Unimog Buying Questions: What would be the top things to know?

[gbreden]

Hi All

We are in the process of buying a Unimog Doka. It seems in the end we will buy not in the place we live. I.e. we live in the UK and there is more stock available in Europe. So when you first see an opportunity you naturally need to ascertain sufficient information before you fly over there or contact you bank manager (or wife).

I found this one.
http://www.agriaffaires.de/gebrauchte/gebrauchte-unimog/2004306/mercedes-2150-doka-crane.html

I need some help from the more experienced Unimog buyers / owners on what would you ask the seller?

And I know there will always be things that need repairing fixing or replacing due to age.
But what would be the top 10 (?) questions to obtain a factual foundation?
Or what would probably already need replacing at this age / work load?

All help much appreciated!

Kind regards

Gerard

 

[gbreden]

Just to complicate matters. We are also looking at this one:
http://www.agriaffaires.de/gebrauchte/gebrauchte-unimog/1916360/mercedes-15c50l37.html

 

[grizzlyj]

Hi and good luck

I am no expert, but I would prefer two piece axles which a 2150 will have but a 1550 may not? The 2150 will be sitting higher on heavier springs, so will create more of a clearance issue perhaps depending what you put on the back? New lighter springs aren't expensive though.

A 1550 should be more fuel efficient in my opinion. People often comment their Mog does the same mpg whatever they do with it. The lightly turbo'd U1300L I had did 12mpg wether pootling around the Alps, motorway all day or local driving. My current intercooled U1700 does 10mpg as consistantly with the same camper and therefore load and aerodynamics. Bigger tyres though. I'm told a bigger Mog again won't do 10.

Chassis rust is something not easily fixed, so photos of the inside of the channel perhaps, especially where cables and air lines may trap moist dirt? Is the gearbox OK, the 2150 has a big hitch on the back but small bed, so maybe didn't carry much but towed instead?

Are they 3850 or similar wheelbase, just from a space point of view if you're putting a camper on?

I would go and look anyway, maybe ask someone like Atkinson Vos to look into buying it for you since they are used to importing, transporting, registering and then fixing anything you wanted them to. That seems to be a bottomless pit though!

 

[mogwildRW1]

I think we need more information to give you more information

Whats your intended use? Is it a work machine or a pleasure machine? I assume because you posted the thread in the Expedition campers section that's the end purpose?

Both those trucks should have the 2 piece axles.

The U1550 is an L37 model and thus should have a 3700mm wheelbase but measure to make sure, my truck is listed as an L37 but has a regular wheelbase, with Unimogs, nothing is for sure :ylsmoke:

If you contact the seller, see if you can get the VIN numbers, if so, PM me and I should be able to get the data card for you, and that will tell you what options they have. On a Unimog, options are everything. They can make or break the price. That U1550L37 might have been a fire truck? If so, it might have fast axles, and if so, that's the one I personally would be looking at if I was in the market.

Judging by the low KM's on the 1550, and the color, I'm guessing ex-fire truck, if so, probably meticulously maintained, and well optioned.

Also, its hard to tell from the pictures, but I **think** that red U1550L is a "short doka" that is, its a Ziegler or similar conversion, so the rear doors are different, and the cab isn't as long as a True DoKa.

Here's an image from Truktor at Benzworld, showing the shorter rear doors:

And here's a Firetruck with FULLSIZE rear doors, just for comparison:

 

[Victorian]

Have you seen this one? : http://www.unicat.net/de/info/GUM8FHAS-Unimog4x4.html

 

[mogwildRW1]

I assume he's looking strictly for a DoKa, that one states it fits 2 people.

 

[gbreden]

Hi Thank you for the postings.

Purpose: We are a family of four who are planning a year long self contained drive from London to Cape Town. Most of it will be spent in Middle East and Africa. As this will also be our vacation method after that this is not a once off purchase.
We would like to have a DOKA as it allows the two boys to be in the cab while we are driving. And we are willing compromise on the box living space. Most of the box designs are nearing completion and we are in the process of converting the designs into more formal designs. However this will only be completed once we have an actual vehicle to measure and work with.

I got the copies of the registration documents and it shows the total length to be 3,7 m or L37 not the L32, total length 6.06m. With a capacity of 9000kg.

Thanks again everybody for the help

Gerard

 

[gbreden]

Unicat

Have you seen this one? : http://www.unicat.net/de/info/GUM8FHAS-Unimog4x4.html

Hi Nice truck but....We are looking for a 4 person truck and at that price (!) our budget is slightly lower