Unlike most people, I liked the Merc Axor 1st gen with the 8 speed slap across manual. The 430 was - strangely - a real power machine in the Axor whereas in the Actros it couldn’t pull the skin off a rice pudding, I never did quite figure that one out. Also I have never suffered with back problems from driving the Back Sore Axor either, unlike most other people. The seat does require quite some adjustment to get it just right and will torture you if you don’t, but when you do it’s a comfy seat even if slightly lacking support in the upper back area.
Anyway I digress, I finally managed to get my mitts on a 2nd gen one last night as my ‘usual’ Twingo was in for service. This one was a clutchless auto on a 61 plate and had the selector on the end of the lower arm rest . The box is pretty slick in them I thought; pretty fast changes and minimal of fuss. I did find that trying to set off in 5th every time was wrong as it really bogged down for a second or two before getting going. I tried pre-selecting 4th manually instead and that seemed to work better, but it’s tedious doing that every time you stop.
But they still have the same age old problems as the 1st gen one :
incredibly poor traction even with the mid lift raised
a very choppy ride as it finds imperfections in the roads that don’t even exist then bounces, rocks and throws you over them
that stupid net above the bunk which is just in the way of everything.
The traction issues are my biggest gripe with it though. Trying to pull away on anything wetter than a slightly damp surface is akin to trying to pull away on compacted snow with summer tyres, ie. oodles of drive axle wheel spin and no traction. It really gets frikkin annoying after a while. I don’t know whether it’s [zb] tyres Merc fit on them new that are not up to the job, or whether it’s something suspension/geometry set up with the truck itself as they all seem to do it.
It’s not all bad - I do really like the good spread and far throw of the headlights, the twin arm rests and although the engine isn’t anywhere near as pokey as the 8 speed manual 430, it’s still a good pulling machine especially with some weight on as the revs sit at 1500rpm at 56mph so the perfect combo to pull you up the hills.
They’re a bit ‘meh’ - don’t dislike or like them particularly. Doesn’t qualify for another ‘a thing of beauty’ accolade this time.
I loved my old axor(only person that seemed too) it was a 54 plate 1.2million kms and never missed a beat the rest of the fleet had loads of little problems though.
The gearbox was the little preselect machinegun box dont know the proper name But what a box that was so easy to use. If i had that box in my current auto cf i would be a happy bunny. As for traction i found a new set of tyres always done the trick once you got down to about 5-6mm it was terrible.
Driving it solo was also good fun it was like a go kart so fast, driving my cf solo is just like driving a fully loaded trailer bloody need to wait in line for a ticket for it to change up
I did have a problem with the seat not back problem but it just kept breaking all the time all of them did, fleet manager blamed it on driver abuse then he found out tesco had the same thing, cheeky ■■■■ blaming it on the drivers!
Not drove a axor of any description in the last 2 years only see them from the outside but they tend to have really stupid looking air deflectors, sainburys and eldis ones are huge!
yep FedEx are almost exclusively Axors now, although I’m agency (fit driving round other commitments) I usually run out of FedEx, Gretna.
I didn’t think much of them to start with but they grow on you and you learn to work round their weaknesses. Couple of things irk me, one is when manouevering round yards you sometimes find it quicker to dab it into neutral to go from forward to reverse. The other is the lack of foot room, I find the door pocket rubs on my right leg. As to ride comfort, I have the seat suspension set 2 clicks off maximum floatiness. Not had a problem with traction but then FedEx loads generally cube out long before they max out.
Rob K:
Anyway I digress, I finally managed to get my mitts on a 2nd gen one last night as my ‘usual’ Twingo was in for service. This one was a clutchless auto on a 61 plate and had the selector on the end of the lower arm rest . The box is pretty slick in them I thought; pretty fast changes and minimal of fuss. I did find that trying to set off in 5th every time was wrong as it really bogged down for a second or two before getting going. I tried pre-selecting 4th manually instead and that seemed to work better, but it’s tedious doing that every time you stop.
