300GD For Sale
I am looking at 300GD currently for sale and trying to establish the exact engine. It is a 460 but I am unclear if this is OM603 or OM617. I have the engine number but not clear how I can establish exactly the engine type.
I understand the OM617 is a weaker engine of the two, is this correct?
Also for some longer distance driving (motorway) is the 460 a complete no go?
If anyone has any steer on range of prices for late 80s 460 would be helpful, a low milage and seemingly good example.
Have reviewed other posts but relative newbie here so stick with me on above.
Thanks.
Hi Magellan,
Can you get the VIN number?
Spider1V
Unless it had its engine replaced at some point in its life, that W460 ought to have a OM617 engine on it, as indeed have all UK imported W460s (240GDs and 250GDs were never officially imported into the UK).
Thus, its datacard shows the following:
VIN WDB46033227064262
Trade designation 300 GD
Date of shipment ..
Cab 460533 20
Body 3
Engine number 617 931 20 019 103
Front Axle 1 730300 20 H013957
Order number 6853704202
LPC code 1 5929
Rear Axle 1 741502 20 K013649
Wheels SUEDRAD
Steering gear 20 765 502 V89017
Transfer Case 750 609 20 075 677
PPC 717 422 20 006 422
GroupNomer_SA24 028 107/0625 028 952/0326 028 020/1326 028 053/0726 028 125/0328 028 020/1328 028 087/0629 028 037/2429 028 952/0331 028 001/0633 020 162/1533 020 162/1633 020 181/1933 020 304/0235 020 162/1535 020 162/1635 020 181/1941 028 117/0342 028 037/2446 028010/0552 020 180/3452 028 026/0254 020 182/0854 028 003/0654 028 009/2954 028 014/0354 028 026/0254 028 098/0154 028 099/0154 028 118/0154 028 162/0654 028 171/0654 028 183/0454 028 189/0454 059 023/0461 059 163/0562 059 023/0463 059 111/1067 059 006/0867 059 026/0268 059 012/3868 059 014/0168 059 111/1069 059 007/1669 059 012/3872 059 006/0872 059 010/0172 059 010/0472 059 111/1072 059 167/0273 059 006/0873 059 010/0173 059 010/0473 059 167/0274 059 006/0874 059 010/0174 059 010/0474 059 026/0274 059 167/0281 059 098/1082 028 026/0282 028 099/0182 059 003/0582 059 005/0882 059 023/0482 059 026/0282 059 027/0182 059 050/0482 059 070/0983 059 012/3886 028 099/0186 059 004/0586 059 007/1686 059 023/0486 059 027/0186 059 050/0488 059 009/0588 059 023/0488 059 050/0491 059 013/1791 059 013/1791 059 013/1891 059 013/1891 059 013/1891 059 070/0991 059 111/1091 059 160/0892 059 013/1792 059 013/1792 059 013/1892 059 013/1892 059 013/1892 059 163/0597 059 013/1797 059 013/1797 059 013/1897 059 013/1897 059 013/1897 059 070/09
CodeDescription
A02 TIPS CHROME BALL JOINT
A70 DIFFERENTIAL LOCK FRONT AXLE
A71 Rear axle differential lock
C54 DETAILS DIFFER RUL.MEHANIZMA
C70 REAR BUMPER TWO-
E40 trailer towing. UNIT 7-CONTACT
E51 Suppression of radio interference
F46 Headlamp cleaning system
G48 5-speed manual. GL 275
G75 Aligning the number SPEEDOMETER
H20 Heat insulating glazing
H20 Tinted windows
H22 HEATED REAR SCREEN
J38 ELECTRONIC speed sensor
L16 HALOGEN PROTIVOTUM.FARA
L18 Rear fog lights
L30 GRID PROTECTION STONES FOR FAR
P48 MUDGUARD REAR
Q53 Hitch with ball. HEAD LOW.
S18 ADJUSTING TILT DRIVER'S SEAT
V01 INTERIOR OF THE COUNTRY
V29 GREY INTERIOR
V34 GRIP AND FRONT PANEL upholstered
X59 SYSTEM central locking
Y10 EMERGENCY
Z98 ORDER SPECIFICATION
Hi
From the data above it was ordered by the UK dealer in 1988 with steel wheels and no wide arches colour was Nautic blue fitted with nomally aspirated OM 61 7five cylinder engine and five manual Gearbox ( known for being underpowered)
DVLA Swansea will have some regn number history
all other history is in the archive of documents ( mot's and service history book ) offered for inspection at the time of inspection
All - thanks for such prompt and detailed info, seems to stack up. Anybody volunteer a price range for 70k miles and history?
Thanks again
very difficult to venture a price as there is huge variation and lots of chancers trying their luck, always buy on condition
Hi Magellan,
You need to let us have a bit more info. Some questions to investigate:
I notice it's a manual. I have no idea what manuals are like in G's, but "normal" cars MB manuals are not generally considered to be up to the same standard as their automatics.
Hi I have had a SWB 300GD for 6 years and it is my daily driver and used on a regular basis for runs up and down the M6 (200+ mile round trips). I can echo the 'frame of mind view' I cruise along at 65 (except for the odd section of steep incline where grabbing 4th is needed - it's a 5 speed).
