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The Common Man's MUV

A Review by Capt. V.S. Kartik on Mahindra Bolero SLX 2WD
22 November, 2007 (Last Updated: 22 November, 2007)


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Model Rating  :   11 reviews
Version Rating:   3 reviews
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Overall
Pros : Great Value for money. Simple no-frills vehicle that performs adequately.
Cons : External engine noise could be muffled
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Take an all-terrain suspension, with extra large wheels, add power steering, power windows, boosted A/C and a seven-seater capacity - no other make or model on the Indian roads offers these features at such a moderate price. The fuel efficiency is as good as any other vehicle in the SUV/MUV bracket. Moreover, this vehicle is shorter in length and thinner in width than almost all other competitors - requiring less space in  traffic and while parking. Even the ground clearance is on the higher side allowing one to confidently negotiate those potholes found on almost every road.
It is important to view this vehicle for what it is and what it can do rather than descend to unfair comparisons. You cannot pay for a utilitarian vehicle and expect the amenities of high-end premium models.
There are only a few areas that need to be improved:
A. The base lining on the interior cabin floor is a clingy felt-like material that is very difficult to maintain clean and dust-free.
B. The standard issue floor mats are of poor quality.
C. Speakers of the sound system are poorly located (forward speakers are near the leg space of the forward seats).

But all this can be rectified by custom-made fittings at a cost that is a fraction of the amount saved in price-difference when buying this vehicle. In fact with a little thrift and resource-management, plus a careful appraisal of what we want/need against the array of accessories available in the market today - we can easily convert this vehicle into a comfortable haven catering to the particular needs of ourselves and that of our family.

Consider these additional favourable attributes:
1. Cheap repair and spare parts costs.
2. Panel type construction allows ready replacement of large body sections for minimum expense.
3. Metal re-inforced fender forward and behind together with the aluminium running boards all along the sides reduces chances of damage to the car body and affords an all-round protection to the inmates.

There are a few areas of concern:
1. In my city of Chennai, there are very few certified repair stations and not conveniently located.
2. This causes a lot of difficulty for owners for whom the car forms an integral part of their daily life - to send the car for servicing/repair for a whole day requires a whole lot of adjustments to routines/schedules etc.
3. There is a possibility of the repair stations having a backlog of vehicles which may result in your vehicle not being returned on time - easy to visualise what that would mean.
4. Spare parts are not readily available in the retail market which could delay repair works or servicing schedules.
5. After-sales service could definitely improve.

But on the whole a very impressive package for the associated price tag. Though I personally have this trait of changing vehicles once every 3-4 years, I like this one so much that at present I feel that I will dispose of it only if and when I am unable (due whatever reason) to maintain it the way I want to.



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17 Comment(s) on this Review

  1. on 23 Nov, 2007 at 07:36 PM Ardnerib

    Hi..
    is there any way if the engine sound of the new Bolero Di SLX can be muffuled so as to reduce the noise

  2. on 29 Nov, 2007 at 03:13 PM Dhanish Mathai (Kottayam)

    Dear Capt. V.S. Kartik,
    Being owner of 2007 Bolero, I've few questions for you. How comfortable is this vehicle for long drives with family - especially the middle seat?
    I guess I might also buy a SLE version soon.

  3. on 01 Dec, 2007 at 07:05 AM Reddy

    Hi chandrakanth here. I brought a SLE model in june.The most amazing thing is abt the mileage.......just guess...18+ on a hiway with ac on .....Im really suprised.I do agree tht engine noise should be somehow reduced ...overall its great and stylish
    And can someone suggest how 2 reduce the engine noise .

  4. on 02 Dec, 2007 at 07:27 AM Capt. V.S. Kartik (Chennai)

    For Ardnerib, Dhanish and Chandrakanth

    The cabin space in this vehicle is well insulated from noise. Thus the occupants of the MUV do not get affected by the noise - makes it easier to accept. Any other method such as cowling of the engine is expensive and honestly not worth the trouble.

    For Dhanish - the middle seat cannot be moved to adjust leg space or inclination - But is very comfortable. Insert a padded seat cover to increase comfort level to save original seat surface from wear and

  5. on 19 Dec, 2007 at 08:18 PM Spaceinteractive

    Hi All ,
    Looking to buy the SLX version . Seems like a no frill vehicle to me. Neat lines and good low stance unlike the Scorpio which rolls too much and people get tossed about. How is the middle row comfort of the vehicle . Suspension leaf spring in the rear is a concern as usually it is good only if the vehicle is overladen and very bouncy ride with lesser dead weight. Could anybody shed light on the actual ride quality as against Scorpio or qualis.

  6. on 19 Dec, 2007 at 08:19 PM Kedar Nadkarni (Mumbai)

    Hi All ,
    Looking to buy the SLX version . Seems like a no frill vehicle to me. Neat lines and good low stance unlike the Scorpio which rolls too much and people get tossed about. How is the middle row comfort of the vehicle . Suspension leaf spring in the rear is a concern as usually it is good only if the vehicle is overladen and very bouncy ride with lesser dead weight. Could anybody shed light on the actual ride quality as against Scorpio or qualis.

