Mercedes G-Wagen
Discussion
Must admit on the Lookout for a 460 G wagon myself, spotted this http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/616265.htm never heard of a soft top one before? any opinions?
GWOA should have most of the answers.
3 litre diesel is a slug (I have one with aftermarket turbo with 5 spd manual). You can wind up to 70 mph cruise at 22 mpg but takes a while. But it will last forever (300k miles easy). Better in many ways to LPG a 280 petrol if you want to go any distance on motorways. Still has charm in winding it up.. think 2CV or small car!
Build quality way beyond RR etc (just look at the propshaft sizes...)
Rust in rear panels where lights are normal and fixable with OEM panels. Rust in rear door base sometimes (but not RR stylie.. so you will find good ones!). Generally panels thick and well rust proofed so OK for a while. Water leaks from front windscreen wiper shafts. Front wheel bearings need a rebuild once in a while. No multi ECU's like P38 etc to worry you. Spares not so expensive from dealer but few non dealer specialists.. and the dealers really do not get enoough to know about them.
Bit basic compared to RR (few toys) .. think more like tarted up LR (well it is a military vehicle built by Steyr-Puch in Austrila and then converted by car sales division of MB). But stiff springs and anti roll bar at front means it tows, handles, steers circles around a wallowing RR (but limited tow weight at about 2.5t as MB understand that you need brakes to stop 3.5t
). It then has 3 full diff locks to compensate for the lack of suspension travel off road which puts it back on par with Standard LR off road if on same tyres (if a bit heavier (all steel) so not so good in the soft). Only thing is it is part time 4wd (ie rwd) but you can flick it into 4wd on the fly (ie at 70mph) and then out occasionally while on snow to stop axles binding. The later 463 are coming down to £5k and are a lot more refined if you can stretch to one.. they are full time 4x4 but with full diff locks (2) again.
3 litre diesel is a slug (I have one with aftermarket turbo with 5 spd manual). You can wind up to 70 mph cruise at 22 mpg but takes a while. But it will last forever (300k miles easy). Better in many ways to LPG a 280 petrol if you want to go any distance on motorways. Still has charm in winding it up.. think 2CV or small car!
Build quality way beyond RR etc (just look at the propshaft sizes...)
Rust in rear panels where lights are normal and fixable with OEM panels. Rust in rear door base sometimes (but not RR stylie.. so you will find good ones!). Generally panels thick and well rust proofed so OK for a while. Water leaks from front windscreen wiper shafts. Front wheel bearings need a rebuild once in a while. No multi ECU's like P38 etc to worry you. Spares not so expensive from dealer but few non dealer specialists.. and the dealers really do not get enoough to know about them.
Bit basic compared to RR (few toys) .. think more like tarted up LR (well it is a military vehicle built by Steyr-Puch in Austrila and then converted by car sales division of MB). But stiff springs and anti roll bar at front means it tows, handles, steers circles around a wallowing RR (but limited tow weight at about 2.5t as MB understand that you need brakes to stop 3.5t
). It then has 3 full diff locks to compensate for the lack of suspension travel off road which puts it back on par with Standard LR off road if on same tyres (if a bit heavier (all steel) so not so good in the soft). Only thing is it is part time 4wd (ie rwd) but you can flick it into 4wd on the fly (ie at 70mph) and then out occasionally while on snow to stop axles binding. The later 463 are coming down to £5k and are a lot more refined if you can stretch to one.. they are full time 4x4 but with full diff locks (2) again.Edited by mgrays on Wednesday 19th November 18:28
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