| Mahindra Scorpio VLX 50,000 Km Report - Detailed
After 1 year and 9 months and 50,000 Kilometers on its ODO, the NEW SCORPIO VLX which i got on 12th March 2008 has never disappointed me.
VITAL INFORMATION :
Type of Engine : Mhawk CRDE, 4 stroke , Intercooled, Turbo Charged, Common Rail Diesel Engine.
Cubic Capacity : 2179cc (2WD)
Power : 120 Bhp at 4000 RPM
Torque : 290 Nm at 1800-2800 RPM
Tyre : 255/70 R15 Radials
Color : Rocky Beige
Economy : 10.3 KMPL (City) / 12.2 KMPL ( Highway).
Fuel Tank : 60 Liters.
Top Speed : 150 KMPH at 3900 RPM
DELIVERY :
Price : 10, 56, 000 /- ( CAI Industries, Coimbatore )
Extended Warranty : 48 Months / 100, 000 Km`s
Date of Delivery : 12th March 2008
I was there around 5 in the evening, the staff where very courteous , I had all the papers signed and was out in front of the car , had 2-3 pictures clicked by the A.S.S. people, a pooja was done and Checked all the accessories and papers and i had the car pulled out of the delivery bay. Took it to a temple about 50 Kilometers away. The drive which i can never forget. It was breathtaking when i got out. An awesome machine !
Next two days, i had all the accessories states below fitted. Later that week, i had about 40 people ask me about the car at all the places i was at. I did love those moments. Made me feel that i chose the right car.
ACCESSORIES :
* ICE : Double DIN Audio/Video DVD player
Front Speakers : Yellow Cone Pioneer Components.
Rear Speakers : Yellow Cone Pioneer Satellite Speakers.
Subwoofer : JBL 12 Inch
Capacitor : BOSS
Amplifier : SONY
* Bluetooth ( JVC )
* Auto Winder - Windows ( Xenos )
* Wiper Blades : Bosch Aerotwin
* Scuff Plates
* Alloys
* Garware International Sun-Film.
* PVC Floor Mat (Full Floor)
* Individual Carpet Mats.
COMFORT :
Lots of space, Comfortable Seating position for the First and Middle row passengers, the third row in the 8 seater version i hold is cramped. Features like Automatic Headlamps and Auto-Sensed wipers add comfort to driving. The seats are very comfortable in the front, the captain seats in the middle would have been better, if it was like the ones on the XYLO. The Cruise Control is very rarely used. The Air-conditioners works Fairly good except during hot summer when the blower has to be at full speed all the time if you do not have dark sun-films on the windows. Third Row vents would have been an added comfort. The boxes and door spaces around has been very useful, Closing the glove box is very hard. Long drives have not been tiring for me i the drivers seat, So it if COMFORTABLE.
BUILD & QUALITY :
Build of the vehicle has been solid as usual. It has been Crafted fairly good at this price bucket.
Except for the Fit and Finish of the plastics , the quality of the car is excellent. And for small problems like hard Clutch when i took delivery if the car and the 3rd gear vibration, which i have to talk about. Both sorted out at 15,000 Km and 50,000 Km respectively, i did not have other problems.
RIDE & HANDLING :
The ride of the car is excellent except for the bumpiness in it , the slight rattling which crops up every now and then might irritate but can be sorted out by taking it to the A.S.S.
Handling of the car has been excellent and impeccably good on highways, hills and in the City. I love to ride this car in the city - Road Presence makes it feel good, but obviously i have had problems with parking.
PERFORMANCE & SAFETY :
With the Mhawk powered engine, power has never been a problem. I have had couple of wild chases with other cars and i did have 2 them getting down to praise the car`s performance. With such huge cars i have always felt safe than being on a Skoda with 6 airbags around. So Safety, i guess i am safe.
CLUTCH, GEARBOX, STEERING & VOICE ASSIST SYSTEM :
Clutch and Gearbox problems i faces have been sorted out and they are fine till date. Steering has been wonderful from day one, i have not had a strain at all.
Voice Assist system is very helpful except for the reserve fuel part which it starts screaming even when i have guest with me. It feels uneasy at those times.
Brakes have been very good and the ABS has been a boon, i have been saved twice because of this ABS system. I had my brake pads changed at the 50k service costing me around 4k for the replacement.
LONG Trips :
Coimbatore - Chennai - Coimbatore : 2 Trips.
Coimbatore - Chennai - Kumbakonam - Coimbatore
Coimbatore - Tiruchendoor -Coimbatore - 2 Trips.
Coimbatore - Chennai - Tirupathi - Chennai - Coimbatore
Coimbatore - Kerala - Ooty- Coimbatore
Chennai - Pondy - Kumbakonam - Pondy -Chennai
Coimbatore - Kerala - Coimbatore
Coimbatore - Bangalore - Coimbatore
I have also made various trips to cities which are about 200-300 Kilometers around Coimbatore.
PROBLEMS :
* Hard Clutch - I had this problem when it was about 5000 Kms on the ODO, A.S.S. sprayed some oil around and the problem was solved, but it was just temporary, the problem came gain when i was in CHENNAI, I took it to the A.S.S. there, they had the problem sorted out permanently.
* 3rd gear vibration : The Vibration between 1800 - 2200 RPM on the 3rd gear has been a problem from day one. I had this problem reported to the A.S.S. at every service , but they could not do much. So, i decided to write to M&M about it. After which M&M called me and confirmed certain details. Further, I had calls from A.S.S. telling me about a replacement part and that being replaced. Which has sorted out the problem now.
* Rattling : Rattling noise creeps in every few thousand kilometers, i had to take it to the A.S.S. to fix it and this happens even now.
* Rear Sensor : Had this blown of at about 10,000 Kilometer, Was replaced at 25,000 kilometer ( Warranty Replacement ) when the spare was available.
* TPMS : It was working till 10,000 Kilometers even after the change of alloys , but after that i have always had problems with it.
SERVICE :
1000 km Service : Free
5000 km Service : INR 1000 +/- *
10,000 km Service : INR 1000 +/- *
15,000 km Service : Free
20,000 km Service : DONT REMEMBER
25,000 km Service : INR 3000 +/- *
30,000 km Service : INR 10,000 +/-*
35,000 km Service : INR 4000 +/- *
40,000 km Service : INR 9000 +/- *
45,000 Km Service : INR 5900 /-
50,000 Km Service : INR 13,093 /- ( Break Pad and Lower Link Bush - Changed)
Note : * I am sure about the exact amount i paid for those service , they are just approximate figures.
Overall Verdict :
A great machine at this price range with a smooth, refined , powerful engine with great comfort and handling, but yes, it has its own flaws which are too minor to think about. I love my machine and we have mingled with each other. | 
20th December 2009, 12:45
