Update after 19000 kms: Sold it after got fed up with the really really bad braking. Whats the use of driving a car if you are afraid all the time that it won't stop in time. Its an issue Maruti service people are aware of, that the Diesel variant does not brake well unless you have ZDi which has ABS. Hell, I am sure Maruti is aware of this, but we the Indians are fine with buying the tin cans that they keep throwing at us with amazing cost cutting at the expense of safety.(Can't they spend some of the millions of profit they are making to ensure features like ABS and EBD are standard?)
Replaced with a Fiat Punto Emotion. Handles like a charm. Mileage same, only the initial acceleration is lacking. Braking is AMAZING! Tried on the highway, at 120+, at night. Stopped in an almost anti-climactic way. It won't get me a resale value, but I may not need to sell it anytime soon if it keeps me and my family safe.
Finally after 2000+ kms past, here are a few more comments:
1) The most sought after info: it has given 16.25 kms/litre of diesel(driving speed usually between 40kmph & 80kmph & hard acceleration off the red lights to leave the traffic behind)
2) Driving seat not the most comfortable(I am 183 cms / 6 feet tall), will have to get some cusions for lower back.
3) Stereo speakers are cracking up on higher base songs
4) Still hate the steering but getting used to it. If you try avoiding pot holes at 80+kmph, better be ready to take care of the tail swaying dangerously. Remember, in a skid, steer into the skid.
5) The engine is a lot noisier that the similar engine on a FIAT PALIO MULTIJET DIESEL.
They somehow made it a lot more silent, guess the tank-like built of a Palio is more suited to this engine, not the flimsy Maruti built.
6) Boot, it feels as if the boot will come off into your hands, its that light
7) Headlamps, feel a bit wanting on the highway, fog lamps are good though. Will probably upgrade the headlamps when I have some spare money:)
8) Gears - I am a bit apprehensive of the gears, they are not smooth now - third gear at times needs a bit of a push to lock into place, don't know how they will behave after 20, 000 kms. Again, Fiat's gearbox and clutch are amazingly smooth.
9) AC - is powerful enough, without climate contriol on LDI and VDI, you will keep reaching for the AC buttons, my suggestion, keep the cooling a bit higher than the coolest, the engine does not get strained as much and you do not need to fiddle too much with the controls.
10) Money, I still consider this car a lot more expensive than the features provided warrant. A Fusion DuraTorq has better features and built, but then aMaruti will fetch better resale value, I hope. This is nota car to be used for 5 years, maybe 2, then hope to upgrade to Skoda/Volksvagon Diesel.;)
Took delivery of Maruti Swift Dzire VDI on the 31st of March. First impressions:
Really quick, after 2000 RPM it is amazing, no noise, just flies, the turbo kicks in and the engine behaves like a much quicker file.
Silent, can hardly make out its a diesel with windows rolled up
Nice Finish, good paintjob, no loose parts so far.
Steering is iffy, you tend to loose control when suddenly accelerating & also on breaking. I wish I could turn mine to normal, manual stuff
Interior, decent, plastics, decent, no sharp edges
Music System, not good, few controls, no user manual, distortion at high volumes, avoidable. Go for your own choice.
Ride, I only drove it, not very comfortable for the driver, backseat seems better but don't know
Mileage, expect 16 - 18. still only 50 kms done so can't tell
Worth buying?YES
Simply because its a Maruti, Diesel, Fiat engine, decent mileage and good power, I should say good pickup. Seats 5 without much trouble.
Regards,
Hemant Sharma
Jaipur
