“Thunderbolt” Mahindra XUV5OO Detailed Review (5 Years Report)

[onlymanoj]

Re: “Thunderbolt” XUV 5OO Detailed Review (Decals, Audio, LED, Mods++)

700kms in a day!! XUV served the purpose..impressive.
Mileage is bit low for this stretch , sedate driving would have given a better mileage.
Add pics of the new subwoofer.
Heard bumper costs around 3-4k.. get it confirmed.

 

[bhvm]

Re: “Thunderbolt” XUV 5OO Detailed Review (Decals, Audio, LED, Mods++)

@bhvm - Can you help me where to connect DRL's and also LED Bar's ?

I am planning to buy LED bars and connect them to High beam, your thoughts ? Are LED bars good for long range ? I want better and distant visibility on high beam.

image

Hello Again,
1) XUV high beams are already good if you can live with it.
2) Connecting LEDs to High beam is very good idea, but the High beam fuses are always Live! mahindra has used a strange wiring pattern which I could not identify using Multi Meter.
3) An Option would be to run a relay trigger lead from the Bulb Socket itself, however this may involve drilling the dust caps
4) due to all the problems above, i went with LED attached to Fog Controls only.

oops.. out of 14,500 how much you can claim by insurance? I think for fiber/plastic parts you cant claim more.
Just one option think about it,,
You can go for rubbing & polishing. To cover the dent go for TAI sticker (You got it at right time)..I believe the Bumper sticker may neatly cover the dent.

The Dent is sideways, Actually on the very corner of vehicle. Even I feel that denting should have fixed but the service guys said to install new piece itself.

with 0 dep insurance everything is covered and compnesated. but the catch is one can claim only twice under 0 dep in an year.

Thanks for the info. So If i claim for this bumper once, I have only 1 chance left this year. Seems OK to me. What will this Claim change about the policy? does the premium increase later on?

700kms in a day!! XUV served the purpose..impressive.
Mileage is bit low for this stretch , sedate driving would have given a better mileage.
Add pics of the new subwoofer.
Heard bumper costs around 3-4k.. get it confirmed.

Woofer pics-
http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...-honest-review-car-home-audio.html#post377026

This is my second 700km Run, First I used to request dad to help, but these days i feel confident enough to drive 700km my oneself only. The Driving was too sedate actually due to Sai Baba rally and Bombay traffic. Lots of 1st and 2nd gear runs.

Even i heard the bumper costs 3k. But service guys said Only black part wont be available. You have to buy both. Can someone Confirm with their SA Please?

Living in village is such a curse

 

[shreeni0403]

Re: “Thunderbolt” XUV 5OO Detailed Review (Decals, Audio, LED, Mods++)

Hello Again,
1) XUV high beams are already good if you can live with it.
2) Connecting LEDs to High beam is very good idea, but the High beam fuses are always Live! mahindra has used a strange wiring pattern which I could not identify using Multi Meter.
3) An Option would be to run a relay trigger lead from the Bulb Socket itself, however this may involve drilling the dust caps
4) due to all the problems above, i went with LED attached to Fog Controls only.

Thanks a lot. I think I will take approach 3, that sounds safer than connecting to fogs as I am running with 55w HID on Fog

Even i heard the bumper costs 3k. But service guys said Only black part wont be available. You have to buy both. Can someone Confirm with their SA Please?

I just called up India Garage Mahadevpura. I am seriously confused why they give fake estimate in the beginning or did the price go up ?

I got an estimate of 9k for Bumper (Full) plus 5k for paint. He didn't quote the labor.

 

[bhvm]

Re: “Thunderbolt” XUV 5OO Detailed Review (Decals, Audio, LED, Mods++)

Thanks a lot. I think I will take approach 3, that sounds safer than connecting to fogs as I am running with 55w HID on Fog



I just called up India Garage Mahadevpura. I am seriously confused why they give fake estimate in the beginning or did the price go up ?

I got an estimate of 9k for Bumper (Full) plus 5k for paint. He didn't quote the labor.

