I could be tempted by a new 76 Series Toyota, but not by a Defender. I just don't fit into Defenders. The Toyota would need mods to keep me happy, especially in the rear track department.
Having said that, if I was in a 76 Series I would always be envious of every Defender I saw.
I might just have to keep the old Rangie and update it as I go.
I think that bloke's pretty fair in his assessment actually. Rarely are people so unbiased. I don't know much about the MB or the Jeep, but as for the other two I find little with which to disagree.
I seem to remember that of the seven MBGs six required replacement shocks and one of those was the mil spec ute.Quote:
Originally Posted by MBZ460
Seems to be confirmed here: http://www.caradvice.com.au/131418/m...utback/http://
This link works for me:
Mercedes-Benz G-Class broken by the Australian Outback |*CarAdvice
The sad truth is no what he says is best, or most capable he wet for the pig because it's reliable.
Uncomfortable, under braked, handles poorly....but reliable
If the other manufactures took not of that they may sell half of what Toyota sell.
How would a Defender with either the 5 cylinder 3.2 litre version of the Ford TDCi Puma engine, or the twin turbo 3 litre TDV6 engine & gearbox from the Discovery 4 sound? NENE Overland have done both. Admittedly, they have have created these vehicles for speed, and set up the suspension for same, and there was a fair bit of modifying re engine mounts, sump etc, but a defender with a 5 cylinder 3.2 litre engine, sounds good to me Bob
I can't comment on the Jeep or G Wagon, but I've had a brand new 75 series Toy, and now the new Puma.
Straight out of the box the Puma wins hands down on just about everything.
Although there's a few years difference between the two, the Toy had mechanical concerns straight up in both the diff and the motor, and as he suggested, rough to ride in, and lacked braking.
The Puma had an elecrical issue, but so far (touch wood) no mechanical issues.
In buying Land Rover, changing out suspension, as new, is the last thing I want to do, but time will tell on that I guess, but I would suspect over time to "have" to do it with any vehicle. In driving the Toy out of the dealers, when I arrived home suggested I would have to change it just for comfort "on road" (and a straight run from Albury to Brissy confirmed it,, ouch)
Let's remember that when the G-Wagen was developed, as a military vehicle, no one wanted it. The Germans preferred the VW Iltis to the MB. Here it didn't perform to the Land Rovers standard (plus perhaps a reluctance to buy an Axis vehicle). Slowly it got a foot hold in military markets (like Greece) and eventually by MB persistence spread. Originally the G-Wagen ABS was reported on as being out right dangerous on gravel, something Land Rover managed to get right.
I think that's a good marketing plan by MB. Take ambulances for example, not many manufacturers wanted to design an ambulance for a small market. MB did with the Sprinter Ambulance, they sold handfuls to various services, but the word grew and it's become a default ambulance. When you can't make a decision about what ambulance to buy, decide on what everyone else has.