[onesomeone]

I checked out the Thar CRDe over weekend in India Garage (Bangalore) near palace ground. The vehicle is not available for test ride yet. Attaching the vehicle on display.

OT - The sales guy however mentioned that Thar DI (BSIII) can be registered in Bangalore rural RTO. Did not make sense to me, maybe experts can give some clarity

[Jaggu]

Yup rural RTO might be possible but you will need address proof, i have also heard the same from some sources.

[Ricky_63]

Another weird thing I noticed is that the caps on front & rear wheels are different. A small insignificant thing, but an eyesore for sure. How much would it cost to have similar caps both front & back ? Not thousands of Rupees I am sure @#$%

Looking at test driving this vehicle, if it rides right & I am able to find a garage to sort out the car for me. I am in - till then





Cheerzzz

[DKG]

Alan why not choose the Thar MDI 4x4 with the solid axles for your mods?

[don_carmaster]

Had a look at the mahindra thar today!

Was at the Mahindra Service Centre to get my xylo's 3rd service done

I must say whatever you can drool about thar is only under the hood.
Rest is all el cheapo material which has been sourced from all the mahindra vehicles present till now

I was shocked to see that even the Engine unit had BOLERO CRDe writter over it !! I mean if they cant even put a THAR sticker over the engine whats the use of creating other vehicle

As per info the chasis is not from scorpio its rather from the Bolero.
the dashboard the engine and evrything else has been imported from bolero

And yes it is AC although i couldnt see the AC working but the sales guy told me that the THAR is AC!!

Looking at the euipment level in the car, Your mind will surely say it is built to cost.. But once you look at the quality of the materials used you will surely say its built lower than its cost..!

I mean the one i saw had supposedly 20 accesories installed over it !! still i felt like i would never buy it!!


attaching some pictures for the jeepsters to drool about

Some more pics!!! in detail!!

Got some more guys!!
---- here it goes!

[Torque-ative]

DKG,..pitting the crde and mdi in its current spec. will not be fair.
The right comparison would have been with both jeeps with the same engine, but different front suspension set up.
Ie,
Example 1 CRDE IFS
Example 2 CRDE Solid axle.

Or the same with either suspension set up but with the MDI...!

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by Ricky_63

Another weird thing I noticed is that the caps on front & rear wheels are different. A small insignificant thing, but an eyesore for sure. How much would it cost to have similar caps both front & back ? Not thousands of Rupees I am sure @#$%

Actually, this eye sore is the bane of every part-time 4WD with hub locks.

Check out my Jeep, it has the same eye sore. It is not really because of cost-cutting.

[don_carmaster]

Some more!
Also to mention..

The ex showroom price of the thar is 5.99, and onroad it will be costing around 6.5

Though the vehicle is made for ruff and tuff use ..but none of the parts seemed if they would last even a curious fiddle by a child!

[xtreme power]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Actually, this eye sore is the bane of every part-time 4WD with hub locks.

Check out my Jeep, it has the same eye sore. It is not really because of cost-cutting.

yours is so, cause you have not put the front alloy wheel cap cause of your free wheeling hubs
cause u have to lock and unlock them
the thar should have had this setup

[don_carmaster]

The final set of pics!!

Sorry for the bad quality pictures as they were taken from my phone!
Overall i think that this vehicle would be bought by enthusiasts only!

All the 'layman' people had only one statement on their pouts.! " 6.5 ki khuli bolero lene se acha band lenge!! "

Let their words atleast RIP!!

[discoverwild]

Nice fit and finish!

I think Tata bashers will be pleased. They have one more target.

The bonnet is going to be a scratch magnet, with the release hooks already showing scratches and the bonnet again resting on the metal windshield and also when the windshield is opened to rest on the bonnet. The gypsy had two large rubber stoppers on its windshield. Nothing of that sort here.

Likes:
1. Scorcher of an engine.
2. Cable/Lever (?) operated pedals unlike earlier iterations which had them jutting out from the floor.
3. The 'Jeep' look.

Dislikes:
1. Appalling fit and finish. Even cars at 3L have a better finish.
2. Build quality. Suspect thin sheet metal though better paint lustre.
3. Seating. Not worth talking about. Bad alignment WRT steering wheel, no leg room both in the front and back.
4. IFS. Not just because the Jeep Gurus are complaining about it, but because I tend to be off-road most of the time than on it. Complicated IFS means more maintenance and more bucks.
5. Chrome treatment. Screams 'all show' and 'no go'.

I have decided not to speak about the 'AD'Venture. Yuck!

I am much better off with one of Allan's creations and/or Arka's mechanic, depending on how much more or less I would want to spend.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by DKG

Since it will be a TBHP review

Deepak, for us, Team-BHP is larger than any single vehicle or manufacturer. They say your home is your temple. Well, Team-BHP is our home and it has been painstakingly built on solid fundamentals & principles over the last 7 years. Wherever we are today, we don't forget our early days, and the core values that have brought us so far.

