[robimahanta]

Had a great drive in the rains to Agumbe for some macro photography. Took the Thar but actually any car could have made it easily as the roads were decent all throughout.

Parked in ARRS Agumbe


Lovely roads enroute





As for the macro photos, I have added it to the lovely thread by Graaja who joined me for the trip in his 330iGT

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/trave...ml#post5588684 (An Appointment with Snakes, Frogs and Leeches – A Herping / Macrophotography Trip to Agumbe)

[robimahanta]

Had a fun Sunday with some early morning off road fun with the Thar Bengaluru group. Followed it up with a fast drive along some back roads and a scrumptious lunch. Now waiting for the Hungarian F1 GP to start.

As usual there was great camaraderie with people helping each other out be it spotting or rescuing. I had to use the winch a few times to help others as well.





The fun area







Wheels in action




Some air time




*Some photos were taken by friends from the Thar Bengaluru group and due credit to them

Took the 3er out for lunch, the parking spot was numbered F80 (almost similar power)



A lovely lunch




Just love the wheels


Overall a Sunday well spent.

[robimahanta]

Thar 24K Kms:

Tested a few Wireless Carplay dongles and finally found the Ottocast one to be fast and seamless. Often I use my phone to take photos during trips and it is a pain with wired Apple Carplay to disconnect and reconnect multiple times. Also at times during off roading frequent disconnection happens with wired Carplay.

The Ottocast device


Very small and hardly takes up any space


Wireless Carplay in the Thar


Product Link: https://www.ottocast.com/en-in/products/u2-air

I got the Proman grab rails as my wife wanted a grab rail for ingress and egress. I was not a fan of the grab rail which was drilled in to the A pillar. The proman one is well built and is an easy installation into the exiting grab rail slot.


Product Link: https://azad4wd.com/product/proman-grab-handles




M340i 20K Kms:

Had a nice Sunday drive with friends. Some lovely twisties and some terrrible roads in between. Burnt a lot of XP100.

With Dr.AD's famous 320D


At the top of a view point


Some lovely B roads


Free XP100 tissues boxes to wipe away the tears after looking at the bank SMS.

[Dr.AD]

Originally Posted by robimahanta

Had a nice Sunday drive with friends.

It was great driving with you today, Robi. The M340i looks awesome in any state, but it is an especially amazing sight to see it in action on the road and to see it take those corners. And of course, to hear the sound! It is a fascinating "sound and light" show to watch your M340i in action!

Some lovely twisties and some terrrible roads in between.

The speed-breakers (plenty of them and some of them quite massive) were the most annoying part of today's roads. While those were not a serious problem for my 320d, I was watching how you tackled those in the M340i. The fact that M340i can tackle these speed-breakers and these road conditions (of course, with the driver's skill being equally important) and yet deliver supercar like performance when the tarmac allows that, is a testimony to the completeness of that machine!

If you would please allow me, I would like to share one picture of your car that I took today. Hope it is OK.

[XDriver]

Amazing drive and write up Dr AD and Robi. Spectacular images to go with it. Am sure it was a lot of fun. What was the FE like on the 340i ? I am looking at getting a X3 M40i. It should give similar or lesser mileage than 340i. Just to get a real world idea. And with the X3 I won’t have to worry about those speed bumps as much.

[robimahanta]

Originally Posted by XDriver

Amazing drive and write up Dr AD and Robi.. What was the FE like on the 340i ? I am looking at getting a X3 M40i. It should give similar or lesser mileage than 340i.

Thanks. I usually get around 7-8kmpl in the 340i. At times if driven sedately on straight highways then 9kmpl is possible too. Congratulations on the X3 40i. It should be a lot of fun too with the adaptive dampers.

[XDriver]

I have a question Robi. The newer updated M340i has a mild hybrid system with 12hp and 200nm torque boost. Do you think that will give a better mileage ?

[robimahanta]

Originally Posted by XDriver

I have a question Robi. The newer updated M340i has a mild hybrid system with 12hp and 200nm torque boost. Do you think that will give a better mileage ?

