G500 2001 LHD Japaneese Import

14 replies [Last post]
pav_lon
pav_lon's picture
Offline
Joined: 09.01.2017
Location: London

Hi Everyone!

I am so glad this forum exists - lot's of useful stuff - thanks!

So I do have G-Fever now and seriously interested in this car (haven't seen it being discussed here):

http://www.prestigecarskent.co.uk/used-cars/5691004-mercedes-benz-g-wage...

It is 2001 G500 LHD brought back from Japan in 2014 I believe and someone now traded it in. It is LHD but this doesn't bother me at all - I am European and will most likely export it at some stage and convert it slightly as a light expedition vehicle (roof rack, wheels etc)

So what do you think about it? The mileage looks very reasonable for age...

I hear W463 is the one to get and this one is pre all electronic this and that so hopefully a solid car that will last.

I am worried I will end up with money pit with the car spending more time in repairs than on the road...

I am not too concerned with fuel economy as I use a car occasionally and this will be a special vehicle to own for years to come - can I expect to have mpg in 12-15 range with this engine? (mixed driving)

 

Cheers for all the inputs,

 

 

markhowes
markhowes's picture
Offline
Joined: 15.01.2014
GWOA Groups: Members
Re: G500 2001 LHD Japaneese Import

Looks nice - and wow, that mileage. I wonder how you can tell if it's genuine or not.

Anyway, I'm sure that SpiderIV will be along in a minute to tell you exactly why you must buy this car (of course he has one to sell himself so he might tell you his is even better). He'll certainly be able to tell you what mpg and other running costs you can expect. Don't go and buy this before he's had his say.

No reason why a G should be spending more time in repairs than on the road - OK, mine is only a 463 300SWB and I've only had it 2 years but if you start with a decent one then an annual service is really all that's needed.

Funnily enough this dealer has another car for sale (not a MB)  that I was keen on and trying my best not to go and have a look at.

Good luck.

 

pav_lon
pav_lon's picture
Offline
Joined: 09.01.2017
Location: London
Re: G500 2001 LHD Japaneese Import

So I went to see the car in person and yeah it looks nice, no sign of rust on doors, underside. However forgetting the buying advice info I did not inspect it fully i.e the car wasn't lifted or anything like that. 

The electrics worked but the sunroof struggled to close. It opened and tilted ok but it felt like it's jamming when trying to close from tilt - close position. 

The engine started no problem from cold (I was inside and forgot to look at smoke from pipes) 

I took it for a drive and it felt ok at first but then:

1. It was pulling to the left - don't know why

2. There was some thumping noise coming from the back - the salesman said bushings need replacing 

3. Some rattling noise from trunk - minor issue probably a piece of trim or something like that.

4. Breaks - they work but coming from a modern car they felt spongy and simply put - weak (they easily stopped the car but it required considerate effort) I think this is they way this car drives

5. When I accelerated hard first time I thought the engine miss fired but then when I tried again and again I think it was the lag of tranny dropping gears.

6. The salesman said it is a 4 gears transmission (There is D and 4,3,2,1 lever choices) but I am certain these 2001 G500 was a 5 speed - he probably doesn't know what is he talking about is he?

 

Overall it looked like a clean example with some issues to be investigated further but I guess you have to accept it is a 16 year old car so it ain't perfect. 

They said all will be rectified if I go ahead (the thumping and rattling inside and pulling to the left) They will thorw in 12 months free warranty on the entire car with breakdown etc...

In sum I had mixed feelings. I never ridden a G, I am used to new cars so this would be huge decison to make despite the fact I only to 200-250 miles per month plus occasional holiday...

 

Some random pictures I took with my phone of the underbody and suspension/engine 

 

 

 

markhowes
markhowes's picture
Offline
Joined: 15.01.2014
GWOA Groups: Members
Re: G500 2001 LHD Japaneese Import

I certainly make no claim to be an expert  but "pulling to the left" - do you mean when braking? That disc looks as though could be causing some problems and might also be reason for the braking problems you mention. Mine is only a G300 but I wouldn't say the brakes take a lot of effort or are spongy and mine only has discs on the front. No that doesn't sound right to me.

And a thumping noise from the back - something else to worry about. A full set of bushes and having them fitted properly isn't pocket change.

You really should try and drive at least one other G500 so you have something to compare with. Contact SpiderIV - he has a good G500 and is looking to sell it. Go and have a look and drive and see what you think and how it compares to this LHD one.

All very well them saying they will sort out the problems once you've paid a deposit but what happens if they then say problems sorted but you still not happy.

Yes, it's a 16 year old car - but that doesn't mean it shouldn't drive a lot better than you seem to be saying this one does.

 

fredecosse
fredecosse's picture
Offline
Joined: 08.02.2004
Location: Edinburgh
GWOA Groups: Members
Re: G500 2001 LHD Japaneese Import

1999 to 2001 best G wagen ever built , but like anything else needs some good maintenance .

