I would recommend the RRV8. I took a V8 defender to rim last year and have been completely converted to this engine. 3000k off road or on very sandy piste it performed extremely well, the extra grunt really showing off in the sand. Apart from some oil changes nothing at all happened to it or even started to go wrong. A very reliable engine. If you cover yourself with spare electrics, nothing should go wrong.
Fuel however is a consideration – it took around 220l to go from Nouabaou to Attar with a few side trips and on two occasions in the past I have found that Western Sahara can run dry of petrol (but not diesel) for a few days.
On the other hand – its good to have piece of mind so if you have any doughts –go with the UMM
I would also agree with ctc above that recovery would be simple once you have got to to a town or village as they are incredibly entrepreneurial (possibly more so than any other country in the Sahara) and would love to help!
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