Mercedes G-Wagen

[jorian]

Anybody own/have experience with this rig? I'm looking at buying a late 80's early 90's G. New ones are over the top expensive but 15 - 20 year old models seem very reasonable even those with very low miles. Any help appreciated.

[osidak]

get a diesel one if you can

[livi]

From what I gather, especially the older ones, are arguably among the most primitive vehicles around. With the exception of its off road capabilities. But that could perhaps be simply a matter of acquired taste.

[Z-man]

Careful - the year which you are looking Mercedes-Benz didn't officially bring the G-class to the USA, so you'd be buying a grey market model. Some guy in Texas (IIRC) was importing them and selling them for a nice profit.

I believe Mercedes Benz officially started bringing the G-class into the USA around 2001-ish.

BTW: They are coming out with an updated version - a GL-class. It will have a more modern look to it (more curvy body), but still have the awesome off-road capability. (Did you know the current G-class has three locking differentials?)

-Z-man.

[Rich76_911s]

My Dad has had an 80's G-wagon for over 20 years. The car is awesome. Goes great in the snow. His driveway is almost a mile long, has 700ft of vertical rise and at one point has a 18% grade, it has never failed to get from the top to the bottom and back up again. I would also say go with the diesel that is what he has. It is slow as hell though. Non-turbo diesel. I think his also has 3 locking diffs. You can lock up all four wheels, rear corner to opposite front corner. It also has a hand throttle inside which comes in handy when you need to make small adjustments to the throttle when going down a steep snowy hill. Europa of sante fe new mexico had the exclusive rights to bring the g-wagon into the states for a long long time. They did crash tests and everything to have them pass US dot. If you have any specific questions shoot me a PM and I can ask my Dad. They are great off road too. Personally I think that in the 80's mercede's was still making solid quality cars unlike what they put out today.

Rich

[osidak]

Originally posted by Rich76_911s
Personally I think that in the 80's mercede's was still making solid quality cars unlike what they put out today.

Rich

I agree

[Z-man]

The G-class hasn't changed a whole lot in the past 30 years or so - therefore the quality concerns with Mercedes (in general) do not effect the G-class as much.

BTW: They are getting around the quality issues - slowly but surely. Case in point: they had some electrical issues with the soon to be released new S-class. Instead of rushing a fix to the car, they decided to push back the launch of the car a month or two. Get it all figured out first, then release the car. They should have done this with the E-class a few years back. Hey, they're learning!

-Z-man.

[Rich76_911s]

I have not been in a new G-Class, so Z-man would definetly be a better source of information on them than me. I was speaking from a small number of experiences in newer Mercedes. I just noticed the small things like buttons being of lower quality and things like that.

[Rich76_911s]

I thought of one thing that you should consider if you are looking at an older one. If you tow anything check the hitch on the back. It is not the ball type. My Dads has some weird hook shaped thing that is spring loaded??? I am sure you could get around it somehow but wanted to give you a heads up.

Rich

[notfarnow]

G-wagens are cool... but Unimogs are uber-cool.

[Vin-barrett]

Just about all of the Gwagons before model year 2002 were imported by a company called Europa.

http://www.gwagon.com/flash.html

They know these trucks even better than MBUSA. Any parts you would need for it will most likely be sourced by them or an aftermarket supplier if it's a grey market specific part.

Euro G's have a spare key issue which has become a problem if they are equipped with the infra-red system.
If you do indeed buy this truck make sure it has more than one key as it is almost impossible to get a gray market Gwagon key lately. Even Europa can't get them anymore.

IMO G's are the coolest MB's ever built. Tough as nails too

[plain fan]

G's are cool but the AMG G's are even cooler
Unfortunately they have the aerodynamics of a brick and drink gas like a dragster w/o the velocity byproduct. My dad looked at one for my mom but we agreed that it was a little to truck for her.

[jorian]

The diesel has less than 90 HP! The gas engine has +-150 HP.I want to be able to tow my boat and a trailer with my P-Car occassionally. I've read that the gas version is much better for this, just not as economical. Also want to do some back counrty exploring/mtn biking. Here's one of the rigs I'm considering:

1988 280GE - new windows out paint last year

year: 1988
model: 280 GE (gas)
body: 5 door
ext: Green
intcolor: black
inttype: leather
transmission: 4 spd Automatic
miles: 120,000
mitype: km
price: 23,000

seats: recaro, jump seats

power: steering, brakes, door locks, radio, cd

opt: Rear Diff Lock, Front Diff Lock, fog lights,
Heated Rear Glass, Rear Wiper Washer, Alloy
Wheels, Bull Bar, Light Guards, Floor mats, Tachometer

add: This forest green metallic 280 GE with black
leather seats is in superb condition. The rumble
seats are also covered in leather. You'd be hard
pressed to find a nicer example.

[jorian]

This is a grey market rig which in itself doesn't bother me too much as the previous owner has owned here for 3 years and jumped through the registration/smog hoops already. Mileage is bad but it wouldn't be a daily driver. It does have a tow package on it - just not sure what kind or how it operates. Wasn't aware of the spare key issue - I will look into that. I'll be doing a test drive next week.

[Vin-barrett]

Wow , that looks sweeeet!
I'm jealous, I always wanted one of those

Keep us posted

[osidak]

HP doesn't pull anything torque does -

[Rot 911]

This Mercedes:



Has a strong resemblance to my Willys Wagon:

[vash]

wow, i seem to remember that the G series can handle the same grade as a hummer. 70%?

i like them alot. please let us know if you get one. i didnt even know they came with diesel motors. i bet the torque is good.

[jorian]

"HP doesn't pull anything torque does -..."
I agree that you need tq to tow but the diesel will not tow a boat at more than 55 MPH on the highway. 55 would make me nuts. I've also read that the diesel performs better in severe of road conditions.


Always liked the Willys. Nice rig Kurt.

[Rich76_911s]

In the diesel you'll be lucky to get 55 down hill with a tailwind. The thing is SLOW.