[MithunSathianat]

Hi All,

I have been thinking to pen down my initial ownership experience with my new Thar since few months but reserved the same as I was slowly and constantly customizing the SUV according to my taste and needs.
I will try to update this thread at least on a monthly basis.

Background
I had a pre-worshipped Skoda Octavia 1.9 tdi which I let it go in 2017 as I had to travel abroad for work. I still admire the build quality and drive-ability of the Octavia.
The only sore thing was maintenance and spare parts were expensive.
I returned back by the end of 2018 and was in search of new Compact SUV/ True blue SUV and started the test drive saga.

Criteria's

1. Should be an automatic (not AMT) - Heavy clutch of Octavia used to make my leg tired after long drives in bumper to bumper traffic. Hence a proper automatic was the primary need.
2. Good Ground Clearance - To evade through water logged roads in Kerala during monsoons

Good to have:
1. All Wheel Drive/ Four Wheel drive - As a person who learnt driving in a Mahindra cj500 'jeep', the love for jeeps was always there in me.

Vehicles considered
Please note I am not an expert by any means and below observations are just my opinions

1. Jeep Compass 1.4 Multi-Air Petrol automatic:
I was really impressed with the build quality of this one. The suspension set up felt top notch. But there was immense lag between the transmission and engine.
I was expecting a Volkswagen Polo GT Tsi kind of dual clutch transmission as Compass was also making use of dual clutch (DDCT).
It was out after the two test drives.


2. Jeep Compass 2.0 Diesel Automatic
Impressed with the build quality and safety, I asked the Jeep dealer to call me once the diesel automatic is launched.
They were proactive enough and bought an automatic immediately after the launch.
Compass is a nice product, the automatic gear box is the weakest link, I felt. But overall I was happy as it had the 4X4 hardware and informed the dealer that I shall get back.
The top variants were way out of my budget though.

3. Tata Harrier Automatic
I was very reluctant towards a Tata product as our first car was an Indica V2. I wanted something new. I had rented a self drive Nexon for one of my trip and I liked it.
Hence thought to check out Harrier too. I came out very pleasant after the test drive. Engine-gear box combo was very smooth. Loads of space and a value for money compared to Jeep Compass. Most of the issues from version 1 was also sorted.
Hence I decided that I will book Harrier XZA or XZA+ even though it did not have AWD/ 4X4.

4. Kia Seltos
Vast variety of automatics drove me towards Kia.
I had placed an advance booking before the launch date as there were rumors that it will have a DCT automatic and AWD.
Somehow after the test drive, I felt build quality it not up to my expectations.
But Seltos amused me on the list of features that a new entrant can offer.
Also, the driving experience of 1.4 GTdi was thrilling.
But I felt the price tag of top variants were not justified.
Taken multiple test drives to finally arrive at a decision.
Finally cancelled the booking and received the refund. Overall KIA experience was nice.

5. MG Hector
Only DCT petrol was available at that point in time. I was not impressed after test drive.

6. All new Thar
There were scoops that new Thar would be launched with all new engines and automatic gearboxes.
I had a trust that new Thar will be a game changer and I had a strong reason to believe that.
My Dad had purchased the first lot of Mahindra XUV300 Diesel top end and it is a wonderful product packed with features for comfort and safety.
Even though there were minor niggles, Mahindra was proactive to sort out all those issues.
Already having a good experience with Mahindra service, I decided to wait for new Thar. Also I had got few contacts in Mahindra by that time.
The new Thar was launched in October, but I decided to book only after a test drive.
I patiently waited for the test drive and received the same during second week of November.
I was impressed after the test drive as I know what to expect from a 4-wheel drive ladder frame vehicle.
I took few more test drives along with my wife in the same week with some minor off-road. Wife was also happy with the test drives. Love towards jeep made me to let go Harrier.
Placed the booking online for LX Diesel Automatic HT Black and I knew it will be a long wait and I was ready for it. I got a call in March mentioning that a same variant is available but in Grey color. I informed I am fine with Grey and asked for PDI before making the payment. PDI went well and the amount was transferred and delivery was planned for April first week. Booked a fancy number by then. Insurance was purchased online. Registration formalities were done by the dealer. The dealer experience was also good.
Got my That in first week of April and now its 7k on the odo.
We have a very detailed t-bhp review on the forum. So I will not repeat those here, but pen down my experience here.

Pics from PDI:



My likes

1. Competent Diesel engine mated to an excellent torque converter automatic.
2. The tall driving stance
3. Off-road capability - I have put my Thar to test in toughest terrains of Kerala especially in some areas of Vagamon, Wayanad, Munnar.
It has come out with flying colors. I know what this machine is capable of.
4. Build quality with 4 star GNCAP rating
5. Infinite mods possible

My Dislikes
1. No fuel cap open switch on the inside
2. Rear passenger egress - No Grab handle
3. Android auto disconnects frequently and is too slow at times


Issues/ niggles
I was expecting some niggles initially as its a freshly baked product and has similar experience with Xuv300

1. Windshield fogging : Took it to service center twice, issue is reduced but no complete solution from Mahindra yet. Hence I kept sticky mats on dash which covers the air vents.


