2nd bike advice

I ride a Merlin Malt 4 and love it, and I am looking for a 2nd bike to take out clients and friends to ride with me on my local trails in Hong Kong (The trails are generally hard pack and rocky). I'm looking for a durable, decent, hard tail xc bike that won't need a lot of maintenance. I've seen that Merlin cycles are clearing out their malt range and have the malt 2 available in medium (its the only model they have left in 17") for 506 GBP including shipping costs to HK. It comes with the spec listed below. My question, is this a good buy (it is an old design model), or any other better suggestions around that price range?

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/b ... -bike.html

New 2012 Merlin Malt 2 frame
2012 Rockshox XC30 forks, poploc remote lockout
Full 2012/2013 Deore 10 speed groupset with hydraulic disc brales
Shimano Factory MT15 disc wheels in white
Race Face bars, stem and seatpost
Madison Flux saddle
Excludes pedals