THE PORTAL HUB - Pinzgauers, Haflingers, Volvo 303s and more!

Hello,
There seems to be a renewed interest in the Diesel Pinzgauer from Australia - where I live.
I have had my 718 here for a couple of years and thought I would post a photo to show it is more than possible to import a diesel into Australia.
My 718 is ex- UK fire service and was refurbished at Gregor's SGB business.
I hope I can be of help to anyone who has the will and the deep pockets required to import a diesel Pinz to Australia. Many people helped me in the process of getting mine. It has given me great pleasure since it arrived and I would say they are an awesome machine, if not for everyone.
If David does not mind passing on some comments about his miraculously low milage Green Grail Pinz and the Traction control performance I would be interested to hear how this performs ( or does not ) off road. I am not wishing for the complexity it may bring, but I am curious.
Regards
Ross

Hello Ross, and welcome to the forum

I'd love to be able to shed light on the electronic braking systems but can't.
Unfortunately I have no owner type manuals for the operation other than bits and pieces on the web. From my own first hand road driving, the ABS acts and sounds like any ABS from the turn of the century ( especially since it is based on a RR ) and is noisier because there is no insulation to muffle it . I have had it kick in on a couple occasions, but nothing dramatic. I had a 716 and can tell you that stomping on its brakes did make the passenger into a bug on the inside of the windshield , but the ABS hasn't let me do that on the 718
I also understand that some if not all these electronic brake systems will turn off once in low range

I haven't had it off road, mostly due to having had 3 different Pinzes before, and don't need to prove to myself what its capable of, and have 2 other air conditioned 4x4s to be comfortable in for long trips .

There has been several of the ATL (BAE) 716MKs released in the past few years and I'd imagine they would be more prone to offroad them, though still a bit expensive, a lot cheaper than other 4x4s, I've had emails with some of them in the past, but haven't heard anything lately.

Thanks for the reply David.

Hi Ross. JUst thought I would introduce myself. My name is Philip Solaris and my company, X-craft (www.x-craft.co.nz) has purchased and imported an ex Firetruck 718 into New Zealand. The NZ Army still has around 318 Pinzgauers but I believe ours is the only priavtely owned 718 in NZ. We are still learning how to best use our vehicle and are keen to share knowledge whereever possible. All the best.

Hi Philip,
Sorry for my late reply.
I am glad to hear you have added to the NZ Pinzgauer population. I have seen the NZ Pinzgauers up close, they display them here when they bring them over for the Talisman Sabre Military Exercise, but the would not let me drive one, or pull the radiator out for a closer look, shame about that. I would like a NZ army radiator, but other that this and the TDI motor they looked the same.
My original thread was due to curiosity. Whether a traction control system would help offroad in some situations. When I asked the Kiwis who drove the NZ army units, they lamented they were not allowed to drive them in challenging offroad situation much. I have some Youtube videos of my 718 offroad in case you are interested in seeing it, just search Pinzgauer Australia.
If you know of any Pinzgauer specialist mechanics around please let me know, my Pinz is in excellent condition, but it will need some inner axle oil seals done some day.
Great to hear from you,

Regards
Ross