[keeprevving]

I took delivery of Scorpio N Z4 DL AT on January 2023. Everything happened in such a short time that it doesn’t feel that months have passed and the beast has already covered 15000kms without any major fuss (fingers crossed).


Search for a new car:
My garage had 2 vehicles. One diesel (2001 Tata Indica DLS) is still working as intended. It has covered 2.12 lakh kilometers and has served me well. I usually don’t use it now due to its age and safety concerns. My second steed is the 2012 Honda City i-Vtec. With 90,000 km on the odometer, it still purrs, just the way it did on the 1st day. Eventually, had to sell it as I was looking for an upgrade.


Why an upgrade was needed?
2012 Honda City i-Vtec was doing fine with no issues whatsoever. As a driver in his early 30s, problems started for me in regard to posture, fuss-free driving, etc. I had never thought of parting my ways with City. However, with time, the urge to have an Automatic vehicle with high ground clearance and capability to tackle bad roads grew. The car performed flawlessly in the city and on the highways. Bring in the bad roads, and you could feel every bit of it in the cabin. Michelin didn’t help much. The car would shake as if it was going to fall apart, but in 10 years of ownership, it is surprising that no panel squeaked or rattled. Speaks a lot about the materials used in the cabin. Every time, out in the open highways doing 80+ kmph speeds, I had to look out for bad patches, illogically designed speed breakers, etc. to prevent underbody hits. It’s a fun machine but then these factors kept me guessing and stressed during every road trip.

2012 Honda City helped me decide what should I expect from my next ride:

- Must be an Automatic
- Safety (at least 4* rated)
- Sufficient Ground clearance
- Good ride quality
- Spacious cabin
- Ability to tackle bad roads
- Mile munching ability
- Budget set at 20 Lakhs

Options Checked:

Toyota Hyryder Hybrid:
Pros – Mileage, Good ride, features,
Cons – Questionable build quality, 3-cylinder engine noise, Evident cost cutting interior

Safari:
Pros – Awesome design (Safari), engine grunt, healthy GC, brilliant seats, proper 7 seater (thanks to middle row sliding seats), easy ingress/egress, good build quality, awesome ride quality, good fuel economy, proper competent AT, spacious cabin
Cons – Heavy steering at parking speeds, engine note (NVH), Pricey not VFM, Useful features missing in my budget, low seat height CSUV-like seating,

XUV 700
Pros – Premium feel, features, ride quality, handling, light steering, space
Cons – Suspension on bad roads, too many electronics (not a fan), white interiors, low seat height C-SUV seating


Pros:

• Proper SUV – BOF, 2WD
• Awesome size, Decent looks
• Proper true SUV seating
• Thanks to its size, traffic shows respect
• Healthy GC
• Solid build quality – Door closes with a thud/thump
• 2.2L is a gem of an engine, a driver’s delight
• Supreme mile-munching capability
• Takes the rough with the smooth – Quite literally
• Superlight steering at parking speed
• Surprisingly easy to drive for a vehicle of this size
• True value for my money, especially Z4 DL AT (introductory price)
• AC is a chiller, even in a 45* set blower at 2 or 3 and it’s enough
• Good paint quality and even panel gaps on the outside
• The crawl function in AT is a boon. N crawls at two speeds. 9kmph and 15kmph. Seems it depends on your previous accelerator inputs
• 4 speakers set up is good. I am no audiophile
• Infotainment is decent. No hiccups. Apple Car Play and Android Auto work seamlessly.

Cons:

• Irritating auto stop/start function – manual override needed
• Z4 AT DL clatter is felt higher than Z8L (better insulation)
• OEM Halogen bulbs are pathetic
• Seat fabric is more synthetic than cotton; should be the other way round
• Steering adjusts – Tilt (limited movement), No telescopic
• Rear Suspension seems unsettled on speed bumps
• Ugly panel gaps in the interior, an eyesore
• Steering feels awkwardly heavy at 100+ speeds
• Key quality is mediocre, 2nd key in Z4 is even worse
• Ingress/Egress is difficult
• 3rd row is strictly for kids or adults (max height 5’.5”)
• The placement of power window buttons and other controls on the door is a bit odd
• Rear parking sensors are a big help. Guides well.
• Door pockets aren’t deep enough to hold a 1L bottle. A bit more depth needed
• The steering grip is slippery. A steering cover/wrap is needed
• Rear windows don’t go down fully. My daughter doesn’t like it. AC is always ON so not bothersome
• AC blower noise levels are too high for my liking. The stark difference in air flow decibels; from Level 1 to Level 2

