MAHINDRA THAR DI 4x4 OWNERSHIP REVIEW INTRODUCTION My father was returning from Abu Dhabhi and we needed a vehicle for use in our rubber estate and day to day runabouts. This would be our primary vehicle for time being. This was the time when Mahindra Thar was getting ready behind the curtain. Googled and came to know it was coming in two variants, the CRDE version with the same engine block from Scorpio CRDE, and a Di version which was the replacement for the Major (as the dealer said). Finally it was launched in January 2011. The Di version was already available at the showrooms. They had 2WDs in stock. CRDE came only as 4WD. Also considered bolero Di 4x4 but it wouldn’t fit our kind of use. Now the comparison was between Thar CRDE and Thar Di 4x4. Went through endless threads and blogs comparing both and selected DI 4WD for the following reasons 1. It was basic, crude, rough and tough vechicle, proven and already in use in the army as MM550 2. Had better fuel efficiency as compared to CRDE. Dealer claimed 18kmpl for 2WD and 16-17kmpl for 4WD. 3. CRDE came with independent front suspension while the Di came with leaf springs and rigid axle setup. Di came with MDI 3200TCL which was tried and tested throughout the Mahindra range. Thus Di was reliable vehicle, low in maintenance and any local mechanic could take care of it. There is nothing extra which is not needed. It looks so basic, you feel you can dismantle it yourself. 4. CRDE has 105 hp under the hood. We didn’t need that much power for our use. 5. Resale value was sure high for Thar Di but CRDE being a new product, we didn’t want to take a chance. We had a 1986 MM540 DP 2WD sold two years ago which was perfect for our use. Since then my father used to say that if the MM540 was in production, he would’ve got a new one, that too with 4WD because he got stuck one day with the MM540. So we were happy that Thar Di was actually the tried and tested MAJOR in disguise, the re-incarnation of the MM540. After enquires, through phone calls, we went and booked Thar Di 4WD on 12th of April 2011 at the Mahindra outlet in Muvattupuzha. We were told we would take at least 6 months as 4WDs were made-to order. So we bought a 1992 CL 500 DI 2WD for temporary use but Thar came in 3 months. Had they told this earlier, we would not have bought the CL500. Anyway we got delivery on__________. Mr. Ullas at Muvattupuzha outlet was very helpful. He arranged for bank loan and everything was smooth. Got it delivered in Muvatupuzha although the showroom was in Vytila, Ekm. Did go for underbody coating as it came with 1500 kms on the ODO. Yes, it was driven all the way from the factory in ___ Maharashtra. Only extra was Lamda free-wheeling hubs. I was in the hostel for this time. Went home the next day of delivery. Took the keys and started it right when i got home. First drive was to church next day (Sunday). TEST DRIVE ENGINE The engine had the typical DI sound at idle but as the rpm increases, and turbo switch is on, it gets silent. Power delivery was smoother than major, yes, the engine has been fine tuned. Turbo lag was slightly evident, only slightly, but passed this there was enough power reserve. I found the max power and torque came somewhere in the midrange when the turbo started singing (had to judge by sound-no tachometer). Engine was very drivable giving good torque at min rpm. Just released the clutch slowly in first and the vehicle starts rolling. HANDLING On road, Thar Di was stable and handled well (in jeep terms!). After all jeeps are not meant for racing. Found it better than major, may be because it is heavier. The only let down was the tyres. DI 4WD comes with CEAT 6.00 x 16 NDMS, which was too thin for on road use. One has to be cautious while braking because anything beyond 60 kmph with hard braking would leave the tyres without traction. This gets worse in wet conditions. Thinking of changing to offroad radials or 7.50x16 off raod tyre. I use gears to reduce speed along with brakes after experience of 90 degree drifts and skids. Steering is manual and a bit heavy, gives good feedback, with little freeplay. Not the best, but ages ahead of the CL500. Turning radius is a tad too high, little difficult to manoeuvre. Even the CL 500 is better ,in this respect. MAINTENANCE AND FUEL EFFICIENCY There was literally no maintenance required other than greasing after washing at local car washing stations. Had first service (5000 kms) at the authorised service center at Thodupuzha. The service was horrible. They were not punctual. I asked them to do tyre rotation. The NDMS tyres are meant for offraod use and they get worn out pretty fast, we can actually see it if you are keen enough. But the foreman just interchanged the four tyres, without including the spare tyre. Argument was that it was not prescribed