[Sutripta]

^^^
So should be an easy diagnosis/ fix.

Regards
Sutripta

[GTO]

Originally Posted by dhanushs

Because XD3P's need to be properly preheated before cranking.

Originally Posted by Sutripta

So should be an easy diagnosis/ fix.

Water had damaged the starter . It was in January or something that I'd taken her through water while offroading as it was inevitable (I h-a-t-e driving through water otherwise).

Starter has been fixed. Full servicing is underway @ Shanbagh.

[Sutripta]

Originally Posted by GTO

Water had damaged the starter . It was in January or something that I'd taken her through water while offroading as it was inevitable (I h-a-t-e driving through water otherwise).

You didn't do some preventive maintenance after water wading?

Regards
Sutripta

[GTO]

Originally Posted by GTO

She's anyway due for her annual service, so will send her in to Shanbagh this week.

It's "annual service" week at my place! The Jeep just returned from her annual service, and now the 530d has gone in.

Shanbagh has done an outstanding job with her. In modern cars, a "service" doesn't make much of a difference because today's cars are built to such tight tolerances and with high quality levels. However, in these old girls, servicing makes a noticeable difference. For instance, the steering has gotten about 30% lighter and the ride is much smoother. Lots of rattles & squeaks have disappeared.

With the 5 not around, she's now my only car to drive around . Shot last night:


Work performed:

• Full service (lubes, filters) & checkup, including an audit of the brakes + suspension + steering + clutch + fan belts for safety / breakdowns. Important since she is now 21 years old.

• Starter fixed (damaged by water).

• Tyres were locking up too easily under braking. Brakes / brake bias needed to be adjusted.

• Fuel gauge wasn't working.

• Putting on the headlights would make the light stalk heat up like crazy. Became too hot to touch at times.

• LHS seatbelt buckle needed to be changed. Was damaged.

• Polishing & waxing, inside out.

• Got seat upholstery repaired. All torn by a cat in the building.

• Changed headlamp's chrome rings (were rusted).

• Sound from diff. Taking your foot off the accelerator – while decelerating, there was a taxi-like humming sound.

• Thermostat was either missing or messed up. Engine wasn't reaching its operating temperature.

All done and she drives like a dream! I had a wide grin plastered on my face last night. Came up to 19 grand. That's about what I spend on her every year, plus the cost of insurance. Considering she's already fully depreciated (on paper) and I can get what I paid for her when new (3.45 lakhs), it's the cheapest car to own.

Needs a full strip-down and paint job as it's been 8 years since the last job. Has a hole in the floor! Will have it done post-monsoons.

I'm enjoying her topless so much that I don't think I'm ever putting the soft-top back again. She's anyway not driven during the day.

[Ace F355]

Originally Posted by GTO

It's "annual service" week at my place! The Jeep just returned from her annual service

Lovely! She looks fantastic I must say. And your report shows how much you actually like the jeep.

The beauty is that you can keep going on and on and there is hardly anything that could happen to her. You already have sorted the engine and mechanicals, one annual service and checkup and she will remain 'forever young'. I like the fact that unlike Delhi NCR, you don't even have to worry on vehicle age front i.e. no issues from RTO for paper renewal. I will entering in 10th year of Atlantis's age around end of 2018 and thanks to poking nose of NGT, am already thinking how to go about re-registration (although my RC is valid till Dec 2024!).

BTW, although I didn't post it in TBHPian sighting thread, I saw you in your 5 near Kamala Mills around 2 weeks back. I was on my way to airport from office. Your 530 looked nice and clean!

[GTO]

Originally Posted by Ace F355

Lovely! She looks fantastic I must say.

Thanks!

The beauty is that you can keep going on and on and there is hardly anything that could happen to her. You already have sorted the engine and mechanicals, one annual service and checkup and she will remain 'forever young'.

Truly. No electronics, no complexity. The engine should be good for another 20 years since her annual running is barely 2,000 - 3,000 km.

I was on my way to airport from office. Your 530 looked nice and clean!

Thanks .

[anup.bronco]

Originally Posted by GTO

It's "annual service" week at my place! The Jeep just returned from her annual service, and now the 530d has gone in.

Shanbagh has done an outstanding job with her. In modern cars, a "service" doesn't make much of a difference because today's cars are built to such tight tolerances and with high quality levels. However, in these old girls, servicing makes a noticeable difference. For instance, the steering has gotten about 30% lighter and the ride is much smoother. Lots of rattles & squeaks have disappeared.

Hi GTO, that's one awesome looking Jeep bro, whenever the word 'Mahindra Classic' is mentioned, your Jeep is the first one to cross my mind. No matter how many pics. you see of this Jeep, it just isn't enough, you keep craving for more.

[GTO]

LOL! Saturday outing got converted from a night out to a rain dance . Rains are here and the open Jeep is the best way to welcome them. Luckily, no one complained about getting drenched.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by GTO

Dialled Ferdi's number on Friday as I wanted to send the Jeep over for the usual lubrication & basic service. He told me Milestone Mahindra has shut down .

Thanks to Milestone, maintaining my 20 year old out-of-production Jeep was easy as pie.

This is what has made the lives of Mahindra owners miserable - but well, who can stop NEXA.

Out goes Mahindra, in comes Nexa. Am sure they are making thrice the money and wasting far less time on warranty repairs .

[GTO]

You guys might have seen the image in this thread (Love, War & Team-BHP : Economic Times Article).

Shot the same morning, leaning on the one that's a bit closer to my heart

[alpha1]

There is something about the Classic that a Thar can never come close to.
Good to see that you Classic is being maintained well and running good!

[desertfox]

Hard to explain this Jeep thrill. The truth is that I too feel the happiest driving my two Thars. Not a great car. Not a true Jeep. Plenty of niggles and rattles always. But its a good feeling driving in them. Even if the trip is not off road but just a city run.
And about two months ago when we did go off road with North India Off-road Club, Terrain Tigers, Raid the Himalyas and Team BHP guys in about 22 vehicles it was so much fun.

[DirtyDan]

This question may come more from my ignorance as a foreigner. Please tolerate me.

There are lots of old jeeps on the road. How are you old jeep owners handling the various RTO offices e.g. when your RTO registration runs past your 15-20 year old limit? Is this a problem? Can it be handled...with the usual lubrication, a liberal application of pieces of fine paper with Ben Kingley's picture on them? Wink, wink, nod, nod know what I mean?

[dhanushs]

Originally Posted by DirtyDan

... when your RTO registration runs past your 15-20 year old limit? Is this a problem? Can it be handled...with the usual lubrication, a liberal application of pieces of fine paper with Ben Kingley's picture on them? Wink, wink, nod, nod know what I mean?

Yes DD. Definitely. You need to redo the jeep, paint it , make it look nice and get a Fitness Certificate after 15 years and then every 5 years.

It can easily be handled at most places. (RTO’s)

[GTO]

Originally Posted by desertfox

The truth is that I too feel the happiest driving my two Thars. Plenty of niggles and rattles always. But its a good feeling driving in them.

Superbly put. How a car 'makes you feel' is more important than any other aspect. And this is where the Classic pulls the strings to my heart. Even after 21 years, I still enjoy driving her - despite having far more modern machinery around.

It's got character, man. I know what you are saying about the Thar. Every time I drive one, I want to buy one. Don't want to own 2 Jeeps though.

Originally Posted by DirtyDan

How are you old jeep owners handling the various RTO offices e.g. when your RTO registration runs past your 15-20 year old limit?

Usually a 1 day job. The process is fairly simple as long as your Jeep is in decent shape. We use the services of an RTO agent to make it simpler (he charges us 1k only).