'I have the pleasure of driving a MP4 ( I think it’s what they call em, the new shape one anyway) next week, and would like any tips from anyone who drives one. I had a 55 reg MegaSpace a few yrs ago, and apart from the cab it was rubbish, middle axle drops if you put a bag of crisps in an empty trailer, engine was gutless.
The one I will be in is (I think) a 2551.
Gallon of derv and a big box of matches 
My opinion only so don’t everybody jump and take over the thread lol
I had one, and swapped it for a Volvo…
If you have it for a while, learn how the steering wheel buttons work…you can control everything, and they’re very intuitive. Bluetooth phone and audio connections are excellent. There is a split backrest, but the control is on the back of the seat, out of sight…just reach over your left shoulder and it’s there. Engines in the 450s are flat, and the engine brakes are useless. They’re great for living in, I just didn’t like driving it.
Use the stalk on the right to change gear as they hold the gears a bit too long. And to stop it jumping down two gears when you use the retarder pull the stalk towards you whilst you engage the retarder other wise it throws two gears and revs thru the roof. Otherwise a good truck
As said, the Bluetooth is good. Stream music and make hand free calls. But it doesn’t seem to like being paired up to android phones too much. Your phone book probably won’t transfer to the radio, meaning you have to dial numbers from the phone and not the steering wheel controls. The radio also switches on and off quite a few times when connected to your phone every time you turn the ignition on. Eventually settles down though.
Works perfectly with iphones.[emoji35]
If the Actros unit I’m familiar with is the same thing, it has a nasty habit of bogging down at junctions. I’m not sure exactly what the conditions are that cause it, but often at a roundabout I put my foot on the throttle and it takes several seconds - literally - before finally lurching forward. I also struggle sometimes to get it to crawl slowly, again it lurches a bit when manoeuvring. Engine brake can be a bit fierce on the third level setting. Side deflectors make visibility of the trailer a bit awkward when hanging out of the window on a straight reverse.
Other than this it seems a reasonable enough beast. I do find the seat quite comfortable, the bluetooth is a nice touch but mildly surprising that they went for the old style mini USB connector on the dash instead of the more modern and widely used micro USB standard.
Well I’ve had mine for two whole days now and overall I’m impressed when comparing it to my 61 plate mega space. The seat is infinitely better than the park bench fitted to the old one. The bluetooth system is excellent and means I can play music from my pad or phone without plugging wires in.
I drive it in manual permanently as I feel it holds onto gears way too long and puts you right out of the green on upchanges when in auto. As said exhaust brake is rubbish unless you get the revs up to just under the redline, although to be fair reading the manual that is the way that Mercedes recommend anyway.
Interior electric a PITA though; three power points but all 24volt with no button (like you had on the old one) to change to 12v. One of our fitters is gonna remedy that this weekend though.
You can actually preselect reverse whilst driving forward too, which means that getting on a bay is less of a faff about as it changes immediately that you stop. The air suspension takes some working out too and I’ve done two tug tests so far with the trailer legs still on the floor which makes me cringe!
Overall quite pleased though.
the maoster:
Well I’ve had mine for two whole days now and overall I’m impressed when comparing it to my 61 plate mega space. The seat is infinitely better than the park bench fitted to the old one. The bluetooth system is excellent and means I can play music from my pad or phone without plugging wires in.I drive it in manual permanently as I feel it holds onto gears way too long and puts you right out of the green on upchanges when in auto. As said exhaust brake is rubbish unless you get the revs up to just under the redline, although to be fair reading the manual that is the way that Mercedes recommend anyway.
Interior electric a PITA though; three power points but all 24volt with no button (like you had on the old one) to change to 12v. One of our fitters is gonna remedy that this weekend though.
You can actually preselect reverse whilst driving forward too, which means that getting on a bay is less of a faff about as it changes immediately that you stop. The air suspension takes some working out too and I’ve done two tug tests so far with the trailer legs still on the floor which makes me cringe!
Overall quite pleased though.
Next time your at merc see if you can get into a fitters ribs for a knock off sunvisor for yours moaster,it will finish it off nicely 
Yeah you’re right Seth. A sunvisor makes a big difference to the appearance of a truck. Never really considered how much until I looked at my old versus new photo. I’ll just go into the office with my pouty bottom lip stuck out and see what they will do.
Having driven one for 6 months and racked up just under 70k. Most uncomfortable piece of crap going. Little to no leg room as the steering column goes straight down between your legs.
The 510 is a decent enough motor. Sometimes sluggish on takeoff, gear changes I found were ok. Its likes to get treated roughly.
Eco mode is awful. Switch off PPC and change the setting for cruise control (little button on right of wheel). You need to change it everytime you switch the ignition on. I used +2/-0 and that seemed fine. Over speeding is easy enough to control without getting infringements, once it flashes up on the dash you need to slow down to 90kph. That gives you roughly 30-40 seconds in total, any longer than 15 secs after the warning comes up and you risk getting an infringement.
Watch out going round corners and roundabouts, if you go in too fast, it WILL slam the brakes on by itself.
Hazards dont work if you indicating.
Any bodge jobs on the trailer lighting WILL mess with the unit and it will cut off the lights. If this happens switch EVERYTHING off and wait 5 mins. This gives the unit time to reset. Sometimes works, sometimes doesnt.
4 “■■■ lighter” sockets, 3 24v, 1 12v. Always used the one on the side of the dash because of the glare off the adapter at night.
Bluetooth radio is good, as others have said. Bit sluggish when using the wheel controls to flick stations and going through phone book.
Where is the 12 v socket on yours? I don’t appear to have one, just the 3 x 24v ones.
the maoster:
Where is the 12 v socket on yours? I don’t appear to have one, just the 3 x 24v ones.
1 next to the radio, 1 on the side of the dash and 2 (1x 12v) on the side of the dash in the floor well.
Ah that must be different on yours to mine then Bob, the one in the passenger footwell in mine is also 24v. All the lads who got the new ones this weekend have been moaning about it, dashcams, coolboxes, I pads etc.
I had a built in fridge + freezer. Guess a bitty top spec. Just before I left it got an air suspension passenger seat.
BTW I have an OEM airgun for sale 
only 6 months old
Thanks for all the replies and advice fellas, fortunately for me I was told there is also a 63 reg XL Volvo knocking about, so I said I’d rather have that, and that is what I am getting!
I will keep hold of this post as I may have to jump in a Merc now and again. Thanks again for your posts.
bobdebouwer:
Eco mode is awful. Switch off PPC
Awful in what way ?
kindle530:
Thanks for all the replies and advice fellas, fortunately for me I was told there is also a 63 reg XL Volvo knocking about, so I said I’d rather have that, and that is what I am getting!
I will keep hold of this post as I may have to jump in a Merc now and again. Thanks again for your posts.
New or old shape kindle 
ORC:
I Side deflectors make visibility of the trailer a bit awkward when hanging out of the window on a straight reverse.
On the Streamspace its terrible. Big and Gigaspace and there isn’t a issue
Terry T:
bobdebouwer:
Eco mode is awful. Switch off PPCAwful in what way ?
Had it in eco mode when I first got the motor. In essence it goes into neutral far too early, therefore slows down far too much before going downhill.
On most occasions, this is far too dangerous, specially if another motor is behind you and you slow down without warning before going downhill.
ajt:
ORC:
I Side deflectors make visibility of the trailer a bit awkward when hanging out of the window on a straight reverse.On the Streamspace its terrible. Big and Gigaspace and there isn’t a issue
I drove a gigaspace and the visibility was fine.
Not to be pedantic but you should be looking in your mirrors not hanging out the window on a straight reverse.