I bought my H3 Nov last year, and have already towed my Xplorer to Moz and back during our 5 week vacation this month. I am more than satisfied with my HUMMER’s performance. When I initially test drove the V8 H3 model (more than once!), I also took a the 3.7 models for some extended drives to compare the power gain in the V8 vs price difference with the 3.7 to judge for myself if the extra +-200K charged for the V8 is really worthwhile. I even convinced one salesman to allow me a tow test using my Xplorer! (I don’t think his boss knew)
Having driven my 4.4 V8 Range Rover, I can honestly say that IMHO the 3.7 H3 is also capable of doing the same job. Even though the V8 is obviously more powerful, the 3.7 still manages to tow my Xplorer at a constant 100-110km/h. Uphill it does lose some speed, but the gearbox happily kicks back and the 3.7 manages to maintain speed. The drawback of this is increased fuel consumption, but can be improved by maintaining a lower towing speed of 90km/h. This is obviously the safer towing option as well...
Towing at 115km/h, even SWAMBO riding shotgun, could feel that the rig was 100% more stable, comparing when I towed the Xplorer laden with the exact same weight using my ’06 Prado 4.0 petrol last year also to Mozambique.
The Xplorer was fully laden with 5 week’s worth of groceries, ‘refreshments’, 100lt water tank filled, 2 x National Luna fridges filled with meat etc, and tipped the scales at the maximum allowed weight just under 1600kg! And still I had to be careful to not exceed the speed limit of 120km/h on level highway driving when the cruise control wasn’t activated! Highway consumption when towing the 1600kg was 4.8km/l, and increased to 4.2km/l when the HUMMER and Xplorer tyres were deflated to 1.0 bar and driven through the thick/deep sand in Moz. This when my 4.4 V8 Range Rover only managed to get 4.1km/l in normal city driving (granted, I do drive with a heavy right foot...). The H3 gets 7.5km/l city driving (using the same heavy right foot).
Comparing comfort, I’d say the Prado was best, with the Range Rover strangely last on our list. (My wife hated the poor RR - it just never really grew on her). I had a back operation 2 years ago, and I drove all the way from Moz to Pta last week without my back & but feeling like it had been strapped to a bulldozer travelling on a rail track. So, I’m happy with the H3’s cabin and comfort.
The model I bought was the 3.7lt Adventure. And that’s also the model I’d recommend if you want to go off-roading. Personally I don’t think the Rand/Kw gain for the V8 H3 is worth it. The Adventure model comes standard with dual Diff-lock, where the Luxury model gets ‘only’ rear Diff-lock. Both models come standard with Low Range. As far as I know, Base models are not sold any longer, so you can only go for one of these two options. The only other difference between the two is the interior spec level. What I did was to buy the Adventure model which has the better off-road capability, and then added as optional items all the luxury items that the ‘Luxury’ model gets as standard. Now I have the best of both...
ps.KiloBravo, jy gooi nou ons naam weg broer! wys eerder n pic van daai X5 BM wat ook so ge'strech' is...
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2008 Hummer H3
2009 Xplorer Ltd Ed no.25
Rooi Piet, What is your fuel consumption open road @ 140kph?
Honestly don't know. First time I took it on the long road was towing the caravan. I'm on my way to Warmbad in a few minutes. Will measure and let you know this afternoon.
Anyone know of speed trapping on the N1 today?
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2008 Hummer H3
2009 Xplorer Ltd Ed no.25
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To me, there are few vehicles that have such an awesome appeal. Select in low range and after the customary jump when it engages hear the magnificent whine of the gearbox in low range going through its paces. Pure pleasure!!!
Enjoy your amazing H3!
Herewith a pic or two...
Hi DesertLeon.
Sounds like you had a lot of fun there with your H3!
Cool pics you've got as well! Any chance I can get copies if you've got full screen size pics?
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2008 Hummer H3
2009 Xplorer Ltd Ed no.25
kom piet, daai h3 kannie so lig op sous wees dat jy meer as n dag vat om hom leeg te ry nie.
hoe lyk daai petrol figure?
Hi Stevh0 & DesertLeon
Ek is sopas terug van Warmbad...
Kom ek vertel julle; destyds toe ek my SIIA Landy gery het met sy 2 1/4lt petrol enjin, moes ek altyd meet hoe ver ek gaan kan ry, gebasseer op hoeveel petrol ek ingooi. Kom ek verduidelik: Die 'speedometer' en petrol gauge het in 12jaar nooit gewerk nie. Maar dit was maklik om te weet hoe ver ek kon ry met n tenk petrol juis omdat die Landy op daai stadium toe petrol nog goedkoop was, presies een kilometer kon ry op R1 se petrol... So, R50 = 50km. en dit was 1985
Nou met die HUMMER; wel om eerlik te wees... met 2010 se petrol prys, is ons soortvan terug op dieselfde formule. Verskil is net dat ek nou heelwat vinniger by punt B kan uitkom, en actually die radio kan hoor terwyl die aircon sy werk doen. Met die HUMMER se vaartbelynde bakwerk an uitstekende windweerstand kry ek soortvan 7.9km/l teen 120km/h. So nie veel verskil tussen 'highway and city driving' nie (nie op my manier nie anyway). Teen 140km/h help die windweerstand nie veel vir beter brandstof verbruik nie, en raak sy erg dors -> 6.5km/l.
So daar het julle dit nou... verskil so effe van die 'official' figures.