1) With FOG HID, you won't notice much improvement with LED. Also, LED are costly for now. I would rather suggest you can go for HID in LOW beams. XUV has pathetic Low beams and HID will definitely help.
Did your FOG HID install involve any Drilling/Cutting? Please post pics of your install and Beam pattern on a wall! I'm eager to see that

2) Seems your and Mine estimates are the same. Round figure expenses are like 15k. I May spend about 2k for Insurance Fee, but rest 12k will be recovered. I am thinking to go ahed with Claim on Monday.

Thanks a lot for your enquiry.

 

[shreeni0403]

Re: “Thunderbolt” XUV 5OO Detailed Review (Decals, Audio, LED, Mods++)

1) With FOG HID, you won't notice much improvement with LED. Also, LED are costly for now. I would rather suggest you can go for HID in LOW beams. XUV has pathetic Low beams and HID will definitely help.
Did your FOG HID install involve any Drilling/Cutting? Please post pics of your install and Beam pattern on a wall! I'm eager to see that

2) Seems your and Mine estimates are the same. Round figure expenses are like 15k. I May spend about 2k for Insurance Fee, but rest 12k will be recovered. I am thinking to go ahed with Claim on Monday.

Thanks a lot for your enquiry.

Wishing your "ThunderBolt" a speedy recovery.

I am greedy for more light because I generally love to drive at night and want better and distant vision. High beam of XUV is good if you drive @ 80 - 90 during night.

I already have 55w HID in Low Beam, 55w HID in Fogs.

Installing HID on High beam is not my liking because I won't be able to use pass functionality. Also I don't want to put higher wattage halogen. So I thought probably LED bar (With Spot beam lens) can give better distant throw.

EDIT - There was no drilling involved for fitting HID's in fog. I shall try to get the pics asap. It's long time pending :(

 

[kinshuk.arya]

Re: “Thunderbolt” XUV 5OO Detailed Review (Decals, Audio, LED, Mods++)

If you claim you will loose whatever NCB you have now. that will increase the premium.

 

[bhvm]

Re: “Thunderbolt” XUV 5OO Detailed Review (Decals, Audio, LED, Mods++)

Wishing your "ThunderBolt" a speedy recovery.

I am greedy for more light because I generally love to drive at night and want better and distant vision. High beam of XUV is good if you drive @ 80 - 90 during night.

I already have 55w HID in Low Beam, 55w HID in Fogs.

Installing HID on High beam is not my liking because I won't be able to use pass functionality. Also I don't want to put higher wattage halogen. So I thought probably LED bar (With Spot beam lens) can give better distant throw.

EDIT - There was no drilling involved for fitting HID's in fog. I shall try to get the pics asap. It's long time pending :(

Whoa man!
1)With 4 HID bulbs you are already doing well over 10k Lumens. Don't you feel criminal Gunning down Oncomers this way?

2)Installing HID in High beam is technically incorrect as you can't flash and HIDs hate frequent on/off (like Dipping beam for each vehicle).

3)Driving over 90 on Indian roads at night is stupidity as you may Hit a cow/Dog/Child/Stone or whatever that suddenly appears.

Awaiting your pics now.

 

[bhvm]

Re: “Thunderbolt” XUV 5OO Detailed Review (Decals, Audio, LED, Mods++)

Dear all,
1) got the Insurance renewed and my New Premium is 35350 Zero Dep and with NCB. However He Made a slight Mistake in Model no (W6 written in Place of w8) so I need to get it corrected again.

2) I am going to Gujarat Tomorrow. This is again a 500km Single day Run. I am trying to attain a good FE so I will be driving sedately. Experts suggest what driving method/Gears/Revvs I should adjust for getting good FE.

3) Bumper repairs have been pushed to next week now. Also Bumper parts are not in stock with the SVC.

4) Kinshuk, If I clain Insurance this time, I loose NCB this year and next years as well? or NCB gets 'reset' after a year?

 

[kinshuk.arya]

Re: “Thunderbolt” XUV 5OO Detailed Review (Decals, Audio, LED, Mods++)

Dear all,
1) got the Insurance renewed and my New Premium is 35350 Zero Dep and with NCB. However He Made a slight Mistake in Model no (W6 written in Place of w8) so I need to get it corrected again.

2) I am going to Gujarat Tomorrow. This is again a 500km Single day Run. I am trying to attain a good FE so I will be driving sedately. Experts suggest what driving method/Gears/Revvs I should adjust for getting good FE.

