Finally, arrives my Orange thunder. 2016 Molten Orange T8 AMT.
The car was delivered on Monday, 1st Feb.
However, the delivery experience with Global Gallarie in Thane was disappointing.
The RTO part was complete on Saturday and I was pushing for delivery on Sunday so that I could check the car thoroughly (and as I was told it was an auspicious day). The Sales Exec told me in the morning that he was trying to deliver but towards end of the day, said it couldn't work out and will deliver on Monday. I was disappointed but left it there.
On Monday, at around noon time I was told that it wouldn't be possible to deliver the car as the accessories fitment was getting delayed. I was really upset and had to make a few calls to escalate the matter. Finally, I was asked to take the car in the evening at 7 PM.
I prepared my own PDI list using a pen and paper from the original TBHP PDI PDF file. I was worried about taking the car in the dark (against the recommendation in the TBHP PDI) but still went ahead. The experience that evening was really bad.
- The cleaning was below average. In fact, there were some chemical/wax spots that I found on the inside of one of the doors and I went to the showroom next day to get it cleaned.
- The seat covers were put but the belts in the back row were under the bench and were not accessible. Also the hand rests in front didn't seem proper. On asking, I was asked to come next day and get it fixed as the concerned team had left.
- I don't get the road tax receipt (I followed up next day and collected it). I get the insurance papers but of the old car that I had booked (the 2015 one) which obviously has a different chassis number. I have still not got the insurance papers and the dealer tells me its gone for some endorsement. They assured me (verbally) that there is nothing to worry and the insurance is actually valid if something happens in the interim. God forbid. God only knows.
- No person to give us any basic demo, features, to tell us about the servicing details, where the service centers are, Road Side Assistance details - just nothing.
- There was no person to see us off, I get into the car and see the fuel warning light flashing. No fuel voucher given, and everyone suddenly disappeared as it was already around 8 PM.
- However, I did get a chocolate box and one of the SEs offered to do a formality puja which I refused. There was also a formality picture clicked (in the dark, without any background) using a mobile phone.
- I was given the gate pass and I assume the security is supposed to collect it. But since the entire team disappeared, I was not asked for it. I drove the car home and the gate pass is still with me!
The good part, the car didn't have any scratches or dents. Most parts like the central console, ICE, doors, lights etc. were still under the plastic protection. The car looked in mint condition and found a bar code on the ORVM which said P29 15.01.16 9.32 PM - I am assuming thats the stamp on the assembly line. All lights, warning lamps, wipers were working and the tools were in the car.
Went to a nearby temple after this for a nice puja and then to the closest Indian Oil station for a tank full. Then back home.
Yesterday, wrote a long mail to Mahindra Customer Care, Jakkan Prabhakar the ASM of Mumbai and Sandeep Dhond - M&M VP for Customer Care about the overall experience. Got a call from the GM of dealer to discuss in detail today.
Observations on the car -
- Its just feels awesome to drive the tank. Its not as smooth or swift as my previous SX4 but you feel like the boss of the road.
- You are a head above everyone, the driver in the sedan next to you is one floor down.
- The AMT controls are smooth. I assume my tank was loaded with the new ECU SW as the creep is almost instantaneous (less than a second) but I can still feel slight lag during gear changes, which could be normal.
- One observation though, the actual jerk or the gear change is felt a good 2 seconds after the number on the gear display has changed. Other AMT users - do you feel the same?
- I can feel the slight rattling in the left front door, as reported by many of you here. Will have to check with service center.
- I am not sure if any FDM and Vacuum Modulator/Resonator change is required. I'll have to check with the Service Center. As of now, everything seems normal.
- Music system quality, as disussed by many here is average but its good for my listening. Its probably as good or bad as my SX4 one.
- I was told you get a warning exactly indicating which door is open, I just can't figure that out.
- In the trip meter, there is Trip AC (apart from A&B) which apparently tracks the number of KMs driven with AC on!
- The NVH level inside is quite good and well controlled.
- Headlamps are powerful, static bending headlamps are just superb!
- The rear wash (the water spray) doesn't seem to be working in my car while the wiper is. Need to get it checked. I understand the water tank is common and I get a powerful spray on the front windshield.
- The DTE is really crazy. It keeps jumping + or - all the time, up to almost 100 sometimes. Says 620 in the morning and 720 in the evening!
Over the last 3 days, have driven 250+ km and I feel very comfortable. All in all, a good decision and I just love the tank. Most of my driving was in peak Mumbai traffic and the AMT was a charm.
This is a real head turner. I can see people staring at my car. On two occasions, people at traffic signal have asked me to roll my window down to ask about the car - how comfortable it is, on road price etc..
Thanks to all of you for your informative posts here. It helped greatly in taking an informed decision. Really happy with the purchase and looking forward to zooming the tank away from bustles of Mumbai.