Km/h to mph

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Johara
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Hi I'm new to the forum, and considering buying a G wagon, however it's from the continent, so was just wondering if anyone had, or knows how easy it is to switch round the instrument binnacles? Also, when changing the odometer from Kms to miles do you need to have any documentation for the accurate conversion/do the DVLA need to be informed?

Many Thanks

James

 

 

Arnie
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Re: Km/h to mph

Since year 2000, the odometer and supplementary digital speed reading is user switchable between km and miles. This meets all the requirements.

For older vehicles, you will need to have your speedometer adapted to read MPH. With a mechanical one, you can add additional markings to the dial (odometer will still be in km, but that is acceptable) or maybe swap its gear-drive to one with a lower ratio. Or just fit a new or used one already calibrated in MPH. Whether the original odometer reading is verifiable or not, is not an issue for the MOT for UK registration.

The MOT tester just need to see an display with MPH; whether or not its accurate, it's not part of the MOT test or re-registration. Although I have seen quite a few vehicles that have been successfully re-registered with speedometers still in km.

Not sure what you mean by switching around the binnacles?  It's a lot of work to convert a LHD vehicle to RHD.

 

 

 

 

Johara
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Re: Km/h to mph

Thanks Arnie

I just meant swapping the Kph binnacle for a used mph one. I presume you can manually change the mileage on the odometer. 

I just wanted to check in terms of MOT, Its actually a G320 currently up for sale at 'G:Wagen' in Reading, any personal thoughts on the car or what to look for when viewing it?

Thanks

James

Arnie
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Re: Km/h to mph

I saw that one. It looks like a really a nice vehicle, but has been on sale for more than a year.. From personal experience, the guy there, James, can be a little tricky. Check that everything works and preferably have the vehicle independently inspected. Particularly check for any oil leaks from the engine (M104 engine - great engine, but look it up).

That car (1995) will have an electronic speedometer, with the sender unit connected to the transfer case.

The binnacle is fairly easy to dismantle, and the instruments are the same/similar to other MB vehicles from late eighties to early nineties..

If  I were you I would purchase a new speedometer dial-plate (or swap one over from a used one) with additional  MPH markings. I would leave the odometer, original,  in km. My experience is that MOT stations accept this. The requirement is for the speed reading only. You can  just place a tiny km sticker next to the odometer reading, to make it clear that it's km.

Two days ago,, my MOT tester actually asked me whether the odometer reading on my 1996 UK RHD, G-Wagen was in km or Miles, so I guess they are used to seeing both. 

 

see this (one of many similar companies offering these parts):

http://www.kmh-mph.co.uk/category-speedometer-dials.html

and specifically, I think you will require the second one along of these:

http://www.kmh-mph.co.uk/model-OLD%20MODELS.html?MNID=2

and, for other Gs:

http://www.kmh-mph.co.uk/model-G-WAGON.html?MNID=2

 

MOT requirements:

Visually check :
 For the presence of a speedometer
 That the speedometer can be read clearly
 That the speedometer indicates speed in MPH and KPH (If used on or after 1/4/1984)
Note:
If a vehicle has been issued with a Department’s Approval Certificate (SVA), the
speedometer is only required to be marked in MPH. (eg US imports)
 The relationship between MPH and KPH are reasonably accurate where they are
displayed together
REASON FOR REJECTION
1. Speedometer:
a. not fitted
b. can not be clearly read
c. does not indicate speed in MPH and KPH (If used on or after 1/4/1984)

 

 

Better still, ask James to UK-register the vehicle for you as part of the deal.

 

 

To change the dial, you will need a 220km / 140 MPH dial scale. (look also on ebay)

The standard, car, 160 MPH scale would be incorrect.

 

Arnie
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Re: Km/h to mph

Actually, if its the blue G320, it appears to already have a UK registration (N-reg numberplate), so I wouldn't worry too much about the speedometer. Just add a GPS unit for speed in MPH.

Also, the reversing and fog-lamps have already been switched over for driving on the left.

I note that it has no Sunroof, which is unusual, and the rear windows are fixed (non-sliding). So, good thing that it has air-conditioning, or it could get a little hot.

Perhaps it was a Japanese import, as I see that it has the Japanese-signature draught shields affixed to the windows.? In which case, it should be in good condition, with regards to minimal rust and corrosion.

