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The comfort of strangers
Page 78
Page 79
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Specification This week's subject is an example of the range that gave the worthy but staid MAN brand a welcome boost on its arrival.
It hardly seems five minutes since the TG-A range made its UK debut, but the example reviewed is actually one of the later versions. The LX comes with a narrow cab and high roof; this example is a 6x2 mid-lift tractor with the 410hp engine rating.
Transmission is the standard ZF 16-speeder with range-change and splitter.The biggest novelty of MAN's installation is Comfort Shift which, once moving, transfers clutch operating duties from the left foot to the left thumb via a button on the gear knob.
The chassis comes with a Big-D sliding fifth wheel and 480-litre alloy fuel tank, while the cab incorporates a full air-management kit as standard.
Condition
CN 51 TPO comes direct from contract hire with a company in Port Talbot, where it was used for hauling liquid gas.As seems usual, pre-sale rectification on this TG-A will be carried out as and when a buyer comes along.
From a couple of paces away, it looks very presentable but close-up inspection reveals a few blemishes from its two years' service.
The front-facing surfaces,both plastic and glass, have suffered from a degree of stoneblasting and the front corners and wheel arches show minor surface evidence of operating in tight corners.
The rear mudguards have varying amounts of wear from contact with the tyres — the worst over the left lift axle has left a couple of significant holes. Both tyres on the left of the drive axle need immediate replacement, but the remaining half-dozen have plenty of life left in them.
Inside, the otherwise high standard is only marred by a number of small burn holes in the cushions of both seats, all the more strange as the ashtrays appear unused.
Neither bunk appears to have seen any use at all. With the exception of the electric mirrors, which we couldn't cajole into action, and some play in the backrest hinges of the driving seat, everything else in the cab seemed as good as new.
Driving
Driving a truck equipped with Comfort Shift demands a good memory—you have to remember to use it, and then you have to remember not to use it when coming to a stop!
That said, the TG-A is a joy to drive and our example proved no exc,eption.The driveline is still well within that golden period between the tightness of a brand new system and the slop of old age.
Only a problem with the lumbar support moving around in the seat dampened the experience.A half-hour mixture of town and motorway driving failed to reveal any dynamic shortcomings of any sort.
Bottom line
Cornparing the MAN's offer price with the CAP value is easy, as the two correspond exactly. MV Trucks says that all of the faults noted would be rectified prior to its sale under the MAN-ERF Group's new warranty product, MAN Diesel,backed by Warranty Holdings. Six months' cover would be included in the asking price, with an extension up to 36 months available.
And if you're really quick off the mark, there's still a month or so of the manufacturer's original warranty in hand.