in the manual. Manual says tyre rotation at 1000 kms. This ought to be for the radial tyres available for the 2WD. I doubt if there would be any thread at all after 10,000 kms. We got fuell efficieny 12 kmpl (with extensive 4WD use). OFF-ROAD ABILITY This is the core reason for buying this vehicle. Initially 4WD was very difficult to engage. The short lever just wouldn’t move. After numerous efforts, it shifted to 4H and then to neutral. But it wouldn’t shift to 4Low. Tried again and again finally got it to 4L. This was a Herculean task. But after a few days of use, it became easy The offroad conditions we have are rocky terrain, steep incline off rock and gravel, all this coupled with slush during rains. The CL 500 2WD couldn’t do it when it was wet but somehow managed when it was dry-mainly due to high axle ratio. The Thar di has 3.73 axle ratio and although this was good onroad, this made it too fast offroad. We had to shift to 4L usually just to slow it down. It did all our ofroad needs with ease. Shift to 4L and it would take any steep inclines on second gear. First gear is rarely used-only when descending these inclines during wet conditions. Once went offroading with friends, found a steep incline full of rocks. Actually we found it too difficult to even walk. Locked the hubs, shifted to 4L first gear, slowly released clutch and just controlled steering. Took my legs off all the pedals. Thar climbed up in idle without the slightest of loss in traction. Piece of cake! The NDMS tyres showed their ability now they were perfect off road especially in mud and gravel. VERDICT The Thar di is one of the best available for use in estates and farm houses unlike the CRDE it lacks cosmetic treatments but gives max utility for the price. It is not even comparable to a hatchback or any other cars for that matter but the best for the purpose it is made. Real strong tough simple vehicle. |
Originally Posted by dhanushs
(Post 2211570)
[/list]What I didnt like:
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Originally Posted by DirtyDan
(Post 2211881)
MDi won't be sold in H.P. with the BSIII engine, so says a local dealer. One thing I might add, don't be afraid of the seemingly small 63HP number of this motor. If you swap out the 3.73 differentials for for 4.27, 4.88 or more, you will give scorpios and and Taveras all they can handle from a standing start. She goes! |
Originally Posted by offroad_maniac
(Post 2211579)
WoW Dhanushs, Those are really nice detailed pics & review. Thanks fo sharing. Any videos possible? |
Originally Posted by offroad_maniac
(Post 2211579)
Thar DI really looks good if accessorized. BTW, How & what is the top speed? Does it screams v.loud at top speed:D Steering seems to be good if one can handle those tyres with relative ease. Lets see when the DI 4WD review comes here. Is that Disk there? (7th Pic) |
Originally Posted by 14000rpm
(Post 2211593)
these are all fix'able stuff. seriously. as much as I loved the fact that Mahindra bought this back, but truth be told, Mahindra has earned its investment on that bodyshell eons ago..its 2nd life now. Spend the money in bettering the product.please and not go backwards into stoneage. |
Originally Posted by 4x4addict
(Post 2211631)
Can you please find out from the Dealer regarding the rear seat. It looks like an OEM set up with flip fold feature. You can see the strap to pull back. This will be a great choice for people who want to retrofit the seats on the Thar CRDe/MDI to front facing seats. |
Originally Posted by SPIKE ARRESTOR
(Post 2211643)
@Dhanush, finally an unofficial review for Thar DI.:thumbs up Who is the other guy with you Anjith A Vattathil? :D Spike |
Originally Posted by pjbiju
(Post 2211683)
@Dhanush. Thank you for the review. With the front facing rear seat, how much space was left for luggage at the back? What was the distance between the tailgate and the backside of the rear seat? -Biju |
Originally Posted by lurker
(Post 2211924)
ahh .. atlast what I keep hearing on 4X4 threads. Articulation |
Originally Posted by The Wolf
(Post 2212133)
Hi Dhanush one question for you- how is the vehicle's ride quality on scruffed surfaces? Does it feel like an MM540 with the whole body making crackling noises and the suspension going thudd thuddd sending shocks down ones spine? MM540's ride quality was great at low speeds and good roads but on broken roads it used to be/ and still is noisy& rattly from every corner of the vehicle!!! |
Originally Posted by cool_dube
(Post 2212252)
It is an all-round leaf-spring suspension at the end of the day and therefore, rattles, squeaks, thuds, etc are bound to creep up sooner or later. For people looking at smooth rides over broken surfaces, Thar CRDe with IFS would make more sense. |
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