Faults/Niggles:

• Faint ‘click-click’ sound from the steering when you move it left/right at parking speeds. One can hear when windows are down. I checked. All Scorpio Ns have it and as per Mahindra service, there’s nothing to worry
• Requires more effort to close rear doors if rest doors are closed. It’s not the weight, it has rather to do with the air pressure inside the cabin
• Smell of burnt rubber/plastic from rear tire well area, if driven after a recent wash – Had complained, need to check if it still there
• Faint squeak from the central console. Press it slightly and the noise disappears. Seems it could do with a bit more padding
• Flap-flap noise is heard when windows are rolled down and the vehicle is running close to dividers. The noise frequency of flap-flap noise increases with speed. It is not audible on open roads. Same noise I had in my 2012 CITY as well
• When the N is kept at a 45-degree or more steep incline, the rear wiper leaks windscreen fluid. I will raise it in my 20000kms service.

Accessories/Modifications:

• OEM 17-inch alloys
• Rear bumper guard – Stainless steel
• Pricol H7 LEDs – 55W each
• Rogerab suspension buffers
• 7D Mats
• Mud Flaps
• Sill Plates (front only). Mahindra doesn’t manufacture rear doors
• ‘Live Young Live Free’ decal

Dealership Experience:

Overall experience with Utkal Mahindra was pretty good. I have requested multiple test drives of the vehicle and was provided with the same without any fuss. Special thanks to our Sales person Mr. Ashutosh. He was cordial, courteous, and helpful throughout the buying process and post that as well. The delivery experience was good as well.

Overall experience:

With 10500+ km on the odometer, I can say that it has been a pleasurable journey. Till now, I have not taken the beast for long trips. Weekend gateways and everyday city drive is what the N has seen till now. The gearbox is tuned for performance and every time you press the accelerator, the N leaps forward. There is a quarter-second delay but it's liveable. The engine never feels out of breath and power is always there at your disposal. This makes overtaking an easy job. I have tried all the 3 modes (Zip, Zap, Zoom – sounds cheesy – would have liked it if it was named Eco-City-Sport). In Zip mode gear changes happen at 1900-2000 rpm, while in Zap it's 2200 rpm. The clatter gets in when you push it hard from 1500 to 2500 rpm. Once it reaches higher gears 4th, 5th, and 6th, it is hard to say if you are driving a diesel or a petrol. The engine is meant for mile munching. At speeds say 133kph, the rev counter hovers at 2200rpm. The engine never breaks a sweat. However, such speeds are possible on straight-open highways. N’s steering and chassis are not comfortable at 100+ kmph speeds on roads with curves. The steering gets unusually hard, wind noise creeps in and it is not confident-inspiring. Body roll can be felt but it is not unnerving. 80-110kph is ideal. Beyond that, it is not advisable. It is almost a 2-tonne, tall BOF after all. Throw bad roads at N and kind of annihilate broken patches and potholes. Zero road noise from OEM Apollo Apptera HT+ tires. I would have liked Bridgestone, and seen them on other Z4s in the stockyard. The damping by FSD does a great job, but there are times when you can feel that it works a little too much. Watt's linkage is used in the rear axle to help negate the sideways movement, however, there is always a bit of vertical movement on uneven road sections. This has now been addressed by installing Rogerab suspension buffers. Fuel efficiency is decent enough. N manages 11-12kpl in city conditions, while on the highway it's 14-15kpl. Both figures are calculated by the tankful-to-tankful method.

I faced a DPF clog warning at 12857 km. Felt no changes in engine driving speeds or drop in rpm. After driving it for 20kms REGEN showed up. I went ahead with the REGEN process. Engine revved constantly at 2400 rpm and the whole process lasted for 25 mins. Switched off and started again to find an OBD error sign. It was attended by the service centre and the error was cleared. They tried twice and it appeared again after a few kilometers of testing.

Additionally, I saw oil in the engine bay while this OBD error sign was being sorted. I have cleaned it for now. Under observation. Already covered 400kms. No leakage signs yet.

