G-Wagon Advice Needed.

[Deleted member 37751]

I'm thinking about buying a G Wagon to update for the 21st century.

Just a few questions;

1. If I drop a 300 turbo diesel/2.2 CDi/2.7CDi engine in, will it be straight in and what else would I have to change? Or what engine would you recommend? Would a C36 AMG engine go in?

2. Which interior do you think I should fit? I was thinking about a W164 ML? Or is it a case of whatever I fancy? It has to be a Mercedes interior though.

3. What are the manual gearboxes like?

4. What should I look out for when buying? My biggest problem will be keeping my wallet closed when I look at one that's for sale.

Any other tips would be greatly received.

 

[This is Pete]

Welcome, Voyager II.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Welcome, Voyager II.

¿Que?

 

[d w124]

Watch for rust,a lot of it actually.Finding one in good nick for sale it`s not easy or cheap

 

[carat 3.6]

I'm thinking about buying a G Wagon to update for the 21st century.

Just a few questions;

1. If I drop a 300 turbo diesel/2.2 CDi/2.7CDi engine in, will it be straight in and what else would I have to change? Or what engine would you recommend? Would a C36 AMG engine go in?

2. Which interior do you think I should fit? I was thinking about a W164 ML? Or is it a case of whatever I fancy? It has to be a Mercedes interior though.

3. What are the manual gearboxes like?

4. What should I look out for when buying? My biggest problem will be keeping my wallet closed when I look at one that's for sale.

Any other tips would be greatly received.

1. None of those engines will go straight in, all will involve messing about with the mounting points and pipework, not to mention the wiring and gearbox issues!
The only engine that may be fairly easy to get working in it's new home is the 220cdi unit.

2. You could retrim the original interior, or see if you can find a modern replacement.

3. Seeing as you are ristricted to the original gearbox, the words rubbery and slow come to mind. They were never designed to be a car after all.

4 As Dash has said, rust and rust. The mechanical side of things is bomb-proof however. Any body panels will have to come from mercedes, very rare to see second hand parts.

It will cost you a great deal of money to build what you want, would it not be better to find a late G270 cdi?
It can be done, but how much time and money do you want to spend?

 

[jonnyboy]

You'll end up spending 20 grand.

Buy a 463 G wagon, much better place to start from.

 

[d w124]

You'll end up spending 20 grand.

Buy a 463 G wagon, much better place to start from.

I`d second that,much better option on a long run

 

[Deleted member 37751]

I'm going to see my indie today to discuss costs on some of my plans.

I'll let you know how I get on...

 

[Charles Morgan]

In the words of 1066 and all that, I would say this was a cavalier endeavour - Wrong, but romantic.

Keep us informed, I'd love to be proved wrong on the wrong bit.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Buying that E30 (and consequently selling) has given me an appetite for buying a 'classic' to play around with.

I like a challenge and I also like proving people wrong, so if I fail it's all down to you Charles.

Not that I will fail of course, I would merely concede in a rather British way.

 

[Charles Morgan]

Ps how about a 606 multivalve non turbo - you would have zero electronic issues, the engine is decently economical and poky, and as the 12valve has been used in both a W124 and the g wagon you might be able to adapt the engine more easily for the G using the experience from the 124 installation.

 

[Alfajock]

At the risk of being flamed for heresy, you'd be far better doing the same project on a Land Rover.

We could debate the relative merits of the base vehicles endlessly, but since you're pretty much building it to your spec and build standards it becomes a side issue. Of much more importance in a project like that is the fact that G wagons and bits for them are rare and expensive whereas rebuilding Defenders is a cottage industry with cheap parts, a multitude of specialists, and lots of nice people on the forums some of whom will inevitably have done whatever you want to do before.

Just my tuppence. Whatever you build, enjoy it!

 

[IanA2]

You'll end up spending 20 grand.

Buy a 463 G wagon, much better place to start from.

Above is good advice. More can be sought at:

G-Wagen Owners' Association

I'm putting a twin turbo in my 300GES.

 

[IanA2]

2. You could retrim the original interior, or see if you can find a modern replacement.

As a matter of interest, who would do that sort of work, I'm interested as I'm having a fair bit of work done to my 463 300GES, TT, seats, brakes air con etc., so I'd like a cosmetic brush up too!

Thanks.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Just got back from the indie....

The interior refit is no problem whatsoever, I've just got to decide which I want to fit.

Putting a new engine in sounds too much of a nightmare to me; just the engine mounting problem sounds a bit too laborious and time consuming, not to mention gearbox etc etc. That is unless anyone knows of an engine that'll go straight in without much 'persuading'.

Having said that, I still like the idea of buying a W210 E430 V8 and using it for the engine and interior...

 

[Will]

That ever important question - what's your budget? And what are you looking to achieve?

If this is something that will be done as a money-no-object long term keeper then it's a great idea.

If you have limited funds, don't quite know what you are doing and are not sure if you're likely to keep it for many years I seriously wouldn't go there.

You can always buy a nice, newer G and see how you get on with it.

Or dare say it - despite the concerns, an ML55 is great value these days

 

[Deleted member 37751]

That ever important question - what's your budget? And what are you looking to achieve?

If this is something that will be done as a money-no-object long term keeper then it's a great idea.

If you have limited funds, don't quite know what you are doing and are not sure if you're likely to keep it for many years I seriously wouldn't go there.

You can always buy a nice, newer G and see how you get on with it.

Or dare say it - despite the concerns, an ML55 is great value these days

Cards on the table time; I've been offered a 230 for the right money.

Mechanically sound, bodywork is almost spotless.

The budget for the work would be about £2k. I know these things aren't cheap for parts but I always find a way to get things done for the right price.

Maybe a W210 E55 as a donor....hmmmm

 

[Deleted member 37751]

At the risk of being flamed for heresy, you'd be far better doing the same project on a Land Rover.

My brother is a big Landy enthusiast, which is a good job because his are always falling to bits and he's always fiddling about with them.

Not to say the G-Wagon doesn't, but that's my choice...

Thanks for the thought though.

 

[wemorgan]

The budget for the work would be about £2k.

From my experience £2k is quickly spent if paying a mechanic to do all the work.

£2k = £1667 before VAT. @£50/hr = 33 hrs labour

those hours will soon go if he's working on that model car and engine for the first time.

Keep your eye on PistonHeads Classifieds for someone selling their dream project for a huge loss......their loss = your gain

 

[Alfajock]

My brother is a big Landy enthusiast, which is a good job because his are always falling to bits and he's always fiddling about with them.

WHAT? Outrageous slur - mine's impeccably reliable!

Well, apart from the head gaskets
And then the unsealable exhaust manifolds
And the water pump
And the wheel bearing that collapsed on the M1
And the rusted through chassis
And the diff I blew up off roading

Yeah ok, you may have a point

Assume you are keeping your E class and this would be a toy? If so, I like your thinking on the E430 donor. First rule of toys - always stick a V8 in it!