3) Bumper repairs have been pushed to next week now. Also Bumper parts are not in stock with the SVC.

4) Kinshuk, If I clain Insurance this time, I loose NCB this year and next years as well? or NCB gets 'reset' after a year?

How come your insurance premium came out to be 35k+. my second year renewal was 25k with 0 dep. For w6 to W8 they will just send you an endorsement letter.

for best FE on highways 6th gear and 90kmph. and for lower gears of 1-3 keep the rpm at slightly lower than 1500rpm.

See when you dont claim insurance in an year you get NCB of an additional 5% than the last year. so this year if your NCB was 25% than next year it will be 30% and so on and so forth till the max limit of 50% is reached. But in case of a claim the NCB is reset to 0. so in later years claiming insurance becomes a profit loss statement. if you would have claimed insurance before your renewal the premium would have been back to 40k+ and if you claim it now the next year's premium will be again around 35k+ but if you dont claim it the premium will be somewhere around 25k including NCB

 

[bhvm]

Re: “Thunderbolt” XUV 5OO Detailed Review (Decals, Audio, LED, Mods++)

How come your insurance premium came out to be 35k+. my second year renewal was 25k with 0 dep. For w6 to W8 they will just send you an endorsement letter.

for best FE on highways 6th gear and 90kmph. and for lower gears of 1-3 keep the rpm at slightly lower than 1500rpm.

See when you dont claim insurance in an year you get NCB of an additional 5% than the last year. so this year if your NCB was 25% than next year it will be 30% and so on and so forth till the max limit of 50% is reached. But in case of a claim the NCB is reset to 0. so in later years claiming insurance becomes a profit loss statement. if you would have claimed insurance before your renewal the premium would have been back to 40k+ and if you claim it now the next year's premium will be again around 35k+ but if you dont claim it the premium will be somewhere around 25k including NCB

Not much Options available in Village man. I got quotes of 28k As well but thats in other city. Also about Service and Repairs we have to decide everything from home and drive to Other city(200km). Curse this Villages

I can't stand any Scratches on my car and the Bumper Dent is just calling SHAME so I want to get it fixed. But can't Visit SVC just (long drive) to 'TRY' to fix or try denting or Try this,try that. I have to ask SVC to Make everything ready, pay hard cash and return home same day.

 

[shreeni0403]

Re: “Thunderbolt” XUV 5OO Detailed Review (Decals, Audio, LED, Mods++)

Not much Options available in Village man. I got quotes of 28k As well but thats in other city. Also about Service and Repairs we have to decide everything from home and drive to Other city(200km). Curse this Villages

I can't stand any Scratches on my car and the Bumper Dent is just calling SHAME so I want to get it fixed. But can't Visit SVC just (long drive) to 'TRY' to fix or try denting or Try this,try that. I have to ask SVC to Make everything ready, pay hard cash and return home same day.

Why don't you get Insurance renewed online ? I paid 27500rs for 2nd year including Bumper to Bumper coverage, though my insurance is due in June. Renewed early just to avoid increase of 3P charges.

Whoa man!
1)With 4 HID bulbs you are already doing well over 10k Lumens. Don't you feel criminal Gunning down Oncomers this way?

I use only Low Beam most of the time. And within projectors I don't think it will harm on comers. And I do care for on comers, as soon I see a vehicle ahead I put off High Beam (if turned on).

2)Installing HID in High beam is technically incorrect as you can't flash and HIDs hate frequent on/off (like Dipping beam for each vehicle).

Exactly the reason why I am not putting HID on high beam. Also it will be like missiles on the traffic.

3)Driving over 90 on Indian roads at night is stupidity as you may Hit a cow/Dog/Child/Stone or whatever that suddenly appears.

Well I would put as early morning drives. I prefer to start early which avoids all the things you mentioned + drunk drivers

Also depends on roads I am driving.

Awaiting your pics now.

Very soon

 

[bhvm]

Re: “Thunderbolt” XUV 5OO Detailed Review (Decals, Audio, LED, Mods++)

Thank you Shreeni and others.
Now for my Gujrat Trip experience-

1)The roads are almost non-existant till surat. They've dug up everything and completed nothing. 4 Lane work in progress since long. The driving conditions are very dangerous. Some of the ditches are soo big that Going over them at 80+ is sure to make a car wreck.

