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In that case, why not get a counter quote from another dealer in Chennai, say India garage, and see if you can get it cancelled? Or may be tell them that you have an offer from another dealer without that incidental charge. I still do not understand what incident are they charging for.

Drop a Note to Mahindra customer care with the details of LTT as well as Incidental charges that the dealer is adding on. They will loop in top management of the dealer as well as the M&M Regional after Sales Manager, who should be able to help waive these additional charges without a lot of headache. As you are planning to own a Mahindra, get used to writing to customer care/service center head as that is most often the best way to ensure that you have the right info and you are charged only for things that need to be charged.

UPDATE:

1) The oil spill, I spoke of earlier is due to some fault in the oil pump. M&M initially got a adhoc fitment - as I needed the vehicle asap. They advised me that the oil pump needs to be changed completely. So, I got the vehicle back when I am free. By the time, the part also has been ordered & replaced. Now, it is fine.

2) The MLD kit has been replaced. Two things very noticeable after the MLD kit replacement are: a) A slight humming sound - after you reach 5th gear on highways. Very light one. You have to turn off a/c to hear it. b) The speed very slightly comes down. Normally, I used to cruise in 110-120. Now, 100-110. A 10kmph drop. Not sure, if anyone else is facing this. But, otherwise, no regrets.

3) As I was telling earlier, rear camera is much required. Seems, ppl are starting to feel the pinch & the part is much in demand. Mine was ordered a few weeks back, yet to get it.

I was PM'd by a fellow BHPian to call another showroom's SA. Will do so shortly. But that showroom is halfway across Chennai and I won't be able to visit them (if it comes to that) till weekends come along...

Yes indeed! I'd much like to get my purchase done through this dealership which is near my home. I did e-mail customercare@mahindra.com yesterday; i attached the invoice and mentioned the discrepancies with the LTT and the incidental charge.
I have noticed you telling prospective TUV buyers in the past too - everything's such a fuss and a fight for owners of Mahindra products. But to their credit, I don't see much of a direct competition for their products. It's a TUV or nothing for me...maybe a used pre-2011 4 cylinder Wagon R would satisfy me!

Sorry to hear about the oil pump, but glad it's all set now.

Regarding the MLD kit, I have seen other TUV owners on TBhp remark that after the fitment was made, they've seen their kmpl figures improve vastly. And yes, they mentioned the humming noise as well.

As for the rear camera, while booking a T8, i was told that there is no way that an OEM camera and screen can be fitted in any version lower than the T10. Zulaikha motors (Chennai) only offered an aftermarket camera fitment to me please:

Post-script update

Spoke to a SA from another showroom. Here were his replies:
* The incidental charges are to cover the dealer's transportation expenses. It seems all dealerships charge it; if not openly, they include it in the ex-showroom price.
* The extra Rs.3K padded in the LTT must be to cover various taxes and RTO expenses (he mentioned a road-safety tax of around Rs.2K, for instance)
* This guy also said that a reverse-camera's screen in T8 would be an aftermarket fitment only.
* Finally, he offered me a 2017 T10 at a discounted price. He'll call me back soon with a quote. I have no idea if I should go in for it.

Not really. If you have an infotainment system (touchscreen), you can get the reverse camera fitted instantly - after flashing the infotainment system. (You can only do it at MASS - they'll connect the vehicle to Chakan to get it done - remotely.)

Add to that - Though you can get an after market kit for the same after flashing (which will just "enable" camera feature), the reverse camera needs to be integrated with infotainment system. I won't trust anyone else to tamper with that. So, it is safe to go with MASS. SA also suggested it is better you get it done at MASS. (Not about money here.)

That's exactly the issue - T8 doesn't have a touchscreen infotainment system. The salespersons are very clear that only for models with a touchscreen can the reverse-cam feed be shown on the in-built screen. The only way a T8 can have a reversing cam's screen according to dealers in Chennai is to have an aftermarket screen (looks like a Garmin GPS screen) on the dashboard or stuck to the windscreen. I have spoken to 2 dealers about this now.