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2008 Hummer H3
2009 Xplorer Ltd Ed no.25
I have a 2009 3.7 adventure and am very happy with it. All though we've only taken it into the bush twice I have no regrets with its off-road capabilities. In fact i'm very impressed with it.
Regarding fuel consumption - we're getting about 7 - 7.5 km/l (in town)
So far there have been no problems with it at all, granted it only has 8000 km on the clock.
I’ve not been reading the forum much of late as I got fed up reading the same old dribble about L/R, Toyota, Nissan and so on and nothing of interest to me, I’ve only just seen this post so decided to throw in my spanner.
You either love or hate the Hummer, I love mine, and as far as standard 4x4 goes it’s as capable as any standard 4x4, it’s all about what you want to use it for. I enjoy the comfort and ride, its has a disadvantage to the older 4x4 with its IFS but that is a sign of the times, people want more comfort and you don’t get it from a solid front axle.
If you want more you don’t buy a 4x4 you build a 4x4, and that is exactly what I’ve done!
I drive a pretty capable H3 that can take on most types of terrain, I can’t get over the IFS problem and will live with that because I know I drive my H3 in comfort with a smile.
I’ve also had my fair share of breakage’s but anyone that drives a modified 4x4 knows that can happen to the best, but I can add I’ve had no problem with warranty claims, GM and Reeds N1 city have been fantastic, I basically said “I’ve modified my H3 so I don’t have to push is so hard, with out the modifications I’ll keep breaking it” and that was that!
This is what I’ve done……………….
Cabin Upgrade
Kenwood DDX8034B Dual Din DVD Player
Infinity 1200w Sub
Suspension Upgrade
Daystar leveling kit to raise the front and level it to the back, torsion key was changed.
Daystar 2” Body Lift
Rear Shackles made locally to raise the back by another 1”
I then turned up the torsion key to lift the front another 1”
All told a 4” Lift without having to do a load of stuff like in the Rancho Kit.
I have 4” extra ground clearance to a standard H3.
Rancho RS9000:- all round but front shocked had to be extended
Rancho My Ride System:- This allows for wireless control of shock firmness, for on road and off road, massive improvement over the standard shocks.
Tyre Upgrade
35 Micky Tompson Baja ATZ
Micky Tompson 16 Classic II Rims, the tyres are great for off road but the bigger wheels hit the engine performance by 20%
Engine Upgrade
Because of the drop in power I then changed the following: -
Air Raid performance filter
Air Raid throttle body spacer
Powerflow twin Exhaust system
Wild Cat manifold, this made a massive difference.
A standard H3 3.5lt has 330Nm torque
Mine currently stands at 373Nm torque which is only 13% over standard but putting the 35” wheels on dropped it to 302Nm torque, changing the manifold gave it an increase of 24% and 71Nm torque
A standard H3 3.5lt is 180kW at the fly wheel, mine is 201kW at the drive wheels, once again the manifold made the biggest difference adding 34kW
The air filter, throttle body spacer and Powerflow Exhaust system added 10kW and 14Nm torque but I’m sure the Exhaust allowed for more once the manifold had been done.
I’ve just ordered the Jet Performance plug and play stage 2 chip which should add another 10%.
Other Upgrades
While doing the exhaust system I had it routed down the centre of the H3, this created a space where I fitted an extra 65lt fuel tank under right rear seat, home made total now 150lt and 1000km range.
Ladder protection system underneath was removed as I found that always caught rocks I had made up a complete skin that helps it slid over rocks and sand.
4 x KC spots on roof bar.
Final thing to do is, install ARB front and rear air lockers, I need the front locker to help control the extra torque and bigger wheels, already broken 1 tie rod.
Also going to replace the standard read diff lock for an ARB locker so it can be switched on in 4 High, then its finished.
I have one mean purpose built 4x4 off road Hummer H3!!
Watch this clip part 3, 4mins 30s in to the video and see how a standard Disco fails to make it up an extreamly difficault rock trail. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-w1Iy_norgk
I've always been one that likes to be more unique!
I‘m glad the sale didn't go through to the Chinese but I've heard it was never going to happen anyway, there’s also been other deals presented from US companies and still they said no, I'm quite comfortable with the fact that GM have said they will support the product for 10yrs and I've done lots of research while doing my mods to know there is a massive market in the US that isn't just going to die....
I'd put money on the fact that GM didn't want it going elsewhere and the sale was just to appease the situation at the time, we all know where not out the woods yet but only time will tell.
However, GM has had record sales on the H3 recently because of adverse weather conditions and I wouldn't be surprised to see the brand come back when they have a more environmentally friendly offering.
There is still a lot of value in the Brand name and lets face it our GDP doesn’t come close to that of the US….
Welcome back! I aggree 100% with your sentiments that the Hummer brand won't simply vanish of our (and US) roads overnight (much to the horror of some members that may have wished as much )
Did you import all your suspension goodies?
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2008 Hummer H3
2009 Xplorer Ltd Ed no.25
I'm very happy after the fun I had in the dunes this weekend.
I did get into one bit of trouble, dropped my nose over the edge of a dune and knew I had a problem with a mound at the bottom that was straight in front of me. Went into a V-Shape at the bottom of the dune and just couldn't find the traction to power out the obstical!!!
)
(granted, I do drive with a heavy right foot...). The H3 gets 7.5km/l city driving (using the same heavy right foot).
Linear Mode
