Bolero Storm: First Black VLX in India-Now with a new Heart

MileCruncher · 6th September 2009, 17:54

I thought of getting the vehicle prepped for the 8000 Km Ladakh Run so went to the workshop to get it the diesel filter changed (wasn't done at 1st Service) and to get the brakes and body vibrations checked. I'm having a good service experience at Automotive, the staff is very friendly and ready to help. Sometimes they may not know something but are willing to listen and get it done accordingly.

Things done:

Diesel Filter R&R
All body bolts tightened.
Coolant topped up.
1L Engine Oil bought for top-up if required during the trip.
Hand Brake and Service Brakes checked.

Damage : Rs 1986/-

And all this took exactly 1 Hour as there was less load due to Sunday.

Even though the A.S.S told me not to worry with wheel balancing as there are no vibration, still thought it to be prudent to get it done before the long trip. While at the tyre shop I was in two-minds whether to get the rotation done or not ( Service Schedule charts says every 10k Kms) and checked the tread depth.
Stepney ( Run 50 Kms) - 10.1 MM
Front Wheels ( Both) Avg - 8.6 mm
Rear Wheels ( Both) Avg - 8.00 mm

These figures convinced me to do the wheel rotation immediately to arrest further differential tyre wear.

Also remembered HVK's advice about filling Nitrogen for the trip, so got all tyres refilled with Nitrogen and balanced.
Damage: Rs 500/-

Immediately on the road, I could feel a bit of difference. The Storm had become less bouncy and more planted.
After the service took my Storm for wheel balancing and rotation. Refilled the tyres with Nitrogen, got them balanced and rotated.

So overall a day well spent taking care of the Storm.

Ladakh, here I come!

Spitfire · 7th September 2009, 11:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by MileCruncher

Ladakh, here I come!

AWESOME!! Have loads of fun and click a minimum of a million pics. We like pics

MileCruncher · 7th September 2009, 11:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spitfire

AWESOME!! Have loads of fun and click a minimum of a million pics. We like pics

I'm not a amateur photographer like we have here in the forum but will definitely take pictures worth featuring in Bolero Ad

MudMover · 7th September 2009, 14:52

Good luck MC! Hopefully, your trip will establish that this 'dabba' with 'superior technology' is not only an 'expensive toy' but a fairly reliable vehicle. For extra motivation, I'm leaving you with a couple of stickers I've made for my Storm - the first is a patch I plan to wear on my jacket and the second is a sticker which I'll be putting up just next to the CRDE badge on the tailgate of the Storm.

Name: Storm patch2a.bmp
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Size: 184.9 KB

Name: Storm patch2a.bmp
Views: 4601
Size: 184.9 KB

Name: Storm patch3A.bmp
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Size: 126.6 KB

MileCruncher · 7th September 2009, 15:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by MudMover

Good luck MC! Hopefully, your trip will establish that this 'dabba' with 'superior technology' is not only an 'expensive toy' but a fairly reliable vehicle. For extra motivation, I'm leaving you with a couple of stickers I've made for my Storm - the first is a patch I plan to wear on my jacket and the second is a sticker which I'll be putting up just next to the CRDE badge on the tailgate of the Storm.

Attachment 186535 Attachment 186536

Thanks MM for the stickers. I have a sticker at the rear bumper stating "Riders on the Storm"

MileCruncher · 30th September 2009, 15:56

The Storm has just come back from the 7804 Kms Ladakh Sojourn and waiting to go for a general check-up this weekend.

Even though nothing major went wrong with the storm in the trip but certain small niggles became irritants.

