X class 350d

[jrinns]

So has anyone ordered one?

The whole Nissan components / platform sharing doesn't bother me as it shares chassis and a few parts. Most of the x350d will be Merc.

Currently had my hand forced as lease on 4x4 went back and we ended up with 2 Convertibles going into winter.

Had a drive in x220d which was way too slow but the 350d would mirror the performance of the last 4x4.

Seems a no brainer to put this commercial pickup through the business due to the all the associated benefits.

Thoughts (keep bhing to a minimum....)

[yellowbentines]

jrinns said:

The whole Nissan components / platform sharing doesn't bother me as it shares chassis....

I take it they've sorted out the problems that blighted the previous version then?

[jrinns]

Well you would have hoped so with a brand new chassis for the Navara in 2016 that has been strengthened by merc. That was the last ten Navara.

[Watchman]

More to the point, is it going to look like the funky hard core yellow one demo'd all those years ago, or the limp "street" white one?

[NITO]

I’ve configured one...

https://voc.i.daimler.com/voc/gb_en/van-link/7rq96...

Current truck is a Hilix Invincible 200 which has been awesome. 200bhp edition. Unfortunately Toyota’s master stroke of replacing a 3.0L 200bhp engine (now 10 years old) with a 2.4L 148bhp lame duck with a 13.5 sec 0-60 has meant they will be losing my business so I’m looking at the 350. The configurator has only been up since last weekend. The engine and gearbox are all merc but it’s pricey compared to the competition. It’ll be interesting to see how many they sell.

I can’t see the point in the smaller engined ones, may as well buy a Navara as much better value and a nice truck just the same if you want a smaller engine.

Amazingly, Mercedes trucks don’t have a single pickup truck dealer in Kent, which is ludicrous!!

My only concern with the Merc is handling, at 2.2T I hope it doesn’t understeer and feel overly nose heavy like the older Navara’s did. I look forward to a test drive.

In the meantime, Toyota should hang their heads in shame for what they’ve done to the Hilux, once King of the Pick up trucks, now in performance terms, the lamest in class by a long shot!

Edited by NITO on Friday 2nd November 21:52

[NITO]

Watchman said:

More to the point, is it going to look like the funky hard core yellow one demo'd all those years ago, or the limp "street" white one?

Unfortunately not, that would have been my choice. I’ve configured mine with smaller alloys, but I’d prefer smaller still. I’m not down with pickup trucks sporting bling bling alloys and low profile tyres. Artic Trucks have the right idea!!

The all new Hilux Invincible 50 edition would have been perfect if it had the big engine!

[jrinns]

Well test drove the x350d today, can’t say the extra 8k for the engine seems worth it to me. It had more power and was smoother but just not sure..... back to the drawing board.

[Watchman]

NITO said:

Watchman said:

More to the point, is it going to look like the funky hard core yellow one demo'd all those years ago, or the limp "street" white one?

Unfortunately not, that would have been my choice. I’ve configured mine with smaller alloys, but I’d prefer smaller still. I’m not down with pickup trucks sporting bling bling alloys and low profile tyres. Artic Trucks have the right idea!!

The all new Hilux Invincible 50 edition would have been perfect if it had the big engine!

I think that's the problem with UK pick-ups for me too. I quite like the V6 Amarok though - that seems reasonably useful although it's still only a low-output V6 compared with my GL and the F-Pace (for example).

I've noticed that Cooper Discoverer mud tyres 20x10 sizes are under £100 each. I'm dead tempted for my GL at that price, although they are significantly larger diameter than my current ones, meaning my speedo would be quite a bit off.

[Nickbrapp]

For the money the x class just looks naff, especially the rear

I think I would be looking more at the amorock or ranger with the v6s

[cerb4.5lee]

jrinns said:

Well test drove the x350d today, can’t say the extra 8k for the engine seems worth it to me. It had more power and was smoother but just not sure..... back to the drawing board.

I often feel the same regarding my GLC 350d, I think the GLC 220d would do pretty much exactly the same job, because these type of vehicles aren't about going quickly anyway.

[NITO]

cerb4.5lee said:

I often feel the same regarding my GLC 350d, I think the GLC 220d would do pretty much exactly the same job, because these type of vehicles aren't about going quickly anyway.

I hear lots of people say that, I have to disagree, I find my Invincible 200 flies along and I can cover ground on country lanes as fast as any other car. I’m always left impressed with just how quickly it is capable of covering ground. The Hilux weighs considerably less than the Merc, so while the Mercs 7.5sec 60 time sounds impressive for the weight, if the extra lard ruins the handling it won’t be for me, in which case I don’t know what would be, I won’t be going to Toyota’s lame gutless engine and I can’t say I’m much of an Amarok fan. The Ranger seems to be selling well with 6 month waits, but after previous company experience with Rangers, I don’t think I’ll be going down that route.

