Help - not sure I get it!
Hi,
I'm after a smart, robust diesel 4x4 & a G seems to fit the bill. However, I don't understand a couple of things.
How come they are so much more expensive than anything else and what is it about the top of the range ones that makes people pay over £100k for an AMG etc. What do they offer that is so amazing apart from a massive engine?
I just don't understand how they can be worth that much. Can you help me construct a rational argument for me to buy one? I think I'd quite like to.
Cheers
Giles
Its very hard to justfy the prices asked for the latest G's though in their defence they do come equipped with all the electronic wizardry that D-B has inflicted on the car buying public since the late 1990's.
It is also a fashion victim for rappers and gangsters both would be and real, and this has seriously inflated the cars price. There are various models series part time 4x4 w460, military w461's and the current fashion icon the w463, this has full time 4x4 and actually dates back to 1990/1991. Older ones are more basic but have poorer rust protection but surprise surprise you do get older w460's tarted up to resemble a later w463. My advice is try before you buy and sample as many as you can; the older car might suit but the diesels are slow and noisey but all in all considerably better than a corresponding Defender.
Its simple, they are hand built, over engineered. To appreciate the drive and handling and quality, see one up close, sniff one and drive one; the question won't even occur asking.
Regards.
How much are you planning to spend?
Then we could be more specific about what you will be getting for your money.
Hi Gridout,
Welcome to the club. Hmmm the question you pose is the main 'hump' to cross when buying any G Wagen. As has been pointed out by other members there are a number of things that have pushed the price of the G up (Rappers, film stars, Military, Russia, China, hand built etc etc).
A few questions:
Where are you based?
Will your 4x4 be used as an off roader?
When you came up with the G as a choice what decied you to make such a choice and come on to ask us?
Just a few points based on your post - while a 460 would fit, if you need a smart looking car I would recommend a 463 (Wood, Leather, power steering and perm 4 wheel drive). If you could answer the questions posed below and some of the other asked by members we are happy to help as this is usually the main reaons pop a question to us on the forum.
The strongest argument that I can field from here is:
Its different
Its capable
It sets you out from any crowd.
Of course when you get one - you also benifit from the fact its value protects your investment
You will be on the speed redial of your friends when it snows, rains or is generally mucky weather!
The down sides - general populous and Mercedes Benz UK don't get it
You must make sure you get a good condition one (we can help you there)
feel free to ask any other questions!
Finally sometimes you should allow your heart to rule your head, kick back and have some fun - you have one life - don't waste it on anything other than a G!
Spider1V
I'd buy one of the early L322 RR's. With my savings I'd buy an Audi S2 and I'd invest the rest in a holiday home in Portugal.
If you want comfort with an all singing and dancing interior then the Range Rover does this very well. It can also tow and go off road in a capeable manner. However like most modern SUV type vehicles it can be a bit fragile in the rough stuff having to rely on electronic traction control and air suspension.
A G Wagon is an old school offroader with mechanical locking diffs and coil spring suspension. It was originaly designed for military use and has evolved into something more luxurious but still retains the strength, built quality, off road ability and longevity that the military required. That is what makes it special compared with its modern competitors.
If I wanted a reliable and capable 4x4 that was well appointed, would not let me down off road and I was going to keep it for the next twenty years then a recent model G Wagen is the only one I would consider. However for everyday use and without the need for heavy off road duties or the desire for long term ownership one of the more modern luxury SUV's probably makes more financial sense.
Gridout,
The G would fit your requirements perfectly. I use my G as 'an every day car' (and its a 500!) and its perfect for all of the above (towing, fields, etc) and a great every day car, if you get a LWB with the jump seats in the back you can get it congestion charge exempt and cart around loads of kids (and adults).
However there will always be more cost effective way of doing it (as pointed out by the other members , RR, Toyota's etc) the decsion will , at the end of the day, be yours. I think you would enjoy a G as it would eat the work you have metered out, the only thing I will say, is that you may want to keep pushing your capabilities and end up doing some of the 'bonkers' stuff if you get a G! LOL
Do feel free to post any other thoughts or questions (there is no such thing as a silly question here), as the difficulty is alwasy making the initial decsion to get a G. I think the other members have summed things up perfectly. If you do the research properly and ask all the right questions you can end up with a gem of a truck that should look after you for years.
