[prithm]

Hi All,

We are planning to go for W11 (O) AWD Manual within a month and have few topics that I need your help with.

We are upgrading to this HUGE family SUV after driving around in our India's middle class sedan DZire. So, all figures are new and intimidating.

For the new XUV 500 (2018),

1. They are charging incidental charges. May I know from new owners if they are aware of it ? I think this is new word jumble for Handling charges.

2. Should I go for Insurance outside M&M or should I go with their insurance plan as well as their Shield Warranty ?

3. We already have few additions (exterior and interior) in mind and want to get it done from factory before delivery or should we get the vanilla version first and then go for the bells and whistles ?

4. I prefer everything stock and don't want to mess around much with customs, but is there anything that you might advice to change post delivery (like tyres, lights etc.) which might help us in long run ? It will help us plan accordingly for finance too.

All inputs will be guidance for me since we are stepping into a zone which is new to us.

thanks.

[jesrani]

Originally Posted by prithm

Hi All,

We are planning to go for W11 (O) AWD Manual within a month and have few topics that I need your help with.

We are upgrading to this HUGE family SUV after driving around in our India's middle class sedan DZire. So, all figures are new and intimidating.

For the new XUV 500 (2018),

1. They are charging incidental charges. May I know from new owners if they are aware of it ? I think this is new word jumble for Handling charges.

2. Should I go for Insurance outside M&M or should I go with their insurance plan as well as their Shield Warranty ?

3. We already have few additions (exterior and interior) in mind and want to get it done from factory before delivery or should we get the vanilla version first and then go for the bells and whistles ?

4. I prefer everything stock and don't want to mess around much with customs, but is there anything that you might advice to change post delivery (like tyres, lights etc.) which might help us in long run ? It will help us plan accordingly for finance too.

All inputs will be guidance for me since we are stepping into a zone which is new to us.

thanks.

1. Probably
2. I was quoted about 84k for insurance. When I insisted to take from outside, they immediately brought it down to 42k, which would be similar to getting from outside. So you can negotiate hard or insist on taking own insurance.
3. I now prefer not to tamper with anything. I took the W11 (O) AT FWD for this reason. Would suggest you to go for AT AWD instead of manual.

Do take test drives of different versions including AT. You may not get AWD for TD though. Take number of test drives before you decide.

All the best.

[mtnrajdeep]

Originally Posted by prithm

1. They are charging incidental charges. May I know from new owners if they are aware of it ? I think this is new word jumble for Handling charges.

2. Should I go for Insurance outside M&M or should I go with their insurance plan as well as their Shield Warranty ?

3. We already have few additions (exterior and interior) in mind and want to get it done from factory before delivery or should we get the vanilla version first and then go for the bells and whistles ?

4. I prefer everything stock and don't want to mess around much with customs, but is there anything that you might advice to change post delivery (like tyres, lights etc.) which might help us in long run ? It will help us plan accordingly for finance too.

1. You can try negotiating the incidental charges or ask for free accessories for that amount.
2. You should find out the insurance cost outside and ask Mahindra to match it. They agreed to this rather easily if you dont disclose your NCB details. I later moved my 50% NCB and got a refund. Take the maximum possible shield extended warranty and RSA.
3. Getting accessories depends on what needs to be connected. For audio, better to choose a reputed audio installer in your city. If its just a bolt on fit from the genuine accessories, dealers would be better.
4. I kept the vehicle stock and 2 years on, dont see any reason I should have opted for something else
Hope this helps

[prithm]

Thanks jesrani.

Originally Posted by jesrani

2. I was quoted about 84k for insurance. When I insisted to take from outside, they immediately brought it down to 42k, which would be similar to getting from outside. So you can negotiate hard or insist on taking own insurance.

This is eye opening. Will try to get this.

Originally Posted by jesrani

3. I now prefer not to tamper with anything. I took the W11 (O) AT FWD for this reason. Would suggest you to go for AT AWD instead of manual.

I am worried about the running cost for AT and little concerned about AT worthiness for a such massive vehicle. Our trips will mostly on highways and hills for holidays. In Hyd, AT vehicles have a separate M&M garage outside the city for servicing. These type of icing on cake is making us go for traditional manual.

Originally Posted by jesrani

Do take test drives of different versions including AT. You may not get AWD for TD though. Take number of test drives before you decide.
All the best.

Thanks Jesrani. May I know, what was your waiting period ?

Heard top end versions have longer waiting period especially AWD options. Is this true ?

Thanks mtnrajdeep.

Originally Posted by mtnrajdeep

1. You can try negotiating the incidental charges or ask for free accessories for that amount.

I guess they might remove the "Incidental Charges", if I insist, but not sure how they will give me goodies for the same amount.

Originally Posted by mtnrajdeep

3. Getting accessories depends on what needs to be connected. For audio, better to choose a reputed audio installer in your city. If its just a bolt on fit from the genuine accessories, dealers would be better.
4. I kept the vehicle stock and 2 years on, dont see any reason I should have opted for something else
Hope this helps

This is very reassuring. I am taking the options they have advertised in their SYOUV. Features like Chrome, Roofrail, Navigation etc.

[jesrani]

Originally Posted by prithm

Thanks jesrani.

I am worried about the running cost for AT and little concerned about AT worthiness for a such massive vehicle. Our trips will mostly on highways and hills for holidays. In Hyd, AT vehicles have a separate M&M garage outside the city for servicing. These type of icing on cake is making us go for traditional manual.

Thanks Jesrani. May I know, what was your waiting period ?

Heard top end versions have longer waiting period especially AWD options. Is this true ?

