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

4x4addict · 5th January 2011, 19:46

Great Review guys. Since, I joined team-bhp, I don't really bother with the Auto magazine reviews anymore except to look at performance numbers and datasheets.

This is what my take away is from the review.

Thar CRDe is 70% there as a lifestyle vehicle. Add AC, HT, Improve interiors and you have an excellent Life Style Vehicle.

Thar CRDe is 60% there as an Off-Roader. Take the Thar MDI, add a good engine and 57 OKBJ front and FFRA rear and you have an excellent off-roader.

But right now, we have neither.. sob sob...

You guy say that it will meet the offroading requirements of 90% of off-road users. The problem is that when we go off-roading we tend to take the same route and Thar CRDe will take the same punishment as the all other off-roaders resulting in some hefty bills down the road. It is best used for farm tracks and forest tracks. With the suspension set up, it is best to avoid rocky tracks as the front suspension and other components will get damaged.

ex670c · 5th January 2011, 19:46

Hi Shahnawaz & Tejas,

Thank You guys for a riveting, detailed and unbiased Review.

The Videos and Pics conveyed a lot of information.

Two obvious things that come to notice
1) Absence of Sump Guard - Some things don't change

2) The Seat Belt Roller could have been recessed in the B-Pillar or bolted behind it, in front of the rear wheel arch. Thereby giving some more space to align the front seats, even then the MM540 Steering is off-centre, on account of the body being considerably wider than the chassis

Regards,

Arka

SS-Traveller · 5th January 2011, 19:48

A unique review, of any that I've ever read!

BTW, what was that squeaking noise from? Broken wheel bearing?

IronWolf · 5th January 2011, 19:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaggu

This is not a private vehicle, vehicle was loaned by M&M wonly

Lovely!
Wonder if they really thought that the funny bits hanging out would be spared by our friendly OTR duo?

Khan / Tejas, please reply to my other queries

Quote:

BTW, what was that squeaking noise from? Broken wheel bearing?

Trust me my old 540 does not squeak like that. Its not the regular body squeaks. Something definitely sounds broken.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rach

Thats one hell of a review!!!!!. Review is international class, comparable to Autoblog, etc. It took me a hour to read every detail there. ......

+1 a 1 hour well spent this evening.

MDi report - someone

Motoringlover · 5th January 2011, 19:52

I cant thank you enough, how much i was waiting for a tbhp review and what review mates - great work. Thank you very much for sharing it.

Any advice on interior modifcation if this was to be a made a daily drive ? may be to soon.

speedmiester · 5th January 2011, 20:00

Great review and a wonderful comparo with the other offerings of Mahindra.
I am convinced on the capabilities of the Thar. Will wait for some more time before I take the plunge. I absolutely need an AC and Hard top as this will be my daily drive vehicle.

kunaldhami · 5th January 2011, 20:10

Great Review, Thanks a lot for writing such detailed report.

Now, I want to buy Thar..

BolBolero · 5th January 2011, 20:31

Superb review. Thanks a ton Khan and Tejas. You guys have done a truly outstanding job of the review.

The pros and cons are very clearly marked out and the videos in various situations, will definitely help all enthusiasts to make an informed decision regarding the Thar.

Xinger · 5th January 2011, 20:38

The most detailed review on any vehicle I have ever read and well worth the wait!!

One question that springs to mind is - does the Thar seem a little front heavy? In this pic the front seems to be 'stooping' lower than the rear.

Review: 1st-gen Mahindra Thar (2011 - 2019)-mahthar01-copy.jpg

Review: 1st-gen Mahindra Thar (2011 - 2019)-mahthar01-cu.jpg

On the previous thread allan had mentioned that this could be because of the weight of the winch on the Adventure variant, but the stock version seems to have the same problem! Is it the weight of the engine or the IFS (or that ridiculous bullbar) which is the cause of this?

NIP · 5th January 2011, 20:46

Superb review Khan !! Very detailed and I was waiting for this with bated breath !! Kudos to the detailed review !! Thanks for the effort !! Voted 5 Stars.

Few years ago when I got my scorpio, I used to actually think 'these M&M chaps should put this engine into an MM540', and now its really happened. Believe me, this is really a dream come true vehicle for me. I test drove the vehicle finally yesterday and was simply blown away !! After the VW Vento Automatic test drive, the Thar went like stink

But yes, I still find the quality and lack of detail appalling !! I actually like the DI instrument panel simple and practical compared to the ridiculous one on the CRDe.

Kudos to DB and team for achieving this.

sidindica · 5th January 2011, 20:49

Applauses for the most comprehensive and killer review ever on any media till date. I am drooling at those pics again, again and again.
Khan sahib aur Docter sahab, aap dono to chaa agaye.

