A Ford Joins My Garage: Ford Figo Petrol (1st Gen) Ownership Review

[mayankdixit]

This is the tool I used to work upon this clip. It makes the task of opening and closing the clips super easy.
This tool is called Hose Clamp Plier.
Brand is Force.

 

[deville_56]

Yes that is also a cool trick. But I am scared of oil entering places where it's not supposed to be. So I would advise use very little oil, if at all.

A thin film would do. Nothing to worry with a little bit of oil in there as blowback already feeds excess oil into the filter box.

 

[mayankdixit]

I am worried that tyres on my Figo are very old. 11 years to be precise. Although they have very few kms on odometer ( just about 9000kms) but the rubber has become very hard. They have started making noise on road.
I am also worried that the cuts on the tyre-tread may give up anytime. I don't want to compromise on safety. Presently I am searching for new tyres. I request your opinion regarding which tyre to purchase.

 

[mayankdixit]

I am worried that tyres on my Figo are very old. 11 years to be precise. rubber has become very hard. They have started making noise on road.I am also worried that the cuts on the tyre-tread may give up anytime. I don't want to compromise on safety. Presently I am searching for new tyres. I request your opinion.

I have looked around and seen very few options in 175/65 r14 sizes.
These many brands are showing on the web.Which should I choose?
Michelin
MRF ZTX
CEAT
Bridgestone
Apollo
Continental
Yokohama earth
Kenda(chinese ?)
JK tyres
Goodyear
Nexen tyres (again chinese ? )
Figo will be 95% driven inside the city only.Only occasional highway driving.

 

[mayankdixit]

Present condition of the tyres. Never changed before in 11 years

Although the grooves are still there but the rubber has degenerated a lot.

On opening the boot I was shocked to see the condition of the spare. Seems like it was never taken out, like ever. It was stuck to the rubber base of car body. When I forcefully lifted it up then I realised that gummy like base is still stuck on the tyre!
Here again tread is like new but tyre has cracked due to age and non use.


Condition of the Stepney tyre

 

[mayankdixit]

I am hearing good reviews about Apollo tyres and MRF ztx. I don't want to go for fancy stuff. I want economical and value for money tyres.
Apollo is nowhere available in stores near me. MRF ztx is available but the stock is old. 2021 Nov make.

 

[deville_56]

I am hearing good reviews about Apollo tyres and MRF ztx. I don't want to go for fancy stuff. I want economical and value for money tyres.
Apollo is nowhere available in stores near me. MRF ztx is available but the stock is old. 2021 Nov make.

I'd avoid MRFs at any cost. They hardens and cracks too fast. I had better experience with those Chinese tyres than MRFs.

 

[mayankdixit]

You will be surprised to hear that nexen and kenda tyres both are offering 25% discount on my old tyres. This is the exchange value I am getting.
Amazing isn't it??
I give them my 11 year old, totally degenerated tyres, filled with cuts all over, and I am getting cool 6733/- discount ,by there calculation, provided I buy all 5 tyres from them.
Unbelievable!!

 

[mayankdixit]

I'd avoid MRFs at any cost. They hardens and cracks too fast. I had better experience with those Chinese tyres than MRFs.

Presently I am at a generic tyre shop which is selling all types of unknown brand tyres. I have been offered 5+1 year unconditional warranty on ling long tyres.
I mean who in this present age offers 5 years warranty on tyres, that too in Indian road conditions.
I am seriously getting tempted by this ling-long tyres. Only the name sounds very funny.
Have you guys ever heard of ling long tyres.??


edit: Its also listed on Amazon as LINGLONG LMA18 175/65R14 82H TUBELESS CAR RADIAL TYRE FOR Honda Amaze, Brio/Tata Bolt, Indigo eCS, Vista/Toyota Etios Liva/Hyundai Getz Prime, and Ford Figo

 

[deville_56]

Presently I am at a generic tyre shop which is selling all types of unknown brand tyres. I have been offered 5+1 year unconditional warranty on ling long tyres.
I mean who in this present age offers 5 years warranty on tyres, that too in Indian road conditions.
I am seriously getting tempted by this ling-long tyres. Only the name sounds very funny.
Have you guys ever heard of ling long tyres.??


edit: Its also listed on Amazon as LINGLONG LMA18 175/65R14 82H TUBELESS CAR RADIAL TYRE FOR Honda Amaze, Brio/Tata Bolt, Indigo eCS, Vista/Toyota Etios Liva/Hyundai Getz Prime, and Ford Figo

Linglong is one of the biggest tyre makers in China. I got a pair for i20. 4.7k per piece for 205/60R14.

Kenda and Nexon are also known brands. We generalize them as Chinese tyres.

 

[mayankdixit]

Linglong is one of the biggest tyre makers in China.
Kenda and Nexon are also known brands. We generalize them as Chinese tyres.

Okay, I agree, but why is that nobody knows about them,?? Even here. Not many reviews. Very few comments, about these brands.

 

[deville_56]

Okay I agree but why is that nobody knows about them, even here. Not many reviews.

When Indian tyres were super expensive, these Chinese (South East Asian made) brands were pretty common here. Knew some of them, but always picked Nankang as I was also sceptical about less known brands. Knew a tyre guy who used to import container-worth of tyres. Achilles dealer was selling for buy 3 get 1 free. Majority of the customers were commerical users, reason being less reviews online. If you ask a taxiwala, they may be able to give a better review than a private buyer. Funny part was I checked German comparison of Nankang NS20 before buying them.

Even now if we ask our previous generation, they have to think twice or trice to say a tyre brand other than MRF. 90% of non-enthusiast clan don't know Continental and Pirelli. Likewise lesser known the lesser familiar brands.

These are just no frill, fit it forget it tyres. There are more cars running on Chinese tyres in China than MRF tyres in India. This was what I say to convince my friends into buying these el cheapo tyres

 

[mayankdixit]

I am very close to finalize one brand for my Figo.I will go with the tyre which gives me the best deal .

Facts:
I don't need premium and best quality rubber in the world.(Michelin ruled out)
I don't need fancy brand for Ferrari with out of the world unnecessary price tag.(Pirelli)
I will not be doing offroading in rainforest challenge (yokohama A/T etc)
I dont want and still don't trust XI xing ping at all (all chinese brands)
I don't want to repeat OEM rubber for my Figo again (MRF ruled out)

So that leaves very few brands for me,no??

 

[mayankdixit]

OK ,so my Figo has got new tyres.
Along with the tyres I have also bought new wheel caps, genuine Ford accessory. I feel that the tyres are value for money and I got the best deal out there. But the wheel caps are very costly. Aftermarket ones were costing
just 10% of the original Ford ones. But the original look of the car was coming not there with el-cheapo ones.


After market Figo wheel cap (complete set of 4) 435/-
Ford Genuine accessory (set of 4 ) 4600/-



Damaged wheel caps

 

[mayankdixit]

My Ford Figo New Tyres and New Wheel caps (genuine ford accessory)

After a lot of brainstorming and homework I have chosen this tyre

This tyre suits my Figo as well the Indian roads best.

Genuine Ford accessory for all 4 wheels