Thread: Mahindra pick-up compared to a Puma Defender

Great info caffe latte, interesting.


There are a few cheaper brands emerging, Mahindra is making a come back, as is the Great Wall in a newer shape and now there is Haval. The original Tata's gave the cheaper brands a bad name and weren't much chop. I honestly haven't heard of any real reliability dramas with the Mahindras and if they do a utility along the lines of the XUV500 wagon then I think it will be a marked improvement on the look of the model you have, I think it was a look that you either loved or hated.







I wouldn't mind getting my hands on all of these cheaper brands and taking them on a decent test and comparing them. I've found your info interesting, thanks.

Originally Posted by Ace

Great info caffe latte, interesting.


There are a few cheaper brands emerging, Mahindra is making a come back, as is the Great Wall in a newer shape and now there is Haval. The original Tata's gave the cheaper brands a bad name and weren't much chop. I honestly haven't heard of any real reliability dramas with the Mahindras and if they do a utility along the lines of the XUV500 wagon then I think it will be a marked improvement on the look of the model you have, I think it was a look that you either loved or hated.







I wouldn't mind getting my hands on all of these cheaper brands and taking them on a decent test and comparing them. I've found your info interesting, thanks.

Thanks
The New Mahindra ute look similar to mine, but it is better. Saying that with a bullbar on I still have difficulty deciding if a Toyota 76 series is coming in the opposite direction or a Mahindra until I can see the badge so with a bullbar is it very similar to a Toyota in looks.
I actually did test the Mahindra in some serious off road and creek crossings in my farm against my Defender and it performed amazing actually just as well as the Defender. IMO the Defender was in really serious off road conditions ie needing all the clearance and 45 degrees roll angle (I would poo myself at 25 degrees probably anyway) then the Defender would win. Actually re roll angle I am not sure what the Mahindra is, I know the approach angle is good though.
Chris

I said I would post if something failed or broke before it should.. The rear nearside back spring rubber bush needs replacing. I inspected all the spring bushes and they are all fine except this one and the rubber is perfect on all the bushes ie not cracked, still like new, but this bush looks old and perished. All I can think is it was just a bad bush, old stock mixed up with new as the difference is a 10 year old lump of rubber to new stock.
That is the bad bit, the good bit was when I went to buy new bushes It seems that Mahindra Pik up bushes are the same part as Land Cruiser bushes . I said to the guy in the shop, maybe they will be better quality than the Indian Mahindra genuine? The bloke behind the counter said he thought not. I asked why, he showed the the inpint of a maker on the genuine Toyota bush and he said these bushes are made for Toyota in India and it is probably the same company that Makes the Mahindra one . He went on to say that actually the Indian made bushes are the best. I wonder what other parts will be shared with other makes? Wheel bearings, belts etc?
Anyway it cost me 10 bucks for enough bushes to do one whole spring both ends, but I will probably just change the perished bush as the others really are perfect.
Annoying the bush went, but it is very minor and hopefully that will be it, fingers crossed.
Cheers
Chris

Seems to be the way of the World, nowadays. The Panel beater I just had my Disco to for some rust removal has a Great Wall UTE. From the doors back, he says HOLDEN Colorado parts can be used,and the engine is a well known NISSAN variant. Cost him $ 7,000, only a couple of years old. I have to take his word for it, he is a Land Rover enthusiast, he wouldn't have me on.

Anyway, in the latest Overlander Magazine, the buyers guide has the Defender prices starting at $ 47,500 for a basic 110, up to $ 68,900 for a 110 adventure ED, what ever that is. The Mahindra PIK-UP range of 4 vehicles starts at $ 24,990 up to $ 26,990 , drive away. I will be following your posts closely, hope you keep us informed. Sounds like better value for my son than the Suziki he is thinking about, the Jimny, which starts at $ 20,990, but has 1328 cc's compared to 2179 with the turbo charged Mahindra.

Originally Posted by bob10

Seems to be the way of the World, nowadays. The Panel beater I just had my Disco to for some rust removal has a Great Wall UTE. From the doors back, he says HOLDEN Colorado parts can be used,and the engine is a well known NISSAN variant. Cost him $ 7,000, only a couple of years old. I have to take his word for it, he is a Land Rover enthusiast, he wouldn't have me on.

Anyway, in the latest Overlander Magazine, the buyers guide has the Defender prices starting at $ 47,500 for a basic 110, up to $ 68,900 for a 110 adventure ED, what ever that is. The Mahindra PIK-UP range of 4 vehicles starts at $ 24,990 up to $ 26,990 , drive away. I will be following your posts closely, hope you keep us informed. Sounds like better value for my son than the Suziki he is thinking about, the Jimny, which starts at $ 20,990, but has 1328 cc's compared to 2179 with the turbo charged Mahindra.

He wont go wrong with a Mahindra, and he might be able to snag a demonstrator for quite a few grand less too. I have just got home from a trip to Townsville, I went over night with the caravan to the rifle range as they where shooting the longs. It is around 4 hours back to Ravenshoe with the van on a 16 foot 90's Jaco which it manages no trouble at all along with all our gear too. At least with the Mahindra he can tow if he wants too.
They are the closest thing I have driven to the newer Puma Defender. The only mod I would insist on (I will be doing mine) is if you are going to do a lot of towing change the rear springs they are too hard. On the road you dont notice it, actually it is a great ride, but towing it is just a little too bouncy, IMO the stock standard springs go too quickly onto the megga stiff helper sping ie normal use you have suspension, but put a load on and you are riding on an inch thick flat bar. The canvas seat covers are a great buy too, I hated the pattern on the seat so the canvas covers fixed that and so far they have been dog proof.
They seem to be becoming more popular too, there was three in town the other day not including mine, two single cabs and a dual cab the singles looked like station cars. I asked one guy how his was going, he told me he loved it and he said " It gets a flogging" which I believe as it was filthy.
If I do hear any negatives from other owners or have anything break I will post it here.
Chris

Hey Chris.
How are you getting along with your Mahindra? Still all good I hope.

The crash worthiness is a bit of a worry compared to Defender...

Cheers

Ps some hope for next model

http://www.caradvice.com.au/414080/m...-and-interior/

Found these couple of topics on 4X4Earth in regards to Mahindra:


Mahindra Pik-up dual Cab, 2012

Show us your Mahindra