[myavu]

Originally Posted by ashkamath

Again with Citroen Basalt, the concerns are extremely limited dealers across the country and questionable/ very limited after sales spares and service network. I read that Mumbai has only 2 Citroen dealers and that's not comforting to potential customers from Tier 2 & Tier 3 cities like me.

Why don't you try the Honda Elevate MT SV, which will be in the ballpark of 13.5 lakh?

[hieronymous]

@ashkamath: All you need to do is check if the vehicle is E20 fuel compatible. Turbo petrol or NA, shouldn’t matter.
Hyundai’s Turbo petrol at-least on the Verna is E20 fuel compatible curiously this isn’t mentioned in the Verna brochure. I asked the dealer and also saw it in some websites, same is the case for Exter’s Turbo variant (Knight edition). So are VAG 2.0’s 1.0L TSI engines. Their 1.5 L TSI engines are expected to get E20 compliance by Q4 2024.
Does 3XO’s brochure mention whether it is E20 fuel compatible ? You should ask your dealer this question or raise it with Mahindra.

[ashkamath]

Originally Posted by myavu

Why don't you try the Honda Elevate MT SV, which will be in the ballpark of 13.5 lakh?

That's a good suggestion. Will look into it. Thanks

[reppy]

Took delivery of my Dune Beige AX5L variant. Added some accessories and upgraded tires from the stock CEAT 205/65/R16 to Continental Ultracontact6 215/60/R16. A significant improvement in steering feel and much lower road noise observed till now. Will get to know mileage numbers in a few days.

Waiting for OEM fog lamps - no stock at the dealer right now. I generally found the OEM accessories to be reasonably priced.

Question for all: is it advisable to add a black ppf on the roof even though the RC will not mention dual tone?

Reppy

[ashkamath]

Originally Posted by reppy

Took delivery of my Dune Beige AX5L variant. Added some accessories and upgraded tires from the stock CEAT 205/65/R16 to Continental Ultracontact6 215/60/R16. A significant improvement in steering feel and much lower road noise observed till now. Will get to know mileage numbers in a few days.

Waiting for OEM fog lamps - no stock at the dealer right now. I generally found the OEM accessories to be reasonably priced.

Question for all: is it advisable to add a black ppf on the roof even though the RC will not mention dual tone?

Reppy

Congratulations. The car in Dune Beige colour looks simply amazing.

Contrasting black ppf on roof will enhance the look of the car. I don't think it's an issue with police/RTO as they don't look so deep. Atleast I haven't heard anyone being questioned or booked for that "so called illegal modification" of adding a black ppf on the roof. So, go ahead and it done

Drive safe and enjoy your car.

[WinterDust]

Hi all,

I installed SS mesh on the underside of engine bay to tackle the rat problem. I asked service center guy about it and he said it is of no use as it won't work, not sure why he said that and I did it anyway because the person who installed it showed me his previous work and guaranteed that the rat will not be able to enter the engine bay after this. I am attaching some pictures for reference.

Only issue will be when the mechanic wants to access something from the underside during servicing. If somebody knows how often that is required, please comment.

I will further share my experience after I have used it for sometime.

Thanks.

[ashkamath]

Originally Posted by WinterDust

I installed SS mesh on the underside of engine bay to tackle the rat problem. I asked service center guy about it and he said it is of no use as it won't work, not sure why he said that and I did it anyway because the person who installed it showed me his previous work

Only issue will be when the mechanic wants to access something from the underside during servicing.

I believe you did a very right job on your car. Rat bite is a real problem and I have changed the complete wiring of my car twice due to rat bite menace and even after that, the car was not the same as before and there were many niggles with MID and other stuffs.

People tend to forget the necessary functional accessories for their car and jump on to cosmetic accessories like chrome garnishing, leather gear knob or roof rails for example.

I got one am all for functional accessories over cosmetic accessories. My priorities would be the anti-art mesh, Dashcam, blind spot mirrors mounted on both ORVMs (an absolute must for me for all my vehicles), tyre inflator, tubeless tyre puncture repair kit, a small fire extinguisher, glass breaking hammer with seatbelt cutter, boot organizer, vehicle tracker and anti theft system, Gear or ABC locker for anti theft, a torch, a emergency medical kit etc.

I wouldn't want to spend a dime on cosmetic accessories unless they have a functional feature in it.

So, you did great there. Keep us updated, if this mesh served it's purpose or it posed any issue to the car mechanic while working on the car maintenance/ repairs.

Mods: For some unknown reason, my post has appeared multiple times in this thread. Please delete one. Thanks

[SmartCat]

Originally Posted by WinterDust

I asked service center guy about it and he said it is of no use as it won't work, not sure why he said that and I did it anyway because the person who installed it showed me his previous work and guaranteed that the rat will not be able to enter the engine bay after this. I am attaching some pictures for reference.

