Intro and question on G320
Hello, I am new on this forum and have joined because I am interested in learning more about the G class. In my search for my next car the G features because of its Mercedes build quality (I am looking for a 463 up to ~1996), the space for carrying stuff (mountain bikes and friends) and its rarity/uniqueness. Unfortunately I probably won't be doing much offroading, even though I will be driving on the snow (skiing) and may even venture down to Morocco in the late summer.
I have seen there are some G320s for sale in Germany (I am looking for LHD). Thats the straight six petrol engine that was in other 90's Mercs as well, I assume?
Does anyone have any feedback on how well suited this engine is to the G? I have not seen much info about it here (most seems to be on the 280, 300 and larger diesels).
Thanks!
PS: Hope its ok to intro myself on this board rather than the 'official' into one...
Welcome to the forum!
Yes, the engine fitted to the G320 from 1994-97 is the straight six from the contemporary MB saloons.
From 1998, the G320 is fitted with the V6 also sourced from the contemporary MB saloons.
Either is well suited to move the GWagen, thought don't expect it to move like a Ferrari.
For more information about G-Wagen models, check my website.
Again welcome to the forum. Your choice of LHD means you have a much greater market to search in.
I think output levels of the V6 and I6 320s are similar, only the V6 has 1 more valve per cylinder (than the 12-valve 300) or 1 less (than the 24v 320).
Also worth noting, fuel consumption is about the same as the G500.
Just be sure to get one with the 5-speed auto, I think most/all 320s will have that. They will also have vented disc brakes and wider wheels than the G300/300GE.
Again welcome to the forum. Your choice of LHD means you have a much greater market to search in.
I think output levels of the V6 and I6 320s are similar, only the V6 has 1 more valve per cylinder (than the 12-valve 300) or 1 less (than the 24v 320).
Also worth noting, fuel consumption is about the same as the G500.
Just be sure to get one with the 5-speed auto, I think most/all 320s will have that. They will also have vented disc brakes and wider wheels than the G300/300GE.
The 6-inline version of the G320 has the 4-speed auto gearbox.
The V6 has the 5-speed auto...
Thanks for that Mortinson, my new fact of the day!
More to R Gubbioli:
There you go, another reason to opt for a V6. And before you ask, I've driven both the 4 and 5-speed autos, and they are really a generation apart, whether considering cold-start smoothness or versatility. I love the 5-speed...
Hey,
Thanks for the feedback and input.
Interesting that the 320 has almost the same fuel consumption as the 500, I guess its because of all the bulk it has to pull along?
I think my favourite choice is the I6 (220bhp) as its the engine I know from the W124, plus there seems to be a bit of a gap between say a 1994 and a 1998 G in terms of price.
So, in summary, is the 320 a well suited engine for the G? As mentioned above, I probably value smoothness and reliability more than offroad capability (for which I would choose a diesel).
While I am at it, can I assume that the rear seats fold down as in a normal estate (I really should get out and see one properly)?
Thanks again!
Engine is a good as it gets! A whole lot of G for the money.
Consumption if the G320 is only similar to that of the G500 only if you drive the latter as if you were a nun....
Seats fold down as one piece in early W463 SWBs... then they fold down as 50/50% or 1/3 + 2/3s... but all of them definitely fold down...
Engine is a good as it gets! A whole lot of G for the money.
Consumption if the G320 is only similar to that of the G500 only if you drive the latter as if you were a nun....
I should correct myself, I meant to say, from my humble experience, there isn't much difference between consumption of a G300/300GE and G500, with my driving style, which is with a heavy right foot. I can only manage 300km or so out of a tank in daily driving.
Of course if you drive a G500 conservatively, you can easily get 400km+ out of a tank, and it is so easy to restrain yourself with that toxic V8 note..NOT!
i had a similar thing in two very different cars last week. the cayanne (cayurgh!) had a v8 and was getting 21-22 mpg and that was going into london and driving around a packed holloway road but when i drove a 3l x5 from beaconsfield to oxford and back i only got 18-19mpg. the 3l had to be worked harder for the same sort of slopes as the cayanne glided up and it really felt guttless, i was really suprised in the different mpg tho.
if i wasnt in the position of 5 years unemployment (student life hey) id go for the 500 and lpg it professionally.
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Hey,
Thanks for the feedback and input.
Interesting that the 320 has almost the same fuel consumption as the 500, I guess its because of all the bulk it has to pull along?
I think my favourite choice is the I6 (220bhp) as its the engine I know from the W124, plus there seems to be a bit of a gap between say a 1994 and a 1998 G in terms of price.
So, in summary, is the 320 a well suited engine for the G? As mentioned above, I probably value smoothness and reliability more than offroad capability (for which I would choose a diesel).
While I am at it, can I assume that the rear seats fold down as in a normal estate (I really should get out and see one properly)?
Thanks again!