Maruti Suzuki Wagon R 2015 model long term ownership review (60k kms)

[SK01]

This is an ownership review of my Wagon R LXI CNG 2015 model which exactly clocked 64,586 kms on the Odo.

 

Keeping everything straight and frank,

 

I would like to speak few words about our maintenance and drive which really speaks a lot about the vehicles overall reliability.

 

Bought my car in 2015 because we wanted a car for city use which is economical and practical, hence CNG.

 

Always on time service at the ASS.

 

In between we changed 5 drivers hence multiple driving styles on a single vehicle. We always drive it inside the city limits which is a mixed highway and bumper to bumper traffic drive. Daily the vehicle runs for 100kms.

 

No major accident histories except few daily one's. One at the back while reversing, one at the left side near headlight while turning (speed less than 10kmph) one at the right side floor.

 

(PLEASE FORGIVE ME IF THE ABOVE ONE SOUNDS LIKE A PRE-OWNED VEHICLE CLASSIFIED DETAILS [emoji51])

 

Now coming to the proper review,

 

The vehicle was really good. I should say it's brilliant. Total VFM for me. It's economical, fuel efficient, good to drive, and to be driven, nice engine (not a performance one though), space, legroom, headroom for a person like me (6ft) is perfectly fine. The vehicle was niggle free, reliable untill 40k kms. After crossing 40k many problems came from no where. Water pump damage being the first one, followed by rear shocks, wheel bearings, lower arms, front shocks, engine and gear box mounting, suspension bushes and God should know the remaining ones.

 

Now explaining all those issues in detail, water pump was damaged at 45k and was replaced under extended warranty.

 

Then came rear shocks, wheel bearings and lower arms all together at 62k. ASS said the shocks damage was due to the hit it got at the rear which happened 3 years back. Having said that, they didn't cover it under extended warranty. Lower arms they said will not be covered under extended warranty so it's only wheel bearings which got covered.

 

Now came the front shocks, suspension bushes, engine and gear box mounting. ASS again said they can't cover the shocks under extended warranty because they were damaged because of the hit it got from the left side (speed less than 10kmph). They say shocks will only be covered if there's any oil leakage or else no. Bushes also the same story.

 

I wonder how a vehicle's shocks get damaged just by a small hit. Is MS quality that low? Are the cars that flimsy?

 

I don't know if the problem is with everyother owner or it's only me. Only thing I can say is that the car is not as reliable as it was earlier.

 

I still love driving this car. Seating position, comfort, engine, steering, space and all are fine. But it's not a reliable one.

 

As an owner of Maruti Suzuki since 2000, I can say that the quality has drastically come down. Even the famous after sales service word is just an advertisement tool now.

 

I'm an owner of Honda City I-VTEC VX and a Wagon R LXI.

 

I never sent a single rupee on my City expect for the servicing. It's a 2014 model. I spend 10k approx for my City's service and 9-10k for my Wagon R.

 

To all those who are eagerly waiting to buy a MS, there's a word from my side,

 

"Choose wisely & don't fall pray for their marketing tools"

 

P.S: I still love my car because that's a car. I only hate the way MS is fooling customers.

[sagar]

Lovely report @Krish.. Very well detailed on the whole history of it till date as well...

 

Adding to your  report, I would want to share why people in our country opt for Maruti Suzuki instead and other brands which is why it stands number 1 and occupies ~48 % of the automobile market share ...

People buy Maruti because they have been taught and they believe that

1. Maruti has wide spread network of service stations. (true)
2. Maruti Suzuki spare parts are cheaper then other cars.
3. Maruti cars have lesser maintenance cost compared to other vehicles.
4. Investing on Maruti car is a least risk and hardly this decision will fail.
5. Maruti has excellent resale value (and it's true)

Now some of the points are actually pure myth. Specially #2 & #3. Unless you do not opt for after market non genuine spare parts.

Some other reasons for buying Maruti Suzuki

1. Maruti has wide range of cars.
2. Some of the MS cars have unmatched looks (Swift)
3. Some of the MS cars have unmatched VFM (Ciaz)
4. Some of their cars have been first in the segment (Ertiga, Stingray)
5. Since the volume of cars on road is too high, thus no scarcity of spare parts
6. Vast customization scope and after market accessories.

IMO Maruti car buyer segment is under 10 lacs. Some of them are first time car buyer and don't want to go wrong with their first investment.

[SK01]

Lovely report [mention=342]Krish[/mention].. Very well detailed on the whole history of it till date as well...
 
Adding to your  report, I would want to share why people in our country opt for Maruti Suzuki instead and other brands which is why it stands number 1 and occupies ~48 % of the automobile market share ...
People buy Maruti because they have been taught and they believe that

1. Maruti has wide spread network of service stations. (true)
2. Maruti Suzuki spare parts are cheaper then other cars.
3. Maruti cars have lesser maintenance cost compared to other vehicles.
4. Investing on Maruti car is a least risk and hardly this decision will fail.
5. Maruti has excellent resale value (and it's true)

Now some of the points are actually pure myth. Specially #2 & #3. Unless you do not opt for after market non genuine spare parts.
Some other reasons for buying Maruti Suzuki

1. Maruti has wide range of cars.
2. Some of the MS cars have unmatched looks (Swift)
3. Some of the MS cars have unmatched VFM (Ciaz)
4. Some of their cars have been first in the segment (Ertiga, Stingray)
5. Since the volume of cars on road is too high, thus no scarcity of spare parts
6. Vast customization scope and after market accessories.

IMO Maruti car buyer segment is under 10 lacs. Some of them are first time car buyer and don't want to go wrong with their first investment.

Agree with you. But now the way MS is playing in the market is whole different. They are now in the peak stages of their business life. And the reason for the numbers is the value the names have got.

Wagon R is not the same as the old one. The reason for its success is its name. We ourselves bought it blindly because it's a "Wagon R"

Swift is not the same as the old one now. Again the name is selling the car.

Dzire, Alto and what not...

We are still using our first car MS 800 DX 2000 model even now which clocked 1l on the Odo without any major issues.

We are facing issues with this vehicle only at 65k which speaks a lot about its quality.

Maruti Suzuki will survive in this market the same way untill new generation of enthusiasts come.