[The Wolf]

Originally Posted by cool_dube

It is an all-round leaf-spring suspension at the end of the day and therefore, rattles, squeaks, thuds, etc are bound to creep up sooner or later. For people looking at smooth rides over broken surfaces, Thar CRDe with IFS would make more sense.

I see what you are saying but it may not be entirely true coz as I mentioned in my earlier post- my experience of 100+ kms with cl550mdi was extremely pleasing. The model I drove was a 2005 di turbo one which had done around 76,000kms (city and estate usage). The vehicle was extremely smooth, no crackling or thuds what so ever!!!

@Sudarshan: I would agree with your reasoning. Also, I hear these leaf springs make lesser frictional noises due to some graphite coating and rubber inserts. Experts can contribute to my learning here...

[pjbiju]

Originally Posted by dhanushs

...
Biju, I did not measure the distance, but the space was adequate. Better than new-gen hatches. The best thing was the ease of loading and unloading luggage.

This might throw some light?
...

Thank you Dhanush. Your picture has answered my question. I think there is adequate space for luggage.

[Sudarshan]

Originally Posted by cool_dube

Point taken. What about folks who would prefer the DI anyday but cannot get it registered in metros due to BSIII/BSIV issue? Does M&M have any plans to dish out a BSIV DI?

I have heard that dealers some times 'help' in this . need to check though .

or if you have any friends address out there .

It wholly depends on the RTO .

I remember Pune based Tata dealers were helping people to get rural addresses for the Tata ace , you will need to do a sort of activity .

Anyways ,get a 'Good' RTO agent in your city , he may have some 'solution '.

Sudarshan

[dhanushs]

Originally Posted by The Wolf

Hi Dhanush one question for you- how is the vehicle's ride quality on scruffed surfaces? Does it feel like an MM540 with the whole body making crackling noises and the suspension going thudd thuddd sending shocks down ones spine? MM540's ride quality was great at low speeds and good roads but on broken roads it used to be/ and still is noisy& rattly from every corner of the vehicle!!! I can understand the window glass, thats given and 100% traditional but what about the rest???

p.s: The doorless cc550mdi scores highly in my books for its rattle free demeanor. Hoping the THAR di is in the same lines minus the door related ruckus.

I find it in the same league as the 550mdi, a tad better(new vehicle?). The suspension noises were much less. Also, mind you, I wasn't driving stock tyres. Those were 15 inchers.

Originally Posted by jeeva

Dhanush,
So this must be the Thar doing rounds in Kalpetta!

This Thar is doing its rounds in Bathery.

[IronWolf]

Originally Posted by dhanushs

The suspension noises were much less. Also, mind you, I wasn't driving stock tyres. Those were 15 inchers.

Why would suspension noise levels depend on the size of the rims?

Anyway.. The stance of this vehicle seems much smaller, is it just due to the lower profile tyres or is it also due to the lower perch points?

[dhanushs]

Originally Posted by IronWolf

Why would suspension noise levels depend on the size of the rims?

Anyway.. The stance of this vehicle seems much smaller, is it just due to the lower profile tyres or is it also due to the lower perch points?

The suspension noises were much less. Period. Also, I wasn't driving stock tyres. Those were 15 inchers.

Sorry for phrasing it wrong.

[GTO]

Dhanush, thanks for sharing! Good initial drive report, and detailed pictures to boot. Have moved your posts into a new, dedicated thread.

[JeepCaptain]

Dhanush,
Wonderful initial report and good pics. It was good meeting you in Waynad. So I guess you did the Thar TD the day after we met right?

After seeing your pics and esp seeing the rust and hearing about the rattling noises. I am happy that I choose CRDe THAR which comes from a better factory with better paint job.And I hope IFS will suppress rattles to some extent.
Cheers
JC

[IronWolf]

Now what we need to wait for is the 4x4 version and a TD/initial ownership report offroad.

Back to the lower stance.. by MM logic they raised the perch points - lowered the GC as they did not have to accommodate the Army Sandgrips.

So doesn't that mean lesser articulation that its older 550 brothers? and what happens to the folks who want to shift to 31"s by default, MM does not consider that small % of the market?