Things that could have been better or need fixing

• The 12V socket placed at the rear is kind of useless when you use a tire inflator. It never reaches the front wheels. Now the issue is sorted due to the extension cable bought online from the Maruti Suzuki Official Accessories portal.
  
• Parking light goes off when you turn off the engine. There’s a reason why it is called a parking light. This needs to be fixed. The brake light is off as well when the car is off. Never come across something like this in any other brand.
• Seat belts when not in use dangle around loosely. You can hear noise when you go over a rough patch as they hit/rub against the hard plastic. Should have a dedicated arrangement to keep them in a place when not in use.
• The seat belt reminder is quick to respond. Just crawl for 2-3 feet and there goes the buzzer. Mahindra is too safety conscious.
• IRVM vibrates. Need to check with other owners or get it tightened/replaced at the service center
• The radio is always on after you start the car. Quite an irritating feature. Needs immediate fix
• Wipers are too quick to react. There should be some time gap between the spray and the swipe. Also, one can not just use the mist/spray function, wipers get activated instantaneously.
• The positioning of the DEF tank (plastic) is too close to the rear bumper. Any impact to the bumper can break the tank as well.
• While reversing the car the hazard lights should be ON. They get activated automatically during panic braking or when the bonnet is open
• The current horn setup misses out on shrillness. I like the setup in Safari, Harrier, Crysta
• AUTO On/Off needs to be switched off manually every time you start the vehicle. It’s either too sensitive to the stops, or I don’t know how to use it. I am trying my best to feed it to my muscle memory. The moment I start the vehicle, I switch it off.

[Raghu M]

I checked out the Scorpio petrol last week in one of the Hyd showrooms. The car is massive, has a fantastic stance and is really well built. For people looking at the 7OO, I would suggest to check out the Scorpio. It was towering over the 7OO parked next to it. I think the waiting periods are pretty decent too. Also, the VVC showroom in Kondapur was excellent. The SA was eager to make a sale, had fantastic information of the vehicle and was very polite. Had it not been a recent purchase of the 3OO, I would have definitely given a serious thought of buying the Scorpio!

[jungleroars]

A Stunning looking vehicle and thanks for sharing your experience of 15000 KMs. Scorpio N is definitely a towering looking vehicle. By the way, did you get any reasoning from service team about oil in the engine bay since it is not usual!! Anyways many more happy miles munching to you.

[ramnath_77]

Congratulations on the new Scorpion N. This is indeed a stunning looking vehicle and is sure a head turner. Thank you for sharing your ownership experience (of 15K kms).
Wishing you thousands of miles of happy and safe driving experience.

One question on your consideration around safety. While Scorpio is 5 star rated on the NCAAP, did the 2 Airbags on Z4 have any influence on your consideration?

[keeprevving]

Originally Posted by jungleroars

A Stunning looking vehicle and thanks for sharing your experience of 15000 KMs. Scorpio N is definitely a towering looking vehicle. By the way, did you get any reasoning from service team about oil in the engine bay since it is not usual!! Anyways many more happy miles munching to you.

Thank you for the kind words. The service team was not perturbed by the oil in the engine bay. They said it's regular with every other N. Checked with fellow owners in my city and found out that their engines are bone dry. For now, I have got the area cleaned completely. Done 3000kms since then. No sign of oil anywhere. Nevertheless, keeping a close eye. I sincerely hope it is an engine oil spill during the 10k service, as suggested by fellow Team Bhpians.

[keeprevving]

Originally Posted by ramnath_77

Congratulations on the new Scorpion N. This is indeed a stunning looking vehicle and is sure a head turner. Thank you for sharing your ownership experience (of 15K kms).
Wishing you thousands of miles of happy and safe driving experience.

One question on your consideration around safety. While Scorpio is 5 star rated on the NCAAP, did the 2 Airbags on Z4 have any influence on your consideration?

Thank you. Yes, it is a handsome vehicle for sure. Looks stunning in Black. 2 Airbags are sufficient for my usage as it is my wife and I who go for the road trips. Safety is a priority and it was a pleasant surprise that N scored 5*. I had already bought the vehicle by then. The best part is, that the crash test was done on the Z4 variant as seen in the pic below.

