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Mercedes like a Detroit?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by robbiehorn, Oct 4, 2013.

Page 2 of 5
  1. Oct 5, 2013 #11
    Big Duker

    Big Duker "Don Cheto"

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    Weatherford, TX
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    Steer clear of the Mercedes. They are trash. Our Euro friends here get to drive much better versions of the Mercedes then Freightliner ever used. If they were good they would still be offered. Go cheap with Mercedes and go broke. Go with Detroit,Cummins, Cat you might make some money.
     
    Big Duker, Oct 5, 2013
    Big Duker, Oct 5, 2013
    #11
    deming807 and CondoCruiser Thank this.
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  3. Oct 5, 2013 #12
    granhawler

    granhawler Light Load Member

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    Feb 26, 2011
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    The intake heater is nice in the winter time. Had mine for close to 3 years and no major problems, just the usual stuff (water pump, belt tensioner, egr valve) that would brake down on any other motor. That being said, it's still a gutless pig & I have a very....VERY hard time getting over 5 mpg with it. Even though I own one I would not recommend them to anybody, if your looking for a small displacement motor that runs good and gets mileage go with a 12.7 Detroit.
     
    granhawler, Oct 5, 2013
    granhawler, Oct 5, 2013
    #12
    Big Duker Thanks this.
  4. Oct 5, 2013 #13
    Big Duker

    Big Duker "Don Cheto"

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    Weatherford, TX
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    I agree. 12.7 Detroit one of the best diesels ever made. Can go up to 500hp without straining. Not going to outrun any big Cats but will probably make more money over life of motor.
     
    Big Duker, Oct 5, 2013
    Big Duker, Oct 5, 2013
    #13
    CondoCruiser and fuzzeymateo Thank this.
  5. Oct 5, 2013 #14
    fuzzeymateo

    fuzzeymateo Heavy Load Member

    771
    783
    May 20, 2013
    AZ
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    Yep, have you ever seen a Mercedes here in the states over 425HP? I haven't but that's not to say they don't exist here? I ran Detroits for years in the Dakotas, Minnesota and never had a problem starting them. They all had block heaters and if it was plugged in no problems. If you didn't run an additive below 5 to 10 above they could gel but don't most diesel engines? Not a big deal, just run some Howes or other additive. Detroit! Great engine! Don't listen to the salesman and get the Detroit.
     
    fuzzeymateo, Oct 5, 2013
    fuzzeymateo, Oct 5, 2013
    #14
  7. Oct 5, 2013 #15
    granhawler

    granhawler Light Load Member

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    Feb 26, 2011
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    Any truck will start with a block heater, I have never plugged my mercedes in & it has started every single time in the winter with no ether or assistance............just let the intake heater do it's thing for a few seconds and it fires right up & there are mercedes out there putting out over 450hp.
     
    granhawler, Oct 5, 2013
    granhawler, Oct 5, 2013
    #15
  8. Oct 5, 2013 #16
    25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    the road less travelled
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    I ran one, had an Eaton Ultra behind it that I hated but the engine wasn't that bad, and the right shops could fix them, assuming they could get parts in a timely manner

    I wouldn't recommend them for an O/O running OTR, but someone running regional or local would be able to run one and be worthwhile, it is far lighter than most others in the same displacement class. Notice I said most others, and the durability and cost ratings make it a fit for shorter mileage concerned with weight.

    Pablo is right, it won't lug like a big block, to protect the engine from damage, but it ran ok keeping the revs up a little more. I ran heavy across PA and even pulled high gross loads up the 8% grade of 7 mountains on US322, and it did fine.

    The engine was intended to run about 1 million KM before major service was needed as opposed to a million miles on a big block.

    The lease company dumped most of them before they had much over 650 thousand miles, the one I drove had close to 700 k when it left.
     
    25(2)+2, Oct 5, 2013
    25(2)+2, Oct 5, 2013
    #16
  9. Oct 5, 2013 #17
    little cat 500

    little cat 500 Road Train Member

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    Jan 17, 2010
    Abbottstown PA
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    and body here in the states ever try and hop up the Mercedes not that i want one just asking
     
    little cat 500, Oct 5, 2013
    little cat 500, Oct 5, 2013
    #17
  10. Oct 5, 2013 #18
    25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    There were some threads about it, not as much potential as some of the others. Lease companies don't do and don't allow mods, and just getting things done with proper servicing is sometimes a problem, and not just with the MBE engines.

    I can't think of what the thread was titled, but a guy was modifying some to pull heavier loads off road, and had some success with it.

    Maybe someone else will remember the thread, if it comes to me, I'll post the link.


    I heard a story about a high horsepower N-14 that blew up catastrophically within a few thousand miles of being put together, 4 of the 6 pistons left through the side of the block, it took out the hood and the right side steer tire had big pieces ripped from it.

    They said you could have heard it a couple miles away when it blew, it was up by Cashton, WI(SW Wisconsin) pulling a bull rack.
     
    25(2)+2, Oct 5, 2013
    25(2)+2, Oct 5, 2013
    #18
  11. Oct 5, 2013 #19
    granhawler

    granhawler Light Load Member

    296
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    Feb 26, 2011
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    Yes, there's some companys out there that make performance modules for them but that's about all that's available for aftermarket goodys for the mercedes motor.
     
    granhawler, Oct 5, 2013
    granhawler, Oct 5, 2013
    #19
  12. Oct 5, 2013 #20
    truckursogood

    truckursogood Bobtail Member

    3
    0
    Sep 28, 2013
    0
    Im a Cat girl myself...however thats a non option...blah blah...dont wanna get started on THAT whole issue here in California....you prefer a detroit to a cummins??? mercedes....call em gutless wonders....but thats my opinion...
     
    truckursogood, Oct 5, 2013
    truckursogood, Oct 5, 2013
    #20
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