G-Wagon Advice

[ThePlanner]

Hi all,

I have been looking to take the plunge on a G Wagon for a while, one has come up in Abu Dhabi for around 200k. a 2012 G63 with 109k

Can anyone offer any advice of the common issues on the G63? or any independent specialist in Abu Dhabi that can give the vehicle a once over?

I am also having some issues with insurance, finding it very difficult to get fully comp insurance, on other cars that are over 7 years old like a 2009 G55 I looked at.

If I cannot find a G-Wagon, then I am most likely going to end up with a Nismo Patrol


Thanks

Edited by ThePlanner on Wednesday 16th August 12:22

[stuckmojo]

Hi,

not sure about Abu Dhabi, the price looks very attractive, I would find the best indie and have the car inspected.

Check for under-servicing. Locals don't seem to take notice of service intervals and cars go to the dealer only when they break big time and then they're traded in or sold to auto markets.

The 63 is a fairly bomb proof car, but again - servicing!

I was insuring my G55 with Greenshield - find Rahul, very helpful.

hope this helps

[Randompunter74]

Mate, I looked at getting a G Wagon G55 a while back.
I dont need to point out the Pro's for you, they look the nuts, but for me, on balance, the cons far outweighed the pro's in the end.

In short,
- Many people who have them rag them silly, take em in the desert. So there are few which are decent ones
- Many are modfied
- There are a few import ones
- There was a model change in I think it was 2012, I cant recall now. But in short, the suspension was updated around then and the newer ones were 10 times better. the older ones were spine tingling and didnt handle well at all
- As you know, they are basic inside, leather year, but not comfty etc.
- The price on them drops like anything and the work on a G55 is pricey to fix.
- Note that you could also consider a G500 with a G55 kit on it. Much cheaper to maintain, same engine but without turbo if I recall so much easier to work on cost wise etc.
- Warranty is tricky to get on many and you cant get if for long.

All in all, if a Land Cruiser or a Patrol is on your list and you like them too, going for one of them will stand you in good stead. They hold their value well, sell easily, rock solid cars with cheap servicing etc. No doubt they look the nuts the Merc's but man, the ballache just isnt worth it in my opinoon in the end.

[ThePlanner]

Thanks for the replies. I have had a look around a couple so far, but 1 was abused and not serviced. The 2nd had damage to chassis.

So just taking it slow as in no rush. I have a need coming soon for a larger car, so I may resort to a Patrol but in the Nismo Trim. If I do leave the UAE at least the nismo patrol in the UK will be rare, but expensive on petrol.

[Paracetamol]

Silber Arrows are advertising a 2010 G55. At least it will be checked by them before being sold I guess.

Most G's i have seen are abused.

Saying all that- the cleanest and best used car I bought in UAE was from an Emirati gent who was super careful- so important not to tar all with the same brush.

[stuckmojo]

Randompunter74 said:

Mate, I looked at getting a G Wagon G55 a while back.
I dont need to point out the Pro's for you, they look the nuts, but for me, on balance, the cons far outweighed the pro's in the end.

In short,
- Many people who have them rag them silly, take em in the desert. So there are few which are decent ones
- Many are modfied
- There are a few import ones
- There was a model change in I think it was 2012, I cant recall now. But in short, the suspension was updated around then and the newer ones were 10 times better. the older ones were spine tingling and didnt handle well at all
- As you know, they are basic inside, leather year, but not comfty etc.
- The price on them drops like anything and the work on a G55 is pricey to fix.
- Note that you could also consider a G500 with a G55 kit on it. Much cheaper to maintain, same engine but without turbo if I recall so much easier to work on cost wise etc.
- Warranty is tricky to get on many and you cant get if for long.

All in all, if a Land Cruiser or a Patrol is on your list and you like them too, going for one of them will stand you in good stead. They hold their value well, sell easily, rock solid cars with cheap servicing etc. No doubt they look the nuts the Merc's but man, the ballache just isnt worth it in my opinoon in the end.

my 2c on the above:

- Many people who have them rag them silly, take em in the desert. So there are few which are decent ones (That's true, but also applicable to any car. Case in point, I did take mine in the desert and ragged it. That's what the car is built for)
- Many are modfied (Yes, but mods are only the bumper, lights and wheels. )
- There are a few import ones (RAK has plenty - one has to be careful with inspecting)
- There was a model change in I think it was 2012, I cant recall now. But in short, the suspension was updated around then and the newer ones were 10 times better. the older ones were spine tingling and didnt handle well at all (that model change was from the G55 to the G63. Totally different engine - from supercharged to turbocharged. Also, from the 5 speed auto - strong as anything - to the more flimsy new version). Suspension is better and so is the satnav/interior console.
- As you know, they are basic inside, leather year, but not comfty etc. (that's a matter of opinion). Not as plush as a Land Cruiser, that's true.
- The price on them drops like anything and the work on a G55 is pricey to fix.( Untrue. They hold value better than any other 4x4. )
- Note that you could also consider a G500 with a G55 kit on it. Much cheaper to maintain, same engine but without turbo if I recall so much easier to work on cost wise etc. (Cheaper only for the brake service, the rest is exactly the same. - ok, the supercharger belt that costs 100AED fitted - The G63/G500 have a bigger gap in terms of spec)
- Warranty is tricky to get on many and you cant get if for long. (All 2012 cars will be out of warranty unless buying from Gargash and even then very rare. Not worth the hassle)

Land Cruiser and Patrol are a good choice. They will be used in exactly the same way as any other car/4x4 here.