Review: 1st-gen Mahindra Thar (2011 - 2019)

mads2849 · 26th September 2018, 18:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by KkVaidya

Pl. go for stock size (235/70R16) AT tyres. They will provide a better cushion on rough roads but at the cost of tire noise at speeds above 70kmph - and you already have the canopy noise

. Check with stock tires before you plunge for AT as i still feel they are the best compromise between high speed driving and rough roads. The only downside is the looks.
Also one thing i forgot to mention is that the new canopy design is worse when it comes to flapping noise as there is only Velcro strips on the sides. The old design has 4 bolts which you can tighten to reduce the noise. Last month i replaced the canopy as it was 4 years old and had seen a lot of abuse so i checked both the new and old design. Finally settled for the old design as it is better suited for a silent ride. Mine does not flap till above 85kmph.

Thank you for your prompt response. I will consider your suggestion of sticking to stock tyres. The canopy will not create problems for me as I am going with a hardtop. Also I am thinking of changing the rear leafs. I am looking for a plusher ride ( Not stiffer) on the highway. So any suggestions for this?

condor · 28th September 2018, 16:08

Friend is looking for a Thar 4x4 in Bangalore. Any leads, please let me know.

KMT · 28th September 2018, 16:14

There is a nice one well accessorised in Coorg, new shape. Red.

condor · 28th September 2018, 16:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by KMT

There is a nice one well accessorised in Coorg, new shape. Red.

Would you have any details ? Please PM

KMT · 28th September 2018, 17:35

Have sent you the details.

mads2849 · 4th October 2018, 21:19

Not sure if this is the right forum ( Mod please move my message if it is not)
Has anyone used Diesel Tronics in the Thar. If yes would you mind sharing me you thoughts/experiences/suggestions please. Your inputs will help me decide on the tuning to a great extent. I am not looking for Offroad tuning, though. Thanks in advance !

bmr_ind · 7th November 2018, 21:55

Hi friends,
Glad to say that finally took delivery today. Thanks for all your inputs.

sleepyk · 21st November 2018, 22:15

Hi guys... Am thinking of getting a 4*4, but Thar has become a bit old now. And Gypsy is being discontinued. :(
Do any of you have a clue of the timeline for the Thar successor launch?

KkVaidya · 23rd November 2018, 14:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleepyk

Hi guys... Am thinking of getting a 4*4, but Thar has become a bit old now. And Gypsy is being discontinued. :(
Do any of you have a clue of the timeline for the Thar successor launch?

The present Thar is a Classic and can never get old. Plus if you are looking at 4x4 capability, how can you know the rumored new Thar will be better in this aspect?
In my opinion I would suggest buy the current one - you will not regret this decision.

rajesh_sg · 8th December 2018, 10:29

Can anyone help me procure the SA roll cage. Checked with the dealer India garage in Chennai & they informed that Mahindra has stopped these parts. I need one for my thar.

rajesh_sg · 9th December 2018, 11:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmr_ind

Hi friends,
Glad to say that finally took delivery today. Thanks for all your inputs.

Congrats. I also took delivery of my red thar 05-nov. Can you post some photos of left & right side of the thar.

deetjohn · 12th December 2018, 12:05

I got to drive a brand new Thar over the weekend. A friend bought a CRDi 4x4 which had to take to his plantations in Idukki. The last time I drove one was back in Nov, when my friends and I hired one in Goa. Its no secret that I do not have high regards for the Thar. I think Mahindra took it easy and gave us a poorly made machine when they could have done much much more!

And, at Goa, I had asked my friends to pick an MPV instead of the Thar, but everyone was under the spell. So, we ended up getting one. And, long story short, my friends also now understand a little as to why a MPV makes better sense over the Thar in a place like Goa where its hot and dusty and one is not taking it off-road. A Thar always looks best when someone else is driving it, especially in an urban setting.

But it was a totally different story this time. The Thar was truly in its element. Before he bought it, my friend had asked for suggestions. And the Thar made more sense over the V-Cross or the Gurkha for its practicality and ease of service and upkeep in rural Kerala.

