Greetings from Malaysia
Hello all,
I am Paul, from Malaysia. Stumbled upon you lot while doing some reading up on G-Wagens because I'm searching for one. They're rare as hen's teeth here.
I was on the Paris-Beijing 2006 E-Class Experience recently and, being the 4X4 buff that I am, was more interested in the G-Wagen support vehicles than the lovely E320 CDIs that Mercedes kindly let us drive.
Having been fascinated by 4X4s for over 20 years and owned a few, and taken part in some interesting events in the tropical rainforests and deserts, I am now looking for that last 4X4 that I will keep to my last days. I think a G-Wagen might it be it, if I can find a fixer-upper cheap enough.
Would appreciate if you could share some obvious to-look-out-for pointers about the G since I've never actually been intimate with one.
Cheers.
:D welcome to GWOA
Twodogs
i read about your expedition,great experience,you are a lucky man.GWOA is a great place ask and learn,i speak from experience-ENJOY!!
Greetings. :o :o :o
Wht is a Ford Everest ?
Welcome to the forums PSi62. The Paris-Beijing sounds like a great trip, have you got any pictures to share.
You just got to love Merc's attitude to the G. When they organise such a trip, they choose the G as a support vehicle. If anyone else plans such a trip, Mercedes (well Merc UK, at least) would sell them an M class. :lol:
Welcome, PSi62!
A good start to find out more, is to have a read through all the different subjects on the forum. While this may seem tedious, your subconcious mind will take it in and when you see something, you will suddenly KNOW what you are looking at.
You have chosen the right vehicle - the G-wagen is uniquely endearing.
It would be great if you could post some pictures of your recent enviable experience - please do if you have some. The "G Chat" section of the forum is a good place to post them.
Paul,
Hi, and welcome.
What is the last photo of ? the army green one in the showroom.
Cheers
Marcus
Oh, a Ford Everest is a 4X4 stationwagon built on a Ranger pick-up chassis.
It's built in Thailand, alongside the Ranger, but is sold only in "third world" countries like Thailand, malaysia, Vietnam and India, where ruggedness is valued more than refinement.
Mine is a 2.5 turbo diesel with aftermarket ARB air locker on rear axle.
Some pix at:
http://www.imagestation.com/album/index.html?id=2098136029
The green one is a made-in-china version of the Humvee on display at the Beijing auto show.
It's either licensed by AM General or a blatant copy, down to the central tyre inflation system.
Where in Malaysia are you?
The whole reason I bought a G was with the hopes of one day driving it to Malaysia where I would then leave it and fly back.
But alas that is now a few years off.
Take a look at Buying Advice for what to look out for.
Also consider looking at Indonesia since there are a few around there. The military police over there even use a custom variation.
Hi Maxwell
I'm living and working in Petaling Jaya, just next to Kuala Lumpur.
If you carry out your plan, I can arrange for a parking lot for you to leave your G :-)
The problem with Malaysia is the gov't is very sticky abt imports. There's a system of permits designed to protect the local car makers like Proton, and only people with connections get to do it.
I'm originally from Sarawak on the island of Borneo, where there were a handful of Gs brought in for the timber industry abt 20-15 years ago.
Ideally, what I'd need is to buy a local G for the paperwork and then stumble across a good working unit abandoned by some Englishman to donate organs for transplant.
I found a SWB ysterday but the owner just smiled when asked if he wanted to sell. Problem is that there's no market value for Gs, and most who have a Merc of any kind are well-heeled enough to just keep them rather than sell for a song.
Hi Maxwell
The problem with Malaysia is the gov't is very sticky abt imports. There's a system of permits designed to protect the local car makers like Proton, and only people with connections get to do it.
I'm originally from Sarawak on the island of Borneo, where there were a handful of Gs brought in for the timber industry abt 20-15 years ago.
Ideally, what I'd need is to buy a local G for the paperwork and then stumble across a good working unit abandoned by some Englishman to donate organs for transplant.
I've spent a lot of time in Sarawak. You mention timber merchants bringing Gs in - do you know where and who?
The other option or so I am told is to convince a student to bring it in for you.
Wow, someone knows where Sarawak is! You're not related to our former Rajahs, the Brookes, by any chance?
They used to be imported by a company named Si Khiong, which is based in Sabah. They are into the big Merc logging trucks but brought in G-Wagens as well. Most of the units actually went to Sabah but some made their way to Sarawak.
The other Merc dealers, Cycle & Carriage, imported a grand total of 20 units over an unspecified period but only sold 8. The rest were re-exported.
The student loophole has been largely closed since this year because of uproar over fraud and abuses.
Wow, someone knows where Sarawak is! You're not related to our former Rajahs, the Brookes, by any chance?
They used to be imported by a company named Si Khiong, which is based in Sabah. They are into the big Merc logging trucks but brought in G-Wagens as well. Most of the units actually went to Sabah but some made their way to Sarawak.
The other Merc dealers, Cycle & Carriage, imported a grand total of 20 units over an unspecified period but only sold 8. The rest were re-exported.
