Originally Posted by gandalf (Post 2994578)

For no cosmetic value the following would be good

Rain Visors: With Bombay rains it would help keeping the rain out
Roof Carrier: if you have more than 5 ppl travelling regularly
Side body moulding: would help reduce scratches for light hits on the sides. you would need to take a call on how you like the looks of the car with these
Floor mats: are necessary. If you need 3D mats or 3M Mats then you could get it aftermarket. Otherwise the Rubber mats are pretty good quality wise
Reverse Camera: I suggest you drive for a month and then take a call. I brought one and dont use it at all
I dont remember if the W8 comes with a leather steering wrap. If not get one. My w6 does not have it and i am planning on getting one soon
I suggest you get the Illuminated Scruff plates. Even though they are purely cosmetic I really love them. they look super cool. I have it in my grey XUV and they are super duper cool.

Above are just my suggestions

Originally Posted by SDP (Post 2994597)

My recommendations:

A reverse-camera is a must. Let alone parked bikes, you can not even make out a Maruti 800 if it is right behind the vehicle.

If you have kids travelling a lot in the XUV, may be carpet matting.

If you have senior-citizens regularly onboard, then side-foot-setps. You also can get similar ones after-market, for practically half the price.

If planning for long trips with 6 adults and luggage, may be the roof carrier. Again, I would suggest, get it just before any such trip rather than right away. Pretty sure, you will get better after-market options.

Illuiminated scuff-plates. They look seriously cool at night. But I opted out of it because of the additional wiring and concerns about the plate fouling with the puddle light when the door is closed.

You might want to pick up a couple of retractable screens for the rear-windows. With all the confusion around sunfilms and SC order, that's the safest bet to protect from harsh sun.

And finally, one thing that is still on by shopping list - a GPS tracking security solution like iTrack. BTW, iTrack does have a tie-up with Mahindras for security solutions and you can get iTrack GPS tracking installed under the supervision of the Mahindra authorized service center.

Originally Posted by fundagenie (Post 2994632)

My recommendation would be
3d mats : really required to keep your car mats clean. Go for it

illuminated scuff plates : always good to get it from the dealer itself as they very well would know how to handle the wiring and also incase if something fails you can always go back to them. I have fitted them and using for the last 5 months. So far no issue. Also I never felt the issue with the plate fouling with the puddle light when the door is closed. And have to admit the interiors of the car really look damn cool and blingy in the night with the red lounge lighting and the illuminted blue scuff plates. Go for it

Reverse camera : Was planning to fit when I took delivery but the price quoted by the dealer was Rs10000+ . I see its Rs4000 in the quote provided to you. I thought it was a must, but now after driving 8000+kms, I never felt any issue without having it. The reverse sensor by itself is really helpful. Infact I still reverse with the help of the rear view mirrors and the beeping reverse sensor just gives me the required confidence in tight spots. Your call on how confident you are with reversing such a big car and in tight parking spots. But for the price offered, I would suggest you have it since the car has the option in the infotainment. Am also planning to fit one, just to show off... :D

Roof carrier : again required only if the 3rd row seats would be used for passengers. I keep my folded at all times and it fairly provides enough space to carry a good amount of luggage

Rain visors : Get it. I had it in my previous car and was a really useful when driving in the rains with the windows slightly rolled down. Also avoided water falling on the controls on the door handles in such situations. Need to get it fitted for my XUV also

Side beading : Good to have. Look vise you need to take a call especially in terms of the body color. I have a purple car and beading looks great.

W8 has a leather steering cover.

FundaG

Originally Posted by Heavy Horse (Post 2994648)

Gandalf, SDP, Fundagenie, thanks so much for taking the time and providing such detailed input. I clearly have a lot to think about.
Being a Mumbaikar I found something really interesting. Both the Bangaloreans have recommended the rain visor, but my fellow Mumbaikar (SDP) has'nt and it rains so much more in Mumbai where the average annual rainfall is twice that of Bangalore city!!

