Mahindra XUV500 (W201): First Impressions Pg.29 Onwards

[raj_5004]

@singh890,

Stripped down version of XUV is welcome, say W4. But premium version of W8 may be a dud as Rexton becomes better VFM.

Maybe by premium version, they mean an A/T version.

The old Merc M Class on which Rexton is based does wonders & I met a guy who said that Rexton feels far better than Fortuner. It is only ping-pong name which is playing spoilsport.

Even I have heard good reviews about the Rexton and sales are picking up too. Wish this had come a bit earlier. I feel the Rexton is more VFM than the Fortuner.

@ raj5004,

Have you faced any issues with XUV in case of braking ?? We will be fixing it in coming servicing.

No buddy, no problem with my car's braking and no grinding noise either. What is the issue you are facing?

 

[S Class]

Maybe by premium version, they mean an A/T version.

Ok. I thought something more like rear screens, ventilated seats, captain seats for 2nd row etc.

Even I have heard good reviews about the Rexton and sales are picking up too. Wish this had come a bit earlier. I feel the Rexton is more VFM than the Fortuner.

+1. When I saw it in flesh, looks more appealing & subtle than Fortuner. Infact, it doesn't has that 'Truck' look to it. The Nagpur dealer, Unnati Motors has started a scheme where you can exchange XUV with Rexton at good price. Anything similar in Mumbai ?

No buddy, no problem with my car's braking and no grinding noise either. What is the issue you are facing?

The major problem is we need to pump the brakes & brakes are quite slow. Infact, there is significant response delay between W6 & W8. However, the W6 in Pune has no issues about brakes. The W8 has issues with suspension, found it to be quite stiff & vibrations were felt inside.

W6 Pune - OK,
W6 Nagpur- Braking issue,
W8 Nagpur - Suspension issue.

BTW, how much time does it require to get maps on GPS ?? Once it took over 5 mins. While twice, I didn't see any map at all. The pics have been taken of it. Will upload it.

 

[raj_5004]

The major problem is we need to pump the brakes & brakes are quite slow. Infact, there is significant response delay between W6 & W8.

Yes, the brakes of XUV are spongy and give that pseudo feeling that it is slow. You need to push the brake pedal a lot further than in other cars. I believe M&M has addressed this issue with the new Galfer brake pads.

The W8 has issues with suspension, found it to be quite stiff & vibrations were felt inside.

My family had the same complaint, only to later realize that the tyre pressure was much more than recommended. If you want, lower the tyre pressure by 1-2 psi than recommended.

BTW, how much time does it require to get maps on GPS ?? Once it took over 5 mins. While twice, I didn't see any map at all. The pics have been taken of it. Will upload it.

In my car, it takes about 10-30 seconds. Check if you can upgrade your infotainment to the latest firmware. You will also get the OBD facility on your smartphone in the latest firmware.

 

[S Class]

Yes, the brakes of XUV are spongy and give that pseudo feeling that it is slow. You need to push the brake pedal a lot further than in other cars. I believe M&M has addressed this issue with the new Galfer brake pads.

Ok. Will rectify this in coming servicing.

My family had the same complaint, only to later realize that the tyre pressure was much more than recommended. If you want, lower the tyre pressure by 1-2 psi than recommended.

In our case, the tyre pressure in W6 & W8 was same but W8 had vibrations coming inside even on small rough patch of tar road, where even Verna sailed smoothly. On same road, no such issue in W6. So it has to be issue with W8 suspension.

In my car, it takes about 10-30 seconds. Check if you can upgrade your infotainment to the latest firmware. You will also get the OBD facility on your smartphone in the latest firmware.

Hmm, seems this is the only solution. BTW, what is OBD ? Sorry buddy, my bad.

 

[raj_5004]

Hmm, seems this is the only solution. BTW, what is OBD ? Sorry buddy, my bad.

OBD = On Board Diagnostics

For more info on the app -

Mahindra introduces Blue Sense App, Android App for XUV500

 

[singh890]

Re: Tata Safari Storme Road Test Drive Review

And yes i will make a list of all the niggles reported and get those things checked thoroughly on the first service which is around the corner.

And talking about niggles i have one to report from our DRACO. And it's the famous grinding noise while using the brakes but it is not effecting my braking ability. And sound comes only upto speed of 50 kms. And actually it's more of ghir ghir kinda thing that you feel more than the sound.

So i did go to the dealership and told them about the noise and this was my first dealership exp. which was really good and i was happy by the service provided.

I was told that our XUV has the old pads and new batch of pads was out in December. So the SA asked if i wanted to drop my car but i refused since i had to be somewhere. Then he asked me if i want someone to pick and drop my XUV next day.

I told him that i will get it done on our first service which should be in next 2 weeks.

Besides that i have nothing else to report.

Well DRACO went in for the first service and everything went well, will post my experience on the ownership thread.
Just want to update on the niggle that i had reported earlier. During the service they have cleaned the brakes and that grinding noise has vanished. Though the RM has told me that if i get that noise back then they will replace the pads.