I did something like this to my Chevrolet Optra 18 years ago, and the mesh caused a BRAKE FAILURE. The problem is that the mesh will start falling apart due to just normal driving. And when that happens, the sharp edges of the mesh might cut the rubber hoses:



However, the rat mesh works as intended and will not allow rats inside the engine bay. Use this as a temporary solution to the rat problem. Once resolved, get rid of the wire mesh.

Because it is not practical to check if the mesh is falling apart at the edges, every single day of your car ownership.

[bharatbs]

Originally Posted by WinterDust

Hi all,

I installed SS mesh on the underside of engine bay to tackle the rat problem.

Thanks for sharing

Where did you get this done and how much was it?

What about the front section near the radiator? Is there any opening there where the pests can enter?

[WinterDust]

Originally Posted by SmartCat

I did something like this for my Chevrolet Optra 18 years ago, and the mesh caused a BRAKE FAILURE.

That's not good. What kind of mesh was used in your car? Was it Aluminium or SS. I have seen Aluminium mesh, it is thick and not flexible. The SS mesh used in my car is thin and flexible, so I am hoping something like that will not happen but you never know.

[SmartCat]

Originally Posted by WinterDust

That's not good. What kind of mesh was used in your car? Was it Aluminium or SS. I have seen Aluminium mesh, it is thick and not flexible. The SS mesh used in my car is thin and flexible, so I am hoping something like that will not happen but you never know.

I don't recall it now, but rubber cannot handle frequent contact with sharp edges of either Aluminum or Steel. And those nuts/rivets that is holding the wire mesh cannot handle the constant vibrations and stresses in an automobile. Or the mesh itself might tear at the contact point.

However, the brake failure happened only after a year or so. So you have time

Is it possible to protect the rubber hoses by covering it up with a thin metal mesh? That will protect the rubber hoses against cuts, but is not a "fit and forget" solution. You still have to check the underside frequently.

[WinterDust]

Originally Posted by bharatbs

Thanks for sharing

Where did you get this done and how much was it?

What about the front section near the radiator? Is there any opening there where the pests can enter?

I got the number of person who does this from a neighbor. He provides home service and told me he works at Konark Car Accessories which is in HSR Layout. It costed me ₹4k and one and a half hours. I have contact of another person who does SS mesh covering of all the cables and pipes and whatever rats can damage in the engine bay. This is different than what I have gotten done. He quoted ₹9k for the same and he also provides home service. His shop in G Maps.

He did not cover the front section and I could not find any opening in the front from where the rat can enter. I asked him if the bumper can be opened without removing the mesh and he said yes.

Originally Posted by SmartCat

Is it possible to protect the rubber hoses by covering it up with a thin metal mesh? That will give you extra protection, but not a "fit and forget" solution. You still have to keep an eye on the mesh.

I think it might possible, I'll check.
Thanks for the insight. I will remove the tires and inspect after a month or so.

[PistonCrown]

Originally Posted by WinterDust

Hi all,

I installed SS mesh on the underside of engine bay to tackle the rat problem. I asked service center guy about it and he said it is of no use as it won't work, not sure why he said that and I did it anyway because the person who installed it showed me his previous work and guaranteed that the rat will not be able to enter the engine bay after this. I am attaching some pictures for reference.

Only issue will be when the mechanic wants to access something from the underside during servicing. If somebody knows how often that is required, please comment.



Thanks.

Not very often you need access from underside access.
Service that involves:
(i) Oil change or coolant change need below access
(ii) Gear oil changes
(iii) Sometimes tightening the lower foundation mounts which is checked for new cars sometimes.

Issue I have notices is :
Tie-rod end
Installer had made sure that adjustment for wheel alignment can be done by keeping adjustment nut accessible.
But there ill be slight restriction/ flexing of the mesh when car is using suspension travel or when car turning.

Dirt getting stuck there
The mesh will make sure that it will become like a thick cover near wheel well area.

Above are just my inputs. I know after spending money on it you do not want to hear some issues I mentioned here. Sorry about same.

[WinterDust]

Originally Posted by PistonCrown

Above are just my inputs. I know after spending money on it you do not want to hear some issues I mentioned here. Sorry about same.

Thanks, I really appreciate it! I am a new car owner and posted this here just because I wanted to know something like what you have pointed out. I'd rather know of all the possible issue beforehand so that I can tend to them at the earliest.

[Xtremecrd]

Originally Posted by WinterDust

Hi all,

I installed SS mesh on the underside of engine bay to tackle the rat problem.

I believe this rat mesh will tear at the first bump your vehicle encounter. The upward and downward movement of shock absorber will result in the mesh getting torn at places where it is contact with tie rods and lower suspension holding arms. You have to provide elongated "0" hole at this places with rubber attached to it prevent ingress of rat from this place. Rubber to be made like comb style design.