New Member Checking in

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Le_Savage
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Hello all,

I've just joined the site and thought i'd say hello. I'm new the the world of the G Wagon, my only experience being a rather wealthy friend owning one when we were much younger, but i've always been intrigued by them, and when I found myself with a need for a strong and reliable utility type vehicle I first looked to the current models of new SUV's and struggled to find anything that i'd like for a price I was happy to pay. So instead opted for a new estate car, and set about looking to fill the hole with a used car. It was while looking at the usual glutt of landies, hilux, pathfinders and navaras that I suddenly recalled my days in the G Wagon... and here I am, taking my first tentative steps into G Wagon ownership, currently watching the classifieds (Autotrader, PistonHeads, eBay - any others to recommend?) for a suitable vehicle.

Ideally, a post facelift (1991 I believe) RHD, Diesel with sensible history, LWB and around £10 - £15k Although i'd consider a Petrol and a SWB for the right vehicle as well as spending a little more. With all that said, I spotted this one on eBay which says it's been verified by the head of the G Wagon forum. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252387235204?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Any knowledge of this on here?

Thanks all.

Justin.

Arnie
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Re: New Member Checking in

Hello, and a big welcome, Justin!

I've not seen the one on ebay before, but it looks reasonable at first glance, although it would need a throughout check of the parts not shown, to make any sensible comment on its condition.

Also note that the post 1990, W463, G's are not just a 'facelift' over a the earlier W460 versions. They are mechanically quite different, with different engines and drive-trains.

 

 

Le_Savage
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Re: New Member Checking in

Hi Arnie, and thanks for the welcome.

After posting I had time to conduct a little more research and in particular the differences between the 460's and 463's, which as you say go well beyond a facelift..

I have a small concern on economy, as while I will not be doing many long journeys something that is livable and useable for day to day local running around is required. I see estimates ranging from 12 to 25 MPG, are these accurate, and are there any stand out performers in terms of economy and reliability, perhaps the 300GE?

I'd also seen a mention of transplanting a later diesel unit (not sure which one, but seem to recall a 2.7 TD), Any knowledge of this, and whether it will improve economy and/or performance? Presumably, if considering a transplant down the line, would it be sensible to buy a vehicle already running a diesel to reduce effort to install?

Thanks again, Justin

fredecosse
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Re: New Member Checking in

Le_Savage wrote:

Hello all,

I've just joined the site and thought i'd say hello. I'm new the the world of the G Wagon, my only experience being a rather wealthy friend owning one when we were much younger, but i've always been intrigued by them, and when I found myself with a need for a strong and reliable utility type vehicle I first looked to the current models of new SUV's and struggled to find anything that i'd like for a price I was happy to pay. So instead opted for a new estate car, and set about looking to fill the hole with a used car. It was while looking at the usual glutt of landies, hilux, pathfinders and navaras that I suddenly recalled my days in the G Wagon... and here I am, taking my first tentative steps into G Wagon ownership, currently watching the classifieds (Autotrader, PistonHeads, eBay - any others to recommend?) for a suitable vehicle.

Ideally, a post facelift (1991 I believe) RHD, Diesel with sensible history, LWB and around £10 - £15k Although i'd consider a Petrol and a SWB for the right vehicle as well as spending a little more. With all that said, I spotted this one on eBay which says it's been verified by the head of the G Wagon forum. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252387235204?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Any knowledge of this on here?

Thanks all.

Justin.

Hi Justin

Welcome on the forum, we still yet to find out who is the head of the G Wagen forum ... :-(

Still this looks a nice straight forward car at first sight 

Xxx

fredecosse
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Re: New Member Checking in

Le_Savage wrote:

Hi Arnie, and thanks for the welcome.

After posting I had time to conduct a little more research and in particular the differences between the 460's and 463's, which as you say go well beyond a facelift..

I have a small concern on economy, as while I will not be doing many long journeys something that is livable and useable for day to day local running around is required. I see estimates ranging from 12 to 25 MPG, are these accurate, and are there any stand out performers in terms of economy and reliability, perhaps the 300GE?

I'd also seen a mention of transplanting a later diesel unit (not sure which one, but seem to recall a 2.7 TD), Any knowledge of this, and whether it will improve economy and/or performance? Presumably, if considering a transplant down the line, would it be sensible to buy a vehicle already running a diesel to reduce effort to install?

Thanks again, Justin

I think lots of us have gone through this question before and sadly no easy answer as to economy , i have yet to find a cheap G wagen to run ... Transplanting an engine will be very costly and will not save you much in terms of energy and will loose its value. 

I find the best way is a very nice original G not having been messed with that will hold its value for Sunday use, then another car cheap to run for daily use is the way forward. 

My thoughts

Best wishes 

Fred

Simon666
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Re: New Member Checking in
I have seen and driven this car.. very honest vehicle from my drive and look round. I was getting fed up of my 460 after a 17 week unplanned garage 'stop' and thinking of upgrading.. however having got it back I can't help but keep it. Quite happy to respond to any queries, but please note as with any G you are much better seeing it in person to make your own mind up... but it is definitely worth a visit. The guy is very straight up as well. Best Simon
neilmarton
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Re: New Member Checking in

Simon,

Just outta interest, Did he tell you who the head of the g wagon uk forum is ?

Neil

fredecosse
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Re: New Member Checking in

neilmarton wrote:

Simon,

Just outta interest, Did he tell you who the head of the g wagon uk forum is ?

Neil

Will we ever find out :-)

Xx

markhowes
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Re: New Member Checking in

I am Spartacus!

neilmarton
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Which part of Spartacu are you from ?

Simon666
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Re: New Member Checking in
Hi Yes, but he did NOT say he was the head of the G Wagen UK Forum. He is a friend of his that is very knowledgable on all things G related and has a deserved reputation as such. I'm sure if you ask him (the seller - assuming it's the same guy selling it) he will say.. Ta Simon
prwales
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Re: New Member Checking in

Early diesel w463s with the om603 engine are not quick and although more economical than petrol not spectacularly so, but these are a better base for a om606a conversion as many parts are either interchangeable or essential to such a fitment.

My manual petrol ge300 averages 19/20 in mixed driving, a little better on a M-way run. A diesel might give you 25 mpg, but as said the 603 is slow, whereas the 606a has the power of the petrol matched with much more torque making it a very good match for the g-wagen.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/J-1992-Mercedes-Benz-G-WAGON-300GDS-/172233310...

a rare manual diesel, low miles and what maybe a partial respray

Simon666
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Re: New Member Checking in
Hi I might not be following the trail right.. but just to re-iterate the original G is Petrol not Diesel? Ta Simon
markhowes
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Re: New Member Checking in

In the hope that it might be of some help - just done a 500 mile round trip with a mix of driving (motorway and dual carriageway at 80 plus mph some stuck in crawling/stationery traffic (A30 roadworks across Bodmin Moor) lots of traffic crawling around multiple roundabouts round Chichester and a lot of slow moving traffic through Dorset etc. etc..

Overall managed 17.24 mpg.

Had I been a lot more gentle with my the right foot and stuck to speed limits then I'm sure I could have achieved 20 mpg

Mine is a 1993 SWB automatic 300GES.

 

prwales
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Re: New Member Checking in

its still a lot better than the ge280 auto which even in swb form would struggle to see 15