Anyone on here driven one yet?
truckingtopics.co.uk/gbaeuro6dafxf.html
What do you think of the new GBA colours?
Anyone on here driven one yet?
truckingtopics.co.uk/gbaeuro6dafxf.html
What do you think of the new GBA colours?
its still a DAF, I think enough has been said
Trucker8oy:
its still a DAF, I think enough has been said![]()
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That’s still a step up from a Scania though.
GBPub:
Trucker8oy:
its still a DAF, I think enough has been said![]()
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That’s still a step up from a Scania though.
A big step up!
I’m jumping in my new one next week.
Spent a week in a demo about 3 weeks back and it’s luuuush! The quietest most comfortable truck I’ve driven. And this was after spending a week in a Giga space demo. The Daf ■■■■■■ all over it comfort wise, fuel wise and driving position wise. The only thing the Merc beat it on was storage. Both external and internal. The overhead lockers are slightly bigger in the Merc, but that’s not to say the Daf’s are tiny. They’re still plenty big enough.
The Daf also monitors your driving with a score on the display. After every change in speed, such as roundabouts, lights, junctions and even roadworks it gives you marks out of 5 for your anticipation and brake wear. Higher marks are awarded for using the exhaust brake. There’s active cruise control and lane assist on there which is what it uses to watch other traffic.
An example, I was approaching the roadworks on the M50, on the limiter. There was nothing in front of me but there was a car catching up fast from behind. I knocked the cruise off as I approached the reduced speed limit, and eased off using the exhaust brake, cos I knew exactly what matey was gonna do. Sure enough he flew past, swung in front and hit the brakes before the camera captured him. The Daf said ‘Well anticipated!’ on the display and awarded me 5 stars! I think it’s a good thing. Probably makes you a better driver. It’s certainly a fuel saver. You don’t accelerate or brake so hard. She averaged around 12mpg.
I had the Local dealers demo for week. Heres the report I was asked to write about it:-
Reg. No. - AM13 DAF
Start mileage - 2852KM
End mileage - 4787KM
Average fuel - 28.9L per 100KM
Good points/improvements
Bad points/not so good
Initially I was very underwhelmed by the new DAF 106 finding it very similar to my existing 105 with just a few tweaks from the drivers perspective. Then I realised that’s exactly what it was, a good truck made that little bit better.
The engine is feels stronger, especially as its a new build, and the engine brake has a bit more bite as well. Handling wise it feels precise and sure footed exactly the same as my current 105.
I was very impressed with the automatic gearbox and it handled everything I threw at it faultlessly. Slow speed manouvering control was as good as with a manual although it paid to be gentle on the throttle. Just to see how it coped I did try putting some weight onto the 5th wheel and backing onto the pin. Control through the throttle was as good as with a manual gearbox and clutch. The only thing I found with it was that whilst using the exhaust or engine brake the box kept trying to continuously downshift when sometimes I only wanted it to hold me at a certain speed. I found that by switching the box to manual I could keep it in the required gear and it would then hold rather than keep reducing speed. This last point is more a case of adapting my driving style to the automatic box rather than a criticism of it.
Average fuel for my week of use as measured by the onboard computer at 28.9l/100KM. This was for a pretty average week pulling a variety of trailers and on a mix of motorway and lower category roads. My own 105 on a similar work pattern would generally be around 31.5l/100KM mark so it would appear to be economical. Adblue usage for the week was around 1/4 tank according to the gauge but to be honest I have no idea what the tank capacity was.
I found the adaptive cruise control to be a little strange at first. It undoubtably works and is ultimately a good safety aid but I found that due to it slowing the truck if it sensed another vehicle it was very easy to suddenly find yourself doing 75-80KM/hr without really noticing your speed had backed off. Again it is more about adapting the driving style rather than a criticism of the function.
Overall I think the truck is definitely an improvement on the existing 105 but the changes are very subtle from the drivers perspective. It is only now I’m back in my own 105, a good truck in itself, that I realise how much of an improvement the 106 actually is.
Cheers
Neilf
The only thing I will add to the add to the above is that I couldn’t work out how to beat Eco drive monitoring system.
Ive always driven using engine/exhaust brakes and could get the 5 ticks almost every time for braking but couldn’t seem to get the anticipation score up above 3 or occasionally 4. I tried everything from backing off too early to diving in hard and braking last minute, within safe limits of course, but other that the odd 5 it obviously didn’t like my driving style. Even a perfect roll into a roundabout with all braking done by engine/exhauster only warranted a 3/4 for anticipation. I will have to collar the salesman next time I’m in DAF and see where I’m going wrong.
Cheers
Neilf
DaiDap:
The only thing the Merc beat it on was storage. Both external and internal.
