Needing to scratch the G Wagon itch

[Abb]

Hi Gents, as the title suggests am going to start the hunt for a G Wagon. I appreciate it is a marmite vehicle but I have always loved the styling and I have toyed with puchasing one over the past few years but am nowgoing to take the plunge (hopefully). It won't be used for its off roading capabilities, just as a daily or weekender (haven't decided yet). Problem is, I am just beginning my research so any information would be gratefully received, regarding ownership, fuel type, models to avoid/the ones to have, the pitfalls, weak points etc.
The one stipulation I have is it must be RHD which I know narrows my market down considerably, but just don't think I could live with a LHD vehicle.
Cheers

 

[dinoy]

most rare is lwb diesel automatic is one i like, but ended buying very nice lpg ml for 2.5k with lpg conversion, similar g wagon u need to spend 6 or 8k these days

they shot up in price now whilst in contrast ml rock bottomed

 

[jaymanek]

Join GWOA, they live and breathe them..

Ive had a couple, currently a LHD g500..

Im not sure why people get hung up on LHD, takes a day to get used to it but really no issue. Apart from parking garages!

 

[Abb]

Join GWOA, they live and breathe them..

Hi, thank you for that. Joined after posting on here,just waiting for admin bods to ok my subscription before I can actually use the site.

 

[stevehg]

I have to say that the best bit about the G class, and LR Defender too, is when you off road them, otherwise they are a bit sh*te as road cars. Unless your budget stretches to a recent version, you'll find them very rudimentary, uncomfortable and overall a bit crude. As it's going to be a plaything you want to make sure the reward in using it is exactly that.

So my advice would be try a few to make sure you do want one, and when you buy it take it off road now and then, as that is when they are at their best. For example take it to the Atlas Mountains and then into the dunes!

Cheers

Steve

 

[IanA2]

I have to say that the best bit about the G class, and LR Defender too, is when you off road them, otherwise they are a bit sh*te as road cars. Unless your budget stretches to a recent version, you'll find them very rudimentary, uncomfortable and overall a bit crude.

I'm not sure those are words I'd associated with my 463.

 

[Abb]

I'm not sure those are words I'd associated with my 463.

Thanks for the reassurance. My research thus far is pointing in the direction of the 463 being 'the one too have', may I ask why that is? Also what the GES means??

 

[IanA2]

Thanks for the reassurance. My research thus far is pointing in the direction of the 463 being 'the one too have', may I ask why that is? Also what the GES means??

Check the GWOA, there's plenty of debate about which is best. The 463 is arguably the most "modern" with lots of bits taken from the 124. Also it's wood & leather, so less "basic" than some other models.

If you're going petrol then 300 is the best compromise if you can't find/afford a 500 (which is the best petrol iteration, hen's teeth in SWB RHD).

Many swear by diesel and there are a few iterations, and a few to avoid. Turbo Diesels get good reports.

"G" is for Geländewagen, "E" I think is to denote electronic ignition, and "S" is Short wheel base (as opposed to Long which is four door).

 

[jaymanek]

463 is not crude in any way... Mine is a lovely cruiser...

The older ones were very crude but the post 1991 are good.

Personally I like the cars up to 2000 when they went to the W203 style interior, which IMO made the car feel cheap inside.

The 400 CDI is the one to avoid as is the 350 turbo diesel. Both have known major issues.

 

[stevehg]

I'm not sure those are words I'd associated with my 463.

It wasn't meant to be negative, and without knowing OP's budget etc. you have the range of G's going back over 40 years. I've been in some G's that didn't even have heating units!

There's no getting away from the fact that using a 2.5 tonne vehicle with two live axles as a road going play thing is going to feel a bit crude in comparison to most. The recent models do a great job of overcoming this, and again it wasn't meant to be negative, just something you have to expect when buying one.

I love the G-Class, but I also think that you don't truly appreciate the reason for the live axles, 3 diffs, and rigid bodywork until you use it off road too.

It wasn't meant to be offensive, so sorry if it came across that way.

cheers, Steve

 

[V12]

E is for einspritzung. A.k.a fuel injection.