Another experience with truth! After 9 months of exhilarating ownership experience, it was time for the first paid service (after 3 free services! yes, far too early compared to other cars) when ODO showed 10595. Having had bitter experiences with Magnum Honda during the last 2 services, wanted to try Whitefield Honda. Took an appointment for mid-week and went to drop the car. A new SA came and took ODO readings etc... and asked me for complaints. He wrote all the niggles I mentioned and then asked me if I want to get my car washed. I said 'What?' He then asked me if I want them to do an overall check-up. I said 'Who is your manager?' The manager Mr.Srinivas was on the phone all the time and didnt even bother to acknowledge when I waved at him. I was told he is busy and I need to wait. I waited for about 10 min. and told him I'll go back and get it serviced by another dealer; then he suggested we go for a test drive with the mechanic himself to understand the problems. I said yes and went for a TD with the mechanic and tried to explain him the issues. Main issue was the cut-cut noise while turning right when the car is on a slope. To my horror the mechaninc says its normal and is due to suspension doing its work! One moment I thought I'm at the wrong hands totally. But he was very confident about the cause for LHS rattling issue. He also said he will check the front suspension/mechanicals. I thought, let me have him try.
When I came back from TD, Mr.Srinivas came out and saw my car from a distance and read the"www.team-bhp.com" sticker and then started talking to me nicely. He said 'we get lot of information from this site':-). I told him not to hurry up, but take his time to identify the issues and deliver the next day. He seemed a bit relieved. Delivery: Though he said he would call me when the car is ready, nobody did! When I called him, he says the car is ready. I went and checked the car from head to heel; all OK but wasn't clean; LHS door trim and seat seemsed a bit soiled. I said I want to go for a TD with the mechanic to which he initially said the mechanic is busy etc. But when I insisted the mechanic came with me. We went for a short TD and it seemed better with the rattling issue partially fixed. I didnt have much time, so I took the delivery but mentioned in the voucher about the partial fix of rattling issue and the cut-cut noise not being tested. Post-delivery:
Withing 20kms of driving, all problems reappeared along with a new one; the growl from the engine sounded different at around 2K rpm. Service feedback call came after 2 days and I mentioned my dissatisfaction. She said Mr.Srinivas will call me. Waited for 1 week, no call. Filed an online complaint with Whitefield Honda with scanned copy of the voucher and mentioned that this event will be reported to Honda Siel. Then also no response or call. Sent a reminder after 2 days. Next day I get a call from Srinivas to visit them on Monday. Let me see! The car:
ODO shows 11600+ and its an absolute delight to drive/own. I take her to redline atleast 3-4 times in a week. Even though the roads wont allow me to hold her high for long, few seconds at redline is still a lot of fun.
Some dislikes,
> Dealerships need a lot of enforcement from Honda Siel on the quality of service. Honda can't claim ignorance on such issues and wait for customers to report such incidents. IMO, the mechanics need more(rigorous) hands-on training and SA's need some theory; then they can make a good pair. Honda needs to carry out periodic assessment of mechanics/SA's if they are really serious about improving service quality.
> Stock HU needs some DSP. Highs get too high(harsh) for some tracks. Mids and Lows are really nice for a stock HU. Especially the lows are well controlled not to sound boomy. Door trims vibrating with low base is not acceptable for a car at this price. My 6 year old Ikon does better for same tracks. I'm not a hiphop guy, I mostly play stuff like the ones on GrooveSalad-somafm.com.
> Fit and finish of exterior and interior are excellent, but things like thickness of some exterior panels/interior plastic parts need step-up.
> Octagonal tail-lights look better than old circular ones when OFF and vice vera when ON. When ON, the octagonals do not suit the shape at all, though the jewel effect is awesome.
> Headlights are grossly under-engineered by Honda. Its not so bad but not sufficient for sure.
> Underchassis coating is done only around joints. Not sure if this is from day 1 or since facelift. Me planning to get the under-chassis coating done during next service.
> Inner roof lining could have been a different material (like the ones in Accord or Jazz)
Issues with my car:
> Cut-cut noise while tuning right when the car is on a slope
> Rattling noise from LHS
> Inconsistent door locks. Some feel tight. This is after they fixed something for rattling during 1st service
Last edited by mkc15 : 8th August 2010 at 00:33.
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