Class of 2010

Hi and welcome to the forum,

I also stepped into g-ownership following a long line of landies and a cruiser. The first thing that struck me is that g electrics (pre-2000) are very robust, simple and shouldn't really cause you any problems. The landy dictum of going all-mechanical simply doesn't hold water on Gs (or 80-series cruisers for that matter). The fuel injection systems (again pre 2000) are tried, tested and generally speaking of a completely different MB generation (i.e. made/designed when the company was run by engineers and not accountants - but to be fair I understand that since 2008 things have started to go back to the ways of old again). Therefore, I wouldn't be afraid of buying either a 460 or 463: as with any 2nd hand purchase, condition, service history, etc is going to be a lot more important.

From the basic layout, the big difference between the two is that the 460 has a selectable 2/4WD H/L tx box whilst the 463 is permanent: the suspension set up is basically the same. Needless to say the 463 is also more comfortable to drive and to be in, having better seats and more sound insulation: the 460 is more basic inside, although with an auto box (manuals can be a bit notchy/agricultural) is very driveable. Like the Landies, the LWB models are less bouncy on the road (I can't give you a comparison offroad as I've only ever had LWB Gs). In terms of the engines pre-2000, again like landies, they're generally robust and reliable. The only one to avoid are the 3.5l TDs before 1994: 'end 94 and '95 are OK. Drivetrains are very reliable and shouldn't be leaky (unlike our brethren make).

Offroad the G is as capable as the Landy, one just has to adjust ones driving style to the design of the vehicle. If you're getting out of a 90/110, you'll be used to loads of articulation. The G's rear end isn't as flexible as the Landies, but instead you have difflocks and you just have to get used to having wheels in the air on axle-twisting terrain. I must admit, it took me a while to get used to having been engrained on the need for articulation after many years of landy ownership. The big advantage of the G is that the diffs don't drag as easily as they've got slightly higher clearance (especially in the rear: I used to drag my salisbury-fitted 110 all the time). Changing from high to low you can do whilst on the move which is a bonus.

In terms of where you will find them for sale, the usual places: this site, ebay and autotrader are probably your best starting points. With regard to what to look out for, there are many posts on this site that will help you. As with all these things, you may want to drive a few first to get a feel of what you are looking at.

Good luck/ph

Prices? There is a difficult one indeed. My sister is looking to get into G ownership, until she commented that a nice 20-year-old G was 5K and for the same price she could get a 7-Year-old RR! Prices I have seen have ranged from 1993 - VGC £3.5K (full MOT and Tax) to £80K Brand new 2010!

Having gone through the pain of searching for a G three years ago, you will need patience and time. I would recommend two place to look - G Wagen at Caversham - call and ask for James or the place down near Malvern - the G Wagen Centre.(?) Other places that will specialize would be Nick Wheelhouse (Good quality but very high prices) and Need a Merc in Ireland. You may get lucky and find one on E Bay or Auto Trader. Post 2001 (registration year) they will mostly be LHD (unless and AMG55) and because of this they will hold their prices very well.

Mind you once you have had one for a while and have got used to the differences’ in LR and G, I am sure you would think its money well spent.

Good luck!

Spider1V

As PP has pointed out... that 280 GE is rather expensive for its type. I bought my first 463 300GE, good (not mint nor near perfect) condition with FMBSH for 6k two and a half years ago.... 

That silver one you are looking at has been there for quite a while; defo more than a year, perhaps even 2!!

 I bought that GE from a fellow forum member, it was listed on 'Gs for sale'; before that I got my first ever G (460 300GD) from ebay for 1.3k... sold for 1.8 after a month!! 

Balance the excessive sloth of a 463 diesel against the relative thirst of the petrol and its a no brainer. The 460 280 is much more thirsty though particulary with the auto box that most came with. My choice would be a petrol 463 manual...oh thats what I've got. I've owned both a ge280 and a gd300 both 460's and whilst the 2.8 is a very nice engine it has a thirst that the white rabbits mate could match. The 5 cylinder diesel is even slower than the taxi engine of the 463 but you can fuel it with more or less any thing that will burn.