 

 

 

markhowes
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Re: Km/h to mph

No sunroof but with aircon would definitely be my preferred options. Sunroof can be a pain in the neck and if you have aircon that works you're unlikely ever to open the sunroof .

OK, I'm now ready to be shot down in flames by all those who disagree.

 

 

Arnie
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Re: Km/h to mph

No, I agree that the sunroof can be problematic in terms of seals, rust, blocked drainage channels and so forth. And without it, you get more headroom.

 

Johara
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Re: Km/h to mph

That's really great, thanks Arnie!

I had no idea it had been for sale for so long, is this a bad sign? certainly as it appears to tick so many boxes.

I really love the lowkey facelift it has undergone, and equally with the wood trim, air con, heated leather, electric driver's seat and cruise it has a very good spec.

A little worried reading a previous post on here, that the cruise won't work since it has the facelift and it doesn't have the digital odometer, so presume it wont have the relevant ECU upgrade?

Like you say, the speedo is legal, I guess I could cope with it, just affects my OCD, but then it is a LHD.

Would be great if it could be in good nick, the paint certainly looks good, thankyou for the links, they're very helpful!

Johara
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Re: Km/h to mph

At 6ft 5, the added headroom would be greatly appreciated.

Is it just the head gasket that's a problem? How much does this generally cost to replace?

 

 

Arnie
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Re: Km/h to mph

I have not been to see it, but in all the adverts it looks great, and I particularly like the M104 engine.

The odometer is not linked to the cruise control.

One of the pictures in the advert vaguely shows the second stalk being present for the cruise control.

I cannot see any reasons why the cruise-control should not work. It has nothing to do with the facelift either, which, incidentally, is very minor (just lights and mirrors). It's not the radar version, with the radar in the front grille. There is no digital display for this cruise-control implementation. It just holds the speed when you pull the stalk, and allows you to accelerate or decelerate or dis-engage /resume.  If this engine has the electronic throttle control, then the Cruise Control will work directly with that. else if it has a mechanical throttle, there is a separate drive unit through a Bowden cable in parallel with the accelerator pedal. 

As it has already received its UK registration, the simplest solution, and what I would do, is to obtain a transparent overlay for the speedometer dial with MPH markings or a replacement dial and leave the actual speedo unit, odometer and all as is. That way its all original as far as possible (OCD argument). You can also get GPS speedometers, which could mount on the dash, or you may have a satnav unit anyway.

These are all really minor points. The most important is that it's 21 years old and you need to physically check its condition (engine, chassis, transmission, suspension etc).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Johara
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Re: Km/h to mph

Sorry I wasn't very clear, the digital odometer is a sign of a change in the way the cruise is engineered. From what I read, the original used the breaklights, so that when you do break, it automatically knocks the cruise off, however apparenty when you replace the lights with LEDs, it confuses this relay, just wondered if this was true?

No, I completely agree, the structural  rigidity of the car is more important, is there anything else that you should look for in regard to the engine?

Arnie
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Re: Km/h to mph

In all cases, the cruise-control is disengaged when the brake pedal is pressed.

In this vehicle the switch completes a ground circuit. It does not care about LED bulbs or filament bulbs. if that were the case, the cruise control system would fail if your brake bulbs were burnt out.

The G320 never had a digital odometer. Those came in with the M113 engines of the G500 in around 1999 / 2000

With those, a move was started away from point-to-point hard-wiring and  gradually to CAN-bus systems, where the failure of a brake switch would cause all sorts of secondary issues and in these, using LED lamps can cause 'bulb-failure' errors as they draw too little current for the test-circuit to function properly.

The engines fitted to Gs were always about 1 generation behind those fitted to the normal cars.

This G320 is not CANbus based and you can used normal LED bulbs without issues. No need for the more costly CAN compatible versions with the wasteful built-in resistor.

 

 

mud
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Re: Km/h to mph
Mine is a LHD and still has a kilo speedo. Never had an issue at MOT. Cheers Mud
Stuckmojo
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Re: Km/h to mph

Hi, 

I'll be importing my G to the UK and I was looking at the same thing.

 

Although I can select MPH in the digital speedometer, I'd like to have an MPH cluster. The other thing is that I need the plastic screen as some idiot cracked it whilst removing the dash for an aircon repair. Any chance of finding the screen alone? 

This is what I'm thinking

http://www.lockwoodinternational.co.uk/dials/mph/mercedes/g-class/g55-amg-kmh-to-mph-conversion-dial-for-imported-vehicle-part-no-c1123.html