Had the same box (loved it!!) on my old 530 Megaspace (52 plate foldaway clutch pedal type) and according to the manual and my ‘scientific’ findings, 5th could’nt be used at all whether loaded or solo and they were designed to stall if it could’nt manage pulling away in 4th (slight incline etc). 4th H was my prefered away gear for a ‘level’ start then 5H/6H/7H/8H empty or 4H/5H/6H then all splits up to top when heavy. Not had a newer one so they may well be different
I got the short straw and had my Actros replaced with a new Axor a year ago.
The gearbox does eventually learn to start in a sensible gear. Mine usually defaults to 3rd.
Traction is crap added to the fact that a tin of beans on the trailer is enough to drop the lift axle. Just have to drive like it’s snowing whenever the road is a tiny bit damp Mercedes, in their infinite wisdom, have fitted a slow maneuvering system that no-one ever uses but dropped the anti skid system that is fitted to the Actros.
The driver’s main mirror becomes opaque as soon as there is a hint of drizzle (maybe it’s to slow you down to compensate for the lack of traction) - really helps reversing into dark, tight spaces on wet nights
Pulls well at 44 tonnes provided you rev it well and drop a cog before you start climbing (I don’t use auto much)
Comfy seat but impossible to find an ideal driving position. Good radio but slightly less good speakers (I know, it’s a truck!)
Build quality is rubbish - bit’s keep falling off or breaking.
Overall I got used to it, but would still prefer my old Actros back.
The Actros is the best truck on the road, as for the Axor, only had one for the 1st time 2 weeks ago, definately a no frills truck but the brakes are the total opposite of the Actros’ amazing disc brake system. They are ‘■■■’ on an Axor, and why the hell have they done away with air brakes ?
Kerbdog:
The Actros is the best truck on the road, as for the Axor, only had one for the 1st time 2 weeks ago, definately a no frills truck but the brakes are the total opposite of the Actros’ amazing disc brake system. They are ‘■■■’ on an Axor, and why the hell have they done away with air brakes ?
Ooh yes! How could I forget the brakes? They are utter garbage on the Axor. Is it just me or do you have to press the pedal nearly to the floor before it actually starts braking? Didn’t like that at all and like you say, the complete opposite of the Actros’ brakes.
The 430 in the Axor is a straight 6 developed from the South American MBE4000 series engines, the one in the Actros is a V6, totally different engines with totally different characteristics
The Axor and Actros share everything else, the only difference is the cab and the engine, so traction problems should be consistent on both
The gearbox is the PowerShift, I drove one at launch and IMHO it was equal to I-Shift, maybe your one needs a reflash of the software if it’s acting up.
My opinion of Axor is this… It does what it says on the tin and no more, it’s a fleet spec basic lorry tailored to the British market, i.e. A gaffers motor, the modern day version of an Atki or an ERF
Rob K:
.Had the same box (loved it!!) on my old 530 Megaspace (52 plate foldaway clutch pedal type) and according to the manual and my ‘scientific’ findings, 5th could’nt be used at all whether loaded or solo
The reason your Actros would’nt pull away is it had a different box-the Autotrans 16 speed. 5th would be in the high range on it. The box in the Axor is Powershift12 so 5th is in the low range and can be selected for startoff,my Actros has it and pull’s away empty in 5 or when loaded select’s 3.
I thought the Axor was a truer Merc than the Actros if you compare both to the SK’s. Rough and ready with no frill’s and yes they are serious puller’s for 400/430hp. The moaner’s won’t hve to worry much longer as the Axor will be discontinued soon,so what will the big fleet’s by then? Not the MP4 Actros that’s for sure as they are forecast to be expensive. I’d say the Reno Premium will soon become the weapon of choice for all the big fleet’s in yhe UK. Cheap and nasty .
The 430 in the Axor is a straight 6 developed from the South American MBE4000 series engines, the one in the Actros is a V6, totally different engines with totally different characteristics
and the V6 is a gutless wonder, had they put the straight 6 Axor motor in the Actros it would have been an excellent truck, thankfully its been dropped in the new Actros. Here’s the V6 being deliberately destroyed youtube.com/v/aUkXriHjQeI&hl … &version=3
ellies dad:
The moaner’s won’t hve to worry much longer as the Axor will be discontinued soon,so what will the big fleet’s by then? Not the MP4 Actros that’s for sure as they are forecast to be expensive. I’d say the Reno Premium will soon become the weapon of choice for all the big fleet’s in yhe UK. Cheap and nasty .
