Is this just a bad idea? '92 G300D

6 replies [Last post]
TomR
TomR's picture
Offline
Joined: 03.04.2016
Location: Leeds

Hi guys,

Long time lurker but decided to register and get an opinion from you fine people. (Most likely a 'leave it alone' opinion)

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131751623978

 

This caught my eye over the weekend after being in my budget. After enquiries with the chap it has recieved a 3.5 V8 Rover engine transplant. 

Normally this would send me the opposite way, and lead me to drop the idea like a hot potato, however I'm curious as to whether or not you guys agree with me. Obviously my concerns lie with the quality of the transplant and its future reliability (however I do know the landy owners seem to admire the engine)!

Any opinions or anyone know of the car? 

Thank you kindly! 

Arnie
Arnie's picture
Offline
Joined: 12.04.2004
Location: London
GWOA Groups: Members
Re: Is this just a bad idea? '92 G300D

I may well be wrong, but as far as I know, there was never a 3.5 V8 petrol engine G (5.0, V8, M117 yes), unless it's had some transplant or was a special-order. And if indeed it has that M116 / M117 engine from 1970's origins, be prepared, it will be a guzzler.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_M116_engine

I  think that a shiny body kit and new paint-work can hide all sorts of things: You'd need to inspect it very carefully first hand.

It's also been off the road for 6 months.

After  second look, I see that it's actually a tarted-up 461. Nothing wrong with a 461, but strange that it was registered two years after the 463 was introduced. The pictures of the engine-bay certainly show some non-original parts.

The odometer on a 461 returns to zero after 99,999 miles, so the indicated 52k is probably at least 152k miles.

The body-kit parts may be original or east-european or chinese copies.

I think that with less money you could get yourself a nice 463. Look at the Japanese imports.they are  almost like new condition and haven't been messed around with.

 

Registration number: 96 NTT

✗ Untaxed

Tax due: 01 September 2015

✗ No MOT

Expired: 09 March 2016

 

Vehicle details

  • Vehicle make MERCEDES
  • Date of first registration 27 August 1992
  • Year of manufacture 1992
  • Cylinder capacity (cc) 3500cc
  • CO₂Emissions Not available
  • Fuel type PETROL
  • Vehicle status Not taxed
  • Vehicle colour BLACK
  • Vehicle type approval Not available
  • Wheelplan 2 AXLE RIGID BODY
  • Revenue weight Not available
Arnie
Arnie's picture
Offline
Joined: 12.04.2004
Location: London
GWOA Groups: Members
Re: Is this just a bad idea? '92 G300D

Sorry, don't know how I missed your post where you confirm that it's a Rover V8.

It depends what attracts you to the vehicle. if it's the G63 look-alike kit it's a different story, but i would not spend £17k on a 460 - at least not until you've driven a 463. With this one you may have some of  the G63 look externally, but as soon as you open the doors, the interior will not live up to the expectation..(Sorry, also meant to say '460' above, not 461 )

The 460 also has a lot more areas prone to rust than a 463 and invariably ALL of them succumb  to some extent, so you'd want to be sure that any previous problems have been properly addressed.

The Rover 3.5, V8 is a decent engine, but why didn't they install an MB engine. That might have been more straight-forward.

In any-case you'd need to drive it to see if the gearbox and final-drive ratios are suitable for the new engines. Many V8, 460 conversions have issues in these areas, because to find and fit suitable replacement gearboxes and diffs is not easy.

 

 

 

 

TomR
TomR's picture
Offline
Joined: 03.04.2016
Location: Leeds
Re: Is this just a bad idea? '92 G300D

Thank you very much for that Arnie, it's much appreciated. I admit I do like the looks of it, however, I am just if not more interested in its reliability and it lasting its duration with me.

That being said as well, I do think it's overpriced and would look to pay less, but another thing that concerns me is future sell-ability, ie would I have issues selling it 5 years down the line due to it not having an mb engine in it?

I will take a look at the various importers to see what is the general feel.

 

Again, many thanks.

 

Arnie
Arnie's picture
Offline
Joined: 12.04.2004
Location: London
GWOA Groups: Members
Re: Is this just a bad idea? '92 G300D

There have been 4 or 5 Japanese imports advertised recently for around 14 - 15k

Try to search the forum for past posts on " japanese import "

All had verified mileages of around 60k miles. and because of the Japanese climate and the need for everything to be 100% functional for their MOT equivalent, they were in A1 condition mechanically and cosmetically.

Some were advertised on ebay and may still be. You can tell from the square number-plates and often they have attached plastics draft deflectors on the windows. The plus side is that they all have airconditioning, which is rare on UK models. And they are the 1990 onwards,  463 versions. If you want the looks, start with a sound, original, vehicle and as all the parts are bolt-on, its' easy to do 'upgrades' afterwards.

Read-up on the differences between a 460 and a 463. They quite different mechanically and in how they drive. The 463 has permanent 4WD and more refined interiors. Turning a 463 into a G63 look-alike may be passable, but it's  too much of a stretch for a 460 (like the one advertised). The 460 is a great machine, but I prefer them in their original guise. Also, with non-original face-lift  parts, I think it would be a massive devaluation. There was recently an original spec 460 mentioned on this site as being for sale in Belgium for over 40k. It wouldn't fetch a fraction of that price if messed-about with body-kits.

 

 

LEONIDAS
LEONIDAS's picture
Offline
Joined: 20.12.2003
GWOA Groups: Members
Re: Is this just a bad idea? '92 G300D

As a banker friend once told me, "when you get in a room, always make sure you know where the exit is". i.e have an exit policy. You are describing something like a Chinese Rolex watch. This is not the real thing and most likely you will have a serious problem trying to  sell it a decent price when the time comes to change it. Most people buy the Gs for what they are , not for what they pretend to be.  Best buy something which is honest and original. Just be patient and  study the market. I'm sure something nice will turn up sooner or later. 

prwales
prwales's picture
Offline
Joined: 30.05.2007
Location: West Glamorgan
GWOA Groups: Members
Re: Is this just a bad idea? '92 G300D

This car [or it might have been a lookey likey] has been hawked around for quite a few years, definitely a rover V8. Budget for an engine replacement, the ancillaries, standard fit alloys and front grill if you want to restore it to what it was in its prime or better still don't bother.