Team-BHP > 4x4 & Off-Roading > 4x4 Vehicles


Reply
  Search this Thread
33,568 views
Old 9th June 2009, 19:24   #1
VEA
BHPian
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Cochin
Posts: 207
Thanked: 150 Times
Armada Grand 4wd or Bolero 4wd?

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?
VEA is offline  
Old 9th June 2009, 20:40   #2
Senior - BHPian
 
Parm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: in a Toyota!
Posts: 2,753
Thanked: 890 Times

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.
Parm is offline  
Old 9th June 2009, 23:50   #3
Distinguished - BHPian
 
4x4addict's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Chennai
Posts: 4,483
Thanked: 4,519 Times
Infractions: 0/1 (5)

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.

Last edited by 4x4addict : 9th June 2009 at 23:52.
4x4addict is offline  
Old 10th June 2009, 03:21   #4
Senior - BHPian
 
DirtyDan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Dharamsala, H.P
Posts: 2,074
Thanked: 1,554 Times

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.
DirtyDan is offline  
Old 10th June 2009, 09:17   #5
BHPian
 
jango's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: New York & kotayam
Posts: 800
Thanked: 22 Times

@ VEA what are you going to doing with your 540...keep it or sell it :-)
jango is offline  
Old 10th June 2009, 11:10   #6
Senior - BHPian
 
vinod_nookala's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Mumbai
Posts: 1,737
Thanked: 427 Times

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!
vinod_nookala is offline  
Old 10th June 2009, 11:52   #7
Senior - BHPian
 
ex670c's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Chennai
Posts: 2,470
Thanked: 1,936 Times

DI-Turbo Bolero 4WD for the following reason
1) MDI3200TC
2) NGCS
3) OKBJ & FFRA
4) Power-Steering
5) NGT520 (5+1)
ex670c is offline  
Old 10th June 2009, 12:16   #8
BHPian
 
whitemm550's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Margao goa
Posts: 368
Thanked: 108 Times

bolero all the way
whitemm550 is offline  
Old 10th June 2009, 12:22   #9
BHPian
 
whitemm550's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Margao goa
Posts: 368
Thanked: 108 Times
hi

Quote:
Originally Posted by VEA View Post
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
whitemm550 is offline  
Old 10th June 2009, 14:54   #10
Senior - BHPian
 
MileCruncher's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: MH01
Posts: 4,230
Thanked: 580 Times

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.
MileCruncher is offline  
Old 10th June 2009, 15:22   #11
BANNED
 
Spitfire's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Panaji - Goa/Bangalore - Karnataka
Posts: 3,312
Thanked: 771 Times

Quote:
Originally Posted by 4x4addict View Post
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.
Spitfire is offline  
Old 10th June 2009, 15:37   #12
BHPian
 
whitemm550's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Margao goa
Posts: 368
Thanked: 108 Times

Quote:
Originally Posted by whitemm550 View Post
bolero all the way
here is a photo of my bolero 4WD with shift on fly 4wd

Armada Grand 4wd or Bolero 4wd?-bolero.jpg

Armada Grand 4wd or Bolero 4wd?-bolero-1.jpg

Armada Grand 4wd or Bolero 4wd?-bolero-2.jpg
whitemm550 is offline  
Old 10th June 2009, 15:49   #13
Senior - BHPian
 
vinod_nookala's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Mumbai
Posts: 1,737
Thanked: 427 Times

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 is offline  
Old 10th June 2009, 15:52   #14
Senior - BHPian
 
vinod_nookala's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Mumbai
Posts: 1,737
Thanked: 427 Times

Quote:
Originally Posted by Spitfire View Post
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
vinod_nookala is offline  
Old 10th June 2009, 16:20   #15
BHPian
 
whitemm550's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Margao goa
Posts: 368
Thanked: 108 Times

Quote:
Originally Posted by vinod_nookala View Post
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
whitemm550 is offline  
Reply

Most Viewed
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Team-BHP.com
Proudly powered by E2E Networks