![]() | #1351 | ||
Senior - BHPian ![]() | ![]() Quote:
OT It is very surprising that you bought a Bolero 4wd slx expecting so many problems blowing 7.5 lakhs? ![]() Such a dissatisfied customer cannot be a repeat customer, then why did you go for it knowing that components like power steering, 4wd etc etc are bound to fail? Quote:
Thar is a good Rough road vehicle with moderate off road capability. If pockets are deep then it can do almost , well almost what an old jeep or a Gyspy would do. But what others cannot do is "4wd touring in comfort" which others cannot even think of it. Last edited by vinod_nookala : 12th April 2010 at 12:26. | ||
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![]() | #1352 | |
Senior - BHPian ![]() | ![]() Quote:
From you write up I get the impression that the Thar is quite Powerful (Torquey) and very refined (Mechanical & Road Manners). That was evident form the Bangalore Annual OTR. I want to know more about the robustness/Reliability of the IFS Rack & Pinion Steering and SFRA with MLD. How were the good ol' MM550XD's doing on the similar terrain. On the Rough ground the IFS definitely proved to be advantageous. Would you rate the Thar's Off-Road Ability (Pits/Ruts/Climbs/Turn Around/Articulation to be better than your CJ3B/CLASSIC or Gypsy? Regards, Arka | |
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![]() | #1353 |
BHPian ![]() | ![]() Those who test drove THAR, I would request for comparison ON ROAD: Please compare it with scorpio or latest boleros and give us the difference. OFF ROAD: Please compare it with MM540 and give us the difference. |
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![]() | #1354 | ||
Distinguished - BHPian ![]() ![]() | ![]() The terrain was not as difficult in comparison to the bangalore one. Every car cleared every obstacle. Only thing i could make out is that the Thar cleared it in 3rd gear which the others did in 2nd. And the Thar did everything with very less wheel spin. Quote:
Ruts: Weren't deep enough to offer a good comparison. Climbs: Definitely better. Classic needs a longer run up in second gear to get momentum. Gypsy needs to rev high. Thar did it with less run up and less revs. Turn Around: PS has definite advantage here. Articulation: Could not compare since the obstacles were not designed for that. Quote:
OFF Road: see above reply to Arka. We frankly didn't get enough time with the vehicle to compare it properly or throw her around. Maybe next time. | ||
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![]() | #1355 | |
Senior - BHPian ![]() Join Date: May 2006 Location: Greater Chennai
Posts: 4,631
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Super, here is the first official verdict!! ![]() | |
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![]() | #1356 | ||
Senior - BHPian ![]() Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Germany
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Spike ![]() Last edited by SPIKE ARRESTOR : 12th April 2010 at 16:07. | ||
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![]() | #1357 | |
Senior - BHPian ![]() Join Date: May 2006 Location: Greater Chennai
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Spikey: I would give the NGCS 550 XD NGCS 8 on 10 and a CJ3B 7 on 10. CJs are awesome machines but are not stable when you want to do huge dunes. The 550s are better here. But the CJ3s are small and agile which make them jump ditches like nobody else. The MM5?0s need 31 or 32" tyres to have similar ADR angles IMO. The Hurricane CJ3Bs are in a world of their own. ![]() | |
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![]() | #1358 | |
Senior - BHPian ![]() Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Germany
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![]() | #1359 | |
Senior - BHPian ![]() | ![]() Quote:
I would rate off-road capability as. MM550XDNGCS is 9/10 Major 7.5-8.5/10 CJ500D is 7-7.5/10 CJ3B is 6-7/10 My Criteria is 1) Ruggedness (OKBJ/MRCBT/FFRA/NGCS) 2) Modifiability. (Bigger Engines/Tyres) 3) MWB (international SWB 90-95") is much better off-road. More Stable on Obstacles. If the CJ3B was so good, then why did the Indian Army after 43 Years Switch to the MM550XD? They could have gone for the CJ4/CJ4A/CJ500D even earlier ![]() Regards, Arka PS - I do own a Silent, and a Very Violent CJ3B ![]() Last edited by ex670c : 12th April 2010 at 18:39. | |
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![]() | #1360 | |
Senior - BHPian ![]() Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Germany
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![]() | #1361 | |
Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Calcutta
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I would rather say "neither satisfied or dissatisfied". Just that I have no illusions, no stars in my eyes. After (at a conservative estimate) 2 lac Kms in 4x4s, one tends to become blase. A 4x4 is a tool (in fact applies to any vehicle I can afford. The ones I lust after, I cannot afford). Know its strengths and weaknesses, abilities and capabilities, and use it within that. For that purpose the Bolero fulfills a need, and there is no alternative at this moment in India. As to why not repair/ rebuild etc, it is a matter of philosophy. If there is an alternative (i.e. a new vehicle) will rather go in for that. Don't buy 2nd hand stuff (only not new vehicle ever bought was a Jonga, a horror story. Even my RD was bought new), keep vehicle standard, and at the end of its useful life, replace it. The reason why we still have CJ500DPs, 340s, Commanders, Marshalls etc is more due to lack of new alternatives. Question: Why did people replace Ambassadors with Ambassadors, M800s with M800s? Regards Sutripta | |
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![]() | #1362 | |||
Senior - BHPian ![]() | ![]() Quote:
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So its now between iconic 3B; very desirable NGCS mm550; and the Thar!! ![]() I have never owned a 3B and have very sparingly driven off road. From what i have seen these are my observation compared to a 3B and a NGCS 550 XD- The 3 B advanatge
A stock MM540 with NDMS tyres 600 16 and a 3B, there should be not doubt that a 3B or a cj 340 is better. However if ADR angles are compensated and additional power is provided just like in case of NGCS 550 i think a 3B will have a tough fight there. p.s- I too feel that space was one of the major factors for Army's consideration of MM540 among other virtues. Last edited by vinod_nookala : 12th April 2010 at 20:58. | |||
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![]() | #1363 |
Senior - BHPian ![]() Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Germany
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| ![]() Vinod well said ![]() Spike ![]() |
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![]() | #1364 | |
Senior - BHPian ![]() | ![]() Quote:
Light and strong is the way to go ![]() | |
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![]() | #1365 | |
BHPian ![]() Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Thane-Mumbai
Posts: 463
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| ![]() Hi.. another review from SA member..in reply to my questions in bold... Quote:
Another Good review.. Lets wait for Thar pics from Alibaugh OTR. Great Pics & videos they have there (Gypsy vs Jeeps :P).. Last edited by offroad_maniac : 12th April 2010 at 21:38. | |
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