Can you reach something in the back of the external locker on a new Merc because i can’t and i’m over 6" tall and i chucked a pair of gloves in the locker the other day and had to get them via lifting the bed up and going in from the top.
neilf:
I had the Local dealers demo for week. Heres the report I was asked to write about it:-Reg. No. - AM13 DAF
Start mileage - 2852KM
End mileage - 4787KMAverage fuel - 28.9L per 100KM
Good points/improvements
- more powerful engine
- better engine braking
- automatic gearbox
- removal of quarter lights from doors
- headlights
- Manoeuvring lights for front corners
- seats
- cup holders in dashboard
- dash board information and layout
Bad points/not so good
- catwalk access now from LH side
- personally I preferred the old set up of storage at the foot of the bunk as against the back wall
- some fitting seen to be less sturdy, notably door handles and centre table
Initially I was very underwhelmed by the new DAF 106 finding it very similar to my existing 105 with just a few tweaks from the drivers perspective. Then I realised that’s exactly what it was, a good truck made that little bit better.
The engine is feels stronger, especially as its a new build, and the engine brake has a bit more bite as well. Handling wise it feels precise and sure footed exactly the same as my current 105.
I was very impressed with the automatic gearbox and it handled everything I threw at it faultlessly. Slow speed manouvering control was as good as with a manual although it paid to be gentle on the throttle. Just to see how it coped I did try putting some weight onto the 5th wheel and backing onto the pin. Control through the throttle was as good as with a manual gearbox and clutch. The only thing I found with it was that whilst using the exhaust or engine brake the box kept trying to continuously downshift when sometimes I only wanted it to hold me at a certain speed. I found that by switching the box to manual I could keep it in the required gear and it would then hold rather than keep reducing speed. This last point is more a case of adapting my driving style to the automatic box rather than a criticism of it.
Average fuel for my week of use as measured by the onboard computer at 28.9l/100KM. This was for a pretty average week pulling a variety of trailers and on a mix of motorway and lower category roads. My own 105 on a similar work pattern would generally be around 31.5l/100KM mark so it would appear to be economical. Adblue usage for the week was around 1/4 tank according to the gauge but to be honest I have no idea what the tank capacity was.
I found the adaptive cruise control to be a little strange at first. It undoubtably works and is ultimately a good safety aid but I found that due to it slowing the truck if it sensed another vehicle it was very easy to suddenly find yourself doing 75-80KM/hr without really noticing your speed had backed off. Again it is more about adapting the driving style rather than a criticism of the function.
Overall I think the truck is definitely an improvement on the existing 105 but the changes are very subtle from the drivers perspective. It is only now I’m back in my own 105, a good truck in itself, that I realise how much of an improvement the 106 actually is.
Cheers
Neilf
TUT TUT neilf it is only called an XF DAF have binned all the numbers ,so there is no 46 56 66 76 86 106 ,it is now just LF ,CF ,XF …Te XF is basically a new truck ,the chassis is now wider at the front to accommodate the larger cooling system,hence the had to widen the track with a wider front axle ,which involved widening the cab ,which has been completely re crash tested,it’s also a new rear axle and air suspension.The EBS is new ,the APU is new is is now called Smart Air Controller or SAC ,Also in certain down hill gradients ,the circumstances have to be correct ,the vehicle will go in to neutral and you free wheel ,this is not a fault .It is gentle gradients not vertical drops…I don’t know how to help you get the extra tick ,and I doubt the salesman does…One thing that I personally see as a negative ,is the ad-blue tank being above the N/S/F wheel…i can see a blow out taking the ab-blue tank with it ,also it limits access to the engine with the cab raised…But remember it’s not a 106
bald bloke:
DaiDap:
The only thing the Merc beat it on was storage. Both external and internal.Can you reach something in the back of the external locker on a new Merc because i can’t and i’m over 6" tall and i chucked a pair of gloves in the locker the other day and had to get them via lifting the bed up and going in from the top.
Nope not a hope. I’m err… less than 6’ tall, and unless the item I want is near the door, then I’m going in through the bunk too. Gloves went on the top step.
Interesting perspectives…thanks for this.
More contributions welcome
norb:
TUT TUT neilf it is only called an XF DAF have binned all the numbers ,so there is no 46 56 66 76 86 106 ,it is now just LF ,CF ,XF …Te XF is basically a new truck ,the chassis is now wider at the front to accommodate the larger cooling system,hence the had to widen the track with a wider front axle ,which involved widening the cab ,which has been completely re crash tested,it’s also a new rear axle and air suspension.The EBS is new ,the APU is new is is now called Smart Air Controller or SAC ,Also in certain down hill gradients ,the circumstances have to be correct ,the vehicle will go in to neutral and you free wheel ,this is not a fault .It is gentle gradients not vertical drops…I don’t know how to help you get the extra tick ,and I doubt the salesman does…One thing that I personally see as a negative ,is the ad-blue tank being above the N/S/F wheel…i can see a blow out taking the ab-blue tank with it ,also it limits access to the engine with the cab raised…But remember it’s not a 106
I don’t know where I got 106 from but I promise I will never use it again.