On the way to Delhi, just after Nagpur, somewhere around 80XX Km mark, the Blower packed up and refusing to run on anything below the highest setting. And along with the A/C also had stopped working. As we were only 50 Kms out of Nagpur, decided to go back to town to the nearest MM dealership who my wife contacted on the phone while I was trying to find my way. Problem was drilled down to a tripped Blower Coil, but since the cause didn't make sense, I forced the dealer guys to do a scan on the elctricals. After much digging around, the problem was finally drilled down to a loose AC Relay. Problem fixed and a new blower coil put under warranty, I was off.
Had a good run till Delhi with me continuously touching 140 KMPH and the storm still delivering a mileage of 12.1x KMPL
From Delhi as the car got superloaded with addition of 2 more people and their luggage, the mileage did drop but the speed didn't drop at all. I was leading the pack of Scorpio's most of the time. Mileage dropped to 10.9X due to increased load and my friend driving the Storm as a petrol sedan.
While coming down from Patni-top to Srinagar, I stopped the car for a picture break and I see smoke coming out from bonnet. Even though I could smell the brakes burning, I could not trace out th esource of the smoke. Few calls later to Mahindra Hamesha and brief discussion with the Mahindra Dealership workshop Manager, we are off on the remaining 140 Km distance to Srinagar. The car was dropped off at Chowdhury Motors in Srinagar and picked up after 2nd service next day morning at 12 Noon.
The storm took the bad roads and the steep climb of Changla with aplomb without disembarking any people. Mileage coutesy 1st gear steep climbs dropped 9.4xKMPL.
After 10,000 Ft the storm was giving black smoke but at last count didn't drink any oil.
Driving through pebbled roads a lot meant that stone hitting the underbody but on checking found that a small cross member on chassis had suffered a bit of dent. Rest everytrhing was spic and span.
On the cosmetic front, the wheel covers feel off while moving on its on after coming down the hills in the plain. Also the fog lights also seem to have stopped working. But apart from that the Storm is still strong and did the the 92 Kms Ahmd - Baroda Expressway in 47 Minutes beating a Ford Endevour, Skoda Laura and giving sleepless nights to a BMW X5.

All in all the Storm showed its impeccable maners on the trip and did surprise a few Scorpio handfs with its power delivery pick-up.

MudMover · 30th September 2009, 16:58

Welcome back MC! Happy and proud to know that you and the bolero had a nice trip all-in-all. It's also a relief to know that you didn't experience any of the troubles the Scorps were having. Was it because of the age of those vehicles, you think? I was really looking forward to your post after the trip. I must say I'm becoming quite a fan of your dashing lines...

Quote:

Originally Posted by MileCruncher

and did the the 92 Kms Ahmd - Baroda Expressway in 47 Minutes beating a Ford Endevour, Skoda Laura and giving sleepless nights to a BMW X5.

I guess we should be calling you 'Stormin Basu'. Hope you'll post more stories/snaps of the trip here or on any of the other threads.

MileCruncher · 30th September 2009, 18:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by MudMover

Welcome back MC! Happy and proud to know that you and the bolero had a nice trip all-in-all. It's also a relief to know that you didn't experience any of the troubles the Scorps were having. Was it because of the age of those vehicles, you think? I was really looking forward to your post after the trip. I must say I'm becoming quite a fan of your dashing lines...

Thanks Mate!!! My wife is a bigger fan of the Bolero than me and was really thrilled with the way Storm behaved in the trip. Even though I'm very impressed with the way the Storm behaved, the small niggles like brake locking, wheel covers falling off, hub caps leaking grease leave a bad taste. M&M needs to improve the overall quality. Also except HVK'S Scorp breaking its leaf ( remember this is 4 yr and 2.2 Lac Km Old vehicle) and Glenn's Scorp ( 52 K and 2 Yrs) having problem with the throttle sensor, all the cars behaved beautifully .But one thing that has me mightily impressed is the Mahindra Customer Service at the Dealership Level. May be the coporate guys should take cues from them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MudMover

I guess we should be calling you 'Stormin Basu'. Hope you'll post more stories/snaps of the trip here or on any of the other threads.

The resulting storming produced mileage of about 9.xxKMPL for that run as my speedo was hovering between 120-145KMPH.

Travelogue along with amazing pictures and videos will come up over this extended weekend.

