G Wagen in the outback - Not so smooth sailing...

[Sharky]

Seems Mercedes is struggling with conditions in it's trip across the centre.

http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/updated-outback-cripples-mercedesbenzs-toughest-offroaders-20110805-1ie5s.html

Perhaps this is to be expected with unmodified vehicles...  Either way it's not a good look. There's a bunch of not too complimentary comments at the bottom of the page which are worth a read, too.

 

[seqfisho]

Funny how they are claiming to be a first time crossing by a vehicle manufacturer, I believe Land Rover did it back in the late 90's following the footsteps of the Clavert expedition.

I also noticed that the Army is taking delivery of some modified G Wagens, probably to replace the ageing 110 fleet, they may wish to rethink their purchase after these results.

Doesn't really look like they consulted the right "experts" as I'm sure most would recommend spare shocks for that trip.

Quote from SMH article

"Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific managing director Horst von Sanden admits the cars have been put through a lot of pain.

"When we undertook this journey we were well aware of the punishment that the vehicles would endure," he says. "We put in place a group of very experienced Outback operators who have the expertise and logistical knowledge to cover off any eventuality."


Luckily they have the dollars to fly spares from anywhere, but if it we you or I we would be called idiots.

[Black Diamond]

Thats a pissa     Gotta love their quote 'You cant make an omelette without braking an egg' 
or that they are rapt with the way they resolved it, $5000 dollars later 

[Heiny]

I wonder if any grey nomads in a 'Cruiser towing a van stopped to help

peterwalker58 - August 05, 2011, 9:29AM


I would like to see the condition a van after it had been along the CSR

"When we undertook this journey we were well aware of the punishment that the vehicles would endure," he says. "We put in place a group of very experienced Outback operators who have the expertise and logistical knowledge to cover off any eventuality.

Yet they did not take spare shocks

Goes to show why you need to carry spares when travelling in remote locations, unless you have a spare 5k to fly them in!

[Moto Mech]

I like the comment underneath- i wonder if any gray nomads towing their van behind a cruiser stopped to help.......

[Squalo]

Like train timetables planned by people who drive company cars to work, this trip was obviously meticulously planned by MB marketing people whose idea of offroading is getting their M-series into the weekender after a bit of rain 

It's probably fair to say that there's no off the showroom floor vehicle that would do the same trip without busting something, although the Landcruisers and Patrols would be the most likely to make it through unscathed - and really, it comes down to how you drive the thing more than how tough it is. It's certainly a great PR opportunity for another manufacturer to go and do the same trip without a failure but I doubt whether any will take it up.

[Cloud Basher]

Interesting.  I am not going to defend MB, but it is all to easy to jump on the bash MB bandwagon.  I would think very few, if any, factory shock absorbers would handle the CSR with the vehicle fully loaded.  Especially on a trip where they have a deadline to meet and they were probably driving to a timeline and not conditions. 

Hardly a reason that I would not buy one of these vehicles. If it was then no one would buy a Land Rover!!! 

The aircon not working, well I would want to know the reason for that, but I had a failure of my aircon on my hunjy (mind you that was after 180'000 kms.  The busted spare wheel carriers, well I know of two brands of aftermarket wheel carriers that have had, and one that continues to have, "epic failures", but their advertising is very schmick.  Just something that one would consider when thinking of buying one of these vehicles.  Remember they are all mechanical and WILL break.  Hopefully for MB's sake they will look at maybe a few changes to their Aussie spec vehicles fixing these issues so when one parts with the equivalent money of a small house for one, the end user can decide to take it across the CSR or elsewhere with as much confidence as any other vehicle.

No I don't own a MB and never will (well not one of their 4WD's, and will only own one of their cars if I win lotto), but to me, it is actually hats off to MB for being upfront about any issues and dealing with it.  I hope the rest of their trip goes smoothly.

But then again, I am a cup half full type of guy...

Cheers
CB

[Sharky]

I agree CB. They are being up front about the issues they are having.
I do think that MB were undoubtedly being over ambitious in attempting such a trip without any modifications. Interesting that the Ute version is the closest spec to the vehicles being purchased for the Australian Army. It's the one that's still ticking along nicely.

The G wagen has a good rep from Europe so they must have some level of capability. Just an interesting way of demonstrating it!