300GES or 300TE??
Hi everyone
Been reading your excellent forum as I'm in the process of swapping my 300TE for a 300GES. Both are 1991 autos. I'm more than happy with the price (£9k), the mileage (85k), and the condition as superficially no sign of rust or clonks and vibrations. My main question is really one of practicality. I’ve always hankered after a g-wagen and this one seems to good an opportunity to waste. However just before I take the plunge I’d be interested to hear from anyone on the practicalities of owning and running a G. I realise it’s essentially a military vehicle but all the road tests seem to compare it with a Range-Rover rather than a Defender? Does this mean they are quite reasonable for long journeys – i.e. not a noisy, slow, whining, rattle box like my last Defender? I don’t want 3 cars so the 300TE would have to go and I think the family would crucify me if I changed the 300TE for something like the old Defender.
By the way any problems getting them serviced with MB? I’ve always found my local dealer here in Southampton very good for big repair jobs.
Thanks for all your help.
Chris
Cann't help with opinion on petrol ,only had diesels, but I have owned a late model 4.0l SE range rover and I would never go near another one as long as I live,when it was on the road it was smooth and quiet and returned around 16mpg but always going wrong. The 3 G's I have owned never break down, there is a 1992 swb in silver on Ebay which you may want to look at (nothing to do with me), my last swb diesel (92) was lovely to drive and far more pleasing than the rangerover, just a little shorter on space (dogs not kids) so I have lwb now.
Not sure what series of G Wagen you looked at, but if you (or your familly) are concerned with creature comforts, try and get a 463 series (sometimes called Mk2) as they have more sedan styled interiors. These usually start at 1992.
I've got Guerdeval's 463 SWB that he was refering to, and I love it. I was originally considering a new Disco as an attempt to get something with off-road ability but still suitable for day to day use and long trips. I do not regret my decision. I always thought Gs were a little odd in their market positioning in that they have the ability to compete with on equal if not stronger footing than a Defender, but they have the luxury of a RR.
Defenders, Discos and RRs are dime a dozen. There is something about having a car where on the rare occassion you pass another on the road, the driver waves at you!!!
Yes they can be very expensive to maintain if you get them serviced exclusively by MB, but their are a number of specialist MB service centres who can help at a fraction of the cost.
G Owners are friendly and helpful. Join the GWOA and you will have a limitless font of G information at your fingertips with many people willing to help. Also consider spending £165 on an RAC check if you are considering a G that you can not get to easily.
Be patient in your hunt. Once you have your G you will not look back!
Chris
Hi I live in Southampton and have both a 300TE and have a 460 at present although I have had a 300GE and a 300GD plus other older G's, so am very well placed to give you info. If you want to give me an e-mail with your tel no we can have a chat or meet up.
I also work on G's so may be able to help ?
My mail address is paulandfran@themurphyfamily.fsnet.co.uk
Best of luck
Murph
Thanks everyone.
Here is a link to the G I'm after.
http://www.findit.co.uk/cars/4x4/898135.htm
Is it the slightly more civilised 463 model? The ad says it's a 1991 but you suggest they didn't start until 1992? Can't seem to get hold of the dealer at the moment to check when it was last serviced, get more details etc. Hoping to get the time to go and see it at the weekend as it's in Wales.
Chris
I might be off on the year, cause that is definitely a 463. Did you also see Adrian Holden's G for sale in the Classified section of this forum?
I've have put up three new topics in the Buying Advice forum that may be of help to you.
MB do a seat trim called MBtex which is almost indistinguishable from leather and cleans better, the red one (I think almandine red) looks nice, those sliding rear windows would have been a factory extra, the wheels are originals so check the tyres aren't too wide if the wheel bolts are as new as they look has it been in a bump? they're usually pretty rusted after 12 yrs?
for your information:
i'm not sure about RHD models, but production and distribution of 463 models started all ready in 1990.
flo
Thanks everyone.
Is it the slightly more civilised 463 model? The ad says it's a 1991 but you suggest they didn't start until 1992? Can't seem to get hold of the dealer at the moment to check when it was last serviced, get more details etc. Hoping to get the time to go and see it at the weekend as it's in Wales.
Chris
Chris:
The car you're after is definitely a 463 series model. It's not only that it looks like a 463 but also that it is a 300 GE. This engine (M 103) was never fitted to either a 460 or a 461 series G-Wagen.
The 463 series was never offered with half-leather interior. The seats were either covered in fabric (standard), MB-tex (non-extra option) or leather (pricey option). The best choice depends on tastes and future use.
I can see that the car shown in the link included in your posting had the option of the wider 15" wheels.
My main question is really one of practicality. I’ve always hankered after a g-wagen and this one seems to good an opportunity to waste. However just before I take the plunge I’d be interested to hear from anyone on the practicalities of owning and running a G. I realise it’s essentially a military vehicle but all the road tests seem to compare it with a Range-Rover rather than a Defender? Does this mean they are quite reasonable for long journeys – i.e. not a noisy, slow, whining, rattle box like my last Defender? I don’t want 3 cars so the 300TE would have to go and I think the family would crucify me if I changed the 300TE for something like the old Defender.
Chris
Having owned both a 460 series and a 463 series G-Wagen I can comfortably tell you to forget your fears. The 460 G seems now like a tractor compared to the 463, although when I did not know better it looked like a Ferrari compared to the Defenders I've driven! The 463 series is an accomplished luxury saloon when driven on the road, provided that the drivetrain is in good shape. In this case there should be no vibrations/noise coming from there. In other words, it should be just as much a pleasure to drive on the road as your 300TE (I can tell you 'cause I own a C180T as well), providing you as well with incomparable pleasure when driving off-road.
The fact that your candidate purchase comes with full service history is encouraging but no guarantee whatsoever, since i) very well maintained GWagens may have been serviced by it owner and ii) there is barely any official MB dealerships in this -on any other for that matter - country who knows the G-Wagen well. I suggest, therefore, that you follow Maxwell's checklists in order to assess whether the car that you have been offered is a good purchase or not. I have to say that the car looks tha epart but we all know that appearances can be deceiving.
However, something that you have to be prepared is the increase in fuel consumption between your 300TE and the 300GES, which in comparable circumstances can be of +50%. Also the SWB is a 3-door with a small boot, whereas your current car is an ample 5-door estate. Better go for the 5-door unless you find something worth buying (as it happens to be my case, because I have three chilldren and I always claimed that my next G was to be a LWB until I found my current car).
Good like and welcome to the G-Wagen comunity!
Don't forget to join the GWOA!
JOIN THE GWOA
This website and forum are provided for the benefit of enthusiasts and owners of all Mercedes Benz off road vehicles, in particular the G Wagen. The costs of development, upkeep and provision of the site are met entirely by the annual subscriptions of club members. If you are using the site and are not a member of the G Wagen Owners Association please consider joining. You will have access to areas on the site that are not open to non members, to club trips and meetings and to technical assistance. In addition your contribution (only £25 annually) will help us maintain and develop our website for future users.
Who's new
- Jaffa_JIM_23
- Wrabstar
- GG
- KTMSCANIA22
- 280ge
Thanks for the info.
The G-wagen on ebay looks interesting so have emailed the vendor for more details such as mileage etc. Not sure about the half leather interior - looks like cloth to me??
Chris