G wagens any one had one ?
Discussion
After many years of Land Rovers,I wanted a change so looking about for a 4X4 which could do a bit of light off roading and driveable on the road,I was up for a Jeep Wrangler then saw on youtube a Mercedes G Wagen or Wagon not the AMG V8 long wheel base for 10's £1,000 but a short wheel base diesel,has any one on here had one and what are the pit falls if any.The first negative I found was the price of these things Land Rover 90 TDCI money for 1995-98 models,as they say you pay for what you get ,so do you get as good or better than a 90 TDCI.This is not my main car so for weekend fun but some road work for the odd Holidays or weekend away .What do you PHer's think ?
Thanks for the reply ,I was thinking that the petrol would be juicy as they have the same aerodynamics as a Land Rover that's why diesel had to be the way to go ,I see theirs a 350 diesel which looks good ,do you know if it is a six or V8 I would also like to have a auto box which is why I'm not looking at a 90's.
Lovely 1994 92K miles 300 GE LWB sold last weekend for almost £21K plus 20% buyers premium
http://www.classiccarauctions.co.uk/mercedes-g-wag...
http://www.classiccarauctions.co.uk/mercedes-g-wag...
I like G-Wagens, they have always been expensive however and fairly rare in the UK.
Older models (early ones) can suffer rust, plus they are generally basic and very slow. The diesels generally being far less road capable than a same year Range Rover.
Newer ones become more trendy and prices increased, as did performance on some models. Now they are a fully fledged fashion icon for the rich, famous and fairly wealthy.
This has had the effect of ballooning values on the older models, so what are in reality quite stupid levels.
They are still nice vehicles and very capable off road, but you really do have to pay the fashion tag premium to get one these days. And you'll likely be guaranteed that it'll have mega mileage on it.
I've not owned one, looked at them a number of years back, but even then the lower end of the market was still hugely steep for the age/spec of the vehicle you'd end up with. Bought a Jeep Cherokee instead (XJ).
If you are happy to pay the premium, you'll probably get a good vehicle (although I suspect parts carry similar fashion tag price hikes too these days). However "bang per buck" they really aren't the strongest contender IMO.
And arguably something like a Jeep Grand Cherokee WK is just as capable off road and nicer on it, for less money.
That all said, as residuals are strong, you probably won't loose any money on it if you buy wisely.
Older models (early ones) can suffer rust, plus they are generally basic and very slow. The diesels generally being far less road capable than a same year Range Rover.
Newer ones become more trendy and prices increased, as did performance on some models. Now they are a fully fledged fashion icon for the rich, famous and fairly wealthy.
This has had the effect of ballooning values on the older models, so what are in reality quite stupid levels.
They are still nice vehicles and very capable off road, but you really do have to pay the fashion tag premium to get one these days. And you'll likely be guaranteed that it'll have mega mileage on it.
I've not owned one, looked at them a number of years back, but even then the lower end of the market was still hugely steep for the age/spec of the vehicle you'd end up with. Bought a Jeep Cherokee instead (XJ).
If you are happy to pay the premium, you'll probably get a good vehicle (although I suspect parts carry similar fashion tag price hikes too these days). However "bang per buck" they really aren't the strongest contender IMO.
And arguably something like a Jeep Grand Cherokee WK is just as capable off road and nicer on it, for less money.
That all said, as residuals are strong, you probably won't loose any money on it if you buy wisely.
300bhp/ton said:
That all said, as residuals are strong, you probably won't loose any money on it if you buy wisely.
Same can be said for decent Mk2 XJ Cherokees, a good low milage one is hard to find these days, and prices are on the rise as a result. Grands are still seen as an appliance so dirt cheap for what you get. Admittedly my Quadra drive Grand only has varilock LSDs rather than switchable lockers but it matches the spec of the GW for a fraction of the price. In fact I think they were built in the same factory in Graz?Hi Thanks to very one for get back to me .The Grand Cherokee is a great car I have a 2011 CRD which tows and drives as good as my L322 but I wanted something a bit more basic and fun,that I could play with change bits about ,I miss my old 90 and would have another if they stayed where you put them.A good mate of mine has had his nearly stolen 3 times then left out side the pub they nicked the bonnet and both doors the car front down the road they just left the body ,doors,bonnet,wheels even the dash gone.Thats why I'm looking elsewhere. Here's my old 90 
My Jeep in Sunny Scotland
My Jeep in Sunny Scotland
leginigel said:
Ok very one loves a Jeep,are there any Jeep Wrangle owners out with views on them?I would like diesel auto .