2. Front Tyre rubbing against stabilizer bar: This happens during full left/right turn. Service center could reduce the issue, but not fully resolved


3. Broken AC vents: Replaced under warranty

4. Front Drive shaft rubber boot damaged: Not sure how this got damaged, could be during off-roading. I am waiting from Mahindra on their response whether this can be covered under warranty. Service center need to order it and it may take a week to arrive.


Service Actions
1. Hood Latch assembly replacement
2. Horn Replacement

Mods Done
1. Wrangler JL style front Grill

2. Bi-Xenon Projector fog lamps (Please read more here on this DIY: https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/diy-d...r-2nd-gen.html (DIY: FE Retrofit projector foglamps on my Mahindra Thar (2nd-gen)))

3. Headlight relay and philips 90/100w bulb

4. Full underbody protection including DEF Tank using aircraft grade aluminum from ARKA

5. Front (seat bolstered) and Rear Arm rest



6. 3M CR-70 sun control film with 70% visibility and Noodle mats for the floor

7. Audio upgrade with Audison Prima Components for the front and JL Audio C1 components for the roof along with a Sony 4 channel amplifier and Sony under seat active subwoofer

8. Hella 470 Pencil Beam

9. 70mai dual channel dash camera


10. Cushioning on panels near AC


11. Dr.Nano 12000lbs winch integrated to stock bumper.
Even though Mahindra offered Bushranger winch as official accessory, none of the dealer had experience in installing it.
One of the Chennai dealer who has done it installed on top of the stock bumper which looked over done to me.
I wanted a clean install keeping the stock bumper. Moreover Bushranger was expensive.
In one of the official Mahindra video, winch was installed in an after market bumper and in the video disclaimer, Mahindra mentioned to remove winch and bumper after the use, which is not practically possible
I started looking for other brands like Warn, Superwinch, Come-up and other Indian brands like Dr.Nano and AMX.
I wanted synthetic rope one with hawse fairlead. Warn was out of stock with all dealers and import fees was almost the same as product price.
Hence chose the Dr.Nano one and got it plonked in the stock bumper with a custom winch plate. I am not a fan of after market bumpers.


Within this short time frame, this true blue SUV has given me many good experiences and memories and I hope that will continue during my ownership.
Thar is teaching me constantly which helps me improving my off-road and on-road skills.
If there would be another purchase it would be another Thar, may be petrol automatic or Force Gurkha (hope Force launches an automatic soon).
Posting few parting pics:





When my wife says "Let's go in Dadda's car" to my 3 year old daughter, she confidently corrects my wife saying "Mamma, its not car, its our 'JEEP'"
Signing off with a parting pic with customized T-Bhp T-shirt

[Arjun.hb]

Congratulations on your ride. Welcome to the Jeep life. Could you share more pictures of the winch install? It looks well executed. Thank you.

[VishTks]

Congratulations brother.
The Thar's street presence is fantastic. The way Mahindra has managed to blend raw off-road styling and modernity is spot on. This is a car that is meant to stand out from the crowd and the vibe it gives is so pleasing. Hope to see more mods coming up ✌️

[gandharjc]

Congratulations! Happy miles.
What place is it, in the last two pictures?

[tilt]

Nice car you have there

Am in full admiration of all the DIYs and other mods you (and others here) have done. I have neither the courage nor the talent to do any of these myself.

Originally Posted by MithunSathianat

*SNIP*

2. Front Tyre rubbing against stabilizer bar: This happens during full left/right turn. Service center could reduce the issue, but not fully resolved*SNIP*

When did you get your car delivered? Mine was delivered a couple of weeks ago and I want to see if this happens with mine, or if Mahindra had done something about it in the later batches.

Originally Posted by MithunSathianat

4. Front Drive shaft rubber boot damaged: Not sure how this got damaged, could be during off-roading. *SNIP*

What even made you look underneath and check for this? How did you know there was something wrong and decided to check and found this?

Originally Posted by MithunSathianat

5. Front (seat bolstered) and Rear Arm rest
Attachment 2254027
Attachment 2254028

1. Where did you get this done and how much did it cost you?

2. How much does this hamper your hand-brake lever and how much does this hamper access to the cup-holders?

Cheers

[MithunSathianat]

Originally Posted by gandharjc

Congratulations! Happy miles.
What place is it, in the last two pictures?

Second last one is ilaveezhapoonchira near to Vagamon and the last one is Silent Valley near to Munnar

[MithunSathianat]

Originally Posted by tilt

Nice car you have there

Am in full admiration of all the DIYs and other mods you (and others here) have done. I have neither the courage nor the talent to do any of these myself.



