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Bring my carriage and don't spare the horses
Page 70
Page 71
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This week Bargain Hunt goes in search of big engines and big cabs to suit an owner driver doing serious mileage.
Our pretext for this root around the dealers was simple — big cab and big engine.We need it for 44 tonnes and want room for a week's tramping with comfort, as well as being able to maintain as high an average speed as possible over hills and dales.
In truth, we don't think we'll be disappointed and have an open mind. As usual it's best deal wins. King of the Road is widely used by Scania so we thought we'd start there.
Topline, with a V8 16-litre engine please? None available, at the first dealer we hit. He has two parked up, but one is spoken for and the second is about to be spoken for.
I am not a regular customer, he explains, so am not on the shortlist when one rolls in.
I receive an apology and get pointed to a dealer who does have one. An R164 TopIine boasting 480hp with a tag axle. Tag isn't our obvious preference, but it'll do the job. It's registered in 2002 on an 02-plate and its condition (mint, apparently) means the asking price is £40,250 (ex-VAT).
It sounds appealing and Scania-backed finance packages are available. Looking through the classified section it's hard to find an RI64 openly advertised; the reason is they sell themselves'.The ads carry R124 and the occasional R144, both Scania stock in trade. We move on to its Swedish competitor, Volvo.The FH12 initially, but will settle for an FH16 if one is about. Like Scania's R164 the FH16 doesn't grow on trees and generally doesn't need an ad. We can't locate one.
We sift through the FH12s before settling for a 460 in the new shape. It's 2003-registered (03-plate) Globetrotter XL mid-lift with Prestige Trim and alloy wheels. Average miles for 24 months (266,000kms). Price tag £38,750 (ex-VAT). It appeals because it is newer and cheaper than Scania's option with a 16-litre engine. Across the Baltic Sea to Germany to check out hat's on offer from the three-pointed star and the lion. Mercedes Benz Actros with the Mega Space 16-litre cab is what we are after, but cince again there are only 12-litre long distance cabs available.We try two dealers and neither have any top end products in stock. Luc of the draw?
Co rting victory
eta quote for a 2546LS 6x2 with less than ge miles on a 2002 (52-plate) priced at (exVAT). We feel though, that after uccessful search we'd be disappointed t getting our hands on a Mega Space and mov on. We aver £32, an u at n N ERF UK, in particular MAN Diesel, is w o we contact. Bingo.A MAN TGA 26.460 homes into view. £34,500 (ex-VAT). It is sli ly older, registered in 2002 (02-plate) but it is tip of the range. CD player, slider fifth whe 1, twin bunks, microwave, fridge... I forget the r st. CM senses victory.
R nault Magnum's have the opportunity to us MAN ERE but two phone calls find only x2 examples on the forecourt.We give up a d pursue DafTrucks.A nice XF95 Super Space cab is what we want with major horses. A 48 is available from one dealer, but he has rese4vations. Have we been rumbled?
N4t,he is waiting on a call from an estahlishe customer. We understand and say we'll call F1ack later. Another dealer comes up trunps and offers a 12.6-litre 480 6x2 Super Space registered in 2003 (52-plate). Mileage is highi but the truck is clean. He's priced it at £37450 (ex-VAT) which is appealing. Oilir final barrage of calls targets the Italians and he Stralis. Iveco comes up short on hors power (430hp) and even though it's been thre years since the launch there aren't many aroi4id on the open market. •