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ITS WE
Page 43
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With the market starved of late-year, low-mileage, analogue-tacho tractor units, we could hardly overstate the demand for a used Mercedes-Benz Actros MegaSpace. So is it really worth its weight in gold?
Now in its fourth year, the secondgeneration Mercedes-Benz Actros MP2 is the sort of late-year, lowmileage. analogue-tacho tractor the road transport industry craves -particularly with the MegaSpace cab.
Since the millennium, Mercedes-Benz has transformed its used truck operation by remarketing the cream of its rolling stock back through its dealer network. M-B doesn't chase many CVs outside the steady stream of buy-backs, contract hire and leasing deals returning to its Used Commercial Vehicle Centre in South Yorkshire, but the reputation of those returnees means its affiliated dealers don't go short of high-quality stock.
The remarketing move has successfully lifted residual values, restricted openmarket access to M-B vehicles and made the used truck operation a vital part of DaimlerChrysler's set-up in the UK.
And spearheading the campaign is the Actros.Yes, there were some reliability issues with early examples; that was the downside to pioneering advanced electronics. But that technology set the trend for the rest to follow and reliability isn't a problem with new or used models on the market today.
Now in its 11th year of production,and still one of only three flat-floored motors on the market, the Actros is ably supported by the Axor, which became its fleet option in 2002.
AY53 FEJ was the first of the M P2 Actroses to hit the road in 2003.1t was registered in October that year with well-known haulier Hanbury Davies and hauled containers for three years to clock up 370,000km an average of just over 120,000km a year.
This example is a 6x2 2546 MegaSpace with a Euro-3,12-litre MB5OILA V6 producing 456hp and 2,200Nm and driving through the manual Tel ligen t 16-speed transmission.
One key feature distinguishing the MP2s from their predecessors, other than looks, is the air tank neatly tucked away between the chassis rails behind the axles.This has made space for two alloy fuel tanks holding 735 litres between them.rlbere is an air-assisted fifth-wheel slider but some of the slots were painted over so we couldn't achieve the ideal position for close coupling to gain optimum air management.
AY53 FEJ was financed with DaimlerChrysler on a direct buy-back agreement, or you might have seen it on offer at the Hanbury Riverside dealer outlet. As you can imagine, white wasn't its fleet colour...
It has an M-B logged service history although Han bury Davies looked after its inspections. So with the late-year,low-mileage. analogue-tacho issue in mind, price is the next consideration.The vehicle has been valued at £33,000 (ex-VAT) by M-B, compared with a CAP retail tag of £29,750.
Productivity
We have adapted our used truck test route to incorporate more A-roads on the first section, taking the AS from the M6 right through to Telford before joining the M54 westbound.