New member looking to purchase a g wagon
Hi there
Very knowledgable forum but people tend to have their hands full... G owners tend to be busy I guess and the ones who know their stuff are usually in a garage somewhere building/restoring them. However a response is always forthcoming.
There have been quite a few threads on the subject of which 463 and even some on the merits of getting one of the early new generation ones when reintroduced to the UK. But equally there is quite a bit about engine and box combos I know nothing about - hence need to stick to other users more in the know. I had a 35 yr old 460 then switched to an 2000 G500 so older again than what you are looking for but did so to avoid issues associated with the introduction of the Canbus/ECU era that seems to be a cause of problems for some models from mid 2000 onwards. But as I said a search should pull up good few threads for a good read Best Simon
Manual g-wagen's have heavy clutches and robust gear changes, they can't be flicked gear to gear like a a Japanese white goods type car. The power steering on the w460 also requires more effort than on the w463, if you want durability and decades old trusted tech get a 4 speed auto box equipped diesel a gd300. It will be slow but it will get you there in comfort and with little effort. I would avoid the most recent offerings if you value reliability. If fuel consumption is not an issue the ge300 again with an auto box will get you there a little more rapidly, both options diesel and petrol are fairly widely available as a lwb or swb vehicle, and whilst some of these cars are already 25 years old, I'd be very confident they'll last a further 20 years at least, the build quality is astonishing compared to any other full size 4x4 ever made.
Thats good sound advise
I like my 463 as it has a few creature comforts the older models dont offer. The dash is clear and old school but with all you need to know with proper positive switches that last years
Its my most used vehicle and the most comfy cruiser i have owned. Plenty of space and headroom and thats all i could ask for
As for the age , as you say they are proper built well but the later 1994 onwards dont seem to keep as well. Its all that new sealer and paint just does not compare to the old isocyanate based paint and sealer
The latest 2012 interiors are nice though i must admit
there are no Gs with 9 speed gearboxes, only 7 speed; these have been available since 2011, plenty of cars available for sale (Autotrader); as you say that few RHD cars are for sale I assume that you refer to the pre 2001 cars and yes the number of pre 2001 RHD 463s sold in the UK are limited (my guess around 100, I'm sure somebody will have a more precise figure); re your question in terms of reliability of 7/9 speed gearboxes, problems are rare but if problems occur on the electronics side it tends to be impossible to locate the issue, the way forward is to replace the entire gearbox which is often not economical; it boils down to the discussion whether current car models have a lifespan beyond 15 years.
as far as I understand it, it is not a questions whether the dealer want/ does not want to repair the gearbox, he can't repair it; they are modules supplied by an OEM and the dealer is not able to open/ repair parts in them; it is not just Mercedes, from what I hear BMW has the same problem.
2000 ish g lwb Rhd = G500; around 30 cars in the UK.
With new, anti-Diesel legislation, I'd probably look for a G500. Their M113 engines and 5-speed gearboxes are pretty-much bullet proof, whereas the first 7-speed gearboxes were known for early failures. (2 extra gears in a smaller, lighter package).
The modern (2000 onwards) Diesel electronics and common-rail systems are somewhat less reliable than the petrol counterparts. Many pumps, pressure sensors, plastic piping and turbo-controllers to go wrong. The 6-cyl, OM642, Diesel is also known for sludge issues.
If buying a car from early 2000, be prepared to spend around £6k on spares, if you want it up to scratch.
This will include various suspension items, possibly, springs and dampers, and steering damper, tie-rods etc. New brake lines, some new engine hoses, radiator etc. all service fluids, filters and parts, new fuel-tank, if you have the '1/4 tank' problem, addressing small rust spots, waxoyling, fixing broken trim....
Noticed this 1993 G300 GES petrol for sale on Ebay for £14k from Boxhill Garage in Surrey.
Looks all right from the pics. Seats appear to be retrimmed.