We took the shortest road from Kochi to his home in Idukki and as expected the roads were in very bad shape. But the Thar was really comfortable for bad-roading. And it was just the two of us, with none at the rear, so the AC was more than adequate. And since it was brand new, the only noise was the flapping soft top once we crossed 70 or so. But there were a few more squeaks once we reached Idukki and took it for some off-roading through the plantations. Sigh!

Unmistakably, the Thar was in its natural habitat and impressed us both. Be it the grunt, the the smaller steering with its shorter turning radius, ease of treading through big rocks, verticals or very deep potholes and axle breakers. My friend also got a DI 4x4 from the first batch. And the new CRDi was unmistakably superior the way its IFS shielded us from the pounding the surface gave. Inside the plantations, we got many a chance to engage both 4H and 4L and it was super easy to overcome whatever that was in our way. All one needs to do is reading the surface from a bit far, pick the right track and the Thar just inches forward with complete surety and authority. Its like an automatic out there. Was a lot of fun.

But for the money paid at about 11 lakhs OTR here in Kochi, I wish it was far more versatile, better built and equipped. Right now, its works well only in a very narrow window and the quality is also really sad. One really needs a multi-car garage to make this work. Also, there is the question about safety. And I wonder how Mahindra is going to tackle the safety norms in 2019. Some pictures from the mobile now.

The dealer gave a complimentary Jeep like grille cladding. Black looks the best after the facelift.

Review: 1st-gen Mahindra Thar (2011 - 2019)-img_20181208_113416766_hdr.jpg

Look at the paint over-spill. And some bits aren't covered either. Easy to spot a few rusted bolts. This is where one feels sad and hope Mahindra paid a bit more attention and care.

Review: 1st-gen Mahindra Thar (2011 - 2019)-img_20181209_092157433.jpg

Cakewalk through the plantation!

Review: 1st-gen Mahindra Thar (2011 - 2019)-img_20181209_075128161.jpg

And Thar took us sight seeing somewhere near the KL-TN border.

Review: 1st-gen Mahindra Thar (2011 - 2019)-img_20181208_171559503_hdr.jpg

Review: 1st-gen Mahindra Thar (2011 - 2019)-img_20181208_164320332_hdr.jpg

bmr_ind · 16th December 2018, 19:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by rajesh_sg

Congrats. I also took delivery of my red thar 05-nov. Can you post some photos of left & right side of the thar.

Congrats on taking delivery of your THAR. What upgrades have you done and planning to do in future

bmr_ind · 17th December 2018, 14:04

Review: 1st-gen Mahindra Thar (2011 - 2019)-img_20181129_163317__01__01.jpg

Left side view of my Thar.

rajesh_sg · 19th December 2018, 21:19

Can you post the right side pic.

28th September 2018, 16:08	#3692
condor Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Speed-brkr City Posts: 15,864 Thanked: 16,017 Times View My Garage	re: Review: 1st-gen Mahindra Thar (2011 - 2019) Friend is looking for a Thar 4x4 in Bangalore. Any leads, please let me know.
	() Thanks

28th September 2018, 16:14	#3693
KMT BHPian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Coorg Posts: 455 Thanked: 877 Times	re: Review: 1st-gen Mahindra Thar (2011 - 2019) There is a nice one well accessorised in Coorg, new shape. Red.
	() Thanks

28th September 2018, 17:35	#3695
KMT BHPian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Coorg Posts: 455 Thanked: 877 Times	re: Review: 1st-gen Mahindra Thar (2011 - 2019) Have sent you the details.
	(1) Thanks

4th October 2018, 21:19	#3696
mads2849 BHPian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Guwahati Posts: 40 Thanked: 23 Times	re: Review: 1st-gen Mahindra Thar (2011 - 2019) Not sure if this is the right forum ( Mod please move my message if it is not) Has anyone used Diesel Tronics in the Thar. If yes would you mind sharing me you thoughts/experiences/suggestions please. Your inputs will help me decide on the tuning to a great extent. I am not looking for Offroad tuning, though. Thanks in advance !
	() Thanks

7th November 2018, 21:55	#3697
bmr_ind Newbie Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: chennai Posts: 23 Thanked: 32 Times	re: Review: 1st-gen Mahindra Thar (2011 - 2019) Hi friends, Glad to say that finally took delivery today. Thanks for all your inputs. Attached Thumbnails
	(10) Thanks