When did you get your car delivered? Mine was delivered a couple of weeks ago and I want to see if this happens with mine, or if Mahindra had done something about it in the later batches.



What even made you look underneath and check for this? How did you know there was something wrong and decided to check and found this?



1. Where did you get this done and how much did it cost you?

2. How much does this hamper your hand-brake lever and how much does this hamper access to the cup-holders?

Cheers

Thank you and Congrats for your Thar

I got my Thar in first week of April. Many owners face this issue of tyre rubbing on stabilizer bar. Seems to be a design issue.
Regarding the drive shaft rubber boot, I noticed it during the wheel alignment. I am guessing its an after effect of an off-roading I did 3 weeks back. Under body protection does not cover drive shafts.

I got the arm rests done in Kochi. I can PM you the details if you need. It does not hamper access to handbrake or cup holders. The only difficulty is to clip the seat belts. Need to clip the seat belts with armrest in upward position. But the convenience factor outweighs this small difficulty for me.

[tilt]

Originally Posted by MithunSathianat

*SNIP*

Need to clip the seat belts with armrest in upward position. But the convenience factor outweighs this small difficulty for me.

Thank you. And yes, I had the exact same experience with the seat-mounted arm-rests in the i20 I had earlier, so I am kind of used to it.

Cheers

[Uthappa]

Great buy and tasteful mods! The new Thar is a winner for many reasons, Mahindra's niggles not being one of them. That said though, when you've lived with a Mahindra product, you notice that these seem to magically recede and you start enjoying the vehicle for it's strengths. Bookmarking your page for when I get my Thar!

[sach.sri]

Originally Posted by MithunSathianat

Hi All,


My Dislikes
1. No fuel cap open switch on the inside

It is possible to do it aftermarket and even DIY. I have seen a couple of videos on YouTube that show you how to do this. Let me see if I can find the links and PM you.

[sureshkumar]

Very nice pics and description. All the modifications are superb. Wish you many many happy miles on your new possession. I have a doubt about the winch installation. Is it inside the bumper and therefore not visible?

[MithunSathianat]

Originally Posted by Arjun.hb

Congratulations on your ride. Welcome to the Jeep life. Could you share more pictures of the winch install? It looks well executed. Thank you.

Originally Posted by sureshkumar

Very nice pics and description. All the modifications are superb. Wish you many many happy miles on your new possession. I have a doubt about the winch installation. Is it inside the bumper and therefore not visible?

Please find more pics on Winch installation below. I will be procuring a Factor 55 Flatlink E Expert shackle mount for a closed winching which enhances the visual appeal as well.

Dr.Nano 12000lbs Synthetic Rope Winch


Solenoid Box


Wired Remote


Wireless Remote


Custom Winch Plate

[blackwasp]

Congrats on the new Thar! Looks awesome with those mods.

Originally Posted by MithunSathianat

8. Hella 470 Pencil Beam

Can you share an image of the light output of just the Hella 470?

Thanks and Best Wishes.

[aa-Crecy]

Congratulations for the car! Great picture
Could you share the names of the places where you have taken the off road pictures. GPS co-ordinates would be ideal in this case I think

[soloTraveller]

Congrats on your new Thar, glad to see another fellow owner

Originally Posted by MithunSathianat

3. Off-road capability - I have put my Thar to test in toughest terrains of Kerala especially in some areas of Vagamon, Wayanad, Munnar.
It has come out with flying colors. I know what this machine is capable of.

Q: I couldn't find many off road trails around Trivandrum, can you please recommend some based on your experience in south/central Kerala?

Originally Posted by MithunSathianat

My Dislikes
1. No fuel cap open switch on the inside
2. Rear passenger egress - No Grab handle
3. Android auto disconnects frequently and is too slow at times

Mahindra dealer in Trivandrum offered to add remote fuel lid opener as an accessory, I'm not sure I want that done yet as it helps to get out and talk to the fuel filling person to remind him to put "Petrol" only.

I wish Mahindra provided grab handles but I didn't fancy the after market ones which needs holes to be drilled in A pillar.

Originally Posted by MithunSathianat

Service Actions
1. Hood Latch assembly replacement
2. Horn Replacement

I find the horn noise really loud in the cabin and I checked with dealer if it can be re-positioned so noise is directed outside more but no luck there and they said they wouldn't want to tamper the wiring.

Q: Were you able to reposition the horn from stock position?

Originally Posted by MithunSathianat

Mods Done
3. Headlight relay and philips 90/100w bulb

10. Cushioning on panels near AC

Q: Was this a straight forward replacement or did you have to change the wire, fuse, etc.?
Also just so I know which is the correct product please share the link of the relay and bulbs from any online website.

Q: Could you please share the details of the shop where you got the front arm rest done?

Thank you.