Modifications that cannot/should not be done after purchase of a new [...]]]>

A common question and dilemma a lot of prospective vehicle owners have are around what modifications they can perform to their vehicle and what are best purchased as factory installed options. This post attempts to guide such buyers through that decision.

Modifications that cannot/should not be done after purchase of a new vehicle without considerable effort & cost and putting your warranty in question and having to deal with questionable quality: 

• Adding/changing air conditioning/heating /cooling systems/climate control
• Changing engine
• Changing from petrol to diesel
• Changing from manual gear shifter to automatic
• 4×2 to 4×4
• Modifications to doors,bonnet,trunk
• Increasing/decreasing ground clearance
• Rear defogger/wiper
• Additional interior space
• Additional fuel tank capacity
• Performance/mileage modifications (Turbochargers, superchargers exhaust systems, chip modifications, tri-phase electrical, intake systems)
• Changing vehicle color
• Changing exterior so much that the vehicle is not recognizable. Some examples can be found at:Top Gear: http://www.topgear.com/content/timetoburn/sections/carbage/pages/0532/  & Team BHP: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/collection-best-threads/1954-pics-weird-wacky-mod-jobs.html#post21498

(Please do think many times before you go down this path. Your/your parents’ hard earned money may make you the laughing stock of the world).

Safe modifications that can be done at any time by the dealer or by reputed independent vendors anytime after you purchase a new or used vehicle:

• Adding/upgrading ICE (Head units, in-dash/flip down/headrest mounted displays, speakers, sub-woofers, tweeters etc)
• Upgrading headlamps/adding fog lamps
• Adding alloys & changing to tubeless tyres
• Up-sizing tyres(when done correctly)
• Sun film
• Vinyl stickers/paint jobs
• Central locking/power windows
• Remote locking( easier to do if the vehicle already comes with central locking)
• Security systems
• Remote starter
• Backup sensors, alarms, cameras
• Air filters
• Spoilers and body kits(stock)
• Sunroof
• Upgrading Horns (within legal limits)
• Adding cloth/leather seat covers /re-upholstering the seats/changing to racing style seats
• Changing to sports steering wheels (smaller in size etc) (not advisable if your car has driver side steering wheel mounted airbags)
• Portable fridges/coffee warmers
• Central Armrests/ consoles
• Interior fake wood/carbon fiber/chrome type finishing
• Door pads/roof upholstering
• Sports type pedals
• Gear knobs

Though these are considered “safe” modifications – if done carelessly they can damage your vehicle and also void the warranty. So do shop around and don’t be in a hurry, take your time to evaluate the installer, their wares and warranties before you spend your money.

 A thumb rule to a vehicle owner to help determine if they are over-doing the modifications – if you are spending more than 25% of the value of the car on accessories and modifications – you are definitely going overboard with the modifications. You would have been better off buying a costlier car which would give you most of the features you have added on and in addition have the comfort and peace of mind that comes with a OEM backed warranty and service network.

Have I covered this in sufficient detail and covered the usual accessories and modifications? Are there any questions on these – please do post your thoughts through the comments on this blog.

A lot depends on the trim level you plan to buy. If you go in for the base version, you spend less on the car upfront and have money to spare to accessorize. You could also go [...]]]> If you are planning to buy a Tata Nano and want help deciding how to accessorize it-read on…

A lot depends on the trim level you plan to buy. If you go in for the base version, you spend less on the car upfront and have money to spare to accessorize. You could also go in for a middle-of-the-road variant as well and accessorize accordingly. If you can afford the top of the line variant and still are not satisfied with the accessories, you may want to look at a costlier car .

The 3 variants details known as of now are (Source: MotorBeam.com, Vicky.in):

Base ( On Road Price  Approx: Rs. 1,10,000)

Seat Belts (ELR Front, Static Rear)
Engine opening through rear bumper
Speedometer and Odometer
High mounted Rear Stop lamp
Centrally placed exhaust
Only Driver’s seat adjust-sliding and reclining
Fixed front passenger seat
Folding Rear Seats
2-Spoke Steering wheel
Grey bumpers and interiors
Driver side outside rear view mirror

CX(Adds the following on the Base)( On Road Price  Approx: Rs. 1,30,000)

HVAC (Air conditioner with heater)
Tinted Glass
Both Driver and Co-driver seats slide and recline
2 tone grey interiors and seats
Optional Metallic paint.
Hopefully the CX gets body colored bumpers.

