Another question folks, with the diesels how much would a history of towing (eg a used WK2 with an electronic brake controller installed) bother you? I am thinking mainly of transmission condition.

I feel a used wk2 with towing options fitted would be a +, that being said I would be checking the service history to ensure that transmission has a service history.
The 8 speed is great & the vehicle & electronics handle towing well.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Aussie Jeep Offroad mobile app

if its a 5 speed there have been a number of reports of transmission failures - usually related to the vehicle towing heavy (3000kg+) vans. It seems the torque converter may overheat and as a consequence cooks the transmission. A transmission specialist who is familiar with the Mercedes box would be able to advise better on a particular situation.
Fot the 8 speed they are great and if the vehicle has towed anything under around 3000kg (ours has done heaps) I wouldn't be too concerned although a full transmission service by specialist people (regardless of km travelled), would be part of any deal.
The ZF 8 speed box requires specific oil and the pan has the filter integrated so the service it isn't a cheap exercise.
Your problem would be knowing exactly what work has been done dragging what sort of van.
John

History. What it's been towing (i.e. weight) is more relevant than if it's been towing.
Also the service history, details rather than book stamps. If this info is unavailable I'd keep looking, but if properly looked after then both transmissions are more than capable. Most cooked tranny's are due to excessive trailer weights and/or poor servicing.
Regular fluid changes in the transfer case and both diffs are also essential with the diesel.

I looked around for one that hadn't towed at all, mine had never had a tow bar fitted. Logic says less wear incurred.

Finally, regardless of all the hype around GC's towing cap I would never tow over 3000kg. High 2's at the most, in my opinion.

Thanks guys. I guess I am taking a middle-ground view, if there's a towbar that's a bonus but if there is also an electronic brake controller and six big fat anderson plugs next to the towbar then that is probably off my list. I am pretty much confining myself to five speeds as I want the two-piece tailgate (aka flip glass), plus they are simply a good $8k cheaper. I accept the 8 speed is probably a better tranny overall though.

I was looking for the combo of Overland plus offroad adventure pack but it is not common. I also considered a 2013 Trailhawk (these are more a 2012 spec and so have the 5-speed). And then I also noted that some Overlands have the e-lsd but not the whole offroad adventure pack. The e-lsd is the thing that is impossible to add later.

In case it's of any use to anyone, what I have discovered is:

2013 Trailhawk gets:
- steel sill protection
- underbody plates
- air suspension
- e-lsd
- 18" rims
- 4x heated seats

but NOT:
- cooled front seats
- adaptive cruise control, which is blanked out on the steering wheel

2011-12 Overland gets:
- air suspension etc
- adaptive cruise control
- sunroof
- heated/cooled front seats, heated rear seats

An overland could optionally have:
- rear e-lsd
- adventure pack meaning rear e-lsd, 18" rims, underbody skid plates.

I am not sure whether the adventure pack includes the steel sill protection or not.

(note I am only looking at diesels and Overland spec or close to it).

How do you tell if the Overland has an e-lsd? The only way I have found is to look at the diff:

http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/...b53ad0d87a.jpg

The extra cylinder shaped item means e-lsd.

If there's a better way please tell me! It doesn't seem like the VIN plate helps or anything.

Is the e-lsd worth it? A lot of people are saying it's not useful except in really hardcore offrad situations. I don't know how true that is.

18" rims are easier to find non-highway terrain tyres for, but there are 20" options now if you want all terrains (I do).

Sunroof is just about a negative for me, but I would prefer to have the adaptive cruise control so I am not sure I can go with a trailhawk. I think sill protection is a great addition but it doesn't have to come from the factory.

All of the above is from online digging, please correct me if I have anything wrong.

The only difference between an overland with and workout the adventure pack is the skid plates and 18" rims. All overland came with the difference lock. Oh and no sill protection, that's an extra as well. On my overland, I just put the skid plates and rock sliders on myself. Kept the 20's as I liked them and are running 285/50/20 Cooper Zeons.