Honestly I have no idea. You can check the India specific spec sheets or maybe get in touch with Bhpian Mobike008 who drives the X3 40i.

[m_proper]

Originally Posted by XDriver

I have a question Robi. The newer updated M340i has a mild hybrid system with 12hp and 200nm torque boost. Do you think that will give a better mileage ?

The 48V battery is more for power boost, when needed, rather than milage. In all my driving, mostly in comfort or ecopro mode, I have managed to get an average of 8 kmpl in the city and touches 9 kmpl on highways.

[robimahanta]

Thar Independence Day drive:

Had a nice short drive with the “Thar Bengaluru” group. It was a decent trail and as usual great fun meeting all the friends from the group.

Some images from the drive

Lining up


Tackling the terrain




Showing off parking skills


Around 50 odd Thars turned up






Cheers!

[ph03n!x]

Those are some awesome pics, Doc! Would love to be a part of the gathering if my travels and similar get togethers coincide!

Enjoy the perfect garage

[lordrayden]

Originally Posted by robimahanta

Tested a few Wireless Carplay dongles and finally found the Ottocast one to be fast and seamless.The Ottocast device

I too have this Ottocast device, connectivity was very good as you have also noticed.

However, I found that my iPhone 11 heats up a LOT after a while when connected to this device! It heats up to the point where the phone's CPU gets throttled and it stops responding properly (like taking 4-5 seconds to respond to a tap). Have you noticed anything like this?

I also noticed a non-trivial delay in everything, like calls and navigation. I found this to be quite annoying, especially with the navigation which could send me into a wrong turn. I had read before getting this device that wireless CarPlay always introduces some delay. But on experiencing it, I found the delay just crossing the line into unacceptable.

For these reasons, I actually stopped using this device and went back to sticking the cable into the phone.

[robimahanta]

Originally Posted by lordrayden

I too have this Ottocast device, connectivity was very good as you have also noticed.

However, I found that my iPhone 11 heats up a LOT after a while when connected to this device! It heats up to the point where the phone's CPU gets throttled and it stops responding properly (like taking 4-5 seconds to respond to a tap). Have you noticed anything like this?

I also noticed a non-trivial delay in everything, like calls and navigation. I found this to be quite annoying, especially with the navigation which could send me into a wrong turn. I had read before getting this device that wireless CarPlay always introduces some delay. But on experiencing it, I found the delay just crossing the line into unacceptable.

Sorry to hear that. I am not having any heating or lag issues yet. Using it exclusively with the Thar with an Iphone 11 Pro running iOS 16.6.

[sidoza]

Originally Posted by robimahanta

Thar 24K Kms:

Tested a few Wireless Carplay dongles and finally found the Ottocast one to be fast and seamless. Often I use my phone to take photos during trips and it is a pain with wired Apple Carplay to disconnect and reconnect multiple times. Also at times during off roading frequent disconnection happens with wired Carplay.

Product Link: https://www.ottocast.com/en-in/products/u2-air

Hi friend, I saw your post, and read your first line above. And placed my order for the Ottocast device. We have an MG ZS EV, which has wired carplay. This device was needed. And your recommendation came at the right time.

Many thanks! I will post an update when I get my hands on the device.

[robimahanta]

Thar: 26000kms

Got a radio installed with a magnetic mount antenna. Quite useful in the off road trails and convoy drives. Installation is noting great but does the job.

Usually I keep the antenna unscrewed from the mount, unless range is an issue.

Some pictures,






The way the Thar guzzles petrol, I found it apt to use this sticker. It is funny that the M340i gives a better mileage than the Thar.




GTI: 58000kms

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.

Routine service


The wheel speed sensor which malfunctioned


New lower arms


Strut lubrication


M340i 23000kms

Haven't been driving much other than the short weekend drives. Car is performing flawlessly. Changed the registration plates to HSRP along with all GTI. Didn't have the heart to drill/rivet it so have used a frame. Karnataka has extended the last date for HSRP plates till February 2024, so will take a call regarding riveting at that time.