Mahindra pick-up compared to a Puma Defender

cafe latte · 3rd April 2016, 06:46 AM

Originally Posted by justinc

Great write up Chris and its good you have a 'backyard' testing facility☺

What can you tell us about the 'soul' of the Mahindra? I am equally impressed with 99% of my non landy other vehicle, a 2014 Dmax , however whatever my 110 lacks in many areas it has soul in abundance. Brings a smile to my dial that the ute can never do.

Jc ☺

You are not wrong, the Defender becomes part of the family

The Mahindra though is quirky different in the same way the Defender is to some degree, with the same odd but great upright seating position also there seems to be a Mahindra wave thing going on too! I doubt though people will cherish them the same way they cherish a Defender in 50 years, Defenders are quite special, I could never part with mine.
The missus still has not driven the Defender, but she drives the Mahindra, so the Defender is safe

Joking aside though the Mahindra for what it costs is stunning value and it does have some character, not Defender levels I agree, I think us Defender drivers are all a bit nuts, we must be to love Landies with all their odd quirks

Chris

**Grumbles** · 3rd April 2016, 07:20 AM

I have been a fan of the Mahindra for quite a while and am following your reports with great interest. Good on you for taking the time to do this.

What is your opinion of the headlights - particularly the low beam?

**cripesamighty** · 3rd April 2016, 09:40 AM

Hey Chris,

Thanks for doing the comparo. It's a great read. A friend of mine was looking at one of these as a basic work ute with a bit of off-roading thrown in. Quick question - does the 4WD setting/lockers turn themselves off if you say, stall it on a hill and then restart it? Just thinking safety issue or something else to remind yourself of after turning the engine off - like DSC in sand.

Cheers,

Cripesamighty

cafe latte · 3rd April 2016, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by Grumbles

I have been a fan of the Mahindra for quite a while and am following your reports with great interest. Good on you for taking the time to do this.

What is your opinion of the headlights - particularly the low beam?

Thanks,
I will let you know on Wednesday night re the lights as I will be driving it to the Fire Brigade training, I leave at 7pm and come home about 9.30pm.
Cheers
Chris

cafe latte · 3rd April 2016, 04:20 PM

Originally Posted by cripesamighty

Hey Chris,

Thanks for doing the comparo. It's a great read. A friend of mine was looking at one of these as a basic work ute with a bit of off-roading thrown in. Quick question - does the 4WD setting/lockers turn themselves off if you say, stall it on a hill and then restart it? Just thinking safety issue or something else to remind yourself of after turning the engine off - like DSC in sand.

Cheers,

Cripesamighty

I dont think so as the lockers have nothing to do with the engine, as far as I am aware they will stay in. The diff lock is an Eaton diff lock I might have a google.. I do know they come out at 30km/ h though.
Re the 4x4 switch it is worth mentioning if you are in 2wd low and you go to 4x4 it goes in instantly, but must be done stopped though and clutch should be depressed. When you put it back to 2wd the manual says to select 2wd and then go into reverse and depress the clutch. It either goes out back into 2wd instantly or it does it as soon as the car is in reverse, you dont need to actually reverse just select reverse for some reason, anyway it is quick and easy. I would rather a manual shift though. I did read you can fit manual locking hubs if you want
Other thing I am learning is the aircon is cccccoldd I really only ever need it on minimum on the low setting.
Cheers
Chris

**V8Ian** · 3rd April 2016, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by cafe latte

I dont think so as the lockers have nothing to do with the engine, as far as I am aware they will stay in. The diff lock is an Eaton diff lock I might have a google.. I do know they come out at 30km/ h though.
Re the 4x4 switch it is worth mentioning if you are in 2wd low and you go to 4x4 it goes in instantly, but must be done stopped though and clutch should be depressed. When you put it back to 2wd the manual says to select 2wd and then go into reverse and depress the clutch. It either goes out back into 2wd instantly or it does it as soon as the car is in reverse, you dont need to actually reverse just select reverse for some reason, anyway it is quick and easy. I would rather a manual shift though. I did read you can fit manual locking hubs if you want
Other thing I am learning is the aircon is cccccoldd I really only ever need it on minimum on the low setting.
Cheers
Chris

It unloads the gears. Friction will hold the teeth in mesh.

cafe latte · 3rd April 2016, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by V8Ian

It unloads the gears. Friction will hold the teeth in mesh.

Ah ok I wondered why

Cheers
Chris

**Saitch** · 4th April 2016, 11:05 AM

Just did 3 days at Kroombit Tops N.P. accompanied by the Mahindra. Other than the aforementioned clearance issue (it gave the tow bar & I mean bar, not goose neck, a few hefty thumps) it performed well.
A couple of times I noticed the Eaton rear locker kick in. A decent bit of kit, that.
The tracks were easy to moderate with just half a dozen or so places where I engaged the CDL mainly due to steep inclines/declines with round, tennis ball size rocks.
If any one wants a nice weekend or longer away, with a bit of 4wding, then Kroombit is quite nice. Maybe a bit too far for any one South of the border for a weekend. From where I am, just NW of Brissie to the camp site (Griffiths Creek) took just under 9 hours.
I did have a chat to a bloke from Mackay with a very nice Defender at the park entry so maybe take off 10 or 15 mins.
Steve