P.s: Just thought will post this. Till now the Storm/Me has visited dealerships in Hyd, Madikeri, Nagpur, Bellary, Srinagar, Mandi and Udaipur. As per my wife with our travelling styles, in 2-3 years we would have visited all the major MM dealerships across India

MileCruncher · 1st October 2009, 14:26

Few Pics of the Bolero taken during various stages of Ladakh Trip

Bolero Storm: First Black VLX in India-Now with a new Heart-img_1078.jpg

Bolero Storm: First Black VLX in India-Now with a new Heart-img_1079.jpg

Bolero Storm: First Black VLX in India-Now with a new Heart-img_1080.jpg

Bolero Storm: First Black VLX in India-Now with a new Heart-img_1083.jpg

Bolero Storm: First Black VLX in India-Now with a new Heart-img_1123.jpg

Bolero Storm: First Black VLX in India-Now with a new Heart-img_1211.jpg

Bolero Storm: First Black VLX in India-Now with a new Heart-img_1347.jpg

Bolero Storm: First Black VLX in India-Now with a new Heart-img_1701.jpg

Bolero Storm: First Black VLX in India-Now with a new Heart-img_1348.jpg

Bolero Storm: First Black VLX in India-Now with a new Heart-img_1439.jpg

Bolero Storm: First Black VLX in India-Now with a new Heart-p9160246.jpg

Owner of the Bolero

Bolero Storm: First Black VLX in India-Now with a new Heart-p9170007.jpg

Driver of the Bolero

Bolero Storm: First Black VLX in India-Now with a new Heart-p9170008.jpg

Bolero Storm: First Black VLX in India-Now with a new Heart-img_1726.jpg

Bolero Storm: First Black VLX in India-Now with a new Heart-p9210400.jpg

Bolero Storm: First Black VLX in India-Now with a new Heart-img_2089.jpg

MileCruncher · 1st October 2009, 14:33

A small video of the Storm crossing the Pagal Nullah

YouTube - P9200343

MudMover · 1st October 2009, 16:59

Ahhh... Superb! The last snap is my favourite. The bolero looks so unfazed even in those foreboding landscapes -- like a tiger in it's natural habitat. The snaps of the Storm pulling out the Pajero were impressive too. Only, I feel you guys were overly sportive with the Pajero guy. I mean, I heard that he was never moving along with the convoy and was always 'flying away'. So, I think when he got stuck you guys should also have 'flown away' leaving him in his hole. That should've taught him about team work. Well, next time you go to leh and if that Pajero guy is still around, you should have a sticker on your Bolero saying "Bolero -- Pajero ka bhi BAAP!".

MileCruncher · 7th October 2009, 19:52

I gave the Storm for 3rd service today and also notified the brake and suspension related issues. I had also escaleted the problems in my car to the Regional service Manager, so is taking a personal interest in my car. Anyways the ASC told me that they will fix everything and give the car back after 3-4 days.

And now comes the whopper. The RSM told me that since the car will 3-4 days he will get an alternate car to use till that time.

So I now have a Scorpio SLX to run around town till my Storm comes back.

I'm really impressed with MM customer service and never ceases to amaze me. May be lesson for others to learn the tricks of the trade.

hemanth.das · 9th October 2009, 20:09

Where is the picture of the bolero tuging the Pajero

MileCruncher · 9th October 2009, 20:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by hemanth.das

Where is the picture of the bolero tuging the Pajero

The entire episode can be accessed here

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...on-2009-a.html

MileCruncher · 10th October 2009, 12:47

As I had earlier reported that the ASC gave me a Scorpio to use while my Storm was undergoing a major general check-up.

Positive of the Scorpio over Bolero

Better gadgetry
Too many add-ons like follow me home lights etal.
No vibration felt in the cabin unlike Bolero
Absence of bumpy ride on smooth roads
Smaller Turning Radius compared to the Bolero.
Quality of stalks and other control panel items are much better than the Bolero.

Things that I didn't like in the Scorpio

I'm a relatively short guy (only 5'6") and the driving position was very cramped for me compared the Bolero.
Pick-up of my Bolero is better than the 2.6 CRDe that I was driving
Because of compact size easier to maneuver in the city compared to the Scorpio.
All around visibility I felt was better in the Bolero compared to Scorpio especially the Blindspot caused by A Pillar is absent in the Bolero.

