My first Scorpio review

This was an article I wrote in May 2010 just when I sold my first Scorpio.

In the past 4 years I drove my Scorpio SLX (the model without the pata-suspension) over 185000Km, and suprisingly, a few 'repeating issues' came up over this distance. I finally sold it last week and am waiting for the delivery of the VLX-BS IV, of which M&M and Global Gallarie keep changing the delivery dates.

0. Music system removed within first 500Km and replaced with a standard Pioneer head unit and standard 6x9 Pioneer speakers encased in floor mounted boxes. This remains a sore point ever since they reinforced the rear portion above the back door and prevented you from installing 5x8s.

1. Rear suspension bushings every 25-28K Km. Cost of replacement 8-8,500/- The rear of the vehicle starts to sway at speeds over a 100, and it gets worse over the next 2K Km, that you cant even drive on a open city road over 50Kmph. Replacing the bushes was the only answer, and there was no solution to this over the past 4 years. The wheel bearings stood up to the use/abuse and ever had to 'open' the suspension, well other than to replace the bearings.

2. Clutch - every 25,000Km till when at 80,000 (third clutch) they said the company had revised the design/material/vendor... after which the next clutch change was at 145000.

3. Bridgestone tires (first set lasted 65K Km). Apollo- big mistake- 35000, then Bridgestone for the next 50K, and currently on Bridgestone. But the front tires in both brands aquaplaned at 40+ speeds, and if you 'splashed water,' the front tires threw up water on ones own windshield. I wonder which joker from M&M checked the front air dam design to enable this?

4. Amazingly personal service from Nagaur in Rajasthan to Cochin to Sriganganagar, and Amrtisar to Indore. This is the MAIN reason I am buying the same vehicle again.

5. Diesel average was between consistent between 8.4 to 8.8 KmpL. But to give credit to more reasonable driving, when the wife drove it over the first Lavasa Womens Rally, she managed to eke out 13.5KmpL. M&M should design the tank to have a range of 700Km for it to be a real nice tourer.

6. One Bosch fuel injector blown at 22500Km. AC Compressor replaced at 90000Km, but no issues ever on that count. Both were replaced at company cost under the extended warranty. BTW- The AC--Chilled, instant, on-demand, immaterial of external environment vagaries.

7. Electrical system perfect. Never a blown fuse.

8. Poor wiper blades, replaced with Bosch blades, every monsoon. Body panels, rubber linings- perfect- never a leak in Mumbai monsoons.

9. Seat fabric prone to staining even with the 'sweat' from cold water bottles.

10. One irritating cross-member under the front seats that prevents the middle seat passenger from 'extending his feet atleast another 3-4 inches. Poor design for making a seat brace.

11. Excellent mirrors at all speeds.

12. Speeds- The new vehicle did 155+ when gunned, but settled down to a highway max of 135... It would run faster than that to about 150, but IMHO 130-135 was where it just about would stop talking to the road. The only thing that would hamper speeds was the clogging of the air filter, which would really impair acceleration and limit the top speed to <100Kmph. Change filter, instant 'back to normal' performance.

13. Body/Paint- Zero complaints. No fade or deforming, no loose panels, no peeling/flaking seen anywhere.

14. Final - First gear started to slip under load, the 1st and 3rd gear sprockets were 'eaten' to shreds. Rs. 16,000 to open the gear box, replace the 2 gears + the main shaft.

14. Repeat. Across the nation- prompt and amazing service.

Anyone with notes like this on the new mHawk-Scorpio?

Images- Poonch to Cochin are being prepped, and will be up over the weekend for those interested.

Regards,

KD.