5 star *****

and a 5 star applause to you all!

nandans2005 · 5th January 2011, 21:06

Amazing Review ! Mindblowingly detailed.

Great work and effort.

One can decide on buying, reading this review on the couch. Its very real.

Keep it up

Rated 5*s.

aa_asif · 5th January 2011, 21:16

Awesome work of summing up many comments in many threads in this forum with a proper HANDS-ON REVIEW!

Khan Saab and Tejas deserve a huge

for this!

Reading this, I guess now I'm clear on getting my 550 XD down from Delhi for certain obvious reasons as it would be used 80% offroad on a daily basis!

I was a silent reader in many other threads on Thar as we all knew that this (Detailed TD) was on the way!

Thanks alot for such a detailed one!

Asif

2500cc · 5th January 2011, 21:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xinger

The most detailed review on any vehicle I have ever read and well worth the wait!!

One question that springs to mind is - does the Thar seem a little front heavy? In this pic the front seems to be 'stooping' lower than the rear.

Attachment 477815
Attachment 477817

On the previous thread allan had mentioned that this could be because of the weight of the winch on the Adventure variant, but the stock version seems to have the same problem! Is it the weight of the engine or the IFS (or that ridiculous bullbar) which is the cause of this?

This pointed was raised by Arka on the other thread, but no one replied to it.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/4x4-ve...ml#post2190059

Somaiah88 · 5th January 2011, 21:40

If only M&M concentrated a little more on anthropometry and basic quality...... sad!

Some of you might say, who care about interior quality?? if it does well off-road, i will be content.

How much of off roading will you guys be doing? if you will be using the Thar as a daily commute vehicle, you are bound to be stuck in traffic and then you will notice the interior quality, the fit and finish, the poor ergonomics.

A good concept but poor planning.

5th January 2011, 19:46	#31
4x4addict Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 4,497 Thanked: 4,650 Times View My Garage	re: Review: 1st-gen Mahindra Thar (2011 - 2019) Great Review guys. Since, I joined team-bhp, I don't really bother with the Auto magazine reviews anymore except to look at performance numbers and datasheets. This is what my take away is from the review. Thar CRDe is 70% there as a lifestyle vehicle. Add AC, HT, Improve interiors and you have an excellent Life Style Vehicle. Thar CRDe is 60% there as an Off-Roader. Take the Thar MDI, add a good engine and 57 OKBJ front and FFRA rear and you have an excellent off-roader. But right now, we have neither.. sob sob... You guy say that it will meet the offroading requirements of 90% of off-road users. The problem is that when we go off-roading we tend to take the same route and Thar CRDe will take the same punishment as the all other off-roaders resulting in some hefty bills down the road. It is best used for farm tracks and forest tracks. With the suspension set up, it is best to avoid rocky tracks as the front suspension and other components will get damaged.
	() Thanks

5th January 2011, 19:46	#32
ex670c Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Chennai Posts: 2,470 Thanked: 2,170 Times View My Garage	re: Review: 1st-gen Mahindra Thar (2011 - 2019) Hi Shahnawaz & Tejas, Thank You guys for a riveting, detailed and unbiased Review. The Videos and Pics conveyed a lot of information. Two obvious things that come to notice 1) Absence of Sump Guard - Some things don't change 2) The Seat Belt Roller could have been recessed in the B-Pillar or bolted behind it, in front of the rear wheel arch. Thereby giving some more space to align the front seats, even then the MM540 Steering is off-centre, on account of the body being considerably wider than the chassis Regards, Arka Last edited by ex670c : 5th January 2011 at 19:59. Reason: addl. info
	(1) Thanks

5th January 2011, 19:48	#33
SS-Traveller Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 8,279 Thanked: 28,735 Times View My Garage	re: Review: 1st-gen Mahindra Thar (2011 - 2019) A unique review, of any that I've ever read! BTW, what was that squeaking noise from? Broken wheel bearing?
	() Thanks

5th January 2011, 19:52	#35
Motoringlover BHPian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 425 Thanked: 211 Times View My Garage	re: Review: 1st-gen Mahindra Thar (2011 - 2019) I cant thank you enough, how much i was waiting for a tbhp review and what review mates - great work. Thank you very much for sharing it. Any advice on interior modifcation if this was to be a made a daily drive ? may be to soon. Last edited by Motoringlover : 5th January 2011 at 19:53. Reason: Correction.
	() Thanks

