Powerful Micra Diesel is the Driver's car - Very durable after 60000KM

Update after 3 years & 60000 KM. Impressed with the durability of Micra, everything in tack, no issues what so ever. Still feels like new. Replaced tyres at 40000 KM MRF ZVT-V . Routine Oil & filter replacements at every 10K  km, fuel & Air filter replacements at 20K km, and that is it. I love the build quality of this car. fuel economy has always been great 20-23 kmpl always. Don't take extended warrenty, you won't need it.

Inspite of having such a good car, Nissan is spoiling their brand image by letting their Service centers exploit their customers. For instance,  my XV deisel is fitted with Renault 1461CC dCi engine, it is the same one as in logan, duster etc. Renault recomends the changing timing belt and drive belt at 120000 KM. However Nissan wants to change it at 60,000KM, the only explaination is to make profits from service. Does not make any sense, i won't let service center folks touch my engine at 60000 which is running just fine, the drive belts are as good as new and why should i disturb the same and introduce new problems, will keep a watch on the condition and will change around 120K km as recomended by Renault. At nissan service center they charge 7.5K to 13K per 10K service, the service center customer relation executives  are tought to milk the customers, so i have developed a  big trust deficit.  After my 40K service at Nissan service center at Kochi, i had a big argument on the labour cost of 3500 (in my opnion for routine service that takes less than 1 hour it should be less than 1000 - Same Nissan service center do the same service for datsun go at 500 INR labour cost), I made a determination not to take my car to Nissan service center there after, i have switched over to Bosch Service, got my 50K and 60K service done at 30% of the cost as compared to Nissan service center, they have atleat one trained and experiance person who leads, they don't yell at you, they don't make false recomendations to take up unnecessary repairs.  Typically at Bosch service the parts cost around INR 2050 to 3750 (oil filter @ 450,Oil @ 1600 + after every 20k km fuel filter @1100 , airfilter @600)+1000 INR for labour cost. so it cost me 3000 to 4750 only for every 10K km.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Intelligent key is really cool. Leg space is OK, driver seat does not have height adjustment, the seats are low and might not be very comfortable for people taller than 5ft 10. The glowbox is very very small, it has enough space to keep the user manual and nothing else. Rear seats are comfortable for 2, leg space is good but shoulder space is not good enough for 3.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Engine performance is excellent,  engine brake is little insufficient which leaves you applying more brake than in any other car, gear box is also OK. There is absolutely no turbo lag, power delivery is very good and seamless. Gives me 20 -23 kmpl which i think is OK for the driving conditions (30% city and 70% through state highways) on long highway drives i get 25kmpl. 

Ride Quality & Handling Smooth ride, handling is good. the stearing is excellent - very soft during low speads and gets heavier as speed picks up. There is slight body roll while making sharp curves.

Final Words This is a great car if you are in the driver's seat - very powerful, no turbo lag, engine is very refined and feels smooth as silk, easy to drive, low turining radius, can overtake with ease in city and on highway, it is unbelievle how an engine with 63bhps can churn out so much power. Nissan engineers have done a great job with the engine and gear box. This is a high quality product. Don't take extended warrenty, once the free services are done get the service done at Bosch service.  

Areas of improvement Service cost , Price, number of service outlets, should (must )provide ABS for diesel, the owners manual should give specific information for the models in India, currently it is made for global market without stating which options/types are avaialble in  a specific model in india.

Excellent acceleration, no turbo lag, good fuel economy, drivability, durabilityHigh price, No ABS option for diesel, body roll, Expensive Service