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OPERATOR FEEDBACK
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Isis Rescue, with bases at Oxford and Hoperoft Hat near Bicester, has been in the recovery business for 32 years. "We operate a workshop repair centre catering for cars and light commercials up to 3.5 tonnes," says owner Brian Weedon. "The breakdown service Is confined mainly to the Oxford area but recovery takes us all over the country. We have 18 vehicles.
"In the past we operated mostly !wean and then three years ago we started to change over to Mercedes-Benz and have bought nothing else since. I always thought Mercedes-Benz were too expensive. The prices have now come more into line. M-B trucks still cost a bit more than some of the other makes, but it is a price we have found is worth paying. The trucks are very reliable. We keep our vehicles for up to six years so in four years' time we will be almost exclusively a Mercedes-Benz fleet. We haven't got rid of any yet but the residuals are good—they will always be easier to sell then the lveco models.
'We have four Varies now. It's the biggest van chassis on the market. Our first was an R-reg. We bought two new and two are second-hand. All four have crew-cabs and are fitted with slidingbed bodywork which takes vehicles up to Transit size. With the crew-cab we can deliver the vehicle and its occupants in comfort to their destination. The cabs are strong but the Inside trim is a bit plasticky. The seats are good though and the drivers like to drive them. meet them to last us six years before we need to art to look for replacements: we will part(change them when the time comes. We also have in Atego, which has a larger cab and is heavier, but le narrower Vario is the right size for us to operate busy town and city centres. The engine has more Ian enough power for recovery work.
i: "We service the trucks ourselves but we have a relationship with Mudie Bond, our local dealer. It nges for our fitters to go on Mercedes-Benz aintenance courses. Parts are not badly priced—
they have become sensible, and In some cases cost less then the opposition's. The front grille comes off and gives a lot of space to work on the engine, although we haven't needed to do that. They have been very reliable. Some have air suspension at the rear, which can be deflated. It's very handy for loading, especially when we have a vehicle that has a low ground clearance. it also gives a softer ride than steel suspension and has been utterly reliable. We do go through a lot of brake discs and pads. Other operators I have talked to say they have similar problems."