5th January 2011, 20:00	#36
speedmiester Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: bangalore Posts: 2,454 Thanked: 7,028 Times	re: Review: 1st-gen Mahindra Thar (2011 - 2019) Great review and a wonderful comparo with the other offerings of Mahindra. I am convinced on the capabilities of the Thar. Will wait for some more time before I take the plunge. I absolutely need an AC and Hard top as this will be my daily drive vehicle.
	() Thanks

5th January 2011, 20:10	#37
kunaldhami BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Surat Posts: 152 Thanked: 82 Times	re: Review: 1st-gen Mahindra Thar (2011 - 2019) Great Review, Thanks a lot for writing such detailed report. Now, I want to buy Thar..
	() Thanks

5th January 2011, 20:31	#38
BolBolero BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 369 Thanked: 271 Times	re: Review: 1st-gen Mahindra Thar (2011 - 2019) Superb review. Thanks a ton Khan and Tejas. You guys have done a truly outstanding job of the review. The pros and cons are very clearly marked out and the videos in various situations, will definitely help all enthusiasts to make an informed decision regarding the Thar.
	() Thanks

5th January 2011, 20:38	#39
Xinger BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 166 Thanked: 14 Times	re: Review: 1st-gen Mahindra Thar (2011 - 2019) The most detailed review on any vehicle I have ever read and well worth the wait!! One question that springs to mind is - does the Thar seem a little front heavy? In this pic the front seems to be 'stooping' lower than the rear. On the previous thread allan had mentioned that this could be because of the weight of the winch on the Adventure variant, but the stock version seems to have the same problem! Is it the weight of the engine or the IFS (or that ridiculous bullbar) which is the cause of this?
	() Thanks

5th January 2011, 20:46	#40
NIP Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,179 Thanked: 152 Times View My Garage	re: Review: 1st-gen Mahindra Thar (2011 - 2019) Superb review Khan !! Very detailed and I was waiting for this with bated breath !! Kudos to the detailed review !! Thanks for the effort !! Voted 5 Stars. Few years ago when I got my scorpio, I used to actually think 'these M&M chaps should put this engine into an MM540', and now its really happened. Believe me, this is really a dream come true vehicle for me. I test drove the vehicle finally yesterday and was simply blown away !! After the VW Vento Automatic test drive, the Thar went like stink But yes, I still find the quality and lack of detail appalling !! I actually like the DI instrument panel simple and practical compared to the ridiculous one on the CRDe. Kudos to DB and team for achieving this. Last edited by NIP : 5th January 2011 at 20:56.
	() Thanks

5th January 2011, 20:49	#41
sidindica Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 4,901 Thanked: 8,348 Times	re: Review: 1st-gen Mahindra Thar (2011 - 2019) Applauses for the most comprehensive and killer review ever on any media till date. I am drooling at those pics again, again and again. Khan sahib aur Docter sahab, aap dono to chaa agaye. 5 star ***** and a 5 star applause to you all! Last edited by Eddy : 5th January 2011 at 20:57.
	() Thanks

5th January 2011, 21:06	#42
nandans2005 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bangalore. Posts: 640 Thanked: 43 Times	re: Review: 1st-gen Mahindra Thar (2011 - 2019) Amazing Review ! Mindblowingly detailed. Great work and effort. One can decide on buying, reading this review on the couch. Its very real. Keep it up Rated 5s. Last edited by nandans2005 : 5th January 2011 at 21:08.*
	() Thanks

5th January 2011, 21:16	#43
aa_asif BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: KL 07 > KA 03 Posts: 255 Thanked: 67 Times View My Garage	re: Review: 1st-gen Mahindra Thar (2011 - 2019) Awesome work of summing up many comments in many threads in this forum with a proper HANDS-ON REVIEW! Khan Saab and Tejas deserve a hugefor this! Reading this, I guess now I'm clear on getting my 550 XD down from Delhi for certain obvious reasons as it would be used 80% offroad on a daily basis! I was a silent reader in many other threads on Thar as we all knew that this (Detailed TD) was on the way! Thanks alot for such a detailed one! Asif
	() Thanks

5th January 2011, 21:40	#45
Somaiah88 Newbie Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1 Thanked: 0 Times	re: Review: 1st-gen Mahindra Thar (2011 - 2019) If only M&M concentrated a little more on anthropometry and basic quality...... sad! Some of you might say, who care about interior quality?? if it does well off-road, i will be content. How much of off roading will you guys be doing? if you will be using the Thar as a daily commute vehicle, you are bound to be stuck in traffic and then you will notice the interior quality, the fit and finish, the poor ergonomics. A good concept but poor planning. Last edited by Eddy : 5th January 2011 at 22:27.
	() Thanks