Blog: Travelling from Sth Africa to Europe in a PUMA

[spudboy]

Came across this exellent blog done by a Victorian couple driving their PUMA 110 from S/Africa up to Europe.

TURKEY | Tincaninafrica



Contrary to what a lot here might think (about taking a PUMA through Africa) they have a very trouble free journey. I'll paste in a paragraph below of all the issues they had with the car (basically the AirCon stopped working and that was it).

Cost them $40,000. Took them about 7 months.

Cheers
David

• Total kilometres travelled: 30,639
• Total fuel used (litres): 3,304
• Average fuel consumption: 10.8l/100kms
• Average fuel cost: $1.36/litre

We had the following mechanical problems:
• Engine problems: Zero. (Never missed a beat or failed to start once. (Temperature never rose above “normal” once despite 50*C+ road temperatures at times).
• Chassis problems: Zero
• Drive train problems, UV joints etc: Zero
• Wheel bearing failures: Zero
• Shock absorber failures: Zero
• Oil seals blown: Zero
• Bushes failing: Zero
• Rear wheel brake disc protector plates shattering around bolt holes due to constant vibration. 2 (Welded up in Rwanda. Cost $30 (Could have been more serious if had taken out the ABS sensors, but luckily didn’t).
• Air-conditioning failure: 1
(Still doesn’t work. Attempted repair in Nairobi Kenya unsuccessful – lasted 1 day! Cost $130. A real pain especially in Sudan and Egypt, but probably helped us acclimatise to the heat)?
• Electrical problems: Zero (Although we suspect the air-conditioning issue is electrical as it blows fuses)?
• Mirrors shaking loose on mountings: 2
• Doorhandles shaking loose: 2
• Windscreen breakages: 1 (Due to a little s**t in Namibia with a stone in his hand).
• Punctures: 1
The following servicing took place:
• Full 10,000km services & oil change: 2
(Maun Botswana and Nairobi Kenya. Another service now due in UK)
* Oil change (Greece) 1
• Fuel filters: 2
• Air filters: 2
• Differential oil changed at 50,000km in Nairobi (found to look black)? 1

Land Rover fans will be happy to hear that the Toyota Landcruiser of Fabio and Aneke that we travelled with over much of the same distance experienced:
• A complete failure of the intermediate shaft and oil seals between gearbox and transfer case requiring repairs at Toyota in Khartoum.
• Leaking oil seals on transfer case.
• Sheared off rear wheel studs.
• Fuel filter sucking in air causing engine to die intermittently.
• Front shock absorber leakage and failure (Australian Old Man Emu’s they were, which caused some embarrassment)!
• Auxiliary Battery failure.
(But then it must be said that their Toyota had 120,000kms on the clock, our Defender only 50,000).

[newhue]

lucky buggers, good on them.

[jakeslouw]

They took the easy route. The left hand side is a LITTLE more tricky !

Also they went in autumn and winter: less rain on the east coast.

But I reckon those were clever choices.

Some mad Hollanders did the same route, but in reverse, in a 1969 VW Kombi last year for the Soccer World Cup..... die kaaskoppe is mal!

[muddys1]

I notice that they are wearing general grabbers, or is this another pic ?

[Drover]

Go the mighty PUMA

[Xtreme]

Observed on a trip a few months ago that almost 1/3rd of the African tour companies are now using Puma's.

[NT5224]

Thats just awesome - go the 'Tin Can' !

jakeslouw:
"They took the easy route. The left hand side is a LITTLE more tricky"

you're picking nits mate! Its a great achievement either route

Cheers

Alan

[MTB]

I notice that they are wearing general grabbers, or is this another pic ?

They did - until they wore out and then they got some BFG All Terrain's in Kenya.

[newlandyowner]

Trip of a lifetime!! Bloody good setup and blog as well!

[Xtreme]

They took the easy route. The left hand side is a LITTLE more tricky !

Also they went in autumn and winter: less rain on the east coast.

But I reckon those were clever choices.

Some mad Hollanders did the same route, but in reverse, in a 1969 VW Kombi last year for the Soccer World Cup..... die kaaskoppe is mal!

Spoke to a couple a few weeks ago who had just taken 12 months to travel the entire African west coast in a 300Tdi - amazing stories.
They are now travelling Oz until about April 2013 so keep an eye out for them and say G'day if you spot them.