German couple travel the pale blue dot in their Merc G Wagon

[carsnapper]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18910560

I was just watching the incredible story of a German couple's travels around The World over the past 23 years in their G Wagon. Amazing way to live life, very inspirational. 800,000 km's over some of the roughest terrain on earth and 'not one major breakdown'! It was very sad to hear that his wife died recently, and good on him for continuing his journeys (as his wife wanted him to). Does anyone know what year and engine spec this Mercedes G Wagon is? Not sure a Landie would have coped so well?!

[Caractacus]

Just epic.

Like anything though, if you look after it, it'll last, and last. My mechanic services as 300k 'young' defender 300tdi and there's no reason that won't keep going. Mechanical sympathy works wonders.

So sad he lost his wife during his travels, but even better that he keeps on going.

[bigblock]

carsnapper said:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18910560

Does anyone know what year and engine spec this Mercedes G Wagon is?

It is a 460 300GD LWB (3.0 litre normally aspirated diesel 100bhp). Not sure of the exact year but between '81 and '89.

Interesting that in 500,000 miles and 23 years it never broke down and he said if he had to do it all again he would use exactly the same vehicle.

[carsnapper]

bigblock said:

It is a 460 300GD LWB (3.0 litre normally aspirated diesel 100bhp). Not sure of the exact year but between '81 and '89.

Interesting that in 500,000 miles and 23 years it never broke down and he said if he had to do it all again he would use exactly the same vehicle.

Thanks for the info Bigblock - heads straight over to AutoTrader

I would very much like to do this too. I'd love to hear all about the logistics involved and the stories from their travels. Really hope he puts pen to paper. It reminded me of another old couple from the UK who'd been sailing The World for the past 30 years in a boat the husband built. I have nothing but respect for their life choices and sense of adventure.

[Speedy1995]

My preffered car would be a late 80's toyota land cruser amazon with sorkeland cattle bullbars and i would garuentee you it would last longer than a new one

[PugwasHDJ80]

Speedy1995 said:

My preffered car would be a late 80's toyota land cruser amazon with sorkeland cattle bullbars and i would garuentee you it would last longer than a new one

or an early 90s one. was working on mine tonight. the metal used is of a higher quality than that in my new landcruiser (which definitely won't live 20 years- no matter how much mech sympath you have!)

[pcn1]

Agree with the above. Epic way to live in this modern world of ours. Unfortunatly my missis has the "every one should drive a Mondeo, live in a 3 bed semi and have a decent job and pension" outlook on life !

We all know how technology/performance has moved on in the last 20 years, but I really think the 80's and early 90's was the "peak" of how the Germans screwed a car together. They built a car up to a standard, not down to a price point. Ive even got a German friend I see at work sometimes, and he used to get excited over my old Porsche 944 S2 !

[bigblock]

pcn1 said:

We all know how technology/performance has moved on in the last 20 years, but I really think the 80's and early 90's was the "peak" of how the Germans screwed a car together. They built a car up to a standard, not down to a price point. !

A good point and very true, the build quality and engineering set the price. This did have a its drawbacks of course and explains why my G Wagon cost £44k in 1994 when a fully loaded Range Rover was only £28k.

[Speedy1995]

Also makes me wonder how he affords to run that thing wether he was rich and saved up or is doing temporary jobs as he goes on but he must be doing 100 miles a day easy and those things even diesels are rubbish on fuel .