Nothing that a good mechanic cannot work on and solve . Expensive parts , this has a lots of non original parts that have been swapped ie: wheels , bumpers 

pav_lon
pav_lon's picture
Offline
Joined: 09.01.2017
Location: London
Re: G500 2001 LHD Japaneese Import

It did seem stock, apart from wheels - are you saying bumpers are swapped? 

Theo
Theo's picture
Offline
Joined: 28.01.2010
Location: Guildford
GWOA Groups: Members
Re: G500 2001 LHD Japaneese Import

wheels, front grille and door mirrors are from later models;  somebody who owns a g500 will have a sharper eye.
 

panzer
panzer's picture
Offline
Joined: 28.01.2005
Location: New Forest
GWOA Groups: Members
Re: G500 2001 LHD Japaneese Import

If you have the vin number Gav should be able to give you chapter and verse on the vehicles specification.

As Said you really need to speak to Spider 1V

If you go to the DVLA website with cars registration you can checkout the MOT (such as it is) history

Get a professional inspection and a new mot on purchase

Bush up on your Japanese to check out any service history

Simon666
Simon666's picture
Offline
Joined: 14.09.2009
GWOA Groups: Members
Re: G500 2001 LHD Japaneese Import

So I have a RHD LWB 2000 direct purchase from Germany G500 W463. It is therefore 16 years old and has 80,000 miles on the clock with three owners inc. me. One for 14 years, then a member on this forum now me.

Observations - Clean underside as any Jap import should be and interior looks well cared for. The LCD display usually goes on these. the two side ones that show temp, time & gear. Yours work so that is a good sign. Did everything work including the sunroof and does it shut flush. They are a known source of trouble and leaks but a well working one will be a sign of good maintenance. If you go again lift the drivers mats and check for any feel of dampness in the carpets - they can and do leak in to the footwell through old door seals and bad wiper spindles.

It has an aftermarket radio. No issue, but the original could be worked from the wheel switches and did include phone and sat nav for many (not sure about Japanese market)

So it looks good in the pictures, now on to the other bits. My G drives as well as a modern Range Rover - not my words, the words of the mechanic who just test drove it. Brakes should be high, solid and reassuring. Your discs look shot to me and would need to be at least skimmed - they are £140 + Vat a side to replace and should be done in pairs. Other issues with the brakes - despite what I just said mine at 80k miles has the following that needs doing. The master Cylinder is breaking down (£275) which you can tell from occasional vague pedal feel and black brake fluid. The pistons in the calipers are also sticking as the protective boots are shot. Replacing front calipers is £840 + Vat a SIDE - you can get them refurbished for £140-£190 a PAIR though.

This is a long way of saying do not underestimate where odd brake feeling might end up and you do not want odd feeling brakes on any car, let alone 2.5 ton of G Wagen - BUT it is all solvable at a cost. If you want to go ahead I would have the brakes independently looked at - The sticking pistons and knackered protective boots are hard to spot without taking the wheels off.

Autobox is I think 4 speed and it really only uses 3 of them 90% of the time as it sets off in 2nd. Mine is very lively and the box changes smoothly. Did you manually change the box as well by moving the lever into the corresponding gear and then using it to change up through the gears from a standstill? Doing this will show up any gearbox issues.  It had an issue with the Throttle Position Sensor which caused a problem similar to putting it into limp mode, but that is a £120 fix - It might initially affect throttle response as it acts as a bridge between your pedal pressing and what the injector actually does.

Did you engage all the diff locks and high/low ratio? This can take a bit to engage and you should only be going at low speed for diff locks. I think you need to be STOPPED to engage low ratio - but I do not know this for sure as I previoulsy had a manual 460 where you could swap on the move.

Clunking wise - The exhaust gets very close to the frame near the rear wheels. There is a rubber hanger that gets perished and can cause the exhaust to contact the frame when you accelerate. The stock rear shocks can be a bit noisy apparently - the previous owner of mine swapped them out for AMG ones? There are two storage bins under the rear seats that might have stuff in them? it is where the tools and first aid kit etc live. Other than that springs & bushes as has been said.

Originality wise looks like just the radio, wheels & mirrors? to me have been changed. Other points the V8 is known to weep from the head gasket - this is viewed as normal on cars that are older/ beyond 50k in miles and whilst repairable tends just to come back - apparently. Transfer case can leak - it is a bit agricultural. But nothing major should be pouring out of any underside parts - yours looked clean but worth checking again after any drive as if it does leak, it will track under the chassis even if they clean it before you take it out.

Spider also pointed out to me that by 80k miles - this is listed at 55k - you need to allow for all the plugs (16 of them 2 per cylinder) and leads to be changed as they degrade due to engine bay heat.. This is a bit of a pricey service item :-))

So in summary - It's 16 years old and looks looked after (but we are looking at 'sales' pictures) but will have some issues as do all 16 year old cars. This can get expensive - but its a £100k car new.  Equally this should be the best driving & owning G you can get your hands on - Mine has never doen anything (once we sorted the TPS out) than drive like a dream and my other cars are all newish 'luxury' models for what it's worth so I am not comparing the drive to a 10 year old Skoda (other brands are available)

I hope that helps - a lot to take in, but these cars are never completely without problems. The big one to avoid at all costs is RUST!!!