The student loophole has been largely closed since this year because of uproar over fraud and abuses.
Hey man, I also know where Sarawak is... you see, not everybody is American! :lol:
So C&C only sold 8 Gs! Amazing. They had nice avertising, though.
My apolgies for implying Europeans don't know geography.
It's just that Sarawak isn't generally well known except to those who have been there.
If you guys are ever in this part of the world, give me a shout and I'll see what I can do to show you guys one of the things abt Sarawak that I am proud of - the hospitality.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, everyone!
Hi Paul,
Great to know of a G enthusiast in the neighbourhood. I think getting a running G would be pretty difficult. as for no runners, there's one left to rot in PJ good enough condition to rebuild. Parts would be a worry as I was told that is has been parked for over 4 years, so plenty replacements probably required. It is a 240GD, seven seater with Sabah plates. Engine looked very clean with one diff lock still functional. Maybe you'd like to check it out ...let me know.
I am in the middle of getting parts for my G so if you can get your hands on it, we could join up to get the parts across.
As for bringing in a newish G, I know of someone who will be migrating back to Malaysia who are entitled to import 2 cars, but they would probably be looking at selling at book value .... if interested, you'll have to be quick with this though for me to get intouch with them ....
Have fun!
Jeff
Hi Paul,
As for bringing in a newish G, I know of someone who will be migrating back to Malaysia who are entitled to import 2 cars, but they would probably be looking at selling at book value .... if interested, you'll have to be quick with this though for me to get intouch with them ....
If you're talking about bringing one in as a student, then I was pretty sure they abolished this as it was getting abused.... go figure.
Nope Max .... certain professionals comming home gets to bring two ..... one of the perks when returning to sunny Malaysia. Unfortunately, they don't encourage the types like me to return :oops:
Lost contacts with students a looooooooooooong time ago ... sigh the good ol' care free days!!! NOW ... I have a G on my shoulders ... and it gets better .... :lol:
the students i know in the uk mostly go back with a car, but the caveat is they have to have owned it 12 months i think in the uk to import it at the lower tax level
Yup ... but there's ways .... = abuse! I believe the normal tax is close to 300%, whereas the lower tax rate is around 100% ... blimey :shock:
I cannot image what the taxes will be on the parts I plan to bring in to the country... :shock:
Hi Jeff, sorry for the late reply, haven't been here for a while.
Where in PJ is this rotter and would you know if it's for sale? If so, how much would it be worth?
So you're in China. Which part? And where are you from originally?
I'm living in Shah Alam, office in PJ Sect 16.
I am now based in Shekou .. Shenzhen. No Gs here unfortunately. I'm from Serendah, Rawang area, originally from Penang/ S.P. Kedah.
I am not sure if it is for sale ... buy if it has been left there for a while, there's a good chance it could be for sale ... pending on your PR, maybe even for a song!
I was planning to get it for parts, but the engine is suppose to be in running condition and the body is in pretty good shape with some rust spots here and there. Did not look under the carpet though.
R u still interested?
Yes, I am. Can you give me directions?
I've heard of one outside a workshop in Tmn Megah/Mayang area. Friend of mine left his calling card with the workshop on my behalf so I decided not to ask in case owner gets ideas about how much demand there is and jack up price should he decide to sell. Might be the same one.
Yup, same same .. not too many lying around ... if you are really interested, you can try find the owner from the registration. I have made inquiries about it too, so if there's any mention about this should get an offer, say we are the same group asking on you behalf. I drive a very dark green G, almost black.
The workshop owner said that the G have been there for while as the owner wanted to do it up but was quoted around 40k at that time. Without proper resources, it'd be double that now since it has been stacked up for so long.
Good luck! Hope you get it.
By the way you may not be the only one interested in Gs.... unless you are the same guy who stopped by to ask my dad if he would sell when my G ran out of fuel one day along the old Ipoh Highway ...
Er, no, that's not me. It seems quote a few 4X4 enthusiasts harbour dreams of owning the ultimate off-roader some day. When I started asking around, the first three I asked said they were interested, too. Dunno how serious they are.
How much did you pay for yours, and how much have you spent so far?
80k repairs sounds like a lot of dough for a toy! I have a 2yr old Ford Everest that cost me just a bit more than that for a car in perfect condition!
I was figuring on 40-50K total for a rig in decent running order. Should I forget the whole thing, you reckon?
80k is what the shops would probably quote you for originals. I made a few inquiries on a list parts I need and they all came out double if not 4 times the prices in Europe.
Ordering them used from else where and mods using non originals would cut it down plenty. This way, your budget should cut it.
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Thanks for the welcome ... I can feel the warmth all the way from 10,000 miles away.
I have just uploaded some pics from the Paris-Beijing, and since you guys asked for 'em, a few of the GWs, including one rigged for camera work.
http://www.imagestation.com/album/index.html?id=2098151870
I do intend to plough thru the old posts but was hoping for a quick, short to-look-out-for list.
Cheers
Paul