I'm a huge Wrangler fan, don't own one. But if I can sort monies out, will be.The JK is a great platform, but UK spec is really weird on them, plus crazy pricing...
When launched they started at £19k, this was only 2007. Shortly after dealers where selling them new for as low as £17k. But Jeep UK didn't really try and sell them. Plus the specs where all really weird, couldn't get air con with a manual unless it was LWB and stupid stuff like that.
They had a facelift in 2011'ish, mostly new interior. But the 2.8 got a power hike and the manual gearbox dropped from the range altogether.
I think Jeep also realised that they'd probably sell the same number a year if priced a lot higher, hence today's Wranglers start at about £35k for essentially the same vehicle as the 2007 model!!!
This has meant residuals are very good however.
IMO the JK Wrangler is the perfect blend. All the modern design and amenities of a Disco 3/4 but with the same rugged charm, construction and abilities of a Defender. Actually they exceed a Defender on everything but towing...
Now I do like the G-Wagens.. but would take the Wrangler any day of the week tbh.
Well I bought a 1988 300GD swb G wagen in 1996 for £8000 - it had about 75000 miles on. I used it as a tow and down the field car for 10 years and sold it on Ebay for £1500 in 2007 with unknown mileage as the odometer died at 97000 or so (a common fault I am told) but I'd guess around 150000 miles. I replaced it with a friends disco 300tdi ES which I still have on the road (no it has not rusted away) and which now has 185000 or so on original including clutch drive train.
The G with the cross axle diff locks was excellent off road but did not have the axle articulation of a Land Rover and quite often waved a wheel or two on slopes. This made the locks essential. Its biggest failing was the 5 cylinder diesel non turbo which was completely gutless - I had the 5 speed box and well remember bringing a Fergi 20 up the M5 from Exeter to Shrewsbury where I was a mobile road block for the lorries! Fuel consumption was heavy around 20-22 mpg as well so no saving grace there.
Main bad points -
Thirst lack of performance and sheer weight.
Extensive rust in the body in spite of washing and waxing underneath and cleaning out
of mud traps.
Cost of maintenance - prop shaft UJs are staked and require specialist replacement so then about
£200 a shaft (DIY about £18 per UJ on LR). Battery is practically unique and priced accordingly.
Needs good set of glow plugs to start even in summer - I had trouble with the timer and plugs but
apart from that the engine seemed bulletproof.
Vibration! A G wagen problem never really cured something to do with the 3 prop shafts.
Good
Chassis massive and well rust protected (suspension very similar to Land Rover90/110/Range Rover).
The Disco at 30 mpg/25 towing was a revelation - nicer to drive much much cheaper to run and towing at speed limits - now I know the later series Gs are much improved but I'm afraid I would not go there again.
Could go on but won't - actually looking back having something different to a LR was half the fun of the G but it wears off!
JB
The G with the cross axle diff locks was excellent off road but did not have the axle articulation of a Land Rover and quite often waved a wheel or two on slopes. This made the locks essential. Its biggest failing was the 5 cylinder diesel non turbo which was completely gutless - I had the 5 speed box and well remember bringing a Fergi 20 up the M5 from Exeter to Shrewsbury where I was a mobile road block for the lorries! Fuel consumption was heavy around 20-22 mpg as well so no saving grace there.
Main bad points -
Thirst lack of performance and sheer weight.
Extensive rust in the body in spite of washing and waxing underneath and cleaning out
of mud traps.
Cost of maintenance - prop shaft UJs are staked and require specialist replacement so then about
£200 a shaft (DIY about £18 per UJ on LR). Battery is practically unique and priced accordingly.
Needs good set of glow plugs to start even in summer - I had trouble with the timer and plugs but
apart from that the engine seemed bulletproof.
Vibration! A G wagen problem never really cured something to do with the 3 prop shafts.
Good
Chassis massive and well rust protected (suspension very similar to Land Rover90/110/Range Rover).
The Disco at 30 mpg/25 towing was a revelation - nicer to drive much much cheaper to run and towing at speed limits - now I know the later series Gs are much improved but I'm afraid I would not go there again.
Could go on but won't - actually looking back having something different to a LR was half the fun of the G but it wears off!
JB
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