[Watchman]

My wife's GLC350cdi is incredible. There's no way it's remotely comparable to one of the 4-cyl diesels. It covers ground indecently quickly, but in such a confident manner.

However, the GLC250 petrol I had for a couple of days was surprisingly good. A bit more frenetic than the V6 diesel but it felt lighter too.

But the V6 diesel would be my choice.

[NITO]

jrinns said:

Well test drove the x350d today, can’t say the extra 8k for the engine seems worth it to me. It had more power and was smoother but just not sure..... back to the drawing board.

Sounds a bit disappointing from here! What are you not sure of? The cost, or the performance/overall package? Sounds like it didn’t exactly leave you overwhelmed

[cerb4.5lee]

Watchman said:

My wife's GLC350cdi is incredible. There's no way it's remotely comparable to one of the 4-cyl diesels. It covers ground indecently quickly, but in such a confident manner.

I appreciate the smoothness of the 350d for sure, but its such a relaxing car to drive that the extra punch seems a little bit of a waste to me. The car doesn't encourage you to go quickly and the 4 cylinder diesel could do a good enough job for that.

I've not driven a 220d/250d though, and I will admit that I didn't like the engine very much in my 520d.

[jrinns]

NITO said:

jrinns said:

Well test drove the x350d today, can’t say the extra 8k for the engine seems worth it to me. It had more power and was smoother but just not sure..... back to the drawing board.

Sounds a bit disappointing from here! What are you not sure of? The cost, or the performance/overall package? Sounds like it didn’t exactly leave you overwhelmed

The whole package , cost v what you get. 42+vat for a pick up just grates on me. Think i’m Going to just buy a cheaper pickup for 15-20 k and see if a pickup is even right for my needs as we are all different....

[Phooey]

Can’t believe no ones mentioned the 275hp (with overboost) Amarok. We’ve had the 4-cylinder 2.0 since 2013 and drove the 225hp V6 one last year - huge improvement on the 175hp 2.0, so can only think the 275 will fly (for a pick up). It’s not a car so you need to accept compromises, but as a pick up it’s about as good as you’re going to get. FWIW I think the X-Class looks a bit pants - a huge disappointment from the concept.

[Watchman]

Phooey said:

Can’t believe no ones mentioned the 275hp (with overboost) Amarok. We’ve had the 4-cylinder 2.0 since 2013 and drove the 225hp V6 one last year - huge improvement on the 175hp 2.0, so can only think the 275 will fly (for a pick up). It’s not a car so you need to accept compromises, but as a pick up it’s about as good as you’re going to get. FWIW I think the X-Class looks a bit pants - a huge disappointment from the concept.

I'm a Merc fan but this ∆∆∆ is the truth. VW have the best pickup going in this country.

[NITO]

Phooey said:

Can’t believe no ones mentioned the 275hp (with overboost) Amarok. We’ve had the 4-cylinder 2.0 since 2013 and drove the 225hp V6 one last year - huge improvement on the 175hp 2.0, so can only think the 275 will fly (for a pick up). It’s not a car so you need to accept compromises, but as a pick up it’s about as good as you’re going to get. FWIW I think the X-Class looks a bit pants - a huge disappointment from the concept.

Totally agree with your comment on the reality vs concept, they killed it, in a bad way! The concept was awesome and I was pretty excited by it. I can’t understand why manufacturers consistently over promise and under deliver...isn’t it one of the first rules of business to do the opposite!! The rear end is a little ghastly and unfortunately it lost its powerful haunches and far better proportioned front lights and purposefully aggressive caricature bumpers.

Regards the Amarok,it literally does nothing for me. There is no macho ruggedness to it whatsoever, it’s like a Golf in high heels with a chinzy handbag and an interior that looks like your average Taxi. The superduper overboost was purely added to steal Mercs thunder and I’m suprised Merc hasn’t yet responded with a 300bhp FU but I doubt the aftermarket will take long to. I am very pleased Amarok exists though, purely as it was the catalyst for some of the others to up their game, biggest let down is that Toyota haven’t, maybe they’re leaving that to Lexus!

[bqf]

Just to add - I have had a 2.0BiTDi Amarok for 3 years. I use it as my general car and for towing.

I've always bemoaned the fact that it wasn't offered with a V6. I have a V6 Touareg and that is soooo much better.

Almost pulled the trigger on the new V6 'Rok the other day......but at £48,000 (after a discount) I couldn't bring myself to do it.

So, I bought a remap for the 2.0. Pleased to say it has completely transformed the car. Incredible difference when towing and between 40-70. A £400 outlay have saved me a ton of money

[Phooey]

Broadspeed offering the 258 Amacock with approx £5k discount.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xceZKeeEeOs