Hello - I have a 2001 G500 LWB RHD, full service history and files to prove it. Congestion charge exempt, sadly circumstances are forcing a reluctant sale - Just reduced from £22,500 to £19,999.
Have PM;ed my details. Not trade - private owner.
Spider1V
Hello - I have a 2001 G500 LWB RHD, full service history and files to prove it. Congestion charge exempt, sadly circumstances are forcing a reluctant sale - Just reduced from £22,500 to £19,999.
Have PM;ed my details. Not trade - private owner.
Spider1V
The Lord has spoken after many moons ago.
Lol :)
Well worth a look at.
You Sir are now Blessed :)
Spider1V
Hi
There are many mercedes g463 out there. They are not as how shall i say,,,, advanced as an ml and might seem a bit slow and totally different. My wife likes the street cred and its rare but i am sure she would be happier in a newer ml
Its the rare thing and people notice a g wagon where there are 100s of ml cars
She wants a g wagon even if its a slow and thirsty beast. As long as she can put her private plate on she does not mind slow. fuel economy, steering and handling, road manners etc
She will go off road lightly. she will suffer fuel cost, and just has become to love g wagons
She drove my latest purchase which is quite mint for a 1991 g wagon but its slow. She loved it but it must go as she needs to spend more money so she can put her private plate on it. She said its so slow but she still wanted it as she loved the high up safe driving position and its a g wagon
Cheeky cow drove mine thats manual and thought mine was good. No way it was just a comparison lol
I int doing all that again unless its for me. Selfish yes practical no
I have avery tidy g 463 300ge auto if you need one. I feel bad to the previous owner for not making it mint showroom condition but he will understand if its for a good cause. Right money too and way cheaper than most 460 on here
What you are used to i would say you want 500v8 or new v6 350 cdi or you might e dissapointed
Honest views
Gaz
When you are accelerating 2..5 tonnes of vehicle, with large tyres and with the friction losses of a proper, full-time, 4-wheel drive system, you will never have great fuel consumption, The continuous fuel injection of the 300E engine will also be a little higher than the with more modern engines using turbos and sequential injection systems. But, I find that driven carefully, the 300GE is very good around town. Any new or old G will have a Cd, drag coefficient of nearly 0.60, which is over twice that of a normal, modern car, and a frontal area about 1.5 x a regular car.
Aerodynamic Drag Force = Cd x [Frontal Area]) x [speed]2
Then when you add extra rolling resistance from large tyres and additional mechanical losses from the 4WD system,
You can see that whatever engine you have, you will never have great fuel consumption, compared to a regular car. The equation above also illustrates that, because of the square relationship, at 80 MPH your aerodynamic drag force will be more than double that at 60 MPH and for the G this is significant. Hence fuel consumption goes up drastically as your cruising speed increases.
So with the G, you have a weight penalty in accelerating its mass and an aerodynamic penalty when at speed.
Anyway, I'm sorry that you've decided to sell your new acquisition. (As you probably know, you can get a 'personalised' plate directly form the DVLA from as little as £250, incl transfer .)
I don't care what you say Arnie - or what algebraic nonsense you use to prove your argument.
There is NO WAY that I'm going to drive to Germany at 50mph!
Hi Arnie
Its not a case of not wanting a g wagon
I have mine and would not sell it for the world. She does too but her plate is ace. It reads TRAYC
So i said have one with initials but she wants that one and i understand why
Fuel figures and facts are interesting. I love my om 606 converted one and its really good on fuel. I have high ratio diffs and transfer box so its happy at 80mph at 2500 revs so is still good on fuel. I dont mind paying for fuel as i love my g wagon. I wont be driving a shitty little car i dont like just for fuel economy
I might as well sell the 300ge as its very tidy. It needs a few jobs but is a very good starting point
I have not thought of a price but it will be cheap if anyone is interested
Regards gaz
Oh, I see, you already have a nice private plate that you'd like to transfer. Would that be T8 AYC making it difficult to fit to an older, H, J or K reg vehicle? You'd therefore need something 1999 onwards.
