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

[bhvm]

The Vehicle Feels very stable and Planted. Brakes are First class. Diriving Thunderbolt at 100KMPH Gives same peace and comfrort (Plain roads only) compared to safari at 80 KMPH. Cabin is very well isolated

Now That I have safari Again, I can confirm this fact. I had written the statement on July 2013. So my memory is working as it should.

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

 

[bhvm]

After a long time of Procrastination, I got my lazy self into Opening the XUV cowl area and take a peek inside.
I was pleased to see a lot of DUST, but thankfully no Rust!

So These are the Rat meshes that ASC had installed. And yeah they charged me 2k to install them.

Some Parts if wiper Motor are unpainted, and would have chances of Rust in Far future, I I painted them. Can you identify the Painted parts? I also lubricated the linkages with grease before fitment.

Now started the process of sealing the cowl itslef. Used closed cell foam (Neoprene) to seal the cowl cover itself. Used Rubber adhesive to apply measured & trimmed pieces of neoprene on all openings & Slats. This will prevent Rodent, Dust And leaves from entering the cowl.

Next was the seal the AC Air intakes. These are sealed with Rubber adhesive once and the gaps have been caulked out using neutral cure Nova Silicon tube. Do not use acid cure silicons on vehicles as it will eat metal in the long run.

Quite a nice seal I must say!

Also sealed the minor gaps at sides where rats would find easy entry. Now there is just no chance of rodent entry!

Yes, XUV 500 was called Project W201, W standing for WORLD.

P.s- Forgot to share images of marking tapes I used-

The results-
After ages, I could take an Ride in XUV. We did about 200KM in half a day. Stonking performance as always.
The AC seals were also tested 3 ways.
1. An area where we passed from Forest fire. We could smell ZERO smoke inside. For once I thought its actually Dense fog and not smoke.
2. Huge & dusty diversions due to Half-hearted efforts from our dear government. Where works are “In Progress” Since last 5 years. Basically no attention to half dug up roads. Here we met trucks and buses spewing up dust high in the air like Dakar Rally. Did my nose feel a thing? Nah!
3. The dry and hot air had made whirlwinds at 2~3 places. They washed right over our XUV. Could feel dust particles and small sand hitting, but no feel/dust. I read 44.C on our XUV AC that day.
This is awesome! No It really is. Now I can ride my cheetah in peace and not worry about flaring up an allergy! The seal is so well succesfull that you cant even get a hint of smells from the outside. I wonder why I did not do this earlier.After a long time of Procrastination, I got my lazy self into Opening the XUV cowl area and take a peek inside.


P.s- Its getting painful scrolling up and down adjusting images into the thread with current Image Manager. My head is alredy dizzy with just 1 post. I request admins to please look into this matter or allow Google photos merging. I might have missed some images on this post.

 

[THE_DRIFTER]

Looks very nice and your hardwork really paid off!!!!
I think the resale value of your both cars (Xuv and Safari) would be increased by at least 70k-80k because of the crazy mods you keep doing.!
You're enjoying every bit of your Cheetah, that's a nice thing and above that maintaining 2 elephants under 1 roof akong with a lil,' pocket rocket (i10) isn't easy by any means.

 

[bhvm]

I think the resale value of your both cars (Xuv and Safari) would be increased by at least 70k-80k because of the crazy mods you keep doing.!

Glad you liked the Mods.
Resale is never on my Mind when Buying or Modding my cars. I buy them to Enjoy them and cherish them.

 

[mayankdixit]

Paint work is alright. But why are you blocking all the water channels and Air ducts with foam. They are designed there for a purpose. That area is also called rain gutter .Blocking theme Will stop Air movement as well as cause water stagnation. This will promote rusting. Fresh Air intake blockage increases AC gas poisoning inside the car. Fresh air prevents suffocation and drowsiness inside the car.

 

[bhvm]

None of the water channels have been blocked. They are lower down and not visible in pics.
Sealing top grilles of Cowl prevents Leaves and dander sitting on drains, hence actually prevents rain gutter from being chocked.

About the air, Unfortunately most of the Indian Road Air is far from being "Fresh".

 

[Suryaputhra]

Hi BHVM how are you. There is some heat pipe or something like in foot well area of passenger side, covered partially by plastic shield. Significant heat radiation from that source. Entire body is chilling due to good AC but feet are warm. This I have observed in my friend's XUV 500 2019 automatic model. I could not able to figure it out because of less time. I will try to take a snapshot next time. Any idea about this?