If you are interested, and know a good garage (or even RAC car check). Then get it looked at by them and make a bid taking account of the work that needs doing. I would NOT let them do the work, but that's just me. Warranties tend not be worth the paper they are written on unless they are for manufacturers dealer supplied approved used cars.

Simon,

jke11y
jke11y's picture
Offline
Joined: 05.04.2008
Location: London
Re: G500 2001 LHD Japaneese Import

It's been for sale for ever, probably because it's way overpriced. I wouldn't pay more than 20 for it. I'd also have to sort out the standard jap import things (wheels and wind deflectors). Interestingly the ref comes back as a 2004 manufactured G55 so something is wrong there. 

bigblock
bigblock's picture
Offline
Joined: 27.05.2009
Location: HIGHLANDS
GWOA Groups: Committee, Members
Re: G500 2001 LHD Japaneese Import

jke11y wrote:

It's been for sale for ever, probably because it's way overpriced. I wouldn't pay more than 20 for it. I'd also have to sort out the standard jap import things (wheels and wind deflectors). Interestingly the ref comes back as a 2004 manufactured G55 so something is wrong there. 

The number plate in the advert photos is J333TRU which is registered to a 2005 G55.

The registration number in the advert detail is given as X906THH which is registerd to a 2001 G500.

If you look closely at the last photo posted of the brake disc by the OP you can see a number plate X906THH stuck down behind the front grill !!

Maybe a simple explanation but what reason would there be to swap the plates.

 

bigblock
bigblock's picture
Offline
Joined: 27.05.2009
Location: HIGHLANDS
GWOA Groups: Committee, Members
Re: G500 2001 LHD Japaneese Import

Simon666 wrote:

.........Did you engage all the diff locks and high/low ratio? This can take a bit to engage and you should only be going at low speed for diff locks. I think you need to be STOPPED to engage low ratio - but I do not know this for sure as I previoulsy had a manual 460 where you could swap on the move.......

Simon,

 

You don't need to be stopped to engage low ratio. You should move the auto shift lever to neutral (N) then shift to low ratio (G) then move the auto shift lever back to drive (D).

You need to make sure that you are going slow enough that when you engage drive again you do not over rev the engine. Anything up to about 20mph is fine.

jhw.
jhw.'s picture
Offline
Joined: 13.10.2014
Location: Leeds
GWOA Groups: Members
Re: G500 2001 LHD Japaneese Import

bigblock wrote:

jke11y wrote:

It's been for sale for ever, probably because it's way overpriced. I wouldn't pay more than 20 for it. I'd also have to sort out the standard jap import things (wheels and wind deflectors). Interestingly the ref comes back as a 2004 manufactured G55 so something is wrong there. 

The number plate in the advert photos is J333TRU which is registered to a 2005 G55.

The registration number in the advert detail is given as X906THH which is registerd to a 2001 G500.

If you look closely at the last photo posted of the brake disc by the OP you can see a number plate X906THH stuck down behind the front grill !!

Maybe a simple explanation but what reason would there be to swap the plates.

 

 

Don't see what's wrong with this? Obviously photo'd with the previous customers plate on which sounds like they have upgraded to a g55?

jke11y
jke11y's picture
Offline
Joined: 05.04.2008
Location: London
Re: G500 2001 LHD Japaneese Import

I saw the car (X906THH) about Chelsea a few times in 2015, it was brought in by the same guy who brought my G500 over. At 20k it would be worth a go, but at £26+ then the inevitable money that will need spent its too close to being a £30k car. 

Spider1V
Spider1V's picture
Offline
Joined: 21.10.2007
Location: Beaconsfield, Bucks
GWOA Groups: Members
Re: G500 2001 LHD Japaneese Import

My latest sale has fallen through if you are still looking.

Yup - Interstellar mileage, but runs as well as the day I got it - 12 years ago. Most of the members here know it, and know that if something needed changing it would be changed. I am located in Beaconsfield, and would like it to go to a G fan or member here, G-WOW or G Register.

In answer to your issues with the LHD Jap import. Usually excellent conditions underneath, lack the rear spare tyre, which is rare it has it in this case. Lot's of AMG addition, and looks to be a nice car. My only issue is the "estimated' part in the mileage section. I would be looking for the paperwork to verify this. This dealer called to me 'supposedly' to ask if it (mine) was still for sale then the price drop! I think if this was a RHD with the correct mileage, it would be closer to the £38-£42K price range as the prices have been going up - the last one was sold privately about 2 months ago and that went £44K, FMBSH and looked as if it had been wrapped in cotton wool for most of it's life! Only 24K miles since new!!!!

Be careful about the G Fever! Just been chatting with a New G Member who had brought a nice 55 AMG, and found out it needs a further £20K to get it safe and road worthy! Lot's of sharks out there - be careful.

 HTH?

Spider1V