Originally Posted by Heavy Horse (Post 2994648)

Gandalf, SDP, Fundagenie, thanks so much for taking the time and providing such detailed input. I clearly have a lot to think about.
Being a Mumbaikar I found something really interesting. Both the Bangaloreans have recommended the rain visor, but my fellow Mumbaikar (SDP) has'nt and it rains so much more in Mumbai where the average annual rainfall is twice that of Bangalore city!!

Originally Posted by SDP (Post 2994785)

:)
PS: A rain-visor - if it is really dark - can provide partial relief from the sun because it is perfectly positioned at your eye-level. That could be a decent compromise solution in the absence of proper sun-films.

Originally Posted by tictactoe (Post 2994862)

Taking my beast for its first long drive this weekend. Plan to drive Mumbai - Goa via Kolhapur. Will halt at Kolhapur for a night - mainly to check out the Panhala fort and the Mahalaxmi temple. Super excited about it.

The only thing that bothers me a little is that there is a faint knocking sound when I engage / disengage the gear at unmatched speed (basically when the car jerks a bit). Not sure if I need to get it checked. Also a problem is that it is very difficult to reproduce the sound knowlingly during a check-up.

Also, I guess, I will have to ensure the rattle of the dashboard through the journey. Anyone knows if this can be fixed in DIY manner?

Originally Posted by fundagenie (Post 2994672)

Thats cos am from Kerala :).. A state where there are rains for a good amount of time. So hope that my opinion on the rain visor stands valid. :I Rule:

FundaG

Originally Posted by SDP (Post 2994785)

:)
It depends on your driving habbits. I don't drive with window even partially rolled down - NEVER in rain. So a rain-visor is completely useless to me.

You might want to choose them if you intend to lower the glass a bit even during rain.

PS: A rain-visor - if it is really dark - can provide partial relief from the sun because it is perfectly positioned at your eye-level. That could be a decent compromise solution in the absence of proper sun-films.

Originally Posted by mannubhai (Post 2994879)

A rain visor is a NO from me also. To me it takes away the curvature carving of the beast :)

Originally Posted by Heavy Horse (Post 2994464)

Can anybody help me with the accessories? My SE gave me the list with prices (attached). I told her that I don't want any accessories for cosmetic value on the W8. She suggested that I get the carpet laminated since that will provide a plastic coat that can be easily cleaned in case of spillage etc. Does anybody have any view on that? Anything utilitarian that anyone can suggest. I will be really grateful. please:

Originally Posted by ash_blore (Post 2995181)

I got the mats, reverse camera, side step and scuff plates (non-illuminated).

All of the above are required and are non-cosmetic. I would suggest going for it.

I paid 3.5K for the camera and 8K for the step

Originally Posted by tictactoe (Post 2995146)

XUV 500 Wish List

After driving my XUV for over a month, here is my wishlist for Mahindra (not in any particular order):


7. Adjustable middle row for flexibility in last row seat leg space

Originally Posted by AutoIndian (Post 2994936)

Strange that such a thing should happen on a new TD vehicle. Anyone of you experienced such an issue?

I noticed the often complained dashboard reflection the first time. Actually the golden crease on either sides of the screen, which runs till the windshield is quite prominent & really a distraction when the sun is shining. Anyone has found a solution to eliminate/reduce this reflection?

Originally Posted by tictactoe (Post 2995146)

XUV 500 Wish List
...
1. Place to keep my cell phone where I can see the screen
2. Place to keep my wallet
...

Originally Posted by tictactoe (Post 2995146)

XUV 500 Wish List
...
3. At minimum last call history and dialing features from the steering (full telephone book scrolling will be welcome though)
...

Originally Posted by ash_blore (Post 2995181)

I got the mats, reverse camera, side step and scuff plates (non-illuminated).
...

Originally Posted by nitinralli (Post 2995201)

I agree with all you points. For me, if they can only work on adjustable middle row, it can do more wonders for XUV. Look at all that middle row space going waste. If you can pull it forward, you can get good amount of legroom in the third row, which means XUV can be a people mover as well (like Innova). SUV ki SUV and MUV ki MUV clap:

Originally Posted by nitinralli (Post 2995216)

...As for the reflection, you can use those fiber glass stickers that you get nowadays which people put on bonnet and all sorts of things. For xuv owners, this can actually be used for a purpose. You can get them from our classified section as well if you want.