Jul 22, 2008 03:28 PM
12427 Views
This review covers all about the maintenance that i've done for my indica v2 turbo. I hope this also helps people to take a decision if they are planning to buy one.
I bought my indica v2 turbo in jan, 2006. I took the top-end model the dlx. It was the first top-end model in trviandrum city. I like the car overall. It has served me so far. Just that the serving was not with great pleasure.
pda (pre-delivery assessment) failures
When someone takes delivery of a brand new vehicle, they assume that the vehicle is well inspected and serviced before it is handed over to the owner.
I took delivery of the vehicle and on the 3rd day went to wash my brand new car. As i was cleaning the roof, i saw a mark on the paint. I took a closer look and found out that there are two deep cuts in the paint. I could see the anti-rust coating or putti and a bit of the metal sheet. I was really upset that how can a brand new car have such a damage on the paint. Took it to the service center and they told me this would have happened while shifting the car from the truck. I then asked them why do they do a pda? Since the supervisor was known to me, he said if we got to touch that up, they need to re-paint the entire roof.
Since the car was just two days old, i didn't have such a soft heart to re-paint. Then i asked them to touch paint with brush though it may look a bit odd. After touching up the paint using brush, we did the clear coat so the touched up paint got levelled with the rest of the paint.
issues after first service
When i went to give my car for first service, the supervisor informed me that tata has sent out a mail requesting to replace the retro-unit (something to do with power steering) for a series of cars. My car was also in that series. They replaced the retro unit and within 20kms of running the replaced retro-unit broke. The steering was very heavy but still i managed to take the car back home as it broke very near to my house. They then tugged the car to the service center, replaced the unit and gave delivery.
issues in 2007 monsoon
I was living in cochin during 2007 monsoon season. My car was parked most of the time outside the shed, exposed to weather. But i found that there was water coming in from somewhere. The carpet and mats seemed to be wet. I then took it to a service center and they said they have rectified it. Still i used to get the bad stink from the carpet. During weekends i used to leave all the doors open so that the carpet will get dried. But almost all days, i used to get a bad smell from the carpet when i open the door in the mornings.
during this monsoon
Four days ago, i had to travel somewhere urgent and i got ready and open the car door. I got a very bad foul smell as i opened the door. I thought something might have been dead underneath my car. I then sat inside and as i kept my foot on the car floor, i heard a splash noise. I removed the mat and it was horrific. There was atleast 1 inch of water above the carpet. The whole floor of the car was filled with water.
I then cancelled my trip and using a towel and took out the water as much as possible. I called up the service center and they told me that water leakage is a regular complaint in indicas. I was really upset. I maintain my car very well. I spend atleast 2-3 hours during weekends to clean my car. I do service every 5000 kms though company says to change oil in 10, 000 kms. After spending 5 lakhs for the car, maintaining it so well and when you see your car is having an irritating problem like this, your heart breaks. My car is only 2+ years old.
Since it is rainy season, it will take time for the carpet to get dried even if i leave all the doors open. So i took it to the service cetner yesterday and asked them to remove the whole carpet, clean the inside, check for leaks removing the carpet and solve the issue and give the car back to me. They have put an estimate of rs.1400 and 4 days time. I pray to god that they rectify it.
I was really upset to know how tata can produce cars worth 5 lakhs with water leakage. Since the mechanic of their authorized service center informed me about that, i believe him or i have to believe him.
general issues with services in authorized service centers
I have given my car for servicing in cochin and trivandrum. My sincere advise to anyone who would like to buy a tata vehicle would be, please don't think your after sales service will be better. You will never be satisfied with the service at any of the service centers. I have taken my car to almost all the dealer service cetners. But i never got personal care for my indica.
I found out the reason too. There are lots of tata vehicles than any other vehicles on road that all tata service centers are over-booked for servicing vehicles on most days. So they cannot pay attention to one car, unless you know the service manager or a supervisor pretty well. I found that a service center who can service maximum of 35 cars a day is servicing about 60-70 cars per day. How can you expect them to pay attention to your car then?
summary
With nano also coming on road, service quality will only worsen. So probably this may be my last tata car. I've had 3 tata vehicles before. But not anymore.
My request to anyone who is planning to buy a tata car would be - never buy a tata car thinking it is economical and within your budget. It is economical of course, but it will also take away your peace of mind.
Why do you need a car that does not give you peace of mind in taking it around?
If someone from tata see my comment and take some good action, good for them. But i request each of you who have planned to buy a tata car, please don't put your hard-earned money into a whole which you do not know the depth. Think wisely before you spend.
I would recommend to buy tata cars only if tata solve the issue of service quality in authorized service centers and these kind of issues that remove the peace of mind of the owner.