 

[bhvm]

Hi BHVM how are you. There is some heat pipe or something like in foot well area of passenger side, covered partially by plastic shield. Significant heat radiation from that source. Entire body is chilling due to good AC but feet are warm. This I have observed in my friend's XUV 500 2019 automatic model. I could not able to figure it out because of less time. I will try to take a snapshot next time. Any idea about this?

Hello! Seeing you after long.
This is a known issue in XUV with no resolution from Mahindra. The problem happens when Front AC vents blow cool air but feet vents blow hot.
The only solution is to-
1. Turn off FEET or BOTH mode and use front vents only
2. Use BOTH mode but bring down temperature to 16.c or LO then feet vents also start chilling.

It certainly is a programming/ BCM issue but mahindra failed to acknowledge. Its pathetic that 2019 models have same flaws as 2011 models.

 

[Suryaputhra]

Not that, I just put my finger burnt my finger it is so hot something steel pipe.

 

[bhvm]

Thats strange. It might be possible some coolant pipe has leaked or lost insulation.

 

[bhvm]

There is some heat pipe or something like in foot well area of passenger side, covered partially by plastic shield.

Yesterday My mom complained of some heat in the footwell. Will look into the matter. If I sit in the navigator seat during a long run, that is.

 

[bhvm]

ODO- 93k
Thunderbolt made about 700Km Trip to Bombay. After really long time, I thoroughly enjoyed Thundering down the well built sections of the roads. There were instances where I (Un-intentionally) Triggered the bells and it gave me a wide smile. Even my Mom could'nt figure out we were crusing between x20 to x30kmph all day along.

1. Reverse horn does not work But security horn works? Thats strange! Both are same units. Is it some firmware issue then?

2. Disappointed to report that Driver seat leather has started cracking. This despite being taken care with leather polish and Shaded parking. Any Ideas folks?

3. Lock buttons on Both remotes have worn out. I ordered a replacement shell on Amazon thinking it will be an easy fit. WRONG!
The key design is a total b1tch and is harassing me since last month. Rather than using screws, Someone at mahindra has Superglued the entire key shut. Impossible to remove. Watched many Youtube videos. Now a days using keyhole to central lock the car. I hope Immobilizer works this way too (I can see the icon blink)

4. Saw an FE of 13.2 on MID. I assume this to be real world 12 to 12.5 KMPL. No Complaints.

5. Tested the cabin seals once again when we passed various areas of Smoke, Pollution and Trash burning.
How much of the smell made in?
Zilch ! Nada ! Nil !

 

[bhvm]

Gave a bit of TLC to the cheetah after long time.

Interior cleaning using Nulon Shampoo, Followed by Kangaroo Polish.

 

[bhvm]

Thunderbolt suffered a Bulb out situation at the driver side Tail lamp, The brake Bulb.
Rather than waiting to get to next service (Brake bulb is a serious safety equipment), I decided to do it myself.

Opening the black Plastic cladding. There are 3 screws near the door lace and 3 hidden locks near 3rd row glass area. Those locks are a nightmare! But I got em all out one-piece with some patience.

The area is Prime spot for hidden Dirt & Mud.

The black cladding-

Cleaning the Tail lamp itself-

Poor workmanship by Mahindra. See how the panel is only partially/ poorly painted. This has also caused pinpoint rust to appear. I will have to prepare some paint for this area next time I open it.

Cladding washed

Notice the W201 Codename for XUV

All cleaned up-
\

Connector Smeared with Petroleum jelly before refit. This prevents Moisture into the socket-

Bulb replaced-

Overall, this excersize took about 10 mins to open, Change the bulb. Then 50 Mins to put back.
Mahindra has used a very finicky and Frustrating design on the black cladding. If you line up the 3 hidden locks, then screws wont go in. If you align the screws, the seam lock towards 3rd row glass cannot be pushed in.
Took a lot of fiddling to put it back.


BTW I also changed Brake bulb on my Elephant. It does not need an elaborate guide as it has access hatches and replacement is 2 min job max.

 

[mayankdixit]

Well done!
Already done this exercise 2 times on the left side, and once on the right side.
Not breaking any plastic button etc is an achievement in itself!!
Nice demo/ WIP pictures.