G Wagon's

[Morzine]

Hi,

Who knows anything about G Wagon's?

I live in Germany currently and looked at these (secondhand) the other week with a view to importing it to the UK when I return home. I realise they only come LHD but is there any problems with servicing by UK dealers or good indy? I reckon the 400cdi long wheelbase is the one for me but the prices are scarey and is there a market for such a vehicle in the UK in say five years time if I come to sell.

Anyone own one or had any experience? :?:

 

[guydewdney]

dont know anything about them - except the british army are looking at using them (as reported in the sunday times) as a replacement for the venerable land rover..

havent changed the design since about 1960 or somthing silly, so must have got it right.

 

[Arnie]

Hi,

I've had 3 or 4 and they are really the best-built MB vehicle. Period. (At least in comparison to the new crop of MB cars).

The 400CDi has the best engine and would be my choice too.

I have one of the very last MB UK official imports and is a G300. I can sell it today for the same price I paid nearly new, 6 years ago, so I wouldn't worry about resale value. There are so few of them around, especially in the UK, that they are very sought after.

The LHD european models are more up to date, as the RHD requirements for steering column etc meant that many of the newer engines were not/ could not be fitted and so the UK had the M103 engine for a long time.

Servicing is not a problem. The Drive Train is bomb-proof and many of the transmission components are derrived from other MB commercial vehicles, so are easy to find. The engines and auto gearboxes are the same as on passenger cars (later ones can have the same electronic niggles too). There is a G-Wagen UK owners club for fun and advice and there are a few places specialising only in servicing G-wagens.

The G-Wagen is to be replaced by a new (US-made) SUV version, with a monocoque body, but military versions are said to continue with production being shifted to India. You can bet that the new "replacement" will have a modern rounded look with lots of toys and gimmicks, but it won't be a true replacment. So, get one while you can.

The 400CDi will be expensive (there's one new at MB Mayfair for £60k), but if you find a good one, you'll not regret it. The G has been around since 1979 withjout any major exterior cosmetic change and you can't get more of a classic than that.

UK Club:
www.gwoa.co.uk

German Club:
http://www.g-club.de/

UK Independant sales & service:
www.gwagen.co.uk


Some Info:
http://www.germancarfans.com/news.cfm/NewsID/2040524.001/mercedes/1.html

http://www.mercedesgwagen.galeon.com/enlaces747529.html

http://www.g4rce.net/engl/models-w463.html

 

[Morzine]

Thanks for the replies, price wise it's certainly cheaper to buy over here and there is a choice whereas if I leave it until i'm back in the UK i'll pay a premium if I can find one.

I'll get myself a test drive and if I get one i'll let you know.

8)

 

[Spike]

Theres one here belonging to a guy at work. its a 1984 modelwith 10k on the clock....

Basically he found it in a warehouse belonging to a production company under a tarp. It looks to have been there nearly 20 years. He had to change a few bearings, bushes and bits and bobs but basically it was sound. 5k later, all is well ands he's chuffed to bits with it.

I asked him if he would part with it and he said he would but wanted about 10k for it.

Nice car though, very very tidy and probably one of the lowest mileage examples of its age anywhere.

 

[Arnie]

Spike,

can you find out what model and whether long or short wheel base?

280GE (2/3 or 4/5 door)
300GD (2/3 or 4/5 door)

(1984 would be a 460 series with part-time/selectable 4WD.
In 1991, the 463 series came out with different interior and full-time 4-WD)

Picture??

Thanks

 

[Spike]

Its a LWB 5 door 280, 9 seater I think... I'll nab a picture next time its in the office car park.

 

[Arnie]

Spike,

Thanks.