 

[raj_5004]

The fall is the sales numbers of the XUV5OO is the talk of the town after the sales figures came by. It sold a mere 3100 units in March 2013. Reasons as I assume is -

1) Increase in tax on SUVs making the XUV costlier
2) The recall having a negative impact on prospective buyers
3) Threads and articles on niggles of the XUV on the internet

I think this is the reason M&M has planned to launch the 2 new variants. A cheaper variant can definitely boost the sales.

 

[Superbad]

The fall is the sales numbers of the XUV5OO is the talk of the town after the sales figures came by. It sold a mere 3100 units in March 2013. Reasons as I assume is -

1) Increase in tax on SUVs making the XUV costlier
2) The recall having a negative impact on prospective buyers
3) Threads and articles on niggles of the XUV on the internet

I think this is the reason M&M has planned to launch the 2 new variants. A cheaper variant can definitely boost the sales.

the alternative (duster) has much better ride quality than XUV too can be attributed to it .

that apart the niggles are equal in both the vehicles and the apathy from of A$$ from renault is documented everywhere.

also compared to the launch prices the prices as of now, the pricing strategy on diesel,might seem to have an impact on it.

 

[S Class]

OBD = On Board Diagnostics

For more info on the app -

Mahindra introduces Blue Sense App, Android App for XUV500

Thanks buddy.

The fall is the sales numbers of the XUV5OO is the talk of the town after the sales figures came by. It sold a mere 3100 units in March 2013. Reasons as I assume is -

1) Increase in tax on SUVs making the XUV costlier

Though agree to some extent, I don't think it is main reason. M & M had hiked prices last year even when excise wasn't hiked & still it managed good nos. The duster has hiked prices by 1L in past few months, and still sales figs are good & 1L for duster means more hike in price %age wise.

2) The recall having a negative impact on prospective buyers

Agreed. Know 2 persons who have cancelled XUV because of this early this year because of niggles (this was pre-budget & price was less).

3) Threads and articles on niggles of the XUV on the internet

Again +1.

I think this is the reason M&M has planned to launch the 2 new variants. A cheaper variant can definitely boost the sales.

Though it is good for M & M, it may well kill scorpio vlx.

the alternative (duster) has much better ride quality than XUV too can be attributed to it .

Don't think so as duster is 5 seater & power is very less (majority duster sales are of 85 ps hopeless engine from micra),

that apart the niggles are equal in both the vehicles and the apathy from of A$$ from renault is documented everywhere.

+1 & it is for this reason I like Hyundai & Maruti at lower end.

also compared to the launch prices the prices as of now, the pricing strategy on diesel,might seem to have an impact on it.

But if diesel pricing is only criterion, then all diesels sales should fall. This is not the case with sedans where there is still waiting for about 3 weeks for Elantra diesel. Even VW is selling diesels than petrol, at lower end Honda is coming with Amaze, again betting on 1.5L idtec diesel engine.

I overall feel, that the honeymoon with SUVs in India is over. SUVs in future will be bought by those who really need it than those who buy for show-off & drive in city. I am not seeing any new Fortuners either on roads these days, nor Endys & Captivas. Only new SUVs which I see near my residence these days are Range Rovers & these are generally 3rd or 4th vehicle & seldom used.

## The sales diff between Storme & XUV has narrowed. Another reason for less sales of XUV can be Storme too.

 

[manojodungat]

## The sales diff between Storme & XUV has narrowed. Another reason for less sales of XUV can be Storme too.

have a look this, the sales figures of XUV and the combined effort of safari + storme

 

[S Class]

have a look this, the sales figures of XUV and the combined effort of safari + storme
View attachment 87750

If you observe closely, it is sales of Safari which must have fallen, while Storme increased. Even if safari+storme is less than XUV, Storme is having better growth while XUV is declining, so is safari.

Source - My logic.

 

[manojodungat]

If you observe closely, it is sales of Safari which must have fallen, while Storme increased.

I too think rather wish so.
BTW,in Jan 2013 a total number of 2045 storme+ safari were sold,then 1082 and 1078.Earlier in Dec 2013 there were 1374 numbers sold.

Its Duster + Innova + Scorpio doing the damage here for XUV, I guess. With Scorpio VLX AT available and Scorpio SLE too joing the 4x4 league now and the arrival of Duster 4x4 + Ecosport top end, would certainly give XUV a tough time ahead. Nissan too planning to join the party with its version of Duster and a more than capable crossover, Nissan Qashqai.Good time ahead for the customers.

Mahindra seems to be increasing the price of its products including XUV in the recent past.So such a market response is inevitable.

XUV500 Ex-showroom Prices (in Rs.) Bangalore
W6 FWD 1,226,918
W8 FWD 1,387,937
W8 AWD 1,499,507
source:http://www.mahindraxuv500.com/product/price.aspx

 

[dharmesh]

Just a wild guess that People are waiting for ES as well.

 

[Vishwas]

Just a wild guess that People are waiting for ES as well.

Quite agree with this, but seems like ES fiercely competes with Duster first.

 

[dharmesh]

Quite agree with this, but seems like ES fiercely competes with Duster first.

Agree, but people in India will also start comparing ES with XUV and Storme same they did with Duster. So for them all are same, but ES is cheaper than XUV.