[Samurai]

Actually, MDi makes lot more sense for offroaders. Checkout the +ves over CRDe:

MDI has 18Kmpl FE compared to 11Kmpl of CRDe
Simple solid axle in the front that can easily handle weight of winch, and bigger tyres.
No ECU that can be easily stolen.
No ECU that messes with the crawling nature of the Jeep.
Lot less risk while water fording.
No worry about too much torque/power.
No need for PS in offroad application. I can easily manage with manual.
Much cleaner looking dashboard.
Windshield can be opened.
AC can be added without worrying about ECU complications.
Just 1490kg compared to 1670kg CRDe (imagine the weight of CDRe with HT and AC)
About 1.5L cheaper on road in Karnataka.

I would rather add HT & AC to the MDi than CDRe.

I am only worried about the noise factor. I guess I need to hear it once myself.

[Tejas@perioimpl]

One of the down points would be the 51/51'' axles.

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by Tejas@perioimpl

One of the down points would be the 51/51'' axles.

Well, that's not a deal breaker. Besides, that can be swapped if one wishes. Can the MLD designed for CDRe fitted here?

[IronWolf]

Originally Posted by roy_libran

Thanks Ironwolf for reviving this thread. More than a week's hiatus on this thread for such a capable vehicle, whilst the CRDe thread is raining Pages!

CRDe thread all you hear is repeated posts on no AC/HT and on its poor fit and finish.
I am sure that those arguments would not hold water on this thread for the people carrier vs the 'Lifeishtyle' CRDe

Originally Posted by Samurai

Actually, MDi makes lot more sense for offroaders. Checkout the +ves over CRDe:

MDI has 18Kmpl FE compared to 11Kmpl of CRDe
Simple solid axle in the front that can easily handle weight of winch, and bigger tyres.
No ECU that can be easily stolen.
No ECU that messes with the crawling nature of the Jeep.
Lot less risk while water fording.
No worry about too much torque/power.
About 1.5L cheaper on road in Karnataka.

I would rather add HT & AC to the MDi than CDRe.

I am only worried about the noise factor. I guess I need to hear it once myself.

Completely agree... on all points. These are the selling points for this vehicle. With a Sandem 508 I hear any jeep gets transformed into a moving Freezer.
What is the stock highway cursing speed. 90-100? Top speed - 110ish?

One issue is that the crawling ratio on this. Would not suit those who are accustomed to the 5.38 axles. Rockcrawler needed.

I think at BS3 levels the noise is very much bearable. Just need to hear one of the new Mahindra pickups to get a idea of the Sound levels.

Originally Posted by Tejas@perioimpl

One of the down points would be the 51/51'' axles.

Narrow track aint that bad. Am sure you did not have issues with your Classic's track.
If not... Swap Axles.... or use a set of alloys with good offset.

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by IronWolf

One issue is that the crawling ratio on this. Would not suit those who are accustomed to the 5.38 axles. Rockcrawler needed.

Obviously, that has to be changed to 4.88 at least. Also consider the weight difference. Just 1400kg compared to 1750kg CRDe (imagine the weight of CDRe with HT and AC).

[ex670c]

Originally Posted by IronWolf

Narrow track aint that bad. Am sure you did not have issues with your Classic's track.
If not... Swap Axles.... or use a set of alloys with good offset.

Hi Danny,

Narrow Track ain't bad, once you use a wider track you'll know what you are missing out on.

Regards,

Arka

[Tejas@perioimpl]

Driven both. Narrow and wide. Trust me, wide is the way to go.

[am1m]

Thank you for reviving this thread. I know that the Thar CRDe has been reviewed, but if anyone has tested the MDi, please do post the experience. As other members have already asked, how bearable/unbearable is the noise from the engine and how does it do over long distances?

Am looking at the MDi instead of the CRDe. No A/c or HT are not deal breakers for me - I want the open top experience - am a bike chap as far as the daily drive goes and the MDi will not change that. Again, spartan interiors are not an issue, in fact the less expensive looking the better, as I intend to use this vehicle for long journeys to some remote locations. The money that can be saved over the CRDe version is a major positive.

Thanks in advance.

