[Ramsagar]

Congrats. Looks stunning in Black with a tail. Pls post some off road pics if possible.
BTW pls remove the side steps if added, it bends in OTR's.
Better to add a front and under body skid plates.

[4x4addict]

Originally Posted by deepanonline

i am planning to go for 4X4 MT or AT scorpio..

need your help in understanding discounts we can negotiate with Inda Garage or MPL..

So did u have any good/badinfo on AT scorpio?

There are no special discounts on the 4x4 version. You can get the same discounts being offered on the 2WD version. The only problem is that the 4WD takes about 4 to 6 weeks to get delivered and hence you can only avail what ever scheme is in effect when the vehicle is invoiced/paid for.

For example when I booked my Scorpio 4WD in December 2009, they were offering free insurance which i couldn't avail since my vehicle was not invoiced that month. In January there was no offers so I would have got zilch if I took delivery in Jan except for maybe free mats which I got the dealer to include as an extra at the time of booking. In Feb, they had 14K worth free accessories + an extra year of extended warranty so I got both these. You can negotiate a dealer incentive like free mats, sun film etc, but Mahindra incentives depend on what is there when your vehicle is invoiced after it has left the factory.

Originally Posted by Ramsagar

Congrats. Looks stunning in Black with a tail. Pls post some off road pics if possible.
BTW pls remove the side steps if added, it bends in OTR's.
Better to add a front and under body skid plates.

My scorpio will not be taken off-road for the sake of going off-road like the those mean looking bangalore scorpios. It is more a cruiser that can help me get out of tricky situations or give me the courage to get off the beaten path. Hence I don't plan to remove side steps, add skid plates etc..

For having fun off-road I use my MM540.

[4x4addict]

Here is an update, two months and 5000 Kms later. Overall, I am pretty satisfied with the Scorpio. It does have it’s flaws, but overall I think for the money I paid, it’s a good deal.

One thing, I didn’t fully comprehend before I bought it is how little space there is inside for stuff with all three rows in place. If you are using the forward facing third row seat, you can barely squeeze two briefcases under the third row seats and maybe some loose packets behind the seat in between the seat and the door. These things will fall down as soon as you open the door.

On the positive side, I love the power of this beast. On a straight stretch, I feel comfortable pushing 140 kmph, but soon as the road becomes windy/curved, I feel it is safer to stay below 120 as I don’t have a lot of confidence to go above that. Maybe it is okay, but I sure don’t want to be the one to find out if it is not.

Took it for the first free service in India Garage in Chennai today. Total came to 3280 but essentially I was ripped off by about 800+ bucks (including tax) for some *Engine Care* bullshit. I made it clear to him that I will not pay unless it is recommended by Mahindra so I am taking this up with Mahindra Customer Care and try to get a refund of this amount. The cost of the Oil change etc as per Mahindra guide lines should come to only Rs. 2500 odd. On top of it, they when cleaning the engine, they sprayed water with too much force bending a couple of fins on the intercooler. Most dealers are cheats, and I knew India Garage is no different but let me see if Mahindra Customer Care will help me sort this out. Will update after I get a response from Mahindra Customer Care.

I also noticed that with the newer 4x4s, the low range light doesn’t blink for six seconds. From 4H when you put into 4L, 4L just pops up after about 5 seconds. (No blinking like before).

[4x4addict]

I have emailed Mahindra Customer Care. Attaching a copy here. Let's see if they can help.

[adzegeek]

Originally Posted by 4x4addict

I also noticed that with the newer 4x4s, the low range light doesn’t blink for six seconds. From 4H when you put into 4L, 4L just pops up after about 5 seconds. (No blinking like before).

So I was right all the while - I now wonder if the others have even been putting 4L at all or just reading the incorrect manual and writing...

[tanwaramit]

good to see some updates on your ownership 4x4addict. Awaiting the response from Mahindra on the extra job done. Curious to see how M&M reacts.

[shatrughna]

So you crossed 5K kms! Congrats. After first service , I had felt that steering was lighter and suspensions felt improved a bit. What was your experience?
In my case it could be because of the rattling and thrashing on the long stretches of broken tarmac that driven it on before service and while put on the lift - the suspensions got stretched properly and took sometime to settle down so initially I may have felt it a bit more cushioned and softer.

