I have thoroughly enjoyed my vehicles, but each has faced its own set of challenges.
BHPian Akash_1806 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:
Hello everyone,
I thought it was time to update the thread since it’s been a while. This post is a mixed bag of emotions; I have thoroughly enjoyed my vehicles, but each has faced its own set of challenges. While it’s a common fact that not all incidents on the road can be avoided, I believe some of this was just bad luck. Without further ado, let’s dive into the details of each vehicle.
The Baby GS – Nicknamed ‘Grizzly’
The 310 has covered around 6,000 km in total, with about 2,000 km since the last update. I had the annual service done in May 2024, which cost ₹9,870 and included brake bleeding for both the front and rear brakes. The fork seals had gone bad, but BMW Motorrad replaced them under warranty, and I had to leave the bike with them for around five days. I’m extremely happy with how BMW Motorrad handled the warranty claim—it was a seamless process.
Grizzly is a fuss-free ride, and I have no complaints. I have a few modifications planned, including an engine and crash guard from Zana and knuckle protectors from Barkbusters, which should be installed next month. The rear brake pads might need replacement in the next 1,000–1,500 km, and I’m considering switching to ceramic pads. Any suggestions would be welcome.
Jimny Zeta AT 2023 – Nicknamed ‘Billauta’
My trusted daily driver, which I affectionately refer to as my new off-road companion, has covered around 19,000 km and will be going in for its 20k service in the first week of November. I’ve been using it for daily office runs of around 65 km and weekend off-roading in the Aravali Hills. It’s extremely comfortable for daily driving, although the turning radius is reminiscent of the old Safari DiCOR. It’s also a highly competent off-roader, nimble, and has decent fuel efficiency—around 12 km/l in the city and 15 km/l on the highways. Plus, it’s affordable to maintain.
Unfortunately, Billauta was involved in a small accident on October 12, 2024. While parked in the basement of Ansal Plaza, Andrews Ganj, New Delhi, a drunk driver in a maroon Endeavour with an off-road bumper scraped the entire metal sheet of the passenger-side front door while trying to maneuver out of the parking space. It was a depressing sight. I tried asking the staff in the basement about the responsible vehicle, but they were clueless. After reviewing CCTV footage three days later, I identified the driver, but by then, I had already had the door repaired and painted at one of my trusted workshops. As usual, the workshop worked its magic, and the car was ready in about four hours. I didn’t take any pictures of the damaged door; it was too upsetting to look at.
One of the off-road runs,
One with the buddies,
Right after 10k service,
Turbo Power, 1.0 Ecoboost – Nicknamed ‘Wolfy’
Wolfy has covered around 85,000 km in total and has undergone several major maintenance items that had been pending for a while. The suspension was due for replacement, so I decided to go all out and chose Bilstein B6. After a lengthy search, I found an importer who had a set available, originally ordered by someone who never paid. I jumped on the opportunity. Although the new suspension is a bit stiff, the handling has improved from excellent to heavenly.
Next on the list was the clutch. I plan to remap the car to Stage 2+ along with supporting hardware, and I felt it was best to upgrade to a performance clutch now. I’ve heard great reviews about Sachs, so I decided to go with them. The clutch was arranged in about two weeks and was fitted two days ago. I haven’t driven much since my dad is currently using it, but I can already feel the difference in the pedal—it’s a bit stiffer than the stock one, which is to be expected from a performance clutch.
As I mentioned earlier, Wolfy was involved in an accident last Tuesday near Sector 25. My mother was making a turn when a delivery rider on a Splendor rammed into the left side C-pillar at a speed of around 60-70 km/h. The impact was so strong that it bent and deformed a section of the chassis, which my trusted mechanic later repaired. The delivery rider initially blamed my mother, and when we tried to address the issue, around 40-50 delivery riders gathered, threatening us and hurling abuses while the at-fault rider stood behind them. In the end, I had to call 112, and the police responded within 10-15 minutes. They took strict action against the delivery rider and the 6-7 individuals who were causing trouble. I sincerely appreciate the swift response of the police in managing the situation and holding those responsible accountable.
Once Wolfy was back with our trusted mechanic, we decided to replace the suspension and clutch as well since she was already there. Everything was sorted out within a few days. The next service is likely to be next month, around the 88,000 km mark.
The accident
Getting her repaired,
And finally after spending 2 nights at the workshop, ready to go home.
Old Skool Stuff, 1.3 MPFI – Nicknamed ‘Candy Truck’
The “Candy Truck,” as my friends like to call it, has covered around 25,000 km, nearly all of which has been off-road or during special events, including the Team BHP Independence Day Drive. She is running strong, and I have addressed most of the issues. However, a few things are still pending:
Body tinkering—there’s a bit of rust around the rally cabin and wheel well that needs attention.
Spark plugs—already ordered.
Ignition wires—already ordered.
AC servicing.
As much as I hate to say it, she also went through an unfortunate incident in July. I was close to home when a driver of a cargo EECO van, with about 6-7 people inside, thought it would be smart to cut between my car and an approaching divider from the left to make a U-turn. Realizing he couldn’t make it, he braked hard, and I did the same, but the absence of ABS and the subpar brakes of the old Gyp didn’t help. I rear-ended the van at around 50 km/h. By the time I moved my car aside, the EECO had already left—only three tires remaining, as they had lost one. They may have been under the influence, but they fled. The truck’s main frame was bent, protruding into the front left tire. I had to leave it there overnight and towed it to the workshop the following morning. It took about four days to source parts from Mayapuri and get her sorted. While at it, I replaced the rotors and pads, performed a full service, cleaned the throttle body, and replaced the tachometer.
I have driven her around 4,000 km since then, and aside from the small issues mentioned, she is running perfectly. I’m in a dilemma about whether to keep her or sell. It’s been almost five years since I brought her home, and the urge to upgrade is starting to itch. I’ve done nearly everything I planned for this car, and any further investment would require a significant commitment—something I’m not ready for due to limited practicality. I might sell it; I might not. Only time will tell, but for now, she is the pride of my garage and holds a special place in my heart.
The unfortunate incident –
Denting, Frame work completed
And finally painted, awaiting cosmetic parts from Mayapuri.
Meanwhile Jimny waiting for it’s elder sibling to come back home.
And its time to catch up with friends after the tiring ordeal has come to an end.
Conclusion
To conclude this lengthy and emotionally mixed post, I want to reflect on the title of this thread. This garage, my Dream Garage, took a considerable amount of time to materialize. Many days were spent procrastinating, and countless sleepless nights were dedicated to motivating myself, but in the end, it happened—much more than I expected five years ago. I won’t say that pursuing your dreams is easy; it never is. But if you want to achieve them, you must put in the effort. As President Kalam rightly said, “A dream is not what you see while sleeping. It is something that does not let you sleep.” This resonates with me deeply, as this journey has certainly kept me awake at night.
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