Team-BHP - Mahindra XUV500 : Test Drive & Review

We are interested in XUV500 and Dad had asked me to look into the Vadodara dealerships for the car tonight. So I called up on one of the toll free numbers. I was told that another number will give me details of XUV5OO.
Great. But not sure if the car would be available in my city or not. This is quite frustrating, one is ready to spend on so called Indian brand, but it behaves worse than others. Atleast one can book Innova, here even booking is next to impossible. The calls to dealers earlier have not made any change in attitude.

All manufacturers who are suffering from waiting list : Improve and look at how i10, Alto and Wagon R are available. ITS REALLY VERY FRUSTRATING TO HAVE A LONG WAITING LIST. Just like we have queues in everything, now these queues are extended to car also.

If I am not wrong, the waiting lists are there in the following products:
Swift
Dzire
SX4 D
VentoD
Verna D
XUV 500
Innova
Fortuner
i20 diesel

I wonder how many are actually false deliberated artificial waiting lists. No waiting for Alto or Wagon R or even Ritz D has low waiting, but come any product with good margin and more volumes and immediately waiting list crops up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by swiftnfurious (Post 2598373)

If it's purely city drive, I would NOT pick an AWD. Why do you need so much traction in city? Unless of-course, you travel thru some low slung places which gets flooded - even then a 2WD should suffice I guess [most of the times]. And as you mentioned, slightly lesser FE & added electronic gizmos & their reliability problems related to AWD [if it's electronically controlled]

Hmmm, does it work like the quattro of Audi? That is, provide traction at high speeds, especially in slippery conditions?

Quote:

Originally Posted by shankar.balan (Post 2598424)

if I had bought the XUV I would have without a doubt bought the AWD W8.
because while I live in the city too, I do go here and there where I would like to have the added benefit of the AWD.
Else the W8 variants are pretty much the same - be they 2WD/FWD or AWD.
The price differential is also not too much so might as well buy the AWD. Maybe buying it will motivate you to go out into the roads less travelled.:)

Can the XUV actually go off road?

Also, we buy cars in our company registration, so will be getting the FWD for the AWD's price! :D

But yes, atleast I have always wanted an 4x4 or an AWD car. Never had it so could never dare to venture into anything remotely off the road!

Quote:

Originally Posted by inomad (Post 2597951)

I have an urgent and critical question.

Went to the stockyard (Vasant Kunj, ND) to check the XUV 500 which is being allocated to me. following observation bothered me:

the ODO showed 114. On query, the mechanic mentioned that "your piece is a part of the 1st lot which had some gear issues, hence they drove these a little more in order to rectify the problem. The problem was of throw in gear and once the gear oil was changed the problem disappeared. the new lot isn't facing this problem." The sales team completely denied any of this - stated long distances between stockyard-wrokshop etc as the reason for ODO.

the question: Mannubhai's post revealed that it might really be a 'first batch' niggle. Is it technically a 'hard wiring' problem or it genuinely gets eased out with the new synthetic oil? Does it justify the 114 on the ODO? Or do I simply insist for a new batch piece? (the piece has been in the stockyard for around 20 days now, they are releasing 8 to 9 pieces a day. the engine bay looked clean and there were no signs of body damage)

MODS: I am supposed to take a call by tomo morning. Your views will be truely appreciated.

Thanks!

It might feel bad emotionally that the gear oil change will happen infront of you but practically even the new batch's will come with the new gear oil pre filled. There must be a change the grade of the oil being used. so leaving the car for a gear oil replacement doesnt make sense. Problems should occur in the start rather than later on. As it pains more when you have PAY for such things. Currently warranty will take care of you till 2years.

of course the AWD can go off the road onto tracks and muddy bits etc- thats what its for - but I would never try serious off road work in the XUV type vehicle. For that the best thing would be an old mechanical jeep.
however, having said that, you might find the XUV to be surprisingly good on bad roads and loose surfaces with all the controlling electronics it has.
if I were you I would simply plonk for the top end W8 AWD XUV. But I chose to buy the Yeti instead on account of its compact proportions and city driveability. Had I still been in the market for a larger SUV I would have bought the XUV without a doubt.

Quote:

Originally Posted by raj_5004 (Post 2598650)

Quote:

Originally Posted by inomad (Post 2597951)

Was at the workshop this weekend and the chief technical mechanic showed me an advisory on the mahindra portal for dealers related to this change. All cars before series 62XXX for W6/W8 have this gear oil issue and this issue is being rectified at the dealer level by replacing the oil. All cars post 62XXX have been rectified at the plant level and no change is required. I have personally seen the advisory and believe it to be correct and accurate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joy73US (Post 2598496)

Does anyone knows if a Gear Lock is available for XUV in the market ? I would prefer to get it install as soon as I get the delivery of my W6 next week.

Please keep me posted if you find one. I'm also looking for one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rohitbagai (Post 2597895)

Guys forgive me for my ignorance but I am yet to find a trip meter on my XUV. Can someone confirm if its actually there?
EDIT: Also it seems the remote is missing volume button?

It is present. There is a button on the right of the tachometer. Try pressing the right side of the enclosure

Hi guys, I'm to take delivery of my XUV W8 silver in a day or 2.
The chasis & engine # given to me for the sake of getting insurance from outside are . .
Chasis # B6L63324
Engine # HJB4L72340

I'm presuming that these are the last few characters of the actual 17, with the last 5 being the sr no.
Does this imply that my XUV was made in Nov, as the 12th character is 'L' ?!
If that is so, would it have the niggles rectified ?
How can I confirm this ?
What other things do I need to check before I take delivery.

Waiting for your replies as I have to take delivery today eve / tom morning.

Cheers