Long-term update: Our Nissan Patrol visits the dealer accessories shop
Our Nissan Patrol LE went in for its first “free” service recently, after the 1000 km break-in period. While we were booking the dealer appointment in Dubai, the lady on the phone started upselling certain accessories to us. Normally we avoid upsells, but she just happened to be offering exactly what we were after.
The offer was basically for custom-fitted leatherette seat covers at a discounted price of Dhs 2500, with free floor-mat lamination (which is a popular thing around here). We were looking for this because our beige cloth interior is a dirt magnet, and we have kids.
When we dropped off the ‘Troll, the accessories rep was waiting for us there, and gave us a tour of the upholstery options (which included three different colours and two-tone choices) as well as other accessories, some of which we were also on the lookout for. In the end, we went for the Dhs 2500 beige seat covers that look like stock leather seats, Dhs 100 more for the perforated look, and another Dhs 600 to cover the cloth door skins with factory-look stitched leatherette (the armrests are already leatherette). They even included a leatherette cover on top of the already-leatherette centre armrest. We opted to laminate only the rear and boot floor-mats.
We also chose to install the chrome door-protection stripes, chrome mirror covers and the rear-bumper metal protector plate, all for functional reasons that also gave the car a higher-spec “Platinum” look. These cost Dhs 1050 more. Interestingly, these were aftermarket items, but the shop also offers factory items at a four-times higher price.
They had several other options as well, including a Dhs 8000 full leather reupholstery, a Dhs 4500 four-camera/navigation system upgrade and Dhs 1000 roof rails, as well as a whole host of cheesy body kits. We skipped all these, but appreciate the aftermarket support.
We got the car back the same evening. If we didn’t tell you they were seat covers, you’d never guess otherwise. The zippers and velcro for the removable covers are artfully hidden behind seatbelts and such. Ignore the front headrest pillows, as those are from Carrefour (and pretty darn good neck support).
But if you look closely, the seats look thicker, some of the stitching around the headrests is poorly done, the third-row seatback is now full-leatherette instead of carpeted, and the second-row centre armrest doesn’t fit any more when folded up because it’s too thick now. Also, a plastic seat panel wasn’t put back together properly, which we will get addressed at the next service.
Still, even with these flaws, we’re satisfied with the overall job, as it came out better than expected.
Having spent almost Dhs 4300 on accessories, we got the car back from its first service with a free oil change (oddly enough with the cheap “5000 km” oil even though we specified that we want 10,000 km service intervals).
Admittedly, after thinking about customising our car with black-out trim, we instead went all-out in blinging it up even more. We realised it looks too much like a base model with black-out trim, and overbearing chrome is basically part of its whole personality anyway.
On another note, while the break-in period is technically over with the 1000 km service, the instruction manual states that the break-in period is actually 2000 km. So we aren’t pushing the ‘Troll as hard as we’d like yet.
Accessories will not be added to the running costs tally below.
Original Mileage When Bought: 100 km
Latest Mileage To Date: 1200 km
Latest Average Fuel Economy: 24.4 litres/100 km
Cost of Latest Problems: Dhs 0
Cost of Latest Maintenance: Dhs 0Total Non-Fuel Running Cost Since Bought: Dhs 0
Comments
Farhan Syed
.. that ‘mandatory’ pram in the last pic 😀
Nitin
Isn’t it a typical South Asian trait….get premium seats, new seats and then wrap the whole thing in plastic /whatever material seat covers….
So that the original owners do not get to enjoy the premium surfaces, more like covering up and protecting (! ) them for future owners !.
Why not give the luxury of these leather seats to the original owners’ occupants…leather is pretty tough wearing, an annual polish ensures longevity and class.
I am South Asian so don’t slate me….
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
This came with cloth seats.
shakir
Ya i was thinking about it, Nice idea Nitin, tell that to seat cover companies, either to stop manufacturing or to sell seat covers to people until they have utilized the company ones fully…
Sting316
Agree with Nitin here. If a customer pays extra for those leather and luxury, bloody use it. Just maintain it whenever needed.
TOR
Say ‘Hello’ to your next best friend- Mr Rattles!
Car lover
Hello
Shaun
what did he install to get rattles TQR
Mosa
Ok this is a first for me, sunshade cover for the steering wheel?? :-O Never thought about it! Where do you get those? And do they really protect the steering wheel? Tell me tell me!
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
It’s super-exclusive, and I only found it at the Mirdif City Centre branch of Daiso. May not even be there any more.
vinay
How many free services do you have?
We were told for patrol only free 5 years warranty and no free service.
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
Only the first 1000 km service is free.
vinay
so i am planning to buy a nissan patrol 2017 le platinum full option but i am confused to buy it from al aweer market or the showroom as there is a huge price difference.
Whats your suggestion?
Mosa
Oh buddy! Don’t you read the news? I think Mashfique had also covered this part in one of his articles about how shady those markets are.
If you got the bucks, don’t waste it on a Used Car Market.
There’s nothing “CHEAP” in this part of the world, and if it is – you are basically conned, most of the times!
Mitch
I would be angry if they put the 5k mineral oil when I asked for 10k syntethic oil. One more visit, time and money wasted.
I thought about covering the seats for my Prado but after some thinking I decided to keep it stock and use that money to detail the interior every 2 years instead.
I am not a fun of extra shiny bits, I prefer the more discreet look. Each to their own….
Enjoy the car! I am sure it is gonna serve you well for many years..
PS: Waiting for a comparo against the new LC.
Mentalist
I think no one look at Pardo even if put tons of chrome loool.
Mitch
That’s the whole point, not to attract attention, regardless of the car driven.
Also, read carefully, what I considered was covering the seats, not the bling bling.
Ziraj
Hi Mash
How much did you pay for Chrome inserts? door and side mirrors? would you pls share the contact of the vendor, i called nissan and asked them seeing this article but was told they done have any such offers on accessories.
If you or other readers could suggest me a good place to do these mods like roof rails, chrome inserts and detailed polishing? there are so many in UAE, im totally confused whom to trust.
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
The chrome pack was quoted at Dhs 800 I believe, not on offer. The Nissan service center in Deira has a separate accessories shop somewhere around the back.
Talal Al Taher
Are u serious ? 24.4 litre for 100 km? this is beyond terrible ! I read that fuel consumption is around 16.7 !!
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
Higher consumption is normal during the break-in period.
vinay
Hey Mashfique!
Any suggestions or pointers on tint?
What do you have on your car?
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
Used everything on every car. Just avoid the cheapest crap and the most high-end crap. The cheap guys leave bubbles, and high-end crystalline junk starts forming bubbles after a year!
Mohammed zarrar
I would like to upgrade my vision seat to pure leather seat like platinum… plz msg me back as I am living in Bahrain as I am visiting DUBAI on dated 24/4/2018 with my Nissan petrol