[Samurai]

Gear-------KMT 90 --------------- NGT 20
------------------------------------------
1st ------ 3.986 ----------------- 3.787
2nd ------ 2.368 ----------------- 2.09
3rd ------ 1.473 ----------------- 1.38
4th ------ 1 --------------------- 1
5th ------ NA -------------------- 0.79
R -------- 5.315 ----------------- 3.72

Hmm, just comparing the gear boxes of CJ340 and Thar MDi.

Holy cow, why not swap the crown pinion ratio to 5.38 itself? It will be like driving CJ340, but with an overdrive.

[IronWolf]

Originally Posted by ex670c

Narrow Track ain't bad, once you use a wider track you'll know what you are missing out on.

Once you go Wide you never go back, eh?

Originally Posted by Tejas@perioimpl

Driven both. Narrow and wide. Trust me, wide is the way to go.

Agreed! Buy it and swap it for the wider track (for 5.38 if you want).

Originally Posted by am1m

Thank you for reviving this thread. I know that the Thar CRDe has been reviewed, but if anyone has tested the MDi, please do post the experience.

No probs.
As for the review, I hear its not been done by a T-Bhpian yet. However I repeat this, as stated in the CRDe review, anyone doing a review down south for the MDi, please PM me. Am interested to join as Camera man/spotter/light boy/spot boy/water boy.

Originally Posted by Samurai

Holy cow, why not swap the crown pinion ratio to 5.38 itself? It will be like driving CJ340, but with an overdrive.

Why not indeed. Except it will kill your top end speed. Better to get a rockcrawler installed if possible, right?

[The Wolf]

Originally Posted by Samurai

I am only worried about the noise factor. I guess I need to hear it once myself.

Dont even say that, its butter smooth- the engine and the gearbox!!! Imagine sitting in a Major with doors I safely say this coz I already have driven the cl550mdi for 100+kms.

For offroaders mdi is a much better bet, ive been inclined towards this machine more than crde from day one

Wide axles dont make that much of a difference predominantly in our context of usage. Arka bhai dont give em boys a wild goose chase with this one now!!! HAHAHAH!!!

p.s: Meddling with the diff ratios (especially going higher) may result in unwanted noise, vibrations and reliability issues...unless ofcos its done by Mahindra service engineers after assessing the do's and the dont's thoroughly.

[Jaggu]

New Di is not that bad on refinement department. Quite smooth also from a offroad perspective, it will fit the bill well with very minimal tweaks. It can accommodate an after market AC also. Cruise at 80-90 very comfortably with all this.

Only the body preparation and paint quality would be questionable, but if you take care of it well and do some rust proofing right out of factory, this also can be taken care off. Wide axle i would definitely recommend, if you are planning to do a swap with brand new parts.

[IronWolf]

Originally Posted by Jaggu

............... if you are planning to do a swap with brand new parts.

And how much would that cost? Additional 60k?

Is it even easily available?

[Jaggu]

Originally Posted by IronWolf

And how much would that cost? Additional 60k?

Is it even easily available?

Max 60, 40 should be fine my guess. Availability should be either as parts or as a whole.

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by The Wolf

Dont even say that, its butter smooth- the engine and the gearbox!!! Imagine sitting in a Major with doors I safely say this coz I already have driven the cl550mdi for 100+kms.

Originally Posted by Jaggu

New Di is not that bad on refinement department. Quite smooth also from a offroad perspective

Thanks guys, that's a relief to hear. My wife is already asking where we can TD the MDI.

Originally Posted by The Wolf

p.s: Meddling with the diff ratios (especially going higher) may result in unwanted noise, vibrations and reliability issues...unless ofcos its done by Mahindra service engineers after assessing the do's and the dont's thoroughly.

Well, offroading with 3.73 ratio will be a pain, especially since I am used to 5.38 ratio. Anyway, Dana 44 has gear ratio range from 2.72:1 to 5.89:1, so it could be an easy swap.

Originally Posted by Jaggu

Only the body preparation and paint quality would be questionable, but if you take care of it well and do some rust proofing right out of factory, this also can be taken care off. Wide axle i would definitely recommend, if you are planning to do a swap with brand new parts.

The wide axles... Hmm, those must be available off the shelf, isn't it? From the Bolero camper? May be even FFRA.

Another advantage of MDI for offroading, the manual steering.

Edit: And another, the glove box is lockable....