The car is happy at that speed and will pull through to 75mph - but thats feels as if your flogging it to death - I have 31 inch BFG all terrains on. It ain't that refined, but its comfortable - my wife drives a Range Rover Sport (when it's not in the garage being fixed :-) and other than the obvious noise (I dynamated mine through out) the G is just as physically comfortable (in fact for me more so) after a long drive.
But you do need to buy it with the expectation that it is going to be 'mechanical' by nature - I don't like cars stacked full of electronics and find the G works well for me as a result. Speed and manual box wise the only time it has irritated me was on a 4 hour journey back from Swindon when they shut the Motorway and I did peak rush hour congested A road cross country driving. The combination of lack of power and multiple shifts in stop start traffic was a royal pain in the arse - but that is once in 6 years.
Engine wise just make sure simple things are done - full travel on the linkages to make sure the injectors are fully open - the last 3-5mm of travel makes a full gears difference on a hill. Makes sure the air filter is spotless, that the engine has good oil in it and has been flushed, and most importantly get the valve clearances set when totally cold and checked every 6-8,000 miles and it has enough get up and go to put a grin on your face on country lanes - a large bore stainless exhaust helps. You might also want to get the injectors set to over fuel slightly - this needs to be done by a specialist - it isn't about just using the adjuster screw on the injector block.
Finally though - if you want RR refinement, or anything close - get a 463. I'm with needamerc though :-) - I only drive the RR if I have to, and not just because it's white! Simon
Spider hi, apologies for the delay. They are looking for shade under 16k. Noted re round the clock, I have discounted the truck as think OM617 better for me.
I have had some invaluable advice from Fixwin re engine type, and he researched the vehicle when it was previously listed for sale.
Thanks again.
Spider hi, apologies for the delay. They are looking for shade under 16k.
I don't know what other folks think, but perhaps 16K is a tad optimistic.
Hello Magellan,
Although you have come to some decision as not to go for an OM617 engine that is fine. As some background information to points you had raised; firstly, distinction between the OM617 and OM603 engine is the former is a five cylinder in-line Diesel engine. It is of metal block and head casting.
This is a well proven engine but with docile characteristics. NOT suited to a driver without patients or mellow temperament. Fine in local driving and off-roading but requires a well planned individual to be traveling on Motorway journeys. These engines were fitted to the W460 chassis of G-Wagen which the a part time 4X4. Prices wary drastically on these models.
The worst example of which would have body rot at the rear panels, if still fitted with a metal fuel tank; possibly have some issues with rot. Worn wiper spindles are common, tendencies for rear broken coil springs - these are easily missed by vehicle inspectors and at some MOT stations.
Recent years have seen weakness of the rear coil spring mounting caps and the rear shock absorber mounts due to corrosion at the chassis by the tubular mounts. Although these can be repaired it does entails in a partial lifting of the rear body section to do the job properly. It is important to check the front wheel bearing and hub bearing conditions before buying so a vehicle inspection is a definite suggestion unless one is well versed with the pros' and cons' of owing or buying a G-Wagen.
Current market prices for the W460s', I have seen as high as £18k, way OTT by my reckoning. My personal opinion on pricing is the W460 at its best condition would be £11500 'TOPS' and supported with full service history given mileages of around 130,000 miles. The market has hugely varying prices and I can not claim the prices asked a true reflection of the market but one thing clear to me is that the sellers are optimistic. There are supply and demand forces at play here and it really boils down to who caves in first and how desperate on is to buy a G-Wagen. To buy a G-wagen requires a lot of looking and waiting for the right one to come about. To sell one takes just as long. But when you have the right one, you are likely to wear it down to as much as having old boots. On average I would expect to be paying around the £8K to £9K for my ideal W460 between 130,000 to 150,000 miles and would have thoroughly inspected out on the ramp. I feel there are no examples of vehicle with less than 90,000 miles or so about.
Engine number give themselves away as to engine type. An OM617 engine begins its sequence with OM617...... and the OM603 engine in a similar manor.
The OM603 is a six cylinder in-line diesel unit with a metal block casting with aluminum head. Fitted to the W463 chassis G-Wagen and this is a permanent 4X4 system. Used vehicle mileages on these will tend to be higher than the W460s as, due to its internal comfort and derivability; it is easier to use more often. Issues buying these models are similar to the W460s.
Performance is adequate and the engine has a very refined diesel tone to it not a crude tractor diesel knock to it.
Ultimately, good and regular service is the key to any G-Wagen. By that score it is reliable and overall cheaper to run. BUT when it needs repair, it is not cheap as any 4X4. My ideal price for a W463 would be around £13k at some 180,000 miles.
General observations; due to the age of these vehicles some parts and trims are becoming difficult to get from the dealer or parts' prices have become extremely expensive. In some cases bespoke work is needed to be commissioned to effect repairs. Despite all that, I would still buy a G-Wagen.
Pistonhead, All
Thanks for the detail very helpful, I agree is optimistic and also based on other comments from members have dropped this. I have been looking for years already and in no rush!
Regards
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WDB46033227064262