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So something happened and I've been bitten by a pinz bug or something...

I'm looking for advice from owners and experts to guide me in making a good purchase decision.

What are the pros and cons of each model?

I like the 710K - because in the PNW it rains a lot.

I've also found a 712m that was converted to a hardtop and highly modified.

I know the basic spec differences - I guess I'm just looking for opinions and experiences.

I'll be using the pinz for fun and adventure.

Best on-road performance .... 710
Best off-road performance .... 712

Think how / what you want to use it for... We love the layout of the 710k because we camp in the back and getting in at the side allows us to keep the bed in position whilst still having space to cook etc. The 'm' layout would suit carrying large loads as you would just fold the seats and load in through the back. Availability and cost may also help you decide!

If I had my choice of any Pinzgauer variant for personal use, I'd get the 710K.
They also tended to get less use in the military than the other variants.

i see no one has mentioned how much higher the cg is on a 710k as compared to an m. big difference. also a topless m is way more fun for the ppl in the back. everyone loves the back of a topless m whereas many ppl will feel like a captured bug in a child's box in a k. i can take 9 ppl to lunch in my 710m and they all love it.

one thing i do miss that my old 712 did so well is cornering at high speeds on the road, and it was an ambulance. i look fwd to selling my 710m and buying 712m right after my current project allows that.

I had the same debate early on and had convinced myself I wanted a 710, having not tried the 6x6. Then I drove a 712 and that was that - it had to be 6x6! Haven't regretted the decision, and now we've insulated the back even the 712M makes for reasonable camping.

And as mentioned above, the offroad ability and on road "freak factor" make for lots of smiles.

I'm guessing the pacific northwest never gets hot? Remember the hard top versions get a lot hotter than the soft top. At times fills like you're in an oven.

This topic is covered many times on this site, I suggest you do a search and you'll find all sorts of opinions.

Having had both, and owned / sold upwards of 20 Pinzgauers, the 712M is my favorite, hands down. This isn't to say that there aren't many reasons to purchase a 710, much cheaper to obtain, cheaper to maintain, better availability, less weight, better fuel economy, a little more fun off road, if not quite as capable.

All that being said, try finding a 712M for sale vs a 710M for sale. At any given time, there are probably 5-10 available on the secondary market, and certainly some availability with some of the dealers such as Expedition Imports, SAV, etc. 712s in good condition are much harder to find.

You might consider a 712AMB, there are several available at Expedition Imports, which should be a reasonable trip. It might meet your requirements of being warm and dry in the winter, however, the off road ability will be hampered by the ambulance box which is easily removed if desired.

I suggest giving Scott a call over at Expedition Imports and finding out what he has available. He's a straight forward guy and always seems to be able to find what the customer is looking for. I would also suggest SAV, but the distance is probably a limiting factor for you. (I assume)

I'd also consider contacting Thilo Kass in Prescott, AZ. What's listed on his website (www.mogsruus.com) and what he has available at any given moment vary. He deals in high quality vehicles, priced accordingly.)

BTW - I really enjoy my 710M and wouldn't consider a K in this environment as it gets so stinkin' hot for so much ofn the year (seemingly). I did like the acknowledgement of the "freak factor". and a 712 would certainly accomplish that.

BTW #2 SAV is selling one of the former Red Bull 712s so there's the ultimate freak factor!

I think you should start out with a 710K, because it's more fun to upgrade to a 712K vs. starting with a 712K and having to down grade to a 710K, not so much fun.

Okay in all seriousness, you really have to be honest with yourself and make a list of what you want this vehicle for.

Is this going to go off road, rough trail, no trail, rock climbing?
Do you need the extra capacity or would you like to have tighter turning.
Are you going to convert it into a camper?
Your climate has a lot to do with the choice of a hard top or soft top.
The difference in top speed isn't enough to base your choice on, they are both slow.

If you aren't abusive and maintain your Pinz there really isn't any difference in cost of parts, the 712 has one more axle. So yes you have more cost in brakes and tires.

Off hand I say go with the 712K,

Make a list and post it for a better educated suggestion.

Miles

From the 710 /12 owners manual, the 710's weight ranges from 1960kg to 2100kg (approx 4312lb to 4620lbs) for the dry weight, depending on version.

That figures to 140kg (308lb) max difference between a 710M and 710K.... much less than I had thought , but then again, I have little reason to look up gasser information.

Some of the custom roof / roll cages racks out there, probably weigh more than that on some of the M's .

David Dunn wrote:
Some of the custom roof / roll cages racks out there, probably weigh more than that on some of the M's .

Another reason for the 712 (for me) vs the 710. More stable with extra weight. I have all sorts of heavy carp on my truck - winch bumper and winch, roof mounted spare, stereo, high lift jack, etc.

As previously posted by Brian and others, it comes down to what you want to use the truck for.

dave's 308lb weight diff sounds about right, although that light number for the 710m, just for the record, is actually 1950kg (4290lbs).

the difference between the weight of canvas and steel is huge, and the fact that so much of it is at the highest point in the system is something to be considered.

but some ppl dont seem to get bothered so much by high cg. i drove a 404 mog radio box the other day that was LOADED with all sorts of expedition camper type gizmos. what made it even MORE like driving a vertical telephone pole was the fact he'd mounted 2 huge deep cycle batteries in a steel box OVER THE CAB, along with a huge propane tank and... something else'r other. it was very unpleasant driving, and we were just on level ground. he claimed he didn't mind it at all and didn't seem to think the battery location could be better.

you really need to feel it. my 710m still feels xlnt to drive but a 712m feels better. getting sideways on a hill is the real clincher.

Thanks for all the good info! I've been emailing Thilo back and forth and also have talked the folks at SwissArmyVehicles...

I will be out of town during NWMogfest - this would have been the perfect opportunity to check things out.

Based on everything I've read, I'm going to go with a 712m!

Wish me luck!