Unicat vs Action Mobil.

[DarrenM]

Why are Unicats so expensive ?

I have a quotation for a New Action Mobil based on their Temet design with the addition of an internal motorcycle garage. Body size is 4.6 mtr and all equipment is top spec. Price €320,000 including VAT.

http://www.actionmobil.com/page9/page9.html

A few days ago I noticed a used MAN EX-44 on the Unicat site, €295,000 for a five year old vehicle.

http://www.unicat.net/en/info/GEX44-MANM4x4.html

Both companies are using the same components to build their trucks. The only difference between the two vehicles is Recaro seats in the Unicat, Solar Power on the Action Mobil.

Buy new or used ???

[charlieaarons]

Are you SURE they have the same option list? The component description on either one of these vehicles is pages long - in my case, 11 pages.
I have been in the Unicat you describe. It is virtually unused. Also, that is an asking price for a used vehicle, and unlike a price for a bespoke new construction, it is somewhat negotiable.
The options for mine were 50-60000 euros.
Do you live outside N. America?
I would think long and hard before taking up valuable interior storage space with a motorcycle garage. The rear storage area of mine is full of recovery gear, tools, ladder, folding chairs, sand mats. Where you going to put that stuff if you store a motorcycle there instead of outside?
Welcome to the Expo forum.

Charlie

[Jnich77]

Maybe its like a Harley... people pay extra for the name?

[ColinTheCop]

I suppose the used one will have had 21k miles worth of a shakedown and any teething problems will be sorted.


I'm very jealous of your dilema.

[DarrenM]

Are you SURE they have the same option list?
Do you live outside N. America?
I would think long and hard before taking up valuable interior storage space with a motorcycle garage.

Charlie

Thanks for the responses. My quote from Action Mobil is comprehensive.
It is fully fitted out, central/under floor heating, fresh, grey and black water tanks, roof hatches, solar power, shore connections, water filtration, exterior lockers, proper toilet, additional storage cupboards, air conditioning, 500Ah battery, inverter, two fuel tanks, fridge/freezer, 3 ring stove, teak floor, passage to cab.....etc.

Unicat has hydraulic motorcycle lift, Action Mobil is electric.

The TC45 body Unicat has on special offer (€140k) is comparable on spec and price to a similar size Action Mobil body.

I am considering if storing the motorcycle internally is worthwhile, as you say it will take up a lot of space. They do fit aircraft style runners inside the 'garage' door to secure items. I can also add an internal storage area to overcome this but it will add 400mm to the body length, it will keep the overall length under 7 mtr.

I do love the name 'UniCat'.

[DarrenM]

I suppose the used one will have had 21k miles worth of a shakedown and any teething problems will be sorted.


I'm very jealous of your dilema.

It will also make the Carnet cheaper as the chassis is worth about half the cost of a new MAN.

[charlieaarons]

One enormous advantage of the used vehicle: it is Euro III emissions, does not require AdBlue or ultra low sulfur fuel.
If you buy the new MAN chassis, I would consider adding an extra very large AdBlue tank ~100-150L. But you still have the problem of sulfur in the fuel messing up the catalysts (both oxidation and reduction).

Charlie

[Victorian]

I met people that first bought "cheaper" and after the first tour they changed their mind and bought from Unicat!

I also have seen "cheaper" options being ripped apart after the first few off road miles.

Go with Unicat, they keep the value and wont let you down.

Cheers,
Andreas

[DarrenM]

Thanks again for the responses, it is helping me clarify my choices.

One enormous advantage of the used vehicle: it is Euro III emissions, does not require AdBlue or ultra low sulfur fuel.
If you buy the new MAN chassis, I would consider adding an extra very large AdBlue tank ~100-150L. But you still have the problem of sulfur in the fuel messing up the catalysts (both oxidation and reduction).

Charlie

I believe MAN Trucks are one of the few that don't require any additives to achieve Euro 5. In 2014 the regulations are getting tighter, I think that may cause problems.

Am I correct to assume the sulfur destroys the catalysts but does not affect running only emissions ? I had a similar problem with my motorcycle exhaust system using leaded fuel.

I met people that first bought "cheaper" and after the first tour they changed their mind and bought from Unicat!

I also have seen "cheaper" options being ripped apart after the first few off road miles.

Go with Unicat, they keep the value and wont let you down.

Cheers,
Andreas

The core components they use for the build all come from the same suppliers; Seagull Filtration, AGM Batterys, Sealand Toilets, Webasto heaters....

Action Mobil can supply a body mounted to a chassis for €150k (excluding VAT), Unicat €160k. Both have identical specifications. The Unicat is a special offer price, reduced by €60k. At normal pricing that would be a 30% difference in price.

As you say Andreas perhaps it has to be down to build quality. I think a visit to Germany and Austria is needed before making a decision.

Do we have any Action Mobil owners on here ???

[Ford Prefect]

I have not seen anyone who has an AM on here. Personally I think they are pretty nice vehicles though. Of course I have not traveled to see them, so I can only speak from what I have read online.

I fully agree with Charlie, and I Can tell you that many people here see him as a stand-up good guy, who knows his stuff.

I also agree that the Euro III will make a huge difference, everything I have read tells me that those newer engines, and the same with the USA new engines, terrible to take out of the first world countries.

I do not know about Action mobile, but I do know that Unicat is VERY customer oriented. When you buy a new one (and I do not know if they do this for used) they will take you out on a trip and stay with you until you feel comfortable and have learned everything you want to know about the trucks. That is pretty cool, in my opinion.

Good luck in your choice, we would love to hear all about your trips, and what you glean from them.

Layout wise... I personally think that the Unicat layout is really nice, IF You happen to have a little ball and several little pins to knock over. Otherwise the AM has a much more open concept layout. I feel claustrophobic just looking at the photos of most unicats.

Cheers
Brian