So, I have an offer for a 2017 T10 with an on-road price of around 9,80,000. There are heavy discounts involved. I am not going for this one...although I am thinking of getting a T10.

On the topic of the padded LTT and the incidental charge:
After speaking to two dealerships, it is clear that they're all doing it. Now, I am just awaiting a response from Mahindra customer care with their take on this.

That is correct. But, you can get infotainment fitted too at dealer - it comes as a package. Even for T8. All you need to do is, to flash the software. Nothing else needed. On the other hand, if you don't want an infotainment touchscreen, you can always opt for after market one - that is less hassle installation process & cheaper too. I wanted the reverse camera to be able to view in LCD. Else, I would have gone for after market too.

That's a very heavy discount. My guess it must be more than 6 months old vehicle. Anycase , you can get the VIN number and check it. If it is something like Nov or Dec make , then a good buy.

I can choose a 2017 November manufactured T8 for Rs.9,85,857 or a 2017 November manufactured T10 for Rs.10,57,492 (both prices are without including the respective costs of insurance).

I'd be saving around Rs.80,000 on the 2017 T8 and Rs.60,000 on the 2017 T10.

As you could see from my posts yesterday and today, I am vacillating between "I want it" and "no way", for a 2017 vehicle...stupid:

@ All

I came to know today that the Incidental charge is an offspring of the e-way bill system under GST. That explains why we're all taken by surprise by it.

Also, the lifetime tax in Tamil Nadu of 10% is supplemented with a Road safety tax and also a brokerage fee. That's why my life time tax comes out to more than just 10% of the ex-showroom cost.

2017 November is not very old. If you are going to keep the car for long enough, if you can satisfy yourself with all the teambhp PDI checks, I don't see any reason why you shouldn't pocket that handsome discount and drive a tank home happily.
My green tank is also mid Nov 2017 manufactred. Bought towards end of December. Between Nov and this Feb there are no updates to vehicle or specs for T8 and T10 .

A friend of mine has recently got the top end TUV in dual tone, is his vehicle factory fitted with MLD? If not, shall I ask him to approach the service station for the same? He frequently drive on hilly roads and even snow covered terrain too.

What is to be told to A.S.S. guys and will it be completely free?

MLD is retrofit only. I've heard that M&M have tweaked suspension setup of new cars to reduce wheel spin. Would recommend MLD only if the issue is a frequent occurrence during drives. He will need to take a video of wheel spin and share with MASS, who will then order MLD & fit.

What are the disadvantages of the MLD if we get one installed?

Hi,

I don't see any dis-advantage with the MLD Retrofitment. Rather the advantages of MLD Retrofitment far out-weigh the dis-advantages, if any.

I am more than satisfied post MLD Retrofitment. Post MLD Retrofitment, the TUV300 has become a go anywhere vehicle of the family, with increased mileage figures of 14 kmpl in Normal Mode and 16 kmpl in Eco Mode on the highways @ Speeds in the excess of 90-100 kmph.

Post MLD Retrofitment, the vehicle feels more planted on the road and is well behaved on the roads.

With regards.

Ameeth

Erm...not sure if this sounds like spam, but - TVS Mahindra (Aminjikarai, Chennai) has 4 TUV 300s which were manufactured in Nov 2017.

They are available with deep discounts. 3 are T8 models and the discounts work out around 60K to 80K and 1 is a T10 on which the discount totals roughly 40K to 60K. Your discount mileage may vary.

Please do PM me if anyone needs the sales person's phone number.

Why am I posting this unsolicited ad here? I feel guilty for leaving any of these discounted beauties un-purchased, since I contemplated these but finally decided on a Feb 2018 manufactured T8, for some personal reasons. To rest my conscience, I rest my case. Phew!