Even though I had TD the Scorpio before settling on the Bolero, but driving it around for 48 hours in city ratified my decision to go for the Bolero.

6th September 2009, 17:54	#106
MileCruncher Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: MH01 Posts: 4,235 Thanked: 592 Times View My Garage	7,400 Km Update I thought of getting the vehicle prepped for the 8000 Km Ladakh Run so went to the workshop to get it the diesel filter changed (wasn't done at 1st Service) and to get the brakes and body vibrations checked. I'm having a good service experience at Automotive, the staff is very friendly and ready to help. Sometimes they may not know something but are willing to listen and get it done accordingly. Things done: Diesel Filter R&R All body bolts tightened. Coolant topped up. 1L Engine Oil bought for top-up if required during the trip. Hand Brake and Service Brakes checked. Damage : Rs 1986/- And all this took exactly 1 Hour as there was less load due to Sunday. Even though the A.S.S told me not to worry with wheel balancing as there are no vibration, still thought it to be prudent to get it done before the long trip. While at the tyre shop I was in two-minds whether to get the rotation done or not ( Service Schedule charts says every 10k Kms) and checked the tread depth. Stepney ( Run 50 Kms) - 10.1 MM Front Wheels ( Both) Avg - 8.6 mm Rear Wheels ( Both) Avg - 8.00 mm These figures convinced me to do the wheel rotation immediately to arrest further differential tyre wear. Also remembered HVK's advice about filling Nitrogen for the trip, so got all tyres refilled with Nitrogen and balanced. Damage: Rs 500/- Immediately on the road, I could feel a bit of difference. The Storm had become less bouncy and more planted. After the service took my Storm for wheel balancing and rotation. Refilled the tyres with Nitrogen, got them balanced and rotated. So overall a day well spent taking care of the Storm. Ladakh, here I come!
	() Thanks

7th September 2009, 14:52	#109
MudMover BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 237 Thanked: 53 Times View My Garage	Good luck MC! Hopefully, your trip will establish that this 'dabba' with 'superior technology' is not only an 'expensive toy' but a fairly reliable vehicle. For extra motivation, I'm leaving you with a couple of stickers I've made for my Storm - the first is a patch I plan to wear on my jacket and the second is a sticker which I'll be putting up just next to the CRDE badge on the tailgate of the Storm.
	() Thanks

30th September 2009, 15:56	#111
MileCruncher Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: MH01 Posts: 4,235 Thanked: 592 Times View My Garage	15380 Km Update: Before 3rd Service The Storm has just come back from the 7804 Kms Ladakh Sojourn and waiting to go for a general check-up this weekend. Even though nothing major went wrong with the storm in the trip but certain small niggles became irritants. On the way to Delhi, just after Nagpur, somewhere around 80XX Km mark, the Blower packed up and refusing to run on anything below the highest setting. And along with the A/C also had stopped working. As we were only 50 Kms out of Nagpur, decided to go back to town to the nearest MM dealership who my wife contacted on the phone while I was trying to find my way. Problem was drilled down to a tripped Blower Coil, but since the cause didn't make sense, I forced the dealer guys to do a scan on the elctricals. After much digging around, the problem was finally drilled down to a loose AC Relay. Problem fixed and a new blower coil put under warranty, I was off. Had a good run till Delhi with me continuously touching 140 KMPH and the storm still delivering a mileage of 12.1x KMPL From Delhi as the car got superloaded with addition of 2 more people and their luggage, the mileage did drop but the speed didn't drop at all. I was leading the pack of Scorpio's most of the time. Mileage dropped to 10.9X due to increased load and my friend driving the Storm as a petrol sedan. While coming down from Patni-top to Srinagar, I stopped the car for a picture break and I see smoke coming out from bonnet. Even though I could smell the brakes burning, I could not trace out th esource of the smoke. Few calls later to Mahindra Hamesha and brief discussion with the Mahindra Dealership workshop Manager, we are off on the remaining 140 Km distance to Srinagar. The car was dropped off at Chowdhury Motors in Srinagar and picked up after 2nd service next day morning at 12 Noon. The storm took the bad roads and the steep climb of Changla with aplomb without disembarking any people. Mileage coutesy 1st gear steep climbs dropped 9.4xKMPL. After 10,000 Ft the storm was giving black smoke but at last count didn't drink any oil. Driving through pebbled roads a lot meant that stone hitting the underbody but on checking found that a small cross member on chassis had suffered a bit of dent. Rest everytrhing was spic and span. On the cosmetic front, the wheel covers feel off while moving on its on after coming down the hills in the plain. Also the fog lights also seem to have stopped working. But apart from that the Storm is still strong and did the the 92 Kms Ahmd - Baroda Expressway in 47 Minutes beating a Ford Endevour, Skoda Laura and giving sleepless nights to a BMW X5. All in all the Storm showed its impeccable maners on the trip and did surprise a few Scorpio handfs with its power delivery pick-up.
	() Thanks

