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Originally Posted by axlerod Took delivery of the vehicle yesterday. During the inspection noticed that the interiors were soiled in placed (handprints / smudges). Since many other BHPians here had reported similar experiences, I knew that there is nothing that can be done about it. Even though I asked the dealer to clean it, nothing much happened. Besides this the delivery experience was top notch
In a day or so I'll post my experience and feedback |
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Originally Posted by Laks Congratulations!! and the pics too please. |
So here is my personal feedback. Photographs are due and I will post them subsequently they will follow the theme of my below review
A little background first: This is my fourth Mahindra BOF SUV. All three previous ones have been Scorpios. My immediate previous vehicle is a 4WD Scorpio with torsion bars up front (this will come in focus a little later). Going by the pattern I should have bought a new ScorpioN but at the risk of striking a fierce debate allow me to say that the ScorpioN does not belong in the same family even
I am going to express what difference I felt. For reference, I have never driven a monocoque vehicle. In fact I have never been on the steering wheel of a car which has an infotainment screen or any of the modern bells and whistles. So this one was a very interesting experience
The vehicle (AX7L 4WD D Manual) was delivered to me with 59 kilometres on the odometer. It was one of the first vehicles of its class delivered in our city and that made me very happy. I have driven it about 350 kms since then. On the day of delivery the interiors were very dirty. The driver's seat had all its plastic removed and there were hand prints on the roof. The driver's seat has a prominent bum print on it and it was very off putting. Considering my 25 year experience with Mahindra I knew that there is no point cribbing about it. I did bring it to the notice of the dealership and they promptly got one of their guys to try clean it all up. He was armed with a bottle of Collin and a dirty cloth. After a couple of his tries, I granted him relief and told him to go and work his magic elsewhere. Don't need to explicitly say that his efforts were all in vain
Besides this the car was in good shape. I believe that some social media enthusiasts had surely gotten their hands on it as the 'skyroof' also had lots of hand marks. The engine bay was clean and I check the vehicle from underneath. She had not been taken in any muck or such
Now comparing it with my everyday ride (Mahindra Scorpio VLX 4WD D MT)
What I don't like:
- The ride on the new car is bouncy. I am diligent about all small details so that includes the tyre pressure as well. They are inflated to the manufacturer recommended pressure. However considering my Scorpio with a torsion bar set up in the front, on the same road and with the same hand behind the wheel, the Thar is bouncier (not something which is the end of the world, but worth mentioning nonetheless)
- I do not like the automatic breaking assist at all. In our traffic it slams on the brakes and engages the parking brake. This could lead to someone rear ending our car. I've shifted it from normal to 'Late' today and will see how that fairs out. I could have switched it off altogether, however that gives a warning on the screen which is an eyesore and I don't like it. It's a gimmick which I've turned off. It's not a fault. Why show a warning?
- The 4L is a hit or miss exercise to engage. Should have been a smooth shift
- When engaging the third gear sometimes the finger toggles the terrain modes (the 4EXPLOR modes, not the Drive Modes as the 4WD Manual does not have drive modes)
- The wireless charging pad is a hit or miss at best for smaller form factor iPhones. It looks more designed for larger screen android phones and I keep getting a warning about how I should reposition my device in case I want it to charge
- There is no Apple Car Play available, wired or wireless. Dealership says it will be available after 2 months
What I like:
- There are so many bells and whistles. Oh, I'm smitten. It might be the end to me being a crude, rustic, outdoorsy buffoon. Although that's a long shot but my spouse has high hopes always!
- I like the cable operated gear box. I guess this is what a small car's gearbox feels like. The gears slot into place with such a click. Like when engaging third gear I don't even have to push all the way into the slot. I just have to show it the way and it eventually finds its own way into the right place. I know that's not best for the mechanics but still it's so satisfying on so many levels (however I have to confess at this point, when I start an SUV I, like every old Gen X fella here, keeps their hand on the gear lever, and I expect that gear lever to rattle the living daylights out of my fist. If I am wearing an automatic watch then I expect the gear lever to wind my automatic watch enough to last me the next 48 hours by God!! However that is not the case here. There is no reverse feedback on the gear shift at all)
- I like the connected car tech. There is so much potential with what they can do with this (privacy conscious people like me watch out)
- I was really impressed with the feature where there is the possibility of the two key fobs having their own infotainment profiles pre selected! Amazing
I will surely share more feedback as I drive the car more. I am planning to take it for a long drive (long drive by my standards is 7k - 8k kms). When I do that I will try my best to share more nuances that I come across
In earnest I feel that the vehicle is definitely a step forward. There are so many new things in it that the missing few old traits are not entirely missed. People like us who are even noticing those things are on the decline anyways! We must remember that there has never been a person younger than us on the face of this planet since the moment we were born!!
