Just bought a Members G500!
Hi All,
My name is Jay. I am firstly a life long Mercedes fanatic and for those who dont know me I set up my own business selling Mercedes back in 2006 after leaving the City. My company is called Mercland... I am on most of the MB related forums.
Anyway, I am a big G wagen Fan.. I had a V8 5.6 converted W460 a while back which I couldnt get on with... It was converted beautifully by Nigel down at Buryas Bridge Garage in Devon... I think many will know him.
Anyway, it was lovely but the gearing meant it would wheel spin at the lights but scream its head off at 70 mph... I couldnt find an economical solution to that and I sold it... Besides i always wanted a LWB.
So have been casually looking since I sold the SWB and some cars came up but were either too expensive or were Jap Imports with no history.. Well I used to import jap cars for a hobby back in the 90's and I know that the mileage can never be verified... Even if true mileage, they have normally been done in stop start traffic in Tokyo..
Anyway, so I found for sale the green G500 on here and I went and bought it the other night... Thanks Howard, loving the car.
First few questions though:
1) I really wanted/need a 7 or 9 seater, anyone any experience on modifying these? I can imagine that finding original G wagen bench seats is going to be tough... I looked at Land Rover Discovery seats which look remarkably similar and plentiful in supply on the worlds best auction site!
2) The last owner changed the 18" wheels to 16"... This may have improved the driving expereince but I want to go back to 18's for the look. May also consider 18" AMG's... had those on the W460 and they looked great. Cannot see any around anywhere, does anyone know of any??? MB dealer is quoting £2K for the standard 18" wheels alone.
I think thats all for now...
This weekend I will start a MAJOR service as I do with any car I buy... So thats every fluid and filter in the car plus im doing water pump, v belt tensioner etc. Also engine cover sealing, spark plugs, transmission electrical, plug, ATF fluid filter etc... all the common M113 faults.. Will get to know the car a bit better..
Then it will go for paint refresh followed by a thorough waxoyl treatment...
p.s. i see Eddie Glimartin his here... So hello Eddie... I know Eddie afte buying a car from him last year! I saw his wonderful collection of G's... Small world.
Thanks but although I have similar Brabus Split Rims on my other cars, Im not sure I like them on a G...
Hi Jay,
you got yourself a great car, I loved it for the last ten years or so .
hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
cheers
Fred
Thanks!
I went through all of the service history and paperwork yesterday... You looked after her well from what I can see!
I hope to do the same.
I have oringinal G fold down rear seats to make it 7, in black leather..
Hi stig have emailed you!
There are plenty of people on here who will buy your current wheel and tyre combo, I take it you won't be doing much off roading with your new toy ?
Hi, no off roading planned for me.. So 18" will suit me fine. At the moment my bigger concern is finding a suitable set of wheels... Selling them seems like it won't be an issue...
i remember that SWB 560 from Devon very well..was in a car magazine a few years back..A very nice conversion,but yes the gearing is an issue. I also had a 560 but in a 463. Where is that car now ?..There are a few around that I have come across but I bet they are rotting in a barn somewhere.
!8"rims give a harder ride I found.
Nice car. Looks the same as my 606 (G350). I got my car from Poland. There is a plentiful supply of G parts there and in Germany. Prices are more reasonable for 2nd hand wheels in Poland if you search their auction sites.
Good luck with it.
I have these 18inch wheels and was even offered 16 inch and a choice of tyres from my Polish seller.
What tyres are fitted in this picture? These are 16inch wheels?
Ok, I have a set of G55 AMG's with Yokohama ' tyres. I might get rid of for the right price. they were on a 2007 originally. If interested let me know.
p.s my brabus rims looked nice on my old G36, maybe because it was black. See my picture.
Greetings Jay. You bought a very nice G there, well done.
The 18" AMG's on Yokohamas (same as my G55K) will look great but the ride will be a little harsh. Your current 16's on those chunky tyres should be very comfortable by comparison. The best place to buy/sell/swap sets is probably here. If you run out of patience I can help source. Big budget military type Hutchinsons would look FAB with your green paintwork. These can be sourced on this forum too.