Not so fast 6, cab sizes in the new Actros range means what would have been a bog standard cab Hacksaw is now labeled an Actros, so there is one for Tesco’s trucks.mercedes-benz.com/new-act … pace%20cab
Rob K:
.Had the same box (loved it!!) on my old 530 Megaspace (52 plate foldaway clutch pedal type) and according to the manual and my ‘scientific’ findings, 5th could’nt be used at all whether loaded or solo
The reason your Actros would’nt pull away is it had a different box-the Autotrans 16 speed. 5th would be in the high range on it. The box in the Axor is Powershift12 so 5th is in the low range and can be selected for startoff,my Actros has it and pull’s away empty in 5 or when loaded select’s 3.
I thought the Axor was a truer Merc than the Actros if you compare both to the SK’s. Rough and ready with no frill’s and yes they are serious puller’s for 400/430hp. The moaner’s won’t hve to worry much longer as the Axor will be discontinued soon,so what will the big fleet’s by then? Not the MP4 Actros that’s for sure as they are forecast to be expensive. I’d say the Reno Premium will soon become the weapon of choice for all the big fleet’s in yhe UK. Cheap and nasty .
The Premiums interior is cheap and nasty and a ■■■■■■■ nightmare to keep clean. Nice trucks to drive though - probably something to do with the Volvo running gear.
Kerbdog:
The Actros is the best truck on the road, as for the Axor, only had one for the 1st time 2 weeks ago, definately a no frills truck but the brakes are the total opposite of the Actros’ amazing disc brake system. They are ‘■■■’ on an Axor, and why the hell have they done away with air brakes ?
Ooh yes! How could I forget the brakes? They are utter garbage on the Axor. Is it just me or do you have to press the pedal nearly to the floor before it actually starts braking? Didn’t like that at all and like you say, the complete opposite of the Actros’ brakes.
Sorry Rob - I have to ask you - did yours actually have brakes
I thought the spare pedal was just to brace yourself with when the inevitable collision happens
Yeah, I think I can concurr with most of the above. I drove a fair selection of the when I was on agency for Tesco (happy daze!) The one thing I would add is that with the old ones that had the cable thingy for ‘slapping-across’ as opposed to the air assisted one, I thought they could spoil an otherwise good day, sore left elbow ect, ect.
That’s probably from something completely different.
Ken.
No, the slap across did nearly take your arm off. Strangely, I had it’s older brother last night which was a 56 plate manual 8 speed, but the slap across was okay in it as it was air assisted. I found that the stick didn’t like being rushed in and out of the gates though, and tended to ‘stick’ in them until the clutch pedal had been down for a good second or so. The only real trouble I had with it was forgetting to depress the clutch pedal when coming to a stop and it trying to kangaroo me down the road or into the car in front of me! Can’t remember the last time I drove a manual truck, must be at least 4 years ago, forgotten how to drive them!
was in for service. This one was a clutchless auto on a 61 plate and had the selector on the end of the lower arm rest 
. The box is pretty slick in them I thought; pretty fast changes and minimal of fuss. I did find that trying to set off in 5th every time was wrong as it really bogged down for a second or two before getting going. I tried pre-selecting 4th manually instead and that seemed to work better, but it’s tedious doing that every time you stop.
and although the engine isn’t anywhere near as pokey as the 8 speed manual 430, it’s still a good pulling machine especially with some weight on as the revs sit at 1500rpm at 56mph so the perfect combo to pull you up the hills.
But what a box that was so easy to use. If i had that box in my current auto cf i would be a happy bunny. As for traction i found a new set of tyres always done the trick once you got down to about 5-6mm it was terrible.
Mercedes, in their infinite wisdom, have fitted a slow maneuvering system that no-one ever uses but dropped the anti skid system that is fitted to the Actros.
6, cab sizes in the new Actros range means what would have been a bog standard cab Hacksaw is now labeled an Actros, so there is one for Tesco’s 