2) Way too many speed breakers. Curse them! God knows why you need them with such killer potholes in place.. Many breaker boards have been removed for 4 Lane works and so the breakers come in suddenly.
I'm thankful to large Tyres who could take all the abuse. Any small car is bond to wreck up or bottom out on this Hell track.

3) The Fuel efficiency by Tank method was 12.5. Due to speed breakers and bad roads, i had to downshift to 1st often. However, on the good patches of road, MID shot up to 17.1 KMPL driving at 75kmph@6th gear.

4) Excellent, Brilliant, Trilliant Performance. I could overtake long rows of trucks in one go. This beast does 110 in 3rd gear and 160 in 4th!! This is very useful if you want to gun out some slowpokes and you could see a vehicle approaching at some distance. You can get back safely afore the oncoming vehicle comes too close.

5) I should rename the the Factory Low beams as Candles.
Due to constant traffic, I had kept my LEDs OFF with respect to preventing glare. However the Factory low beams are not even visible in presence of other cars! Boo to mahindra for such poor low beams. Even Turning on the factory fogs did'nt help much. This is very risky.

Perhaps I should get some inspiration from shreeni and upgrade Low beams+ FOGS to 55w HID in 4000k CCT Shreeni, Please post the pics of-

Glare from front With and without High beam
Install Pics if possible.
Wiring and Ballast
beam shots against open road and walls
Pics of Wires routing out of headlight Dust caps
Any drilling pics.

I know its quite a work, but please.

 

[shreeni0403]

Re: “Thunderbolt” XUV 5OO Detailed Review (Decals, Audio, LED, Mods++)

Shreeni, Please post the pics of-

Glare from front With and without High beam
Install Pics if possible.
Wiring and Ballast
beam shots against open road and walls
Pics of Wires routing out of headlight Dust caps
Any drilling pics.

I know its quite a work, but please.

This weekend for sure I can post the pics of beam shots. But installation pics, sorry I don't have them. I can take pics of locations where ballast is installed for low beam but not for fog. Sorry about that as they are placed inside the bumper.

Regarding glare, I can happily stare at them

I should rename the the Factory Low beams as Candles

Agreed !! After getting addicted to the lights of my Ritz, I was so pissed off with XUV lights. That's the reason got HID's on first week of delivery .

We pay lakhs together, why not take few more thousands and give good headlights for such a powerful beast.

 

[bhvm]

Re: “Thunderbolt” XUV 5OO Detailed Review (Decals, Audio, LED, Mods++)

Hello everyone,
After Back to back trips to Gujrat, Bombay and more, I have travelled about 2000km on my beast this week alone. Impressive as always, except the candle-dim Low beams. These are just useless unless supported by LED headlights. As I was travelling through the single roads, I was keeping the LED OFF so as to prevent glare. I'm a good man

Actually the Gujrat Road (Dhule to Surat) is totally dug up and some of the sudden craters/Speed breakers were good enough to scare my wits off.. A Small car would have wrecked on these.

So I was surfing the Snapdeal E cart, and a few thoughts went to my Mind-

1)Upgrade to 100W h7 Lamps as XUV already has headlight relay, and when Under projectors, I do not think there should be extra glare-
CEEP - Diamond Vision 5000K 100W Headlight Bulbs Bulb H7 - Buy Car Accessories Accessories | Snapdeal.com

Autopal - Car/Bike Xenon GOLD Headlight Bulbs Bulb H7 - 100W - Buy Car Accessories Accessories | Snapdeal.com

This would be a cheap and No drill approach.

2) Get cheap, Chinese HID kit for trials-
HID Kit - H7 Bulb (6000k) [Bajaj Pulsar 220] - Buy Biker Gear & Accessories Online| Snapdeal.com

I don't know why H7 bulbs are being sold as bike Bulbs. Are Bulbs h7 different for car and bikes?

This could require extra ballasts and drilling.

 

[kinshuk.arya]

Re: “Thunderbolt” XUV 5OO Detailed Review (Decals, Audio, LED, Mods++)

Do not upgrade to 100Ws they are prone to extra heat.

Go for 55W 4300K HIDs for low beam. no drilling is required. Ballasts will come along with the kit.