[Red Liner]

Originally Posted by robimahanta

Did the 6th year service at VW. Changed the lower arms as the rubber components were damaged. Did some proper suspension mount lubrication along with the basic filter and oil changes. The left rear wheel speed sensors had gone kaput, so had to replace that. Really happy with the cost and efficiency of VW service.

Hey Robi,

Which VW ASC do you frequent? I am new to the VW world trying to find my way around here. Would you be able to put me onto your trusted people there? You could put the names here but please DM me their numbers

And goes without saying, cars look fresh AF.

[robimahanta]

Had the opportunity to participate in the BMW M town event held at the Madras International Circuit. I wanted to drive the G87 M2 manual, luckily they had 6 M2 manuals for the event. It was immense fun driving the M2 on the track. It has been a while since I drove a powerful manual car, the M2 didn't disappoint. As the last RWD BMW M car with no electrification and a manual transmission, the G87 is a very desirable car. Even looks much better in person than in the pictures, especially in black.

BMW also had the M4C, M5C, M340, X3M40i and the XM for the event. Driving these during the event is always a lot of fun.

A very well organised event for enthusiasts and a Sunday well spent.

Some pictures,

The monster V8's


Getting ready in the M2 Manual


Line up






Testing ABS during the lane change event


Lovely interiors of the XM


Bright blue M4 interior

[robimahanta]

Originally Posted by Red Liner

Hey Robi,

Which VW ASC do you frequent? I am new to the VW world trying to find my way around here. Would you be able to put me onto your trusted people there? You could put the names here but please DM me their numbers

And goes without saying, cars look fresh AF.

Thanks, I use both the Mysore Road and the Hosur road service centres. Experience has been good in both of them since more than a decade. I had picked up the GT Tsi in April 2013.

You can meet these service folks, it is always better to meet them in person than flood them with calls and whatsapp messages (which is the usual norm unfortunately)
Ali and Ranjith ( VW Palace Cross, Mysore road)
Shivu and Marselin ( VW Elite Motors, Hosur Road)

Another tip: Don't tell them you are from Team BHP or that you are a car enthusiast etc..

[itsashishsharma]

Originally Posted by robimahanta

Another tip: Don't tell them you are from Team BHP or that you are a car enthusiast etc..

Why? How could that backfire Robi?

[Cresterk]

Originally Posted by itsashishsharma

Why? How could that backfire Robi?

I'm guessing they are tired of "enthusiasts" with half knowledge trying to tell them how to do their job or bragging about being connected and will generally just give you the 'by the book' answers to cover their ass in case of any mishap.

[robimahanta]

Thar:

Thar has been munching miles reasonably well and apart from the creaks and rattles it has been niggle free.

I got the differential breathers installed from Swastik Fabs for 1500₹. It is nothing fancy or branded. But does its job.




Next I changed the auxiliary lamp clamp to the Proman one as it is more adjustable and gives more flexibility)


A friends Thar with Hella spot and beam lamps


I also got the GPNE led projector fog lamps which can be toggled between 4300k, 5600k and 6000k temperature.


Lastly, got a good quality hydraulic jack. It is the same brand that is used by a famous tyre store in Bangalore (Madhu’s Tyre) . The store guys helped me source it locally. I tried a few other brands earlier and most of them had issues over time (wheels break, oil leak etc)



Some images from recent a recent drive around BR Hills. All the wildlife was spotted from the roadside.

Lovely tarmac




Elephant by the side of the road


A fawn


Vegetarian body builder (Gaur)




Sambar

[wheeledwanderer]

Originally Posted by robimahanta

Lastly, got a good quality hydraulic jack. It is the same brand that is used by a famous tyre store in Bangalore (Madhu’s Tyre) . The store guys helped me source it locally. I tried a few other brands earlier and most of them had issues over time (wheels break, oil leak etc)

Can you let me know the source for the hydraulic jack? I am looking for one in 4 Ton range for my truck. Importing CAT or Badlands from US is turning out to be expensive affair.

