Dusted, after driving almost all the common man's (myself being one of them) SUV/MUV from the likes of Safari (twice), Scorpio, Bolero, Tavera, I think, had enough of my share of niggles.
At one point in time, the mechs at the workshop were about to become my friends as far as the Safari and Scorpio were concerned.
Last time when I went to the deep interiors of Sikkim(for birding), the Safari key remote was not working suddenly. Since the car has engine immobilizer, remote was the only way I could unlock the engine. The remote battery went dead in the cold, a battery (12v, 28 amps, 1inch long pencil thin) size I have never seen in my life. Arranged a 12v 22 amp different battery and wired it to the remote to unlock the engine.
Coming back to Kolkata, I decided to get the Duster in June, was following the Team bhp Duster thread too for a year or so.
But that does not go to say that Duster was the only alternative I was looking for which has terrific GC and comes with reliability:
1. Followed the Toyota Fortuner since 2006 onward when pricing rumours were around 15L but reality came crushing after launch.
2. Then came the Yeti, started following it from 2009 onwards, but the ground clearance made me so sad, otherwise I love the car.
Why did I choose the Duster?
I needed a car which would do good on highways and on mountains with the highest ground clearance but should be within 10-12L. The Yeti, very close to my heart, lost out on GC and price. The Logans on the road made me trust Renault on quality. Finally Duster on 2012. seems to fit my requirements perfectly.
On August 2nd, took delivery of RxZ 110 PS Woodland Brown colour.
Booking and Delivery experience.
Actually got to know about the bookings from other TBHP members.
Booking was smooth, 19th June 2012.
Duster got launched on 4th July across India, it came to Kolkata on 7th July.
Wanted to get a TD but the dealer does not call me. The excitement to get hands on the car was too much for all the patience I had. So I called and forced a TD saying I would pay up full on road value after the TD and on the same day.
9th July, payments over, dealer told me I should be the first person to get the car by July end or first week of August.
First week of August, called up the dealer to know only 16 cars have arrived but my colour does not exist in the RxZ. Sales representative says, " Please take the Grey". He even brought the grey plate, polished it with his own shirt and tells me, "This looks great" but in vain, the woodland brown strongly stood its ground in my mind.
Then came the senior manager with a list which has 3 woodland browns, RxZ but cannot be allotted as they were booked before me (as claimed by him and all were corporate big shots as seen in the list). I was surprised, shocked but politely sat with him. We both tried to convince each other and after 15 mins of reaching nowhere I asked, "Did any of them finish their payments or all are opting for loans?"
He got stuck, my next answer was, " Either I get the car or return my full amount". His reply, "Sir, please come tomorrow and take the car but prices have gone up by another 7k".
Will update on this when I get my invoice, they have kept it for registration.
Features I liked:
1. Good GC, (roads I traverse during trips are bad, all scrape except the Safari)
2. Large Boot (everything from food, water, burner, tents should fit on trips)
3. Tired of seven seater, even a four would be fine.
4. Good ride quality, better handling.
5. Exterior finishing and paint quality.
6. Loved the fabric seat designs, have ordered art leather for the same.
Things I did not like:
1. As mentioned by all and everyone, the Doors. They are light but worse are the door beading. Room for improvement.
2. The body metal gauge, its actually thinner than the cars I am used to. Quiet similar to Innova.
3. Horrible audio quality, makes me laugh at the kind of dynamic range Renault shows. (Koleos has BOSE)
4. Plastic quality in the interiors, should have been much much better for the price.
Since this is the rainy season, gave the car a good wax and did not opt for the paint protection.
Also went for a floor lamination to save the interior carpet.
The Bluetooth connectivity is fantastic, I even like to steering remote controls
. As a matter of fact, you can even access them while making a turn. Its actually impossible doing this if the controls were on the steering wheel itself. BUT the car audio is just beyond even basic.
Hence the Primus PR 6500cs Infinity component.
The rear GTO-S959 6x9 JBL
The GTX-X646 amps below the front left seat.
There was a hissing, whining noise picked up by the amps which was transmitted to the speakers which I have managed to kill. Just adjust the amps input gain where no audible hissing is heard. Did this at midnight with all doors closed and there I have hissing free amps.
For Team BHP with love. When I was fitting the speakers at the after market shop, many came to have a look at the Duster, many more came to ask where I got the TBHP stickers from.
Something which many would love to see, this is what you get if you drive it with love.
Otherwise in sporty mode but never crossing 2k rpm mark for the first 1500km, I get 12.5km/L
City drive is pleasurable but not tension free. The side arches are a real concern with motor cycles and rickshaws going left and right. Engine feels smooth and adequately powered. Downshifting is a must in city traffic. I am used to driving one hand on the wheel and one on the gear knob, shifting becomes a bit easier then.
I doubt if the AC is powerful or the sun heats up the dash pretty quickly. The front wind shield gets very hot in no time on bright sunny days making the AC look inadequate. During nights its fine.
Thinking if I have to put a front wind shield film.
Night driving is not a problem, I find the headlights good enough. Two separate high and low beams throw a good amount of light. There is wind noise audible at high speeds but I mask that with some good music.
Have driven the car 900 kms so far, should finish up another 500 kms within a week as rains have stopped.
Its niggle free this far with no body/door noise even on bad roads.
My courtship with the Duster till this point is fantastic. The ride quality and stability is to die for. Had parked my car on a road side when a brand new Ford Endeavour(Big Boss) came from the other side and stopped beside mine. The family had a good look at my car and gave me a 'Thumb's Up' and moved on, feels good!
The real test though is about to come by September end when I take it to Sikkim. Have to see if it develops any kind of rattle.