Eddie.
thanks to all for responding.
- The 560 was sold to a private gentleman who lived in Spalding Lincolnshire. I did see it for sale again so maybe he didnt like it. The car was stunning, it must have had at least 20K spent on the conversion. It was very neatly done.
- Although 18's may give a harsher ride, im ver unlikely to be using this car on anything other than tarmac so willing to give it a go.. Would like to hang on to the 16's for the time being just incase I feel its too hard.
- Thanks for the welcome Eddie... not looking to spend too much on this, just would prefer 18's or even 19's...
Have done a major service today, will post another thread with some pics when I have time.
Cheers
Current G63/G65 alloys 9.5"x20" ET50. Set of 4. €15 delivery.
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Original-Mercedes-AMG-Felgen-Satz-20-Zoll-G-Model...
Hello and welcome,
A very nice G you have there, good to see its gone to another G fan!
Re the 18 inch wheel thing, While I am sure there are various technical benefits to having 16 inch wheels on a 500, I have found the 18 inch to be perfect. I have, however gone 'wide' and have some copper LTZ's 285/60/R18's and then had them nitrogen filled. Smooth and quiet ride, good on tarmac and in the snow /off road.
Spider1V
Eddie,.
Those wheels look perfect but too pricey fo me... With tyres they will be one expensive set!
Current G63/G65 alloys 9.5"x20" ET50. Set of 4. €15 delivery.
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Original-Mercedes-AMG-Felgen-Satz-20-Zoll-G-Model...
Well after looking around i decided these were best value... with the exchange rate these come in at just under £2600 delivered. Tyres I am going to start with cheap brand just to ensure the size works with my off road springs and shocks..
The recommended size seems to be 275 50 20 but Im going to try 275 55 20 as this is the closest match to my current tyre size of 265 75 16..
Any thoughts?
Great on nice smooth tarmac - but hit a speed bump or pothole and there's a lot less rubber and air to soak up the impact before transferring it to those very nice but expensive wheels.
They look good to me, a bit like AMG IV's. I'd have them, but not in the 18" iteration, but that's just me. Good price too!
These are 20" so will be interesting to see how it rides... The car has adjustable shocks on it so may be ok...
Twenty inchers !!! Hmm, maybe that's why they're cheap 
Current G63/G65 alloys 9.5"x20" ET50. Set of 4. €15 delivery.
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Original-Mercedes-AMG-Felgen-Satz-20-Zoll-G-Model...
Well after looking around i decided these were best value... with the exchange rate these come in at just under £2600 delivered. Tyres I am going to start with cheap brand just to ensure the size works with my off road springs and shocks..
The recommended size seems to be 275 50 20 but Im going to try 275 55 20 as this is the closest match to my current tyre size of 265 75 16..
Any thoughts?
You should check it but I think 265/70 on 16 inch is the original size, i.e. 275/50 on 20 inch is correct; [on the current Gs the electronics can be adjusted for different circumferences but it is not straight-forward]; good idea to hang on to the 16-inch wheels for the time being.
Great on nice smooth tarmac - but hit a speed bump or pothole and there's a lot less rubber and air to soak up the impact before transferring it to those very nice but expensive wheels.
+1 on that.
Spider1V
Recently priced the original Yokohamas v's Hankook Optimo 4S (4 seasons) for my G55K original factory size (285/55R18 113V). Hankooks nearly 30% cheaper. I have fitted Optimo 4S to many other MB's. Quiet and grippy :-)
So thats my old car... it was really a stunning car but as you say there were a couple of things.
The gearing could not have been solved by tyres... I dont think the realtively small difference in rolling radius makes a huge amount of difference.
The side exhausts were far far too loud, they made the whole car shake, even just idling it would wake the neighbours! If I had kept the car I would have had an extra silencer fitted.
Lots of places will make you a custom system... Long Life exhausts have branches nationwide.
I use a local company here in Nuneaton called Custom Chrome.
