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Update after 3rd service at @ 12 months & 9795 KMS]
Clocked close to 9800 KMS in one year, which was precisely the kind of mileage I had anticipated. I got multiple reminders from the authorised center that the car is due for service, but no assistance from NEXA in either scheduling or arranging a pickup. I'm saying this since the NEXA RM is expected to remind you and help with organising service as part of their supposedly "premium" after sales service.
Service Experience & Coverage
I reached the service center at around the time my appointment was scheduled - 8.00 am, to be precise - and was promised that the car would be handed back in about two and half hours. Although I mentioned that that my car is covered by an MCP package offered by Maruti Suzuki to early S-Cross owners, the SA did not seem to be clear on what is covered and what is not. In fact, he confidently remarked, "don't worry, you'll know at the time of billing".
In the meanwhile, I requested the cabin air filter be changed and that the engine oil be replaced with fully synthetic oil (5W-40) instead of multigrade motor oil (5W-30) . The SA mentioned that this would not be possible since the MCP only covers Mineral oil (5W-30). I asked him to hold on for me to check with the NEXA MCP team as I was confident they would be willing to do this for an extra cost, and to my surprise, they informed me that I was only required to pay the difference amount. I got a bigger surprise when I learnt that the SA had advised his staff to replace the oil with 5W-30, without waiting for me to confirm. On expressing my disappointment, he casusally remarked that I could try synthetic oil at the end of the second year. I thought enough was enough and reached out to one of the supervisors, who after a quick phone call agreed to have the oil replaced. I was assured that the oil drained out would be used for one of their compressors.
The following were carried out as part of the 3rd service,
1. Basics functional checks - Brakes, Clutch, Steering etc.
2. Engine Oil replacement (Twice!)
3. Oil & Air filter replacement
3. Wheel Alignment
4. Wheel Balancing
5. Wash
My car was ready at around the promised delivery time, but was sent for wash and vacuum in spite of my clearly asking them to give it a miss, if it would take over 30 minutes. It was finally delivered 2 hours late, thanks to a long queue with no hint of any prioritisation despite my requesting even before confirming my appointment!
Thanks to the MCP, I have to contend with this service experience for another year! The center manager assured me that a swanky NEXA exclusive service center will be operational and would, amongst others, feature an automatic boom barrier that would open only if an appointment is taken (and other such extravagant experiences!) I could only snicker in appreciation of the humour.
The total cost of the service was INR 2266, which included the differential cost of Synthetic Oil and balance weights for the wheels - yes, they are not covered in the MCP
Ownership experience
If I were to summarise my one year with the S-Cross, it'd only be appropriate to term experience extremely satisfying. The S-Cross has simply everything I expected in my upgrade from the Esteem.
Things I (continue to) like,
1. Build quality, inside out
2. Outstanding handling characteristics
3. City-cum-Highway driveability and performance
4. Usability, practicality and premiumness of features - touch screen, cruise control, folding seats, steering adjustment range, low loading lip, back seat ingress/egress etc.
5. Classy subtle styling (yes, it's high time I moved this to the list of likes)
Things I'd hoped would improve, but haven't,
1. Poor support from the accessory team - a cool box I ordered months ago is still on its way
2. Hopelessly overcrowded service outlet - with sales charts showing no signs of stabilisation, service experience is only going southwards
3. Sub-par overall after-sales experience
What's lined up
My considerations for a remap are purely driven by interest, rather than a compelling need. While I've gotten used to the characterstic diesel behaviour, I'm more than satisfied with stock performance. I'm following updates from Dr. Naren on his experience turning his car into a rocket. Also had a detailed chat with sudeepg, who was kind enough to share his remap experience in great detail.
A very busy work schedule added with new responsibilities has kept me from exploring options further.
Coming to the headlight upgrade, while the Philips ExtremeVision lights are a satisfactory improvement over the stock bulbs, especially in rainy conditions, I understand they can't hold a candle to HiDs with projectors. OTOH, the transformed looks of Mi10s car are alone sufficient motivation to go for a mod. The hunt for projectors is also compromised for the same reason as with the remap.
That's about what I have to share for now.
Cheers!