[onecar]

Originally Posted by vamsi2390

I did try this out first with the button 1 on the remote lock and it did not work and then realized the button mentioned here is the central locking button on the dashboard. Now the auto-lock has been activated and it works like a charm. Thanks again!

Sorry. Forgot to mention that the button to be pressed is the central locking button on the dashboard. It is great that you found out the correct way.

Regards.

[rajamuneeb]

Great review Surya Vamsi. My five stars to the thread. Duster is indeed a fantastic vehicle and wishing you once again endless happy miles with your cruncher. Best regards

[vamsi2390]

So, finally managed to get some interior and exterior pictures with all the essential mods/add-ons done till now.

Tail lamp Assembly. The inner LED tube looks chic when switched ON!


Hawk eye Head lamp cluster. Looks pretty decent in the mornings. Though they miss a DRL


The updated window and ORVM controls. They are placed slightly forward than might be the optimum position probably as i always end up winding down the rear windows instead of the forward ones. Also, notice the Electric ORVM folding functionality now added.


A closer look at the interior color schemes. RXL comes with black and brown textures which i quite like. The higher RXZ varians come with Grey and brown interiors. Also, notice the 1 ltr bottle placed in the door. That size gets into a snug fit in the doors. The regular 1ltr packaged bottles can be squeezed in as well though there are no dedicated bottle holders.


A closer look at the Renault branded front seat covers. The seats themselves are pretty comfortable except for probably lacking a little more of lower back support.


A look at the rear bench. IMO, the most comfortable place to be in the segment except for the leg space.


A closer look at the rear door. Notice that the door handles take a miss in the facelift(probably done to liberate more space). Also, notice the absence of bottle holders.


The space between the front two seats gets the award for the worst utilized space in the car. Literally has nothing to use in there. Below the gear lever is aluminium colored plastics with literally no space for knick knacks. P.S: its a aftermarket universal armrest.


DUSTER embossed infront of the front passenger to remind him that he is in a 'Duster' !


The 2 DIN music system. Also notice the relocated central locking and hazard system buttons at a more convenient location. Also notice the Belkin mobile holder for which the location is actually spot on as I use the mobile a lot for navigation.


The space before the gear lever has 2 bottle holders with a cloth lining beneath them. Im using one of them to keep the air freshner and the other to keep the keys(the lining beneath keeps the rattles away)


A look at the space below the 2 DIN music system. Probably hasnt been utilized well. The small cubby hole beside the charging port is too small to hold anything. Not sure what can be kept in it. Also, notice the ECO mode button beside and the last fake insert which im guessing is the ESP on higher/AMT variants.


The magnetic sunshades. The front one have zippers to allow easy access to tollbooths etc.,


A look at the rear ones


Even the rear quarter glass gets them.


A look at the added fender mirror. It does provide a good view of the left fender which does protrude out quite a bit in the Duster. It does seem to be helping me in tight situations. But, it was added more due to its form over any functionality it has added. Im a huge fan of the fender mirror of the Fortuner. I would like to source one bug deflector as well


There is a slight difference in color but heck its not noticeable unless one really concentrates (here the difference is pronounced because of the flash light)

How it looks from almost the driver spot.



Also I have added a Garware windshield film. Havent had the chance to test it out in sun. I will be going to Hampi for a 3 day trip for Holi and this might provide me a good chance to evaluate it as we would be 5 people travelling. Id keep an eye on the rear passengers complaining for lack of AC
(which Im guessing shouldnt be the case as I have Garware film and also the magnetic sunshades)

[Chitta Pradhan]

Congratulations mate for your prized possession. I had driven this 85 bhp version some 2 yrs before & did like it. Engine felt lively till 120 kmph which is good enough. I have also test driven 1.3 & 1.6 S cross. One thing I vividly remember that Duster was way more silent inside the cabin as compared to the S cross. But your experience seems to be just the opposite. Now that new S cross has been launched, given a chance , would you still by the 85 bhp Duster over the 1.3 S cross?

[vamsi2390]

Originally Posted by Chitta Pradhan

Congratulations mate for your prized possession. I had driven this 85 bhp version some 2 yrs before & did like it. Engine felt lively till 120 kmph which is good enough. I have also test driven 1.3 & 1.6 S cross. One thing I vividly remember that Duster was way more silent inside the cabin as compared to the S cross. But your experience seems to be just the opposite. Now that new S cross has been launched, given a chance , would you still by the 85 bhp Duster over the 1.3 S cross?

Sorry for the late response. I must have missed your post. Agreed that Duster is more silent(wrt engine noise) than scross.

What I meant in my previous quote was that the NVH (air and outside noise apart from from engine noise) is more in a Duster when compared to Scross. Might have to do with the quality of insulation material.

And yes I would have chosen the Duster still though the face lifted Ecosport especially with its interiors do make me want it

[vamsi2390]

To post on update on the Duster nearing 3 year mark and with 40000 Km, did have quite a spending to be done.

Break pads and rotors were done with and costed about 10k/- for the whole set to be replaced along with general 40k service (another 10k /- ). I have never replaced the pads before as they were pretty much fine at 30000km and now out of no where there are deep marks on the discs

Lesson learnt! change front brake pads pro actively every 20000/25000 kms on Duster

Battery did go weak and was reported to be replaced by SVC and I definitely do not want to get stranded or put up with RSA. Hence was replaced with an amaron Hi Life FLO 60Ah at a cost of 5700/- outside . (ASC quoted 7400/-)

Tyres have been upgraded to 235*60 R16 Maxxis AT 771 as the stock Wanderers have completely worn out and punctures have been a regular affair.


Break pads, rotors and tyres are all too new to comment on the current braking/ride handling. Would be able to comment after about 500km of break in. But, from what i hear, these Maxxis are pretty damn good.

[SpeedFanatic]

Guys where do we have the engine no. embossed in Duster? I could easily locate the chassis number but struggling to find the engine no. in Duster 85ps RXL Adventure model

[vamsi2390]

So the duster has served me well and moving to do duties for a Friend. Getting a i20 Nline N8 DCT as I wanted something smaller, more creature comforts and a bit more performance oriented at the moment. Might add a 7 seater in the next couple of years or so.

Never really troubled me and I'm sure the engine would run for another 2L or more kms owing without any hiccups.