Got the option of a 4 year old Volvo or a brand new merc? Which would you suggest? Spanner wielders say go for the Volvo. This is rigid btw.
Reliability and running costs not really my problem. Looking for comfort, handling, power and general cab luxury.
I drive a 15 plate Merc 18t. Best truck ive ever driven. Comfortable, smooth and the first decent auto box ive driven. Do like the Volvos though, but the Merc is the winner for me
Volvo.
Personally never liked mercs .
I drive Volvo fl nice lorry to drive compared to our mercs although the mercs are old. The Volvo stability thing annoys me a bit bloody thing has a hissy fit if your coming out of a junction and rub a curb or accelerating on bumpy terrain
Can you not get a drive in both to see which you prefer? I think it is very much a personal choice.
Both great makes but personally I would go for the new Merc.
I haven’t driven a Volvo but the 14 plate Merc unit I drove the other day was fantastic (much better than the ■■■■■■ scanny I’d been using in the afternoon). All electric gubbins, and it went like a frigging racecar.
htmldude:
I haven’t driven a Volvo but the 14 plate Merc unit I drove the other day was fantastic (much better than the [zb] scanny I’d been using in the afternoon). All electric gubbins, and it went like a frigging racecar.
Obviously didn’t come across any hills then 
Judging by some of the positive posts in this thread towards Merc,
they must have come on in leaps and bounds since my 07 plate.
Its the most basic, lumbering, noisy and agricultural piece of crap Ive ever driven.
My new truck comes the end of the year and i’m hoping its a Volvo (getting rear wheel steer I know that much)
But Il settle for Merc if they have improved vastly over the one I have now.
I drove a hired in Daf LF the other week and even that was nicer to drive than my wagon 
Ched:
Got the option of a 4 year old Volvo or a brand new merc? Which would you suggest? Spanner wielders say go for the Volvo. This is rigid btw.Reliability and running costs not really my problem. Looking for comfort, handling, power and general cab luxury.
I’ve had the 26t Merc Actros rigid for about 9 months now. Without a doubt the best rigid I’ve ever driven. And I’ve driven many. Go Merc.
Actros or Antos ?
FH, FM or FL ?
I’d go for the Merc, i’ve driven an 18T Antos and they are a nice motor to drive and be in.
Any more info on the Volvo though? Could be a nice motor or a shed… an FE day cab is god awful.
I often drive Mercs. I would take the brand new as opposed to a second hand Volvo.Though its a few years since I last had a Volvo.
albion1971:
Can you not get a drive in both to see which you prefer? I think it is very much a personal choice.
Both great makes but personally I would go for the new Merc.
Good point!
VOLVO FOR LIFE.
I drive a Volvo FE 240 at the mo. Automatic thing with the gearbox from hell. Only has a pull down bunk so not the best for long term, but my boss has a plan. Just waiting to initiate it!
themattster79:
I drive a 15 plate Merc 18t. Best truck ive ever driven. Comfortable, smooth and the first decent auto box ive driven. Do like the Volvos though, but the Merc is the winner for me
Is that an Antos? We’re supposed to be getting all the Scania P 18 tonners at our depot replaced with them next April (other depots getting through last and this year) and I’m pretty sure we’re getting autos. I like the Scania Opticruise, but we had a 2004 Atego with a crap auto box (maybe just because it was so old) so I’m hoping the Antos is a good auto to drive.
Merc
Glen A9:
themattster79:
I drive a 15 plate Merc 18t. Best truck ive ever driven. Comfortable, smooth and the first decent auto box ive driven. Do like the Volvos though, but the Merc is the winner for meIs that an Antos? We’re supposed to be getting all the Scania P 18 tonners at our depot replaced with them next April (other depots getting through last and this year) and I’m pretty sure we’re getting autos. I like the Scania Opticruise, but we had a 2004 Atego with a crap auto box (maybe just because it was so old) so I’m hoping the Antos is a good auto to drive.
Never driven the Antos which I think might be a 9 speed but have plenty experience in the 12 speed Actros and it’s a great box.
The only thing I dislike about it is that it often tries to start in a much lower gear than I’d like. Switching from reverse to forward almost aways results in the box going into 1st, even without a trailer on. Very annoying.
Once you get going though it’s a breeze to use. Pulling up at some lights or an island with an empty trailer on it will usually select 3rd or 4th, which is ideal. Quite why it selects 1st when running solo is anyone’s guess.