[robimahanta]

Originally Posted by wheeledwanderer

Can you let me know the source for the hydraulic jack? I am looking for one in 4 Ton range for my truck. Importing CAT or Badlands from US is turning out to be expensive affair.

Madhu’s Tyre got it for me. The actual store is called Oriental Tools Company (https://maps.app.goo.gl/DihbTqdv7JAphxeM9?g_st=ic). If you are in Bangalore you can visit the store and check out the stuff they have. Traffic is crazy in that area and parking is a nightmare too. Hope that helps.

[vimalvittaladas]

Originally Posted by robimahanta

I got the differential breathers installed from Swastik Fabs for 1500₹. It is nothing fancy or branded. But does its job.

I too had installed differential guards and full underbody cum radiator guard from Swathik fab, Banglore. Last year (2022)drove from Chennai to Bangalore solely for this. Fully satisfied with their services and products.

I let my Petrol Thar go to another petrolhead with a heavy heart, after riding it for 75000 kms in a year. Now waiting for 5 door

[wooka]

Excellent mods! May I please ask for more detail on the breather extensions? Clamps, hose quality and route etc? Phoenix and I have been on the fence for a bit haha! I've got the exact same diff guard and DEF tank shield from Swastik!

Good value for money, Swastik.

[robimahanta]

Originally Posted by wooka

Excellent mods! May I please ask for more detail on the breather extensions? Clamps, hose quality and route etc? Phoenix and I have been on the fence for a bit haha! I've got the exact same diff guard and DEF tank shield from Swastik!

Good value for money, Swastik.

Thanks Wooka. The quality looks decent but only time will tell. Having said that, they have done the same for a lot of cars and no issues whatsoever. The rear is routed to next to the washer fluid container (as in the picture I shared above), the front is routed to next to the right headlight, just above the level of the air intake.

[wheeledwanderer]

Originally Posted by robimahanta

Madhu’s Tyre got it for me. The actual store is called Oriental Tools Company (https://maps.app.goo.gl/DihbTqdv7JAphxeM9?g_st=ic). If you are in Bangalore you can visit the store and check out the stuff they have. Traffic is crazy in that area and parking is a nightmare too. Hope that helps.

Thank you Sir, i have gotten in touch with them just now!

[robimahanta]

M340i Updates:

I got the adjustable magnetic paddle shifters for the M340i from JQwerks. It has a lovely tactile feel and the typical "clickety clack" noise for every shift (new GT3 RS feel). It is satisfying to select gears, no matter the steering angle.

It has easy adjustments and the position can be adjusted as per your requirement. Installation is also simple plug and play.

Nicely packed


Once installed


Adjusting the paddle position


Link to the product:https://jqwerks.com/collections/all

*there are cheaper Chinese replicas at half the cost too, but didn't want to go down that route

Next, I upgraded the plastic charge pipe to an aluminium one from FTP Motorsport. The charge pipe blowing up was more common in the F3X generation but even in the G20, some friends blew up their stock plastic charge pipe during track days. So this upgrade was more a preventive measure.

Before charge pipe installation


After


The oem plastic charge pipe


Close up of the FTP Charge pipe


Packaging


I even replaced my Eventuri intake filter, it can be cleaned but I have had bad experiences with cleaning high performance filters. I prefer to replace it every 8000kms or so instead. Thankfully the cost of replacement filter from Eventuri is very reasonable


Cheers!

[mobike008]

Originally Posted by robimahanta

M340i Updates:

I got the adjustable magnetic paddle shifters for the M340i from JQwerks. It has a lovely tactile feel and the typical "clickety clack" noise for every shift (new GT3 RS feel). It is satisfying to select gears, no matter the steering angle.

Nice. Congrats!

I always wanted to get these installed. But, felt they might look tacky. Good to know about the feel.

Do you mind sharing a short video of it in action. Would be nice to see it.

Thanks!

[robimahanta]

Thanks Mobike. Just google JQwerks Madtrace and you will get tons of videos. Else dm your whatsapp number and I ll try to share some clips.