forum thoughts on newer v8's
Hi all.
I'm slowly becoming an avid g fan after being a merc nut for 20-odd years. I've got a 280LWB and a 230SWB which when finished I'll use as a works vehicle.
My cars have always been the 2nd vehcle, only doing around 3k miles a year as the main car is used predominently by my g hating Mrs for school run/shopping etc. In addition the main car normally does at least one trip to Italy per year, sometimes two. £.5 years ago we switched from buying new E classes to a Lexus as we were well p***ed off with quality control and attitude of MB. The RX300 is completely competent in what it does, but for me is totally soulless, and crap on petrol (21mpg her, 17mpg average for me), it also has a tiny tank so you feel like you're always filling her up. We'll be thinking of replacing it within six months.
I'm unlikely to spend the same sort of ££ on a brand new car this time, as the depreciation curve in year one is ludicrous, lose £5k as you drive it out of the showroom. We have a decent private plate now so the "latest reg" snobbery is not an issue.
The Mrs loves the heightened driving position of the school-run 4x4, so thats sorted. I do, too, as I drive a Transit every day. What are the members thoughts on running a newer 463, probably a v8 as a daily driver? I think its a great idea, but as I said, she hates G's. Her experience of them however has so far been rattly and frilly 460's, the 463 looks a lot more "up-to-date" inside. She is used to all the bells and whistles, satnav, aircon, sunroof, heated electric leather etc, and we have dvd and ps2 for the kids in the back. All of these could be either found on a s/h car or retro fitted to look "professional". I need to get her to see one that would look similarly specced to what she's used to, I saw an 03 plate at Gwagen in Reading yesterday, nice car but I dont want to show her a LHD one (thanks James)
The boot space/multi seat capacity would be a huge bonus too, AFAIK the downsides would be sheer size= no multistorey car parks, the tree hugging brigade, and MPG. Depreciation seems gentle at 2+ years old.
Could I do a 500v8 on LPG fitted maybe with torpedo tanks?
What is a ballpark of what I could reliably expect to source at under £40,000 thats not LHD and killed with miles?
All comments appreciated.....thanks Guys
If I'm only getting 18-20mpg I might as well have a decent engine under me boot lol
Hi I think you will see an increased availability of 463 petrol G's coming available due to the higher running costs hence cheaper prices..Marty (buckalec) on this forum Has a lowish mileage LWB 463 1996 in Almandine red which he is having professionally LPG'd.. its cloth interior but has the 96 bells and whistles..I thinks he is hoping for around the GBP 15000 when completed...the LPG is single point because of the way the K Jetronc fuel system is designed..It would be multipoint on engines with electronic fuel management.....I have run a 460 230ge on Lpg with the "torpedo tanks" holding 120 ltrs of gas and it gave around 220 miles to the fill..ask VJ on this forum she has it now...rgds
You can definitely get a decent RHD 463 for that kind of money - take a look at what Spider just bought. 2001 G500 with built in PS2.
I would speak to Nik Wheelhouse as well as James.
One thing to note is the Sat Nav will be the old style becker satnav or aftermarket. With the exception of the G55K there are no RHD 463s with the command system.
But honestly a LHD is not bad... and I find even easier (with the exception of ticket barriers) as it ensures that on narrow roads you can move right over. There are a number of LHD G400s for around the high twenties in London at the moment. Even if you don't intend to get one its worth taking one for a test drive as a reference point.
have Pm'd you
Spider1V
RHD G500 makes a great daily driver if you put a few miles on it each time. To putt around town doing only short trips would be a bit of a waste of the vehicle and would be poor on fuel. I use mine daily- very quiet , comfortable , practical and everything else you want from a vehicle. Fuel can be justifed. I wouldn't LPG it due to potential future problems and complexity. But I have no experience so should not say anything.
Hi how about Paul Evans 2000 V8 G500 with 75000miles LWB and RHD at under 30 grand ..look in this forum "Gs for sale" Pauldevans ........got a phone number too..............
hi john,good luck mate with whatever you end up with.you are o the right track :!:
i reckon a G500 is more economic than the trusty old 280 in the real world. i mean modern versus old you really cant compare. as for ride and comfort the G500 is far supreme to any 460.
if i was you... :?: there is only 2 G's out there right now.
1- G300 at wheelhouse
2-G5OO that fixwin is mentioning.
in saying that,the price you are looking at will put you in the seat of the G500 :P .
as for lpg,i wouldnt drive a diesel at £1.10 a litre :shock: :shock: :shock:
i would lpg any G i brought,even a G55 :!: its the only way forward.a good friend of mine has lpg'd his 300 GEL and it runs like a sewing machine!
(he will reveal all soon)
(all said and done,i would never sell my 460 BUT ADD 463TO THE STABLE!
good luck john,and find a good lpg specialist mate.
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Wow, quick responses, thanks so far chaps.
Fixwin, thats quite interesting but I cant justify going that far back in age and it needs to be "modern" to entice her so to speak.
Maxwell, I agree, but I reckon she won't on the LHD thing. Ironically would be bloody awesome for the continent and a v8 diesel mmmmmm lovely.
Spider, I hvae pm'd you back, nice one. Small world, eh??
Roly, we do about 15k miles a year, 5-6 trips up north per year and european touring, but the rest is school, tesco and marksies....As i said, only getting about 18mpg from the v6 3litre Japcrap so I could justify keeping comsumption similar but with a v8!!! I just thought LPG would be a good way to p*** off all the misguided tree huggers, be a bit green at the same time, and actually reduce running costs. Europe + LPG could be a problem though, I think you cant go on the ferry/chunnel with gas.....
Keep em coming chaps