First G - 300GD or 300GE?

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i384
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First, I'd like to say hello - I'm a new member to the forum and have wanted a G Wagen for a while, so I thought the best way get opinions about what I'm looking at (aside from research and looking at the very useful buying advice in the stickies) is to ask here...

I'm looking for a SWB W463. My aim is to get a reliable, robust car that I can keep for as long as practical, that looks cool and can take a bicycle and a few bags of shopping in the boot. That being said, my desire for a G Wagen makes no financial sense as I currently dive a rather reliable, somewhat utilitarian and relatively comfortable (and cheap) 2006 Mazda 6 1.8 - so I guess I've caught the "G-Fever".

Moving on - there are 2 Gs near me that I'm interested in that I'm thinking of going to look at. One is a 1992 300GD manual, the other is a 1994 300GE Auto.

I'm assuming the diesel is a OM603 and the GE is a M103 - is this a reasonable assumption?

I guess first, my question is whether one engine/gearbox combo is "better", or rather more robust/reliable/practical/trouble free, etc etc than the other - and second, based on the ads, which sounds like the better option, and specifically, are the asking prices fair and do any of the forum members know these vehicles?

The ad for the 1994 300GE is as follows (very minimal - dealer sale):

"Reluctant sale. Mercedes G Wagon 300GE SWB. dry stored for about 6 years. 3 door aut."

Only one photo of the exterior - €13,950 asking


http://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=1521344&r=s.php%3Fm%3D53%26o%3D449%26g%3D0

 

The ad for the 300GD is a bit more detailed (private sale):

Some amount of work done by the sound of the ad - too long to post here, so please check out the link - €14,750 asking


https://www.donedeal.ie/vintagecars-for-sale/new-nct-mercedes-g-wagen-300gd-diesel-manual-1992/12536974

 

A bit of background about my driving habits; mostly under 10 miles per trip around the city about 3 times in the mon-fri perior, with longer drives on weekends. Every other weekend I might do up to 100 miles on average and maybe up to 400 on the odd weekend trip away. I tend to do light maintenance work myself (changing oil and other fluids, basic servicing, changing brake disks, pads, shoes, rebuilding calipers, interior mods, etc.). For more serious work, I take my car to the mechanic.

Look forward to opinions and comments.

Arnie
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Re: First G - 300GD or 300GE?

Welcome to the GWOA. I'm sure your will receive a lot of useful advice from the members, here.

The two models you are considering share all mechanicals, except engine. Some will say the diesel is underpowered, but having had one, it's an unusual diesel that likes to be revved and works well with an auto gearbox.. The petrol version will be more lively, but also more thirsty. Both are massively reliable engines.

I think you must consider the condition of the body, chassis, suspension and running gear as many succumb to rust if not well maintained.

There have also been quite a number of RHD Japanese imports lately that are worth a look, if you find one. They tend to be practically mint and no rust at all.

 

All the best.

 

 

markhowes
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Re: First G - 300GD or 300GE?

I have a petrol 300 so am biased.

But you should double check that whichever you choose is going to do what you want - you'll struggle to get a bicycle in the back without having the back seats folded down (making either one a two seater for those journeys.

 

Arnie
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Re: First G - 300GD or 300GE?

Yes, the short wheel base models do not have a great deal of room in the rear. But you can find bicycle racks that fit over the rear wheel carrier and some that go over the tow hook.

 

i384
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Re: First G - 300GD or 300GE?
Thanks for the advice! As nice as fuel economy would be, I'm not expecting much from either the petrol or diesel version. Folding the seats down or taking the front wheel off my bike won't be a big deal, since that's what I currently do anyway. Not much of a problem as I usually drive alone. The back seats can always come out completely if needed I guess? Unfortunately there are no lwbs for sale near me and they're a bit out of my price range anyway. I called the owner of the black 300GE in my original post. He wasn't able to show it to me, but mentioned that it hasn't been driven at all in about six years and was started last about two months ago, but again, wasn't moved. Also the rear door has rust on in and it is on UK number plates which makes me think that it could become pretty expensive after accounting for all of that.
prwales
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Re: First G - 300GD or 300GE?

the petrol auto will give you 17mpg, the diesel 22/23mpg; if the bulk of your driving is in a city get the auto but and its already been said buy on condition. The mileage you intend is small and driving pleasure paramount so I'd tend towards the slushbox

mgrays
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Re: First G - 300GD or 300GE?

Buy on condition as said. My older diesel (OM617) takes about 12 miles at 60 mph to even get up to temperature at which point you start to feel the axle and gearboxes free up a bit. So Petrol would be better for 10 miles of urban use. In the UK I would fit LPG to the petrol which would give about 50% more fuel economy in UK costs but will cost £2k min to fit. The diesel manual will be more reliable as it is simpler. The petrol auto will be faster, smoother, thirstier. But cost of fixing rust and broken bits will be most of the cost if it is in poor condition. The rear seats fold up but restrict the driver's leg room if you are tall - at 6'2" it is only a inch or so and is not really bad. The rear seat weighs about 60-70kg so while you can unbolt it, it is not an quick or easy operation. It also forms a safety bulkhead to keep things in the rear during accidents as it is very robust! Dublin used to do a roaring trade in Japanese imports if you can wait for the right car.

markhowes
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Re: First G - 300GD or 300GE?

I don't know the details but understand that Eire equivalent of road fund license is very expensive for a 463 - that's why a lot of G Wagon fans there opt to go for a 460 up to a certain year of manufacture. Might be something to consider.

i384
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Re: First G - 300GD or 300GE?

markhowes wrote:

I don't know the details but understand that Eire equivalent of road fund license is very expensive for a 463 - that's why a lot of G Wagon fans there opt to go for a 460 up to a certain year of manufacture. Might be something to consider.

 

That's right, road tax for a 3 liter registered before 2008 that's less than 30 years old is €1,500 a year. Anything above the 30 year mark - so 1986, soon to be 1987 and older, is €56 instead. The cut-off for what's considered to be a "vintage car" eligible for the €56 a year rate used to be 25 years, but was recently increased to 30.

The w460 has been growing on me, so perhaps this is something I might look into.

markhowes
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Re: First G - 300GD or 300GE?
prwales
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Re: First G - 300GD or 300GE?

the mileage shouldn't be a concern