LX (Along with the features of Base CX Adds the following)( On Road Price  Approx: Rs. 1,60,000)

Trip-meter
Front Power windows
Central Locking
Front and Rear fog lamps
3-Spoke Steering wheel
Moulded door trim with fabric inserts
Floor console with glass holder
Anti-Glare inside rear view mirror
Sun-visors on both sides

You have to define your vehicle budget as the first step. Based on that you

can determine what you need to or what you  can add on as an accessory. Also decide if you have that sum all at once or if you need to spread it over a period of time.
For an all-at-once deal you could either spend it all on ICE and interiors, exteriors or on performance options or on a mix of it all. For a bit at a time you may want to do the exterior at one time, interior at another etc.

Factory installed options (must do at booking time):
The stop start technology is a must have in addition to getting a diesel if this is at all given as a factory option. This would improve mileage by a great deal. As of now only the petrol’s will be launched.

Must have exterior list:
Get exterior rear-view mirrors to make sure you are aware of what traffic is there outside. A single one shouldn’t cost more than Rs. 500. (Required on all models from Base upwards)

Must have interior:
Music system and a set of 4 speakers. This on a minimum would cost you around Rs. 8, 000.

Optional Interior List:
Installing the power windows and central locking also are options to consider but best done at the dealer to ensure the warranty is not voided. Cost around Rs: 5,000. ( You may need this for all models other than the LX)
If you want a superior experience you could get a music system head unit which takes in USB/aux inputs,play a variety of streaming formats and with a higher power output.
Am not sure where a sub-woofer can be placed but that too can be added for aroundRs. 7, 000.
Seat covers for around Rs. 2, 500 . If you are up to it – you could upholster the entire interiors with leather or change the colors to beige.

For the dashboard you could get trim that mimics carbon fibre, chrome or wood. Just take care that the dash trim matches the seats etc.
A gear knob replacement could also be added.Cost around Rs. 200.
Steering wheel covers cost around Rs. 300.
Replacement steering wheels cost anywhere from Rs. 500 upwards.
If it is legal in your state sun film for around Rs. 2, 500 .
Under body rust protection for Rs. 1, 800 .

Optional Exteriors:
The easiest way to improve looks is to add alloy wheels. This shouldn’t cost more than Rs. 10, 000 for a standard rim size using OEM tyres.

 
Up-sizing/wider and lower profile/tubeless tyres will cost extra.
If alloys are out of your budget try adding wheel covers. There are some

versions that are very tastefully done and look nice costing not more than Rs. 2,000 for a full set.
If your vehicle comes with grey bumpers, door handles and mirrors, it makes sense to get them painted body color at the dealer itself. If you do it later,  there will be a difference in the paint color. A contrast color may be an option to think about. Just think of the Scorpio and Bolero two-tone paint scheme. Cost of painting shouldn’t exceed Rs. 3, 000. ( A good to have for making the Base version look much better)
Another easy to do up the exterior is to wrap your car with custom designed vinyl. Costs shouldn’t be more than Rs. 3, 000 for the car for portions of doors, bonnet , roof and rear.
The under body kits and spoilers may be a bit over the top but if attention is what you want this with good alloys and a vinyl job will make sure it stands out in a crowd of Nanos.

Just a rear roof spoiler costs around Rs. 3, 000 while the full kit could run in several tens of thousands.

Performance:
Seriously there isn’t much one can do to make the basic low cubic capacity 600 cc engine into a speed machine other than replacing the engine with something from a more powerful car. However not too many engines would fit under the rear bench seats of the Nano.
Less radical options include going in for a stock replacement air filter or for a sports exhaust system. These give a small performance boost and can be done for around Rs. 6, 000.

Sample Accessories Package A (Mix of interior, exterior and music):

Alloys: Rs. 10,000
Seat Covers: Rs. 2,500
Music System: Rs. 10,000
Body Colored Bumper: Rs. 3,000
Total Accessories: Rs. 25,500

Sample Accessories Package B ( Exteriors):
Alloys: Rs.  20,000
Roof Spoiler & Body Kit : Rs. 20,000
Vinyl Stickering: Rs. 3,000
Sun Film: Rs. 2,500
Body Colored Bumpers: Rs. 3,000
Total: Rs. 48,500

Sample Accessories Package C ( Interiors):
Seat Covers: Rs. 2,500
Dashboard Trim: Rs. 2,000
Gear Knob: Rs. 500
Steering Wheel: Rs. 500
Power windows: Rs. 5,000
Music System With Sub: Rs. 20,000
LCD Display: Rs. 10,000
Total:  Rs. 40,500

Letme know through the comments, if I have missed out any points. If you have links to additional information also please do share.