[greenoval]

Congratulations on your N. Can you please share your experience with Pricol LEDs, especially the performance in rains and foggy conditions? Also the reasons for choosing the brand. Is it a straight forward plug and play?

[keeprevving]

Originally Posted by greenoval

Congratulations on your N. Can you please share your experience with Pricol LEDs, especially the performance in rains and foggy conditions? Also the reasons for choosing the brand. Is it a straightforward plug and play?

Thank you. I am using Pricol (H4) on my 2012 Honda City. Direct fit. It has been 2 years now without any issues. I was very satisfied with its performance. The problem with 2012 City was you cant have high and low beams ON at the same time. So during rains the throw was not great, however better than OEM halogens.

Coming to the N, I chose Pricol (H7) again due to its flawless performance previously.

Pros:
- Pricol is a decent brand. (seen their speedometer console on many older cars and bikes)
- 5500 kelvin (mix of cool and warm). Everything else available in the market is either 6 or 6.5 Kelvin. I wanted warmer light.
- Low beam cutoff is really good (pics attached)
- Intensity is awesome. Be it low or high beam
- Plug and play. No splicing of wires
- 2 year replacement warranty
- Performance is good in rain when both high and low beams are used
- 55W per bulb (same wattage as OEM halogen)


Cons:
- Fan noise is on the high (noticeable in refined Petrol cars)

[keeprevving]

I have kept Zeus quite busy post 10000kms. The good thing about the 20000 km milestone is the fact that it was niggle free. This period saw a major 4135 km road trip along with the usual 50 km minimum of running.

With Dusshera approaching, wifey and I decided on a road trip. Initially, Varanasi was set as the destination. Later it was changed to Pelling and Lachung. Booked hotels and planned every stay. Meanwhile, Sikkim was affected by floods, especially Lachung (North Sikkim). So, the Sikkim trip got canceled. Final road trip plans were made to Maharastra (Sambhaji Nagar, Pune, Mahabaleshwar, Koyna Sanctuary) and Hyderabad.

So review post 20000kms (learning from the road trip):

The Good bits:
- Superior ride quality over bad roads
- Sense of security (build, suspension, ride height)
- Extremely comfortable seats (no aches or tiredness)
- Awesome fuel efficiency (lowest: 13kpl; highest: 17kpl)
- No squeaks or rattles from any part
- Apollo Apterra HT+ performed really well, no complains


The Bad Bits:
- A pillar is quite wide. One needs to be careful
- Wind noise is prominent post 110kph. Dents confidence at high speeds
- Mudflaps could be 2-4 inches longer


After the trip, the odometer stood at 20106 km. The console started hinting for service from 19800kms. It kept reminding me with a long beep and a display ‘Scheduled Service Due’, every time I started the car. For 20k service I chose Aditya Motors.

Issues raised during 20000kms service:

- Rear wiper leaking
- Wheel Alignment
- Oil leakage
- Auto Odo reset
- Right dipper fix (set RH lower, LH higher)


All raised concerns were attended to. However, I need to check the rear wiper leak. During the 20K service, I found that the engine oil used by the Mahindra dealership was Shell Maximile Ultra. I had seen a few YouTube videos where Shell Maximile V4 Ultra (fully synthetic oil) was being used. It wasn’t available but V4 seems to be the better oil. XUV700 owner had commented that the driveability and NVH had improved by using V4 Ultra.


I raised my concern over an email with Mahindra Customer Care. At first, they said Maximile Ultra is recommended for ScorpioN. However, I received another call confirming that from now onwards the Mahindra dealerships will offer V4 Ultra as well. I thanked them for the quick response and also requested them to inform the dealership to ask customers which oil they want Ultra or V4 Ultra, as the latter costs more.

[keeprevving]

Life has been pleasurable with Scorpio N Z4 AT DL ‘Zeus’. She is now 1 year and 5 months old and has been munching miles flawlessly. Went in for 30000kms service at Aditya Motors, Bhubaneswar.

Issues raised and my remarks:

Issue 1 - Rear Wiper Leaking
Finally fixed. The pipe had a small hole. It was there from Day 1. Now replaced under warranty.

Issue 2 - Auto Odo Reset
Mahindra updated the software twice. Still issue persists. I have raised the issue during my 1k, 10k, 20k, and 30k KMS service.