I had mentioned in earlier post that I recently went to top of a hill, 2800 feet, through 13kms of ghats. Never felt the vehicle struggling. Was very comfortable. Did not feel the need for manual intervention. However the people who have used the car for more number of years can give a better idea of the handling on hills, as well as advice on maintenance part of AT. Would be interesting to know the long term reliability.
I got the car in 15 to 20 days after booking.
The dealers try to dissuade from booking AWD, or so I have read in previous posts, as the AWD vehicle is made only if there is a booking and if you later cancel the booking, they are left with one and demand is not so high. So they would discourage.

[prithm]

Originally Posted by jesrani

I got the car in 15 to 20 days after booking.
The dealers try to dissuade from booking AWD, or so I have read in previous posts, as the AWD vehicle is made only if there is a booking and if you later cancel the booking, they are left with one and demand is not so high. So they would discourage.

How recent was your XUV according to VIN Jesrani ?

Though we have specific need for AWD due to our upgrade intentions, I guess we can also see if FWD will be suitable if the stock is recent.

[jesrani]

Originally Posted by prithm

How recent was your XUV according to VIN Jesrani ?

Though we have specific need for AWD due to our upgrade intentions, I guess we can also see if FWD will be suitable if the stock is recent.

I booked in June and got June manufactured car only as per VIN. Selected color was Mystic Copper which was not in stock with dealer.

[arao]

Originally Posted by jesrani

I had mentioned in earlier post that I recently went to top of a hill, 2800 feet, through 13kms of ghats. Never felt the vehicle struggling. Was very comfortable. Did not feel the need for manual intervention. However the people who have used the car for more number of years can give a better idea of the handling on hills, as well as advice on maintenance part of AT. Would be interesting to know the long term reliability.

Done 3000+km on the W11 AWD AT. Had a W8 AWD MT earlier. The AT is a breeze in city traffic as well as on highways, and you do get the engine power when you need it. On highways with a slight upward gradient I have at times seen some knocking of the engine, but that is easily taken care of by adjusting the throttle.

Overall, very satisfied with the decision to go with AT.

[tirthankard77]

Originally Posted by prithm

I am worried about the running cost for AT and little concerned about AT worthiness for a such massive vehicle. Our trips will mostly on highways and hills for holidays. In Hyd, AT vehicles have a separate M&M garage outside the city for servicing. These type of icing on cake is making us go for traditional manual.
.

I had a W6 AT from July 16 for 18 months and drove it for 36000 km. 85% of it was on highway, i.e. Bangalore to Goa, Mumbai, Hyderabad etc and it's was much better than my W4 which was manual and was used pretty much in the same route. As for maintenance cost, the milage I got was .5 km less than the manual overall.

[prithm]

Originally Posted by arao

On highways with a slight upward gradient I have at times seen some knocking of the engine, but that is easily taken care of by adjusting the throttle.

Have you tried any steep gradient with fully laden vehicle ? Did you observe any struggle during up hill climbs ?

Originally Posted by tirthankard77

As for maintenance cost, the milage I got was .5 km less than the manual overall.

One follow up question though, how is the engine response during quick overtake on highways especially ones with the long trailers which is bound to go for abort and then quick catch up ? I observed hiccup in TUV 300 of my friend and it was not that reassuring like manual since we know what gear ratio will help us move vehicle quickly.

[tirthankard77]

Originally Posted by prithm

One follow up question though, how is the engine response during quick overtake on highways especially ones with the long trailers which is bound to go for abort and then quick catch up ? I observed hiccup in TUV 300 of my friend and it was not that reassuring like manual since we know what gear ratio will help us move vehicle quickly.

It's a breeze after some practice. You need to get used to the pressure you need to put on the accelerator. Also, on a saparate note TUV is AMT and XUV is a tourque converter. The behaviour is totally different. I have curnched a lot of Highway kilometres and never once had a scare like you mentioned. When the accelerator is more than half pressed, the car has more than enough acceleration. Hope the this helps.

[arao]

Originally Posted by prithm

Have you tried any steep gradient with fully laden vehicle ? Did you observe any struggle during up hill climbs ?

One follow up question though, how is the engine response during quick overtake on highways especially ones with the long trailers which is bound to go for abort and then quick catch up ? .

No issues at all on steep gradients, or while overtaking. There is adequate power and good acceleration.

Faced another issue with the GPS. During a recent 3-day trip the map display froze twice. There was no response from the touch screen, and the usual navigation buttons were also missing. Switching off and restarting did not help, and had to rely on Google maps on the iPhone then. After a longish break, eg. for meals etc, the GPS map function came back to normal.

[Guna]

Originally Posted by prithm

Have you tried any steep gradient with fully laden vehicle ? Did you observe any struggle during up hill climbs ?

Originally Posted by tirthankard77

The behaviour is totally different.

Yes, 'torque converters' are different as they can instantly multiply the 'torque' which gives an advantage during the climbs.

[Raghav_K]

My XUV500 W11 AWD AT went for 5000km service today.

It was a regular checkup with change of Engine oil, Oil filter & Transmission Oil. Total bill was 2900 odd including taxes.

Not sure if it's placebo, but shift from 2nd to 3rd gear doesn't feel as 'strained' as before. Will review after driving a bit more.

[GKR9900]

Originally Posted by Raghav_K

Not sure if it's placebo, but shift from 2nd to 3rd gear doesn't feel as 'strained' as before. Will review after driving a bit more.

My W7 AT went for the 5000 kms service last week. I felt the same too post service. The unnecessary rev climb while shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear is reduced now. I refrained from posting it here cos I thought it would be just my imagination at work. But it has been 200 kms since the service and the difference is evident. Can someone explain why this might be so?