The 5.6 V8 conversion transforms the 460 but the gearing is something that needs to be sorted before even attempting it. I suspect the money that would take... you might as well buy a later factory V8.
As to trimming, I have no idea who did it, but they certainly did a fantastic job and trimmed every litle thing! I use a local trimmer to me, there are plenty around depending on your location.
I think there were 2 silencers each side and a cross pipe to balance the two sides... but they did very little to quiten the roar.
Beautiful car Jay. I remember seeing it for sale.
I wonder if the Somerset CLK 6 speed recipe would work with the 560 or is there a "starter motor on the wrong side" issue.
CLK/SLK box is super strong but needs the starter to be on the left side (of the car).
HI All,
Some pics of the wheels... Already fitted to car along with side steps... Hpefully pics of them on the car tomorrow.
P.s love the look and the ride.. I guess the Eibach off road springs help to soften the ride.
Nice! More pics please.
this was my 463 560..had a roar to but gearing was fine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Stpt82r2w2o&list=UUaiBdZHG3kSEV7rrIB-bWuw
Here she is with the Side Steps and AMG's.
Whats been done to date:
| Air Filters A2730940404 |
| Oil Filter A0001802609 |
| Spark Plugs x 16 A0031599403 |
| Sealant for Rocker Covers A003989982010 |
| Rocker Cover Breather Hoses A1120180382, A1120180209, A1179901578 x 3, A1120180182, A1120180282, A1120180482 |
| Transmission Sump Gasket A1402710080 & Filter A1402770095 & Screw Plugs A1409904601, A0009976532, A1402710060 |
| Transmission Plug A2035400253 |
| Fuel Filter A0024773001 |
| Front Indicator Lenses A4638260057 |
| Wiper Blades A4638200145 |
| Alloy Accelerator Pedal A1703000004, Alloy Brake Pedal A1702900182 |
| Poly V Belt A0119979792 |
| Auto Transmission Fluid ATF134, A001989680313 |
| Water Pump OE Spec, Hepu Brand, 201220422 |
| V Belt Tensioner - KWP OE Spec 326220290 & Idler Pulley 326220390 |
| Thermostat & Water Pump Gaskets |
| 20" AMG Alloys from German Ebay A4634013002, B66031528 |
| Side Steps |
| 275/55/20 Tyres Nexen Rodian HP 117VXL |
| Temp Sensor A0999053800 |
| Gear Oil 4L of 85w90 A0009892803/12 diff oils, 4L of A0019898403/09 transfer case |
| Centre Caps in Titanium Grey A2204000125/9771 |
| Special Valve Caps B66472002 |
| Metal Valves A0004019113 |
| G500 Badge A4638171215 |
| Rear Shelf Parcel Cover |
Looking good. Your wheel cover is not pulled on properly
Looking good. Your wheel cover is not pulled on properly
Waiting for a new one with Mercland Logo on and Stainless cover... That one is pants...
Also now added both rear fold down seats thanks to a forum member... So its a 9 Seater now!
Hi All,
So have been enjoying the G very much. With 9 seats its been fun having all the family in there.
Im not sure why I didnt check this earlier as I knew about this issue...Last night I noticed my wipers knocking..
Checked and yes there is massive amounts of movement in both assemblies.
Have ordered the parts today, so something for the weekend... NOT looking forward to it!
Searched the forum, found the PDF for the W460, is it same for W463? Really hoping not to have to remove the entire dash!
Wiper Mechanisms swapped out... Badly rusted..
Lifted carpets but thanfully seems all dry and rust free.
Took around 1hr with distractions and trying to find tools.
Hi all,
does any one know of a solution to the gearing problem with 560 conversion?
I thought for use with 460 transfer box an overdrive is available?
Hi all,
does any one know of a solution to the gearing problem with 560 conversion?
If you can wait , it is said a strange man, now in the middle east, will read this and maybe could pass on his experience? (Where IS peter Perfect when you need him). PP (or Ian) had a really cool 560 conversion and he is quite technically knowledgeable. All else fails try dropping him a PM?
Spider1V
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