1st October 2009, 14:26	#114
MileCruncher Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: MH01 Posts: 4,235 Thanked: 592 Times View My Garage	Few Pics of the Bolero taken during various stages of Ladakh Trip Owner of the Bolero Driver of the Bolero
	() Thanks

1st October 2009, 16:59	#116
MudMover BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 237 Thanked: 53 Times View My Garage	Ahhh... Superb! The last snap is my favourite. The bolero looks so unfazed even in those foreboding landscapes -- like a tiger in it's natural habitat. The snaps of the Storm pulling out the Pajero were impressive too. Only, I feel you guys were overly sportive with the Pajero guy. I mean, I heard that he was never moving along with the convoy and was always 'flying away'. So, I think when he got stuck you guys should also have 'flown away' leaving him in his hole. That should've taught him about team work. Well, next time you go to leh and if that Pajero guy is still around, you should have a sticker on your Bolero saying "Bolero -- Pajero ka bhi BAAP!". Last edited by MudMover : 1st October 2009 at 17:01.
	() Thanks

7th October 2009, 19:52	#117
MileCruncher Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: MH01 Posts: 4,235 Thanked: 592 Times View My Garage	I gave the Storm for 3rd service today and also notified the brake and suspension related issues. I had also escaleted the problems in my car to the Regional service Manager, so is taking a personal interest in my car. Anyways the ASC told me that they will fix everything and give the car back after 3-4 days. And now comes the whopper. The RSM told me that since the car will 3-4 days he will get an alternate car to use till that time. So I now have a Scorpio SLX to run around town till my Storm comes back. I'm really impressed with MM customer service and never ceases to amaze me. May be lesson for others to learn the tricks of the trade.
	() Thanks

9th October 2009, 20:09	#118
hemanth.das BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: bangalore Posts: 158 Thanked: 123 Times	Where is the picture of the bolero tuging the Pajero
	() Thanks

10th October 2009, 12:47	#120
MileCruncher Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: MH01 Posts: 4,235 Thanked: 592 Times View My Garage	48 hours with a Scorpio As I had earlier reported that the ASC gave me a Scorpio to use while my Storm was undergoing a major general check-up. Positive of the Scorpio over Bolero Better gadgetry Too many add-ons like follow me home lights etal. No vibration felt in the cabin unlike Bolero Absence of bumpy ride on smooth roads Smaller Turning Radius compared to the Bolero. Quality of stalks and other control panel items are much better than the Bolero. Things that I didn't like in the Scorpio I'm a relatively short guy (only 5'6") and the driving position was very cramped for me compared the Bolero. Pick-up of my Bolero is better than the 2.6 CRDe that I was driving Because of compact size easier to maneuver in the city compared to the Scorpio. All around visibility I felt was better in the Bolero compared to Scorpio especially the Blindspot caused by A Pillar is absent in the Bolero. Even though I had TD the Scorpio before settling on the Bolero, but driving it around for 48 hours in city ratified my decision to go for the Bolero.
	() Thanks