Recall from Mahindra (Free of Charge)

- SRS ECU Update
- EMS ECU Update
- Alternator Pulley replacement
- Steering bolt torquing

I read an article where it was mentioned that an additional clip on the transmission wiring (for automatic transmission vehicles) was to be installed under recall, but it didn’t show up for my vehicle. Not sure why!

Experience post 30000 kms service:
- Engine feels peppier and a tad eager
- AT Gear changes feel quicker by a few 100 rpms
- MID AFE seems to have dropped by 1kpl or so
- ZAP mode has become a bit aggressive. ZIP feels the same as before.
- Steering has become heavier than before

Other Notable Points:
- Suspension continues to impress
- Upgraded to UltraV4 Engine oil (10%-12% expensive than Ultramile)
- The AC is super impressive. Cools the cabin instantly. Heatwaves are not an issue.
- Apollo HT+ Tyres still can easily see another 10k kms
- Extremely comfortable seats (no aches or tiredness)
- Decent fuel efficiency (Average:11-12 kpl)
- No squeaks or rattles yet
- 10k kms mandatory wheel alignment done
- No change of brake pads yet – Can run for another 10k kms
- The blower noise at 2 speed is quite high – Is there a way to make it any slower?
- 38psi in city conditions – The ride has completely flattened and I am loving it
- Differential oil was completely drained and replaced

Minor Updates Planned:
- Aftermarket TPMS (TREEL)
- Autoform seat covers
- Soft touch on doors and central armrest
- Skeptical - Upgrading to Hypersonic Android Infotainment

Overall Feedback:
Super impressed with ScorpioN’s flawless performance to date. No wonder it is ruling the sales charts.

Someone coming from a ladder on the frame vehicle will feel SN is class apart in every aspect. No doubt about it. However, drivers who have driven monocoques (hatchbacks, CSUVs) need to test drive SN multiple times. This will help you understand its character; the difference in its behavior over good roads, bad roads, no roads, and the ones in-between.

[keeprevving]

My family has been waiting for a road trip for months. The location and dates were finalized. The total travel distance for the trip was more than 4000 km. My odometer was at 37664 km. I decided to go for a 40K service interval so that I could peacefully enjoy the trip.

Model & Variant: Scorpio N Z4 AT Diesel
Purchase Year & Month: Jan, 2023
Odometer Reading at 40K Service: 37664 km
Service Dealership: Aditya Motors, Phulnakhara, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
40K Service Expense: ₹9997


Issues raised:

- Auto Odo Reset - Mahindra updated the software twice. Still issue persists. I had raised the issue during my 1k, 10k, 20k, and 30k KMS service.


Service Experience:
I reached the service center on time. The car was ready before ETD. I skipped cleaning to avoid unnecessary delays. Overall, my service experience was good.


Service Cost:
Engine Oil 6L (V4 Ultra) --- ₹ 2613
DEF 10L --- ₹ 728
HVAC Filter --- ₹ 402
Oil Filter + O Ring --- ₹ 360
Washer Sealing --- ₹ 8
Wheel Alignment (inclusive) --- 0
DEF Pipe ---₹ 202
Air Filter --- ₹ 663
Disposable Cover --- ₹ 75
Filter element cartridge with O ring --- ₹ 584
Paid Service - Labor Charge --- ₹ 3038

Total Expense --- ₹9997


Notable Points:
- The odometer post the road trip stands at 42207. The vehicle has no issues whatsoever
- The brake bite has gone down. Need to get the brake pads checked
- Auto Resetting of Trip meters hasn’t happened in the last 4500 km
- Wheel Alignment cost is included in the 40K service cost
- V4 Ultra (Black Oil Can) is now used as the default engine oil (as suggested by the Advisor). In all the previous services, the MaxMile Ultra (Yellow Oil Can) was the other option
- Fuel Efficiency (Highway: 15-16 kpl; City: 11-12kpl)


Overall Feedback:
ScorpioN continues to super impress me and my family with its performance to date. The 4502 km road trip was super comfortable. No aches or back pains. Its a true blue mile muncher

[SumoDriver]

Nice review. Coming from an MT, how is your experience with the SN automatic? Do you miss 4x4 during your off-road/mountain drives?

[keeprevving]

Originally Posted by SumoDriver

Nice review. Coming from an MT, how is your experience with the SN automatic? Do you miss 4x4 during your off-road/mountain drives?

