Armada Grand 4wd or Bolero 4wd?

[VEA]

I am in search of a vehicle to replace my MM 540 4wd. Even though the 540 is quite capable, the heat and dust (it’s a soft top with no a/c) is really wearing me down. I do go off-road for fun, but mainly it is used to cover the routines involved in managing estates with no roads or established trails. The trails can be treacherous at times, but mostly moderate. I prefer a used vehicle and avoid the heart burn as the under body/sides gets scraped a lot from rocks and shrubs.

I have in mind a choice of vehicles including a 2006 & 2008 Invader 4wd, Bolero 4wd (both xd3 and DI turbo, all of them being priced from 2.5 Lakhs to 4.75 Lakhs) and an Armada Grand 4wd which is being offered for 1.5 Lakhs. All vehicles are in good shape corresponding to their age and the 2008 invader is virtually brand new. I have eliminated the Major, CJ3B and to some extend the Invader due to comfort reasons. So basically, it’s between the Bolero and the Armada Grand.

I need some advice from the experts here as to which is a better choice, the Armada Grand or the Bolero 4WD, in terms of off-road ability. Is it possible to increase the ground clearance of these vehicles a bit with bigger tyres? How does these vehicles compare with a stock MM540 in terms of off-road ability?

[Parm]

i would like to advice bolero 4x4 as the vehicle you should be buying taking into considerations written by you.

yes the GC of the bolero can be increased by bigger wheels and tyres.

[4x4addict]

Armada Grand gives you the classic jeeps front end which is much nicer than the Bolero looks. However the Bolero DI has good torque I personally prefer the DI engine to the XD3P due to increased torque and much higher mileage. The XD3P serves well on the MM540, however in the Bolero it is detuned to 68 bhp for emission norms and that's low for a large vehicle.

I was really confused whether to go for the XD3P or DI Turbo for my MM540. I went for the DI Turbo since I had the NGT520 gearbox and I couldn't find a bell housing to mate the XD3P to the NGT520. But now, I am glad I went for the DI Turbo. When I go to the estates in high ranges, I am able to over take a number of Sedans uphill which kind of surprises them.

[DirtyDan]

Another option would be to put a hard top and A/C into your capable MM540. Although the thought of gunking up a fine off-roader like the MM540 with A/C makes me...er,...shiver.

You could also put two good seats in front e.g. from a wrecked Pajero or something. This is what I would do before I would bother with the Armada or Invader. The Invader's ground clearance is probably a little lower than you would like, too.

[jango]

@ VEA what are you going to doing with your 540...keep it or sell it :-)

[vinod_nookala]

VEA,
Nice choice of 4wd vehicles you have there! Here in chennai we dont have such good choice. Please post the pics of these vehicles for us to evaluate the options.

Bolero if with Di turbo, then take it. But there is no P/S in that. Bolero Xd3p 4wd comes with p/s. Armada Grand is good, but do expect some problems as Bolero with XD3p was a finer version of Armada grand. AG had overheating and A/c issues. But good point is that it came with p/s so good for you when u drive in city. My personal preference would be Bolero for your requirement since you are seeking refinement and a vehicle that shouldnt wear you down!

[ex670c]

DI-Turbo Bolero 4WD for the following reason
1) MDI3200TC
2) NGCS
3) OKBJ & FFRA
4) Power-Steering
5) NGT520 (5+1)

[whitemm550]

bolero all the way

[whitemm550]

Originally Posted by VEA

I am in search of a vehicle to replace my MM 540 4wd. Even though the 540 is quite capable, the heat and dust (it’s a soft top with no a/c) is really wearing me down. I do go off-road for fun, but mainly it is used to cover the routines involved in managing estates with no roads or established trails. The trails can be treacherous at times, but mostly moderate. I prefer a used vehicle and avoid the heart burn as the under body/sides gets scraped a lot from rocks and shrubs.

I have in mind a choice of vehicles including a 2006 & 2008 Invader 4wd, Bolero 4wd (both xd3 and DI turbo, all of them being priced from 2.5 Lakhs to 4.75 Lakhs) and an Armada Grand 4wd which is being offered for 1.5 Lakhs. All vehicles are in good shape corresponding to their age and the 2008 invader is virtually brand new. I have eliminated the Major, CJ3B and to some extend the Invader due to comfort reasons. So basically, it’s between the Bolero and the Armada Grand.

I need some advice from the experts here as to which is a better choice, the Armada Grand or the Bolero 4WD, in terms of off-road ability. Is it possible to increase the ground clearance of these vehicles a bit with bigger tyres? How does these vehicles compare with a stock MM540 in terms of off-road ability?

exactly the same reason i changed my MM550 XDP 4WD, and every1 ridiculed me. i am now a proud owner of a Bolero 4x4 XDp and its beautiful./
it cant compare very well with the mm540, but then it climbs, dont worry

[MileCruncher]

Since Bolero is the refined version of the Armada Grand, I would say the Bolero. But Armada A/C is used to be one of the best in its class back in late 90's.

[Spitfire]

Originally Posted by 4x4addict

The XD3P serves well on the MM540, however in the Bolero it is detuned to 68 bhp for emission norms and that's low for a large vehicle.

I dont think the XD3P was detuned to 68bhp, they just introduced the Di Turbo which was 68 bhp.

Correct me if i am wrong.

[whitemm550]

Originally Posted by whitemm550

bolero all the way

here is a photo of my bolero 4WD with shift on fly 4wd

[vinod_nookala]

hi whitemm550
You have got a nice Bolero 4wd there. Get rid of that akward looking front bullbar. Change tyres. That's it! Its a nice piece. Is your 4wd working now?

[vinod_nookala]

Originally Posted by Spitfire

I dont think the XD3P was detuned to 68bhp, they just introduced the Di Turbo which was 68 bhp.

Correct me if i am wrong.

Di turbo is 63 bhp and some 18@1500 -1800 rpm torque. Xd3p Euro II is derated at 68 bhp and torque is 13.5 kgm@2000 rpm

[whitemm550]

Originally Posted by vinod_nookala

hi whitemm550
You have got a nice Bolero 4wd there. Get rid of that akward looking front bullbar. Change tyres. That's it! Its a nice piece. Is your 4wd working now?

done, bull bar removed, front tyres changed to Apollo Hawkz AT, and yes 4 WD is working