I think there may be one or two newcomers here, looking for a vehicle. In fact I met someone the other day, wanting to buy mine (SWB). I pointed him to the GWOA, but the phone number he left me does not work - maybe wrote it down wrong?
Anyway, maybe you can take some pictures and put them up in the For Sale section with some basic details of the vehicle.
A very nice truck well worth a look at
Hi guys
What has happened to this forum
Everyone is chatting , some more than others and many of us have spoke more than ever.
We all say the wrong things at times and piss people off by accident but its not meant and what a good group of members we have
Please lets all keep this up as i am enjoying the chat and info a lot. Also i suppose everyone else is too It is making this a brilliant forum and people are trying to help each other and new members. You wont help them all but we can guide them. If we cross paths dont think i am ignorant but i am crap at names and faces so you need to remind me. I met a few people at the agm at Shrewsbury a few years ago but only remember a few faces i can put names to. My apologies
I do type some long essays chilling with a beer but theres some interest in it
I did post my g wagon is doing 80mph at 2500 rpm with the transfer box and diff swaps. It is not it is doing 76 mph at 2500 revs i checked again today. Sorry for the small error. Its manual so i dont know what went 4mph wrong. Perhaps my garmin sat nav was using the wrong sattelites lol. I could work out the gearing and ratio exactly but i cant be bothered as it has a 220d 6 speed box and i am not sure the exact final drive ratio in 6th
Thanks for recommending my new truck for sale
I promised the owner i would do it up mint but i feel bad as my wife now does not want it. She loves it and everyone says how nice it is but you know women
I bought it as it was a very nice example. Yes it needs a fair few jobs but all pretty easy stuff and could be driven for ages as is
Rear spring tops and shock mounts need checking out. I would just replace them but thats just me
There is some rust , not much in the centre panel under screen. They normally go at the outers but that seems solid and no its not been filled its all metal
Heater does not work. Simple fuse i recon but i have not had time to look
A little bit of rust on wing by headlight cowl but also it seems surface and not rotten. I did ask if i pushed on it and tapped it and it went into a hole would he mind. I did and its sound with no hole
A few trims want fitting properly
The mirror adjustment switch works but has snapped off
The tyres are a bit cracked with standing but are ok and i would use it still, Also passed an mot
The drivers seat is worn on the bolster
It needs a good service and there is a tiny bit of play in the water pump but it does not leak or anything
Good points
Its straight and the body is very tidy. Its had a bit of paint but not for rust or rot and has been done years ago and all is well
Its looks a million dollars and also has 500 v8 18 inch rims
Bull bar at front which i dont know but its the one that folds down for servicing if needed
The trim is good for its age and everything works ok
They advised some track rod end and tie bar boots were perished on the mot but i have not checked
I am too honest for a salesman and here is the list. If it was not very very good i would not of purchased it but as i said its proper tidy for a 1991 g wagon. I was going to make it mint but i might just keep mine and buy a newer one if one turns up
Someone mentioned the early 463 models are properly put together with no rattles or squeeks and solid. I totally agree and think the later ones are more like a w210 e300. Good but not all screwed together like an early 463
Whats it worth ?????. Come on guys dont be shy. I might of paid too much for it . Its 2 owners but the last owner had it 1 or 2 years from new. Its a swb 300ge auto and its done 120000 miles. I drove it home for 250 miles with no issues. No vibration and all props are good as i checked that first. It was so nice i did not even test drive it when i went to view it as the rest sold itself and any jobs i would do
I do feel bad if i sell it as i promised him it would have a good home. I was going to convert it to v8 but i have enough projects. It needs a good home or i will keep it i recon
Chime in please. There are some pics on here somewhere. Not good ones but anyone keen will want a price and to view the car
Gaz
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