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Roadtrip to Yellowknife, NWT
Approaching 250k km on the old beast and still dead-nuts reliable. Just concluded a three week, 3000+ km drive from Edmonton to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Mostly paved, with a few stretches of gravel/shale/broken asphalt plus, most annoying, fresh tar. One close encounter with a bison, black bear in our campsite, millions of kamikaze horse flies, and stolen gas were the only difficulties encountered. Here are a few pictures.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...79992448b2.jpg Shiny clean at the start. Colgan bra was intended to provide armor against flying rocks and screen the rad from kamikaze bugs. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...b4cbef881f.jpg Wilco Hitchgate Solo provided a mount for full-size spare and extra gas. Should have ordered the locking gas mount. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...31113b3702.jpg Last minute choice to bring the large kitchen tent, which has no floor. It was our haven from hordes of mosquitos! https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...e2fac9e85b.jpg The Hitchgate swings away to allow access to the rear hatch. Another option was to mount on the roof but why put extra weight up there? https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...496a7511f8.jpg Saw a young lady riding this rig north of 60. She has my admiration. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...c2d1248922.jpg Old warden cabins at Wood Buffalo National Park are available for rent which we enjoyed for a couple of days. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...0fbc8d9e69.jpg My favorite part of the day...dinner. The Mercedes-branded dealer accessory tent by Napier can attach to the ML's open hatch but we use it free-standing. Its really bomber. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...3be16d0bc8.jpg Deh Cho Bridge across the mighty Mackenzie River. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...eebb3c1881.jpg Spotted this rig in Yellowknife bearing Zurich, Switzerland plates. Sweet ride I'm sure. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...a21b471056.jpg Yellowknife campground is very spacious but located next to their busy airport. Earplugs required, and eye shades for the nearly 24 hours of daylight. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...d84b142d81.jpg Wildcat Cafe, famous haunt of bush pilots from the 1930s. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...07d4a3f938.jpg What can you say about Bullocks? You just gotta visit. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...fde4e6879f.jpg Bullocks from the inside. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...7e10546269.jpg |
What, no W163 love here? Having looked at MB's current offerings, I'm hard pressed to know what to replace it with when the time comes.
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Originally Posted by need2speed
(Post 7497299)
What, no W163 love here? Having looked at MB's current offerings, I'm hard pressed to know what to replace it with when the time comes.
Looks great mate! Lots of love! Looks like you had an awesome trip! |
Originally Posted by kombifan
(Post 7497389)
Haha Looks great mate! Lots of love! Looks like you had an awesome trip! |
Originally Posted by need2speed
(Post 7497691)
I'm thinking the GLE is the closest replacement model? They all seem a little too soft-road for our needs. A big issue is the lack of premium fuel up North.
They just changed the naming lineup in 2015 I think. Gl became everything suv like with an a, c, e or s behind it. Cl became everything coupe like. Gle or gl with the off road package is probably your best bet if you need off road capability. But I would even recommend the e class wagon if you don't. It truly is gorgeous. and the glc probably has enough space too |
Everything runs premium nowadays and everything has turbos. Also reliability is different so if your looking to extend your ownership period, I would look at used cpo ml or gle and purchase the elw. Then do this again when the warranty runs out . Youll probably come out ahead this way then buying a new car once. |
Originally Posted by kombifan
(Post 7498229)
But I would even recommend the e class wagon if you don't. It truly is gorgeous.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...f09c6ec670.jpg Need to travel the occasional logging and forestry roads for canoe retrievals, trailhead access, etc., so ground clearance and water fording still lead us towards an SUV for our second vehicle. |
😍 Is the budget unlimited? You can't beat a G wagen. Otherwise the gl/gls is great 😬 We use it on the odd gravel track, washboard road and trail and the air suspension makes the ride so smooth. It's hard to find one with the off road package though |
Originally Posted by kombifan
(Post 7498280)
😍 Is the budget unlimited? You can't beat a G wagen. Otherwise the gl/gls is great 😬 We use it on the odd gravel track, washboard road and trail and the air suspension makes the ride so smooth. It's hard to find one with the off road package though |
So about the off road package. I don't think any new gle is available with the off road package; especially not the gle550e. I'm almost certain they nixed the option for this year; but I'm aware that they had the option in the 11-13 ml550 and ml400. They almost might have had it in the 16 Gle 350.....but I would stay away from the 350 personally for two reasons.. 1. The 350 engine is so old and lacks power and torque. Researching the engine will show that it is in almost every model mb makes; but it is plainly not competitive when compared with audi and BMW 3.0 2. It will be extremely hard to find the off road package. The ml550 is awesome as well as the ml400 V8 engine VS biturbo v6 Well optioned usually but you'll have to search for airmatic and off road package. The gl550 and gl450 were available with the off road package. You'll have better luck finding one in a 550( usually 40-55$k for a 2013-15 with sub 50k miles; and it will come standard with some important options listed that you'll have to scour on the gle and gl450. 1. Xenon headlights are a must 2. Harmon kardon stereo 3. Real leather 4.multicontour and massage seats Plus the third row is useful if you ever need to move grown family members and their kids. We are a grown family of 6 with + extended family and everyone is able to climb in all three rows (5+ people that are 6ft) the sprinter is pretty cool. My detailer has one (4x4) and he said he got a pretty sweet deal new from the dealer (but I guess it helps he was the former detailer at the dealer) |
Thanks, that is a very helpful review.
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Originally Posted by need2speed
(Post 7498723)
Thanks, that is a very helpful review.
Here are two recent ones 1 with 35k miles https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...7278/overview/ And one with 75k https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...3259/overview/ And an older option https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...6768/overview/ So you can see pricing and what they look like with the off-road package |
I suppose the diesel-hybrid models could also be in the mix soon. They are supposed to be coming out in MY2019 just not sure if they will be for NAFTA region.
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I haven’t heard anything about those, but the idea sounds quite interesting. |
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