Thanks, SumoDriver for the compliment. Good to know that you liked the review. Coming from MT to an AT was a boon. Honda City's gearbox and clutch combo always felt good. I still miss MT but every time I see traffic, I hardly complain anymore. The commanding view, AT crawl feature, and hill hold assist feels like a boon. Frankly, the heart still misses MT, but the head loves AT.

Anyone looking for ScorpioN MT should be aware that the shifts need a lot of effort and gates to slot the gear never feel proper. Throws too are wider than my liking.

[keeprevving]

Odometer Reading: 42220 km
Service Dealership: Aditya Motors, Phulnakhara, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Rear Brake Pad Replacement Cost: ₹5197 (₹4404 for parts + ₹793 for labor)


I had observed during the end of the recent 4500kms road trip that the brake bite had reduced. Today morning, a week after the trip, I cranked up Zeus. Everything was normal, until it started moving.

Instantly, I heard abrasing noise from the wheels. I was on the driving seat and it was difficult to make out which of the wheels was the source. The sound was more noticeable in reverse gear. The noise faded a bit when brakes were applied. I decided not to drive and take it straight for service. My gut feeling was brake pad must have worn out.

I got a service slot at Aditya Mahindra for the next day at 9AM. Service was booked using Mahindra4You mobile application (M4U). The Service Advisor drove it for 10 feet. He asked the allocated mechanic to check the brake pads. As suspected, the rear brake pads had no/little life left. It's was time for new ones. It's a RWD, so I guess, the rear therefore gave up sooner.

The front pads were checked, and it seems they can easily do another 8-10k kms. I will change them during my next 50000kms service. Another issue I observed was the wheel arch cladding on Rear RH side has started deforming even though all clips and brackets are in place and tight. Plastic cladding would have been better for Indian conditions.

Mahindra service experience at Aditya Motors was excellent once again.

[keeprevving]

Scorpio N Z4 AT Diesel 50000km Ownership Review + Service Details

Model & Variant: Scorpio N Z4 AT Diesel
Purchase Year & Month: Jan, 2023 (2 Years, 2 months)
Odometer Reading at 40K Service: 49600 km
Service Dealership: Aditya Motors, Phulnakhara, Bhubaneswar, Odisha


Issues raised:

• Auto Odo Reset

Mahindra updated the software. Still issue persists. I had raised the issue during my 1k, 10k, 20k, 30k, 40k KMS service. This time around I simply forgot to raise my concern. I will wait for 60K service now.

• Headlight Flicker

A strange issue cropped with the headlights. After driving for about 2–3 km, the lights began turning on and off intermittently. I had replaced the OEM halogen bulbs with Pricol H7 5500K LEDs within a month of purchase. When I reported the issue to Mahindra, the advisor attributed it to a failure in the vehicle’s electrical system, blaming the aftermarket LEDs for the problem. I was also warned that this could void my warranty. Upon inspection, I discovered that one of the LED bulbs had issues, causing the entire headlight assembly (left and right) to flicker. It was replaced under 2 2-year warranty by the accessory store.


Service Experience:
Overall, my service experience was good. I have had no issues with the vehicle till now. Mahindra has been improving its customer experience with every service.


Service Cost:
Engine Oil 6L (V4 Ultra) ----₹2613
DEF 10L + DEF Pipe---------₹745
HVAC Filter-------------------₹491
Oil Filter + O Ring-----------₹381
Washer Sealing--------------₹16
Rubber Insulator Bush------₹23
Disposable Cover------------₹64
Air Filter---------------------₹491
Front Brake Pads------------₹4257
Brake Oil Change-----------₹327
Oil Filler Cap----------------₹164
Windsheild Washer Liquid--₹67
Paid Service-----------------₹2513
Tax--------------------------₹2064

Total Expense --- ₹14216


Notable Points:
- The vehicle still runs as new, no vibrations or sounds
- Auto Resetting of Trip meters is still there
- Fuel Efficiency has improved in City conditions: 12-13kpl from earlier 11-12kpl
- Planning for AT Transmission oil at 60K intervals as a preventive maintenance


Overall Feedback:
The ScorpioN has consistently exceeded expectations, impressing both me and my family with its outstanding performance. Every aspect of the vehicle has reinforced my confidence in its reliability and capabilities.