Bias is like cancer...and remember, it's bad whether for a product or against it. Key point here is being neutral. We are very serious about the content on Team-BHP, including (but not limited to) the official reviews. The amount of research, preparation, thought and action that goes into each review can unnerve most other people.

When we approach a product for reviewing, we do so through the eyes of the informed buyer, owner & enthusiast. Rarely (for ANY car reviewed so far) have ownership reports brought up a significant advantage or disadvantage that was missed in our comprehensive reviews. Except of course for reliability, service costs and other long-term factors that are impossible to gauge in a 500 - 1000 km drive. Thanks to our complete independence (financial & otherwise) from the auto industry, we have the privilege, freedom & integrity to call a spade a spade. Nope, we aren't here to please anyone....not the industry, nor would-be owners or fans of the vehicle. That's probably why a 3.5 lakh car like the Figo would get the thumbs up from me while a 35 lakh car like the 330i got the thumbs down.

I do appreciate the reminder, yet can assure you our heads are screwed on just right. It is the collective intelligence of this community from esteemed members like yourself that keep Team-BHP sailing in the proper direction

[bantejas]

Gurus,
I have a couple of questions:

1. Won't solid axles on the thar crde restrict the vehicle by going at high speeds (120kmph and above) and hence IFS the automatic choice?
2. Could M&M come up with a choice of the suspension as well? Is it possible?
3. If it is a valid comparison: How better is thar from the Scorpio 4x4 (mHawk/2.6Crde) wrt off roading?

Since I have been bitten by this off roading bug for a long time now, I will rather buy an old MM550 as I expect the second hand price to fall (will it) and customize is according to my wish list. Maybe plonk a Crde engine !?!

Tejas

[ex670c]

Originally Posted by bantejas

Gurus,
I have a couple of questions:

1. Won't solid axles on the thar crde restrict the vehicle by going at high speeds (120kmph and above) and hence IFS the automatic choice?
2. Could M&M come up with a choice of the suspension as well? Is it possible?
3. If it is a valid comparison: How better is thar from the Scorpio 4x4 (mHawk/2.6Crde) wrt off roading?

Since I have been bitten by this off roading bug for a long time now, I will rather buy an old MM550 as I expect the second hand price to fall (will it) and customize is according to my wish list. Maybe plonk a Crde engine !?!

Hi Tejas,

Till the Guru's answer, I'll try to answer.

1) Pure Top Speed is combination of Engine Speed (RPM) Gearing + Tyre Dia. Reaching 120Kmph & Maintaining 120Kmph are 2 different thing,

Gearing may let you reach 120Kmph, but Torque generated by the Engine will dictate if you can maintain that speed i.e cruising speed.

I have seen enough JEEPs trying to hit the 100Kmph mark and its quite possible, but holding that speed is difficult because of
i) Not Sufficient Torque to over come the weight of the vehicle and associated resistance at higher speeds.

i) Leaf Spring - Not the best for handling, and if there are small bumps, the vehicle will start flying.

ii) Handling/Cornering - All MM540/550 have obvious Body Roll and at higher speeds resulting in the wheels lifting. This is marginally, but noticeably better in the NGCS and obviously better in the Thar CRDe, dues to the IFS, and squat front end.

iii) Braking - What speeds do most people drive their MM540 into and out of a 90 Degree Left or Right Turn? My guess not more than 40Kmph.

So what is the use of going at break neck speeds, when you need to slow down drastically, at most turns, keep in mind the Tyres, lifted Suspension and High COG.

The Advantage of a Powerful Engine & 5 Speed Gear Box, improves the average speed, by improving acceleration, overtaking manoeuvres, and improved cruising speed, without flogging the vehicle.

Most of the reputed off Road Brands have Solid Axles with Coil Springs, which is best of both worlds, check out their top-speed and cruising speeds.

2) The Ideal Suspension would be Solid Axle Multi-Link Coil Spring Front and Rear.

The MM540 series is designed with utility in mind, compared to the 93-95.5" Wheel Base CJ7 & JEEP Wranglers.

i) Bigger Rear Bed/Tub/Floor (Area/Volume)
ii) Taller B-Pillar/Targa Band to provide head room to Rear Passengers.

So taking the above into consideration, Leaf Spring seems Logical.

3) Thar CRDe will be better than the Scorpio 4WD on accounts of
a) Lesser Weight
b) Better ADR Angles
c) Better Visibility
d) Simpler Design (Body)

Regards,

Arka

[getsurya]

Behram & Team,

M&M should have atleast put a rexine cover over the hand brake lever! I have seen once in a Hospital emergency room a 4 year old girl who lost her finger in a zen car(without any cover on the handbrake lever!) when her father applied the handbrake.

These are somethings we should take care albiet the audience for THAR.