[ex670c]

Originally Posted by IronWolf

Now what we need to wait for is the 4x4 version and a TD/initial ownership report offroad.

Back to the lower stance.. by MM logic they raised the perch points - lowered the GC as they did not have to accommodate the Army Sandgrips.

So doesn't that mean lesser articulation that its older 550 brothers? and what happens to the folks who want to shift to 31"s by default, MM does not consider that small % of the market?

Hi Irons Wolf,

Are you sure that lowering the Spring Perch will not accommodate the 31" Sandgrip tyres?

Please look at the pics with 185-85-16 i.e 28.3" Tyres.

Could there be another reason?

Regards,

Arka

[roy_libran]

A bit OT, but came across this FUNNY on Zigwheels:

They were apparently reviewing the CRDe and were IMPRESSED by it's Off-Roading abilities...

Excerpt: "If you just like the way it looks and want to add some might to your garage without ever taking the Thar off-road, Mahindra also offers the car in two-wheel-drive configuration with the 3.0 DI engine for Rs 4.77 lakh ex-showroom. But that would just be poser value in the end – after all, the Thar is meant to be taken off-road. That’s where it truly belongs."

Link: Mahindra Thar : Roadtest Page - 2 Zigwheels


Have a nice laugh boyz. :-)

[madhkris]

Hi Dhanush. Great review. Thanks for sharing the info and the pics. I have a question. Is the 4wd available or made to order?

[4x4addict]

@dhaunsh just responded to my PM regarding the front facing rear seats and looks like these are from the dealer. So after registration you can move to front facing fold-able seats.

This should be good news to those looking to change seat configuration in the Thar MDI/CRDe...

[whitemm550]

Amaron maintenance free batteries?. Pretty good. They could have saved on this and spent it on the interiors(stalks, et al).
Attachment 484491


ER, sorry to break your trance mate, but these are not Maintainence free batteries, they are OEM batteries with a average life cycle of 2-3 years. after market batteries which are green in color would be lasting longer though

[dhanushs]

Originally Posted by GTO

Good initial drive report, and detailed pictures to boot. Have moved your posts into a new, dedicated thread.

Originally Posted by JeepCaptain

Dhanush,
Wonderful initial report and good pics.

Originally Posted by madhkris

Hi Dhanush. Great review.

Thanks!.

Originally Posted by JeepCaptain

It was good meeting you in Waynad. So I guess you did the Thar TD the day after we met right?

Shibu, it was great meeting you too. And yes, your bolero looks cool. . Now with the THAR CRDe, it will be quite a garage.

Originally Posted by JeepCaptain

After seeing your pics and esp seeing the rust and hearing about the rattling noises. I am happy that I choose CRDe THAR which comes from a better factory with better paint job.And I hope IFS will suppress rattles to some extent.

Lets hope your CRDe comes with better finish. Actually, I heard that 2 CRDe's have already been delivered to their respective owners in Meppadi and Mananthavady and they seem to be happy - I was told. I have not yet seen the vehicle though.

And yes, IFS will, to some extent reduce the rattles, but for them to GO away, I suppose you will have to travel doorless.

Originally Posted by madhkris

I have a question. Is the 4wd available or made to order?

Yes, the 4WD is available at an ex-showroom price of 4,81,600 and an on-road price of 5,36,520 in Wayanad, Kerala.

Originally Posted by 4x4addict

@dhaunsh just responded to my PM regarding the front facing rear seats and looks like these are from the dealer. So after registration you can move to front facing fold-able seats.

This should be good news to those looking to change seat configuration in the Thar MDI/CRDe...

Yes, those front facing rear seats are from THAR Mdi itself. He just changed the configuration to make them front facing.

The dealer, however will not deliver the vehicle with front facing back seats, as there are issues with registration. The vehicle is a seven seater and in this case, it seats only 5.

Originally Posted by whitemm550

ER, sorry to break your trance mate, but these are not Maintainence free batteries, they are OEM batteries with a average life cycle of 2-3 years. after market batteries which are green in color would be lasting longer though

Thanks for the heads up whitemm550.