Spider1V
Let me put it this way,
As some of you personally know me or of me, I am a big boy and I mean that in the literal sense. The G-Wagen (RHD) is accommodating for one of my size. I have noticed the LHD's offer less space. The Japanese models are built for a small frame and are not spacious in my opinion. Mechanical capabilities I can not comment on as I have no or extremely little experience on them.
On the Land Rover and most Japanese 4X4's, I find a the turning circle to be large, the G-Wagen is adequately tighter.
I was working on a Ten year old G-Wagen (W460 Chassis) and on the same day I worked on a Three year old Range Rover, an air suspension model. Comparing all the welded areas where anything had been welded on the Range Rover was beginning to rust; the Ten year old G-Wagen had, not a spot of rust on any of the welds. There was scratch rust on the underside of chassis on scraps the chassis had picked up, but other than that it was clean.
The clincher for me is the G-Wagen offers internally operated diff locks, the classic Land Rover does not offer any diff locks but boasts good wheel articulation (needed for traction). Latter versions employ ABS system of locking wheels to regain loss drive. Although I have not heard of the electronics failing, theoretically, if the the wheel ring gears get clogged up, it can affect the ABS and or lock diff simulation to get the vehicle out of trouble, particularly if the vehicle has been fording and driving through heavy mud.
Regards,
PRWales you have the ' whiff of Freelander ' about you.
Thanks for that Doug; I like the very early RR's too but there aren't many left, most have dissolved into aluminium oxide and its iron counterpart. I wouldn't go for a later electronically equipped G though, an early w463, probably diesel, [maybe not] no sun roof and wind up windows would be perfect.
How many Toyotas and Landrovers did you pass on the road today?
And how many G class?
Mercedes makes 15 G class per day, hand-built in Graz, Austria by people who could still be classed as engineers.
As others have said, the level of engineering in a G is substantial as is the degree to which parts are unique to the model.
If its convenience, cheap parts and comfort yo are after, go Japanese.
If you like getting wet (either through water leaking in, or while waiting by the side of the road for the AA) then buy a LR
If its refinement you want buy a RR, though when its artificial intelligence enhanced, electric heated cup holders go wrong you'll have to buy another one.
If you want something that is unique, reasonably comfortable and doesn't sacrifice function for form too much then buy a newer G.
For something that will still be going long after the dead have risen, but without the refinement and initial high cost buy an older G (just expect to have to fix a few things at the 30 year point along the way - good news is that once fixed, they are good for the next 30!)
Lots of good points. Clearly G enthusiasts are helpful types, and/or have too much time on their hands.
I got my first G because it was a Mercedes and at the time the price seemed good. Its been my only G because 20 years later I still have it. It drives like a car, but high up. Puts a smile on your face, does anything you really need it to off road (from the little I have done) and would make me rich if I had a tenner everytime someone asked to buy it. Solid and well put together - it will last but be a little more costly than most when you need to replace something. I like SWB and petrol. None of the models, or any real 4x4, are very economical.
You need to ask yourself how long you intend to keep your 4x4 choice....for what you describe you have many options...but with a G for that money your not going to get a turbo diesel unless its LHD..only a 500 V8...are you fuel concious ?...you can get reliabiity from a Nissan or a Toyota, have diff locks if you ever need them for mud or snow..for circa £15k a good example with a decent diesel engine,comfort..I believe now unless you are passionate about the G, dont mind its fuel economy, and want to be different then yes..but so many other options, but go for a test drive in all and make your own mind up.
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Thanks everyone.
I'm based in Warwickshire & will be using it for occasional towing / driving over fields / through Fords but not for bonkers off roading. Mostly it will be pretty 'normal' use for a country side location.
i'm interested in a G because it seems to have a level of comfort & ability that would be more than enough. However, I just can't understand how they are better than equivalents from Toyota / Land Rover et al to justify spending about 30k more for a lightly used one.
Also, is the ride & refinement ok for use as a daily car?
Cheers.