The truck I had did the “dropping into neutral” thing on the over run but after the WTF moment when it initially did it I didn’t find it a problem. It would slot back into gear as soon as you touched the brake pedal or hit the exhaust/engine brake.
I knew that the chassis had been re engineered to allow for the extra cooling require for euro6 but to be honest from the driving seat it felt little different. On the subject of cooling the thing generates a huge amount of heat from around the exhaust system. Jumping onto the catwalk after a run would break you out into a sweat.
Are you sure the cab has been widened?. It might be different underneath but internally i’m sure it is the same. It does feel different but I put that down to the increased visibility of having the quarter lights removed from the doors. These were in my opinion the best thing about he newer version.
Cheers
Neilf
Looks ugly, mainly the lights & that snout looking grille…
norb:
TUT TUT neilf it is only called an XF DAF have binned all the numbers ,so there is no 46 56 66 76 86 106 ,it is now just LF ,CF ,XF …
just like Volvo FH is a Volvo FH, not an FH13, but i will bet everyone calls them the Daf 106.
neilf:
norb:
TUT TUT neilf it is only called an XF DAF have binned all the numbers ,so there is no 46 56 66 76 86 106 ,it is now just LF ,CF ,XF …Te XF is basically a new truck ,the chassis is now wider at the front to accommodate the larger cooling system,hence the had to widen the track with a wider front axle ,which involved widening the cab ,which has been completely re crash tested,it’s also a new rear axle and air suspension.The EBS is new ,the APU is new is is now called Smart Air Controller or SAC ,Also in certain down hill gradients ,the circumstances have to be correct ,the vehicle will go in to neutral and you free wheel ,this is not a fault .It is gentle gradients not vertical drops…I don’t know how to help you get the extra tick ,and I doubt the salesman does…One thing that I personally see as a negative ,is the ad-blue tank being above the N/S/F wheel…i can see a blow out taking the ab-blue tank with it ,also it limits access to the engine with the cab raised…But remember it’s not a 106I don’t know where I got 106 from but I promise I will never use it again.
The truck I had did the “dropping into neutral” thing on the over run but after the WTF moment when it initially did it I didn’t find it a problem. It would slot back into gear as soon as you touched the brake pedal or hit the exhaust/engine brake.
I knew that the chassis had been re engineered to allow for the extra cooling require for euro6 but to be honest from the driving seat it felt little different. On the subject of cooling the thing generates a huge amount of heat from around the exhaust system. Jumping onto the catwalk after a run would break you out into a sweat.
Are you sure the cab has been widened?. It might be different underneath but internally i’m sure it is the same. It does feel different but I put that down to the increased visibility of having the quarter lights removed from the doors. These were in my opinion the best thing about he newer version.
Cheers
Neilf
Ref the heat on the cat walk ,they have to get the exhaust upto temp ASAP ,so it is basically done via the EGR and a back pressure valve.Yes the cab was widened ,because they widened the chassis at the front , the current cabs mount wouldn’t sit correctly,also they widened the track ,so the front axle is wider,because the cab is classed as new ,it had to be re crash tested…may be an idea if you have a quick measure if you have a 105 ,but Thame said it is wider…the 1/4 light window was a throw back to the 70’s I think…it’s not a bad looking truck in the flesh ,though like every vehicle ever made it suits some colour schemes better than others…The orange of the demos is smart when you see it in the flesh…How do you find the new brake pedal ■■? Some like the old large pedal but some criticised the floor mounted set up …I think t’s a vehicle where you really need to have the drivers handbook…The Neutral thing I would imagine takes getting used to…I dare say we will have people defecting it
The neutral thing sounds like Volvo’s i-roll (i think its what its called)
Pimpdaddy:
Looks ugly, mainly the lights & that snout looking grille…
I first thought it looked like a cheap Chinese copy of something ,but in the flesh in the right colour it’s not too bad ,and it’ll grow on us no doubt as you see more and more
kindle530:
The neutral thing sounds like Volvo’s i-roll (i think its what its called)
it probably is ,all to do with improving fuel consumption ,they now have greater control over the air compressor so it will be off line more so it isn’t putting strain on the engine and again saving fuel…Manufacturers are looking at every way possible to claw back the fuel consumption figures,i wonder how long it will be till carbon fibre etc makes a appearance
norb:
I first thought it looked like a cheap Chinese copy of something ,but in the flesh in the right colour it’s not too bad ,and it’ll grow on us no doubt as you see more and more
Im sure it will, I like the new LF…
Although I noticed the change in brake pedal design I can’t say it made any difference when driving. I don’t favour either design although the newer design won’t be so prone to collecting dust and dirt behind it.
I agree that it looks well in demo colours and the orange is a great colour with a little metallic in it. Now photos are staring to appear in company liveries it does appear to need the colour breaking up.
Cheers
Neil