Mercedes G Class

[Tiley]

Anyone know anything about this re-released Gelandewagen? Is it good? Were the earlier ones any cop? Do they perform off-road (by that, I mean occasional moments off the tarmac rather than full-on green laning/mudplugging!) or are they just a road car that can cope with a curb?

Many thanks for any help.

 

[Twodogs]

Tilley have a look on the GWOA website there a strong UK following , early models the 460 dont compare with later 463 types .. huge following over seas
http://www.gwoa.co.uk/

I owned A few 460 models and loved them ,

Even brought one from Norway ,

 

[nuggets]

hi two dogs

How would you rate them against a landy defender ??

 

[Adze]

hi two dogs

How would you rate them against a landy defender ??

The merc is heavy, expensive, thirsty, complicated... in fact you could probably capitalize all of those... compared with a defender. However, it's also better built and incredibly tough. Some of the later engines produce a huge amount of power too. Thing is, you're not comparing apples with apples, the later civilian versions are closer to a Range Rover Sport than a Defender by quite a long way. It's not quite comparing a Fiat to a Ferrari, particularly with the military ones but they're definitely not the same thing.

 

[garethw]

Hi there
Heres a link to a Buyers Guide : http://www.difflock.com/buyersguide/pastmasters/Gwagen/index.shtml
Off road they are every bit as capable as a Defender, tougher, better built (as has been said). There were chosen by the French army over the Defender but with a Peugeot engine. One of their biggest problems is they are very heavy so in muddy conditions they can struggle despite difflocks fitted as standard.
A mate on mine has a 1980's model with 400,000k on th eclock and still going strong.
They did try to drive the whole concept up market by putting stupidly powerful engines, bling, bling interiors and ridiculous price tags... in even AMG did a version. But the design was still a square boxy army truck.. a joke really.
If you can find a good conditioned old model then they are a good work horse... but no doubt a Pajero, Patrol or Trooper could be found cheaper and be easier and less expensive to maintain.
cheers
Gareth
PS: here's a video review too : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YShm9NKRU4M

 

[jerryo]

I have a swb 460, quality is fantastic and coming from a landrover background (all different denominations) i have to say id never get another landy again. We did a couple of thousand miles around france over the summer and it was both faultless and comfortable... love it

 

[Broch]

The Expedition guru, Tom Sheppard, used to use Land Rover 110s for his trips but switched to the G Wagon when (allegedly) he got fed up by being let down by LR. They have similar off-road performance.

To be honest, for occasional use off the black stuff, you are wasting your money buying a G Wagon or a Defender (they both hold their price second hand like no other vehicle) unless you need a 1 ton load capacity and/or a 3.5 ton towing capacity. There's no such thing as in ideal 4x4 (don't listen to anyone that says their's is the best; all vehicles are compromises) so work out what you need it for then choose carefully.

I use a 110 for all my expeditions and I am unlikely to change - but that's partly talking from the heart rather than the brain

Regards,
Broch

 

[nenook]

hey up , i drive a nissan imported truck with factory fitted diff locks and all the gubbins you need and more, and would trade it in for a g wagen any day ( but at mo canyt afford one ), look on e bay , or click in to a 4x4 forum , they are in a class of their own , hold their money well , and of course what do you want from it , as when youve been gereen laning once you will want to go again , !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

nenook

 

[Dogoak]

I've owned quite a few four wheel drives over the years and I looked into them when I was changing my truck last year. But as mentioned above, high cost of purchase and running etc; and not being able to find an example in the condition I wanted resulted me looking at something else.
So I now have an 80 series Land Cruiser, very similar in spec (3 diff locks as standard, etc) and I am well pleased, actually, no, I am chuffed to nuts with it, one of the best trucks I've owned

 

[garethw]

I've owned quite a few four wheel drives over the years and I looked into them when I was changing my truck last year. But as mentioned above, high cost of purchase and running etc; and not being able to find an example in the condition I wanted resulted me looking at something else.
So I now have an 80 series Land Cruiser, very similar in spec (3 diff locks as standard, etc) and I am well pleased, actually, no, I am chuffed to nuts with it, one of the best trucks I've owned

Jealous... I wanted one of these, would have been my first 4x4 of choice with an unlimited budget... but even a early 90's truck with massive mileage is stupid money... I ended up with a Nissan Terrano 2... Not a bad car over all.. better than I thought off road and fairly civilised on...has a brilliant engine too...

cheers
Gareth

 

[Dogoak]

Jealous... I wanted one of these, would have been my first 4x4 of choice with an unlimited budget... but even a early 90's truck with massive mileage is stupid money... I ended up with a Nissan Terrano 2... Not a bad car over all.. better than I thought off road and fairly civilised on...has a brilliant engine too...

It did take a bit of finding right price/milage etc; but i'd looked at the price of similar year Landys and was horrified, it seemed more sense to go down the Cruiser route.
Good vehicles Terrano's, not bad mpg either from what I've heard.

I'd rather have an older truck, the build quality always seems better. I just couldn't wait any longer to find the right G Wagon at the time, I may look for one in the future, purely for off roading, so it won't matter what the body work is like!

 

[johnnytheboy]

I have a G-class I will be selling soon!! great motors!!

 

[EdS]

Tom Sheppard does drive one as it is the only one to meet the new emissions regs. His choice if possible would of been a Toyota LC 78. But you can not get then in Europe.

His white GWagon is up for sale

 

[Aristotle]

There were loads of these in Moscow when I was there a few years ago. AMG versions (of course) with leather seats and black windows and very hard looking blokes getting in and out of them outside casinos.