21st November 2018, 22:15	#3698
sleepyk BHPian Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Ahmedabad Posts: 115 Thanked: 119 Times	re: Review: 1st-gen Mahindra Thar (2011 - 2019) Hi guys... Am thinking of getting a 4*4, but Thar has become a bit old now. And Gypsy is being discontinued. :( Do any of you have a clue of the timeline for the Thar successor launch?
	() Thanks

8th December 2018, 10:29	#3700
rajesh_sg BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: chennai Posts: 34 Thanked: 7 Times	re: Review: 1st-gen Mahindra Thar (2011 - 2019) Can anyone help me procure the SA roll cage. Checked with the dealer India garage in Chennai & they informed that Mahindra has stopped these parts. I need one for my thar.
	() Thanks

12th December 2018, 12:05	#3702
deetjohn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kochi Posts: 4,530 Thanked: 10,583 Times View My Garage	re: Review: 1st-gen Mahindra Thar (2011 - 2019) I got to drive a brand new Thar over the weekend. A friend bought a CRDi 4x4 which had to take to his plantations in Idukki. The last time I drove one was back in Nov, when my friends and I hired one in Goa. Its no secret that I do not have high regards for the Thar. I think Mahindra took it easy and gave us a poorly made machine when they could have done much much more! And, at Goa, I had asked my friends to pick an MPV instead of the Thar, but everyone was under the spell. So, we ended up getting one. And, long story short, my friends also now understand a little as to why a MPV makes better sense over the Thar in a place like Goa where its hot and dusty and one is not taking it off-road. A Thar always looks best when someone else is driving it, especially in an urban setting. But it was a totally different story this time. The Thar was truly in its element. Before he bought it, my friend had asked for suggestions. And the Thar made more sense over the V-Cross or the Gurkha for its practicality and ease of service and upkeep in rural Kerala. We took the shortest road from Kochi to his home in Idukki and as expected the roads were in very bad shape. But the Thar was really comfortable for bad-roading. And it was just the two of us, with none at the rear, so the AC was more than adequate. And since it was brand new, the only noise was the flapping soft top once we crossed 70 or so. But there were a few more squeaks once we reached Idukki and took it for some off-roading through the plantations. Sigh! Unmistakably, the Thar was in its natural habitat and impressed us both. Be it the grunt, the the smaller steering with its shorter turning radius, ease of treading through big rocks, verticals or very deep potholes and axle breakers. My friend also got a DI 4x4 from the first batch. And the new CRDi was unmistakably superior the way its IFS shielded us from the pounding the surface gave. Inside the plantations, we got many a chance to engage both 4H and 4L and it was super easy to overcome whatever that was in our way. All one needs to do is reading the surface from a bit far, pick the right track and the Thar just inches forward with complete surety and authority. Its like an automatic out there. Was a lot of fun. But for the money paid at about 11 lakhs OTR here in Kochi, I wish it was far more versatile, better built and equipped. Right now, its works well only in a very narrow window and the quality is also really sad. One really needs a multi-car garage to make this work. Also, there is the question about safety. And I wonder how Mahindra is going to tackle the safety norms in 2019. Some pictures from the mobile now. The dealer gave a complimentary Jeep like grille cladding. Black looks the best after the facelift. Look at the paint over-spill. And some bits aren't covered either. Easy to spot a few rusted bolts. This is where one feels sad and hope Mahindra paid a bit more attention and care. Cakewalk through the plantation! And Thar took us sight seeing somewhere near the KL-TN border.
	(2) Thanks

17th December 2018, 14:04	#3704
bmr_ind Newbie Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: chennai Posts: 23 Thanked: 32 Times	re: Review: 1st-gen Mahindra Thar (2011 - 2019) Left side view of my Thar.
	(1) Thanks

19th December 2018, 21:19	#3705
rajesh_sg BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: chennai Posts: 34 Thanked: 7 Times	re: Review: 1st-gen Mahindra Thar (2011 - 2019) Can you post the right side pic.
	() Thanks