[4x4addict]

@shatrughna:

I have not felt any change to the suspension after 5K miles. Still stiff as before.

Just wanted to update on the cheating by India Garage. Mahindra got involved and I got a call from India Garage today that the amount for *Engine Care Ripoff" will be refunded. They will be sending a check for the refund. I didn't have to call Mahindra. Only emailed the customer support email on their website and they took care of it. I definitely appreciate and commend Mahindra for standing up for their customer who has been swindled by the dealer.

Also attaching a few pictures from last off road trip to the Palar River bed with the chennai jeepers. The low ground clearance of the Scorpio is a huge disadvantage off-road. But overall the vehicle held it's own against the jeeps and gypsies.

[raj_5004]

I am happy to know that your money has been refunded buddy. thats a good move from mahindra.

and you are among the few people who actually has the guts to take your car off road. great pics. kudos. why dont you add them here?

[4x4addict]

hey raj. I had forgotten about that thread. I'll add some pics there..

[pramods]

Originally Posted by shatrughna

So you crossed 5K kms! Congrats. After first service , I had felt that steering was lighter and suspensions felt improved a bit. What was your experience?
In my case it could be because of the rattling and thrashing on the long stretches of broken tarmac that driven it on before service and while put on the lift - the suspensions got stretched properly and took sometime to settle down so initially I may have felt it a bit more cushioned and softer.

I too have felt the steering to be quite light, my 4wd AT after first servicing currently I have done 7K kms, so the question is " Is it only happening with 4wd AT"? as 4x4addict Scorpio is not AT.

-Pramod

[SPIKE ARRESTOR]

Tini, i salute you for your guts. I just can't believe someone taking a new vehicle for a recce (that too a Palar). BTW why didn't you take your 540? Did your T/C, Axle sit anywhere?

Spike

P.S. The running boards and bumpers cost a bomb.

[4x4addict]

Originally Posted by SPIKE ARRESTOR

Tini, i salute you for your guts. I just can't believe someone taking a new vehicle for a recce (that too a Palar). BTW why didn't you take your 540? Did your T/C, Axle sit anywhere?

Spike

P.S. The running boards and bumpers cost a bomb.

I don't intend to keep taking my Scorpio off-road. I bought it mainly as a 4WD tourer to get me out of sticky situations should the need arise. But at the same time, I wanted to test the Scorpio's capabilities as well. Arka was considerate not to take any routes that would cause any major damage. So in most places it was a test of traction and driver skills which the scorpio did fine.

The T/C or axles never sat anywhere. The only one time I got stuck was with the running boards.

[4x4addict]

Until today, I had done only two long trips in my Scorpio. First was after I took delivery of the vehicle, I drove it to Chennai from Kottayam. It was during the run-in period so I stayed below a 100 kmph. Next was a chennai to bangalore and return in which I stayed within 120.

Today I drove from Chennai to Kottayam. Now that I have had the Scorpio for two months and feel more comfortable with it's handling and dynamics, I really floored it on this trip. Vehicle was fully loaded, including 3 adults, luggage and a 1.5 ton split ac at the back (don't ask me why). Despite the load, the Scorpio hits 150 kmph easily. Even after 150 kmph the engine can go but shows some strain. It also handled fine and I feel a lot more confident now having used it for a while. Still for any sharp turns, I brought the speed down to under 120 kmph. From Cumbum, I climbed the hills to kumily and even in the hills there was plenty of power with no turbo lag. Whatever other gripes I have with this vehicle, I am impressed with the powertrain. Having driven up and down the Kumily ghats today, I am confident with the handling as well.

[benbsb29]

Originally Posted by 4x4addict

Today I drove from Chennai to Kottayam. Now that I have had the Scorpio for two months and feel more comfortable with it's handling and dynamics, I really floored it on this trip. Vehicle was fully loaded, including 3 adults, luggage and a 1.5 ton split ac at the back (don't ask me why).

Having driven up and down the Kumily ghats today, I am confident with the handling as well.

I feel the load on the vehicle had a lot to do with improving the driving dynamics. Did you feel any difference on the return journey without the load?