento thread from your side .

cheers

hi schoudhury,
will try to get some nice high res ones today or tomorrow. the visibility is awesome and the vento, which has been suffering from the very weak oe headlamps is ready to rule the roads at night.
fortunately, it is driven by my younger brother as i am more of a hatchback fan and a staunch believer that nothing comes close to the punto, be it projectors or anything else
hence the reason, that your good selves have been spared of the pain of going through another lengthy thread.
thanks for going through this one though.
drive safe, always wear a seatbelt.