Thinking of buying a new G Class 400d...

[ThinkPad]

Been dreaming of this car for years, finally drove one recently and loved it, think it will be a nice upgrade on my ML !

The dealer I spoke to mentioned the lead time is somewhat unknown, but around 12 months.
I do hear that each dealer has an allocation of some sort. However, really don't want to be calling every dealer in the country...anyone have any suggestions as to best way to order one with a realistic lead time? The dealer I spoke with wants a deposit up front with no guarantee that 12 months will happen. I don't mind if it is longer, but just keen to know rather than be in a position in 12 months with no further info and just having to take the deposit back !

Secondly, any owners on here? Keen to hear your views!

I have decided on the 400d becuase I know it is a great engine, feel it will suit the car just fine...and of course very happy to save the extra £50k which I don't have !

 

[Rotorhead500]

You could try one of the various websites where you put your requirements in and an assortment of dealers put their offers in? (Bit like a reverse auction!)

Quite interesting the spread of prices that come back to you.

 

[V6Matty]

Been dreaming of this car for years, finally drove one recently and loved it, think it will be a nice upgrade on my ML !

The dealer I spoke to mentioned the lead time is somewhat unknown, but around 12 months.
I do hear that each dealer has an allocation of some sort. However, really don't want to be calling every dealer in the country...anyone have any suggestions as to best way to order one with a realistic lead time? The dealer I spoke with wants a deposit up front with no guarantee that 12 months will happen. I don't mind if it is longer, but just keen to know rather than be in a position in 12 months with no further info and just having to take the deposit back !

Secondly, any owners on here? Keen to hear your views!

I have decided on the 400d becuase I know it is a great engine, feel it will suit the car just fine...and of course very happy to save the extra £50k which I don't have !

There seems to be a few issues cropping up with the E400’s engine at the moment, might be a quick search of the forum to familiarise yourself with the info, that said those issues are likely sorted with an updated part of some form but worth just spending the time to arm yourself should anything happen to the new car when it arrives

 

[ThinkPad]

You could try one of the various websites where you put your requirements in and an assortment of dealers put their offers in? (Bit like a reverse auction!)

Quite interesting the spread of prices that come back to you.

Thank you. I did this and only had one offer back. That was an offer of zero discount. Which I think is standard on this model. I am more interested in working out lead times at this point.

Didn’t realise the 400d had issues. Any links to threads with regards to this? I have just searched via Google and cannot find the threads you refer to.

 

[V6Matty]

This is the main thread that a few others with the same engine and issue have jumped in on
Thread 'OM656 Failed Vacuum/Oil Pump and loss of braking.'
https://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/...d-vacuum-oil-pump-and-loss-of-braking.192491/

 

[ThinkPad]

This is the main thread that a few others with the same engine and issue have jumped in on
Thread 'OM656 Failed Vacuum/Oil Pump and loss of braking.'
https://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/...d-vacuum-oil-pump-and-loss-of-braking.192491/

Very helpful thank you. I will spend some time reading this.

 

[MBDevotee]

Most cars in the UK have long lead times, and no, no-one can guarantee anything.

Covid / Russia / Ukraine, general supply malaise and so forth means no-one is guaranteeing lead times.

If it's the car you want, if you can afford it and if you are happy - order it - and just sit and wait it out. Just be 100% sure what the companies cancellation terms are - because a lot can happen in 12 months and if you need to cancel you need to know the penalties will be sensible / minimal for doing so.

Most dealers now don't keep deposits if you cancel but some still do - so keep the deposit low and read the T'cs and C's - (no-one ever does)....

 

[ThinkPad]

Thanks all.

Had a read of some of the problem threads and yes scary but I will have warranty and let’s hope MB have solved the issues now too.

The failure of brakes was particularly worrying. Let’s hope that is definitely resolved for any current and future owners.

I can’t really afford it but I guess I have a year to work out the finances. The deposit is fully refundable so if circumstances change I will at least get that back.

It is a bit of an unknown as by time of delivery there may be a MY23 which means the spec and price may be different. But that’s something o cannot control or predict. If it is an undesirable change for some reason at least the deposit can be taken back.

Thanks for all the tips and advice.

 

[JBell]

Buy a year old one on AT, there are only 8 for sale and 1 has a nice bit of depreciation on it

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

Lead times are massive on the G and usually are but with the shortage of chips it is worse

Saxton 4x4 also have one

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

 

[ThinkPad]

Buy a year old one on AT, there are only 8 for sale and 1 has a nice bit of depreciation on it

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

Lead times are massive on the G and usually are but with the shortage of chips it is worse

Saxton 4x4 also have one

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

I have seen this, but do you mean depreciation or appreciation!?
The cheapest I can see from your link is the 2021 400d at ACKLAIM which has done 25k miles and is on for £125k.
I don't want to pay over list price and in no rush at all.

 

[JBell]

I have seen this, but do you mean depreciation or appreciation!?
The cheapest I can see from your link is the 2021 400d at ACKLAIM which has done 25k miles and is on for £125k.
I don't want to pay over list price and in no rush at all.

I thought the G400 was over £125k

 

[ThinkPad]

I thought the G400 was over £125k

I believe it is less than that even for the AMG line.

 

[sonic]

Back from Dubai last Sunday all the G wagons out there are black 6.3's, & there were loads.
Saw surprisingly few E classes, the ones I did were S560's.

 

[grayb]

I believe it is less than that even for the AMG line.

'Starts at £108,880.00 OTR' - but has one ever been sold with no extras? Not available on the configurator...

Configurator & Prices | Mercedes-Benz

All Prices, Equipment & Extras ✓ 360° view exterior and interior ✓ Configure your new Mercedes online now!

www.mercedes-benz.co.uk

 

[JBell]

'Starts at £108,880.00 OTR' - but has one ever been sold with no extras? Not available on the configurator...

Configurator & Prices | Mercedes-Benz

All Prices, Equipment & Extras ✓ 360° view exterior and interior ✓ Configure your new Mercedes online now!

www.mercedes-benz.co.uk

I had a play with the configurator a while ago and they are pretty loaded

 

[grayb]

I had a play with the configurator a while ago and they are pretty loaded

Yes, but my impression is that most people ordering a £100K+ car can't resist the options list.
Mind you, the person who specced our GT3 neglected to tick the £350 box for the Multimedia Interface so you could connect a music source by USB or BT. Not that we listen to music in it anyway, so perhaps they were right all along...

 

[ThinkPad]

I didn't opt for many extras, as it does come with pretty much everything. I added a Nigh Pack, metallic paint, but that was about it.

I have plenty of chance to finalise spec as there is a long wait now, but I have placed the deposit. There will be a MY change before I need to finalise spec, so spec provided at this point is somewhat meaningless.

 

[grahamcol]

Good luck op.
With all due respect I don't think l could order a car without knowing a decent estimate of delivery date, spec and price. And what happens to the deposit if the dealer goes bust? Best pay by credit card l think, then there's some protection for at least a while.
We're all different of course, but not for me thank you.

 

[Conor]

Back from Dubai last Sunday all the G wagons out there are black 6.3's, & there were loads.
Saw surprisingly few E classes, the ones I did were S560's.

6.2 s.. sorry I couldn't help myself. You know were are a pedantic bunch

 

[JBell]

6.2 s.. sorry I couldn't help myself. You know were are a pedantic bunch

Could be 4.0 L