  7. on 14 Feb, 2008 at 05:07 AM Maheep Singh (Ludhiana)

    hi Ardnerib,i heard u said if there was a way to silence the diesel engine clatter,there is a way it does silence the engine to some extent and is also useful for the fuel pump of any diesel car/jeep.put about 300-500ml of 2stroke oil in the diesel tank when you fill the tank with diesel,the oil will work its way through the pump n lubricate its rings n valves n after a while of continual use(prefferably alternating)the sound of the typical diesel engine will silence down a bit,hope it helps

  8. on 04 Mar, 2008 at 02:02 PM Rtech

    Lets be practical here. On a regular passenger sedan, the fuel flows from the tank, through a filter, into the diesel pump and out of the injectors.

    Now, I may be wrong here, but the way I look at it is this.
    1. The fuel filter is not designed to deal with the viscosity of oil.
    2. Likewise, the injectors, where the nozzles are almost microscopic in size, are not designed to deal with the addition of oil to the mixture.

    So you may run the risk of clogging up your filter, fuel pump and

  9. on 11 Mar, 2008 at 01:15 AM Maheep Singh (Ludhiana)

    no pal,just ask urself about the ratio,i said to add about 300-500ml in about 40 litres??u'll get the benefit without any side effects.and the 2t oil is specially formulated to be very thin in density.any way u dont have to do it if u dont feel like it.i thought i had used in my practical life n got benefit out of it n shared it here,benefits i got included better starting(IDI engine),better pick-up n mileage n cleaner emissions.and sir who told u the the nozzles r microscopic?? they are not!!!

  10. on 11 Mar, 2008 at 01:22 AM Maheep Singh (Ludhiana)

    and this wa'snt a wild my own imagination idea i suddenly got one day while dreaming.i had many discussions with many experienced diesel mechanics,many years users of diesel vehicles,and all had a common opinion and advice?it was just an advice and not compulsion totally upto u either to follow or not,although diesel itself does hv lubricating properties,we dont always get very good quality fuel everywhere,its mostly adultrated0 mixed with kerosine/water,n would damage ur pump in the long run

  11. on 11 Mar, 2008 at 01:28 AM Maheep Singh (Ludhiana)

    and that was the reason products like system D and others were introduced in market to deal with these issues.i dint use these additives much but relied the time tested meathod of adding some 2t oil in diesel to deal with menace,i used this for 8long years without a single prob,superb pick up,the oil itself also cleans ur pump n nozzles while it circulates through the system.but u would feel it gradually not in just 1 fillup...maybe after 3-4.its my home remedy,thats all i gotta say,sir!!

  12. on 14 Mar, 2008 at 12:40 PM Shankar Balan (Bangalore)

    I completely appreciate Capt Kartiks point of view. I endorse the same. However my experience with M&M after sales service has been very good because they are well located in my city Bangalore and the service engineers are very helpful. But the Bolero is a GEM of a vehicle! Ive submitted a few suggestions for improvement in my review of the Bolero on this site and I hope M&M takes note of those! It is a fantastic jeep at the price!

  13. on 26 May, 2008 at 05:50 PM Shankar C Venkat (Mumbai)

    Capt. V.s. Kartik, Great Review. I am planning to go for a GLX model (used car). But i could not see any reviews of GLX models anywhere. Is it that they have stopped production of GLX version? Or it is that the GLX has been renamed as SLX? I test drove the vehicle yesterday. I liked the stability of the vehicle and the driving dynaimics is better than a 2005 model Safari. Yes, i do agree with you that the engine noise level is high decibel.

  14. on 18 Jun, 2008 at 10:37 AM Shankar C Venkat (Mumbai)

    I just picked up a Bolero GLX (Used Car). I have always been driving a TATA Sierra all these while. because, my wife feels its pretty safe to drive!! And she drives the vehicle pretty well too. I was apprehensive before i could zero in on the Bolero. I looked at all the options available in the market for an SUV/MUV. I went thro all the reviews here and that made me go for the Bolero. I liked the stability of the vehicle and the driving dynamics. It's a great vehicle for the price.

  15. on 03 Jul, 2008 at 03:51 PM Sanjeev Rai

    Hi this is sanjeev.i have a bolero glx,the first model bought nov 2000.i am very happy with this vehicle and don't want to sale.right now i am having some problem and i hope that you'll give a good suggestion.please help me cause i like this jeep alot.Problem is,nowadays pickup is very very slow.when i press axltr it races to much doesn't move fast feels very heavy.some said clutch problem & pump problem.can u tell me what to do,thank you.

  16. on 30 Jul, 2008 at 06:08 PM Maheep Singh (Ludhiana)

    This is 4 Sanjeev, problem could be worn out clutch plate, get it checked by mechanic, if it is then change the clutch plate and pressure plate as well, as new clutch plate might be damaged by old pressure plate, its a set and should not cost you more than 3000

  17. on 28 Sep, 2008 at 10:33 PM Praveen Thomas

    well. hi to all.i am praveen from kerala(calicut). i recently bought a used bolero sportz 2004 model.can some one suggest me what was the normal mileage that model used to give? also plz let me know what is the normal oil change duration for the vehicle
    But i agree to all of ur views that it is the gem of a vehicle. i really love my bolero

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