Ownership Report - My new Scorpio VLX mHawk - 25,000 kms and counting

[raj_5004]

Originally Posted by suman

Raj, nice update!


I would think that this is only for top-up & not oil change, correct (since diff capacity would be higher than 1 litre)? Make sure that the guys are not ripping you off because there's no way they'd require 1 litre for top-up purposes after 5k kms unless your Diff has sprung a leak.

Its not about the cost of the oil but the principle.

i think it was oil replace buddy. mahindra advises to replace the oil in the 1st 500 kms and then onward every 40,000 kms.

[suman]

Originally Posted by raj_5004

i think it was oil replace buddy. mahindra advises to replace the oil in the 1st 500 kms and then onward every 40,000 kms.

Differential oil capacity in a Scorpio is only 1 litre?

[itwasntme]

Hi raj_5004,

Quick question: Have you driven a CRDE LX/SLE?SLX? Does it have exactly the same suspension and chassis setup. Apart from the heavier (by 70kg?) 2.6 engine, are there ANY differences in driving stability, handling and braking?

I am considering buying a LX and doing it up like Shankar.Balan and ramkya :-) and wanted to know the difference in driving characteristics between the 2.

Thanks

[raj_5004]

yes, i do have a 2.6 CRDe SLX with me. the chassis is the same but the suspension in the mHawk has been fine tuned. initially i was hardpressed to notice any difference. but a few highway trips convinced me that mahindra has done something to the suspension of the hawk! it bobs a little less and has a better/stable ride on smooth surfaces. i am not the right person to comment on an "SUV's" handling buddy as i have never tried any high speed cornering in this vehicle! braking is vastly improved in regard with brake feel and control, of course the ABS.

[DHABHAR.BEHRAM]

Dear Shankar Balan - hello once again - the steering wheel position is not changed. Only the adjustable steering column is added.

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

[raj_5004]

TOP SPEED TOUCHED:
DAY: 30th october, Thursday
Destination: Pune
Route: Mumbai-Pune express highway

this was the brief given to me and i had to reach pune by 8.30 am. so i started off from my house by 5.00 am. it was a chilly morning and traffic was sparse. i reached the expressway in 30 mins flat! normally, it takes an hour! that gave me a thought that i have never gone above 150 or actually tested the top speed of my scorpio, mainly due to traffic conditions. this, i thought, was the perfect oppurtunity. a few kms past the expressway, i set the cruise control at 130 kmph and continued like that till the first toll naka. you can say, i was warming up my car and myself. there onwards, i simply floored the throttle. with the pedal touching the floor, 150 kmph came in no time. then slowly and steadily, the needle rose and finally it touched 170 kmph. after this, i let go as i entered the ghat section! though i know mahindra claims the scorpio has a top speed of 156 kmph, but i must have atleast touched 160 kmph, maybe due to road conditions, i consider an speedo error of 10 kmph.
what i noticed was, even above a speedo indicated 150 kmph, the engine noise was not that audible but what was more pervelant was the wind noise which started at around 140 kmph and increased gradually. also, 1 thing i liked was the SUV felt steady at such speeds, unlike what most say. i left the steering at that speed and the scorpio travelled a straight line without even a slight deviation. yes, i dint try any heroic stunts like sudden lane changes to check its handling! i leave that to professionals!
overall, i was AGAIN impressed with the engine as it was very refined throughout not sounding coarse at all. tyre noise was also under control. but i wish there was a bit less wind noise. mahindra, please look into this!

[pramods]

I have checked the speedo error with GPS, its just 5kms, so in all probability you were going 165 kmph, give or take 1 kms.. good speed to attain though.

-Pramod

[raj_5004]

Here is the description of the 10,000 km service of my mahindra scorpio VLX done at Global Gallarie (authorised A.S.S. of mahindra in thane, mumbai):

Service: Second Free Service
Kms. Run: 10604

Emery Paper --> Rs. 12.44
Maximile Coolant --> Rs. 116.75

Total --> Rs. 145 (including VAT)

As you can see, nothing was changed or replaced, only the coolant was topped up.

Other jobs done:

1) a minor brush with a bus had left a scar on the right RVM, it has been given a paint touch-up.

2) some rattling could be heard from the rear left door on rough surfaces sometimes. it was traced to the rear seat whose folding mechanism was tightened, problem solved.

3) the brakes had a tendency to squeak on light application. the brake pads were cleaned and adjusted. problem seems to be sorted till now.

Rest, the car is running fine. the service has been good and all complaints attended. the car was given today morning 11 am and returned back by 4.30 pm. the car was washed properly and tyre polish applied.
the FE has been 10 kmpl in city. no complains from the engine or gearbox but the vibrations in 3rd gear still persists.

my short review:
+ responsive engine with great driveability
+ refinement / NVH
+ auto wipers/headlights (useful to me!)
+ tyre pressure monitors (its very accurate with an error of +1 psi)
+ voice assist system (i personally like it more than buzzers and lights)
+ styling and road presence

- not so good ride quality
- gear lever vibrations in 3rd gear
- no airbags
- no indication for cruise control

overall, i am very happy with the vehicle and i would definetely suggest it as a worthy buy.

[GeekSrik]

perhaps they meant the red needles! , great car btw!

[raj_5004]

Originally Posted by GeekSrik

perhaps they meant the red needles! , great car btw!

i dint get you buddy.
this reply was in reference to which post?

[raj_5004]

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[GeekSrik]

oops raj its an older post showing all green dials!

[raj_5004]

latest addition to my scorpio before the new year:
Roots windtone 90 Horns

[bhp1]

I got these horns installed in my car, but did not last long, water causes easy damage to these horns, you will have to be carefull.

[raj_5004]

was it the same, i mean, roots windtone?
i preferred roots because i had roots in my SZ scorpio, installed some 2 years back and its still working fine.