Buying a 91 W463 with 606 diesel engine and 6 speed manual gearbox - things to look out for?

4 replies [Last post]
CharlieV
CharlieV's picture
Offline
Joined: 24.04.2014
Location: Spain

Hello!

 

Im new here and this is my first post.  I have already read the buying guide and quite a few other posts - all good stuff.

 

I am looking at taking my first step into the world of the G class.  I live in Spain and have found what looks to be a good car.  I have never driven a G class. I own a LR Defender and a Mitsibishi L200.  I have a basic mechanical knowledge but don't mind looking up guides online and getting my hands dirty as long as it is not too complicated or requires special tools.

 

The car I am looking to buy is advertised at around 9000 euros, but I think that I could get it for around 8000.  I dont really want to invest too much money into keeping it going.

 

It is a 91 LWB version.  The engine was changed to a 606 with 177hp and a manual 6 speed gearbox was bolted on.  From what I have read this looks like a very good combination but quite a delicate install.  I am a little concerned that whichever Spanish mechanic has done the job might have bodged it a bit...  

 

The car is on raised suspension.

 

I have to travel quite a long way to test drive the car.  What questions should I be asking before making the trip?  I have seen photos of the interior and exterior of the car and it looks great.  I have already asked and apparently there is light, cosmetic rust in a couple of spots on the chassis or around the back axle.  I don't really know where yet and I am waiting for photos.  There is no rust on the body.

 

On the test drive what should I look out for?

 

Does this gearbox/engine combo have any known faults?

 

Not my main concern, but worth knowing - what kind of fuel consumption might I expect?

 

What kind of value do you think a car like this has?  Is it too expensive?

 

Any tips or words of wisdom would be very much appreciated.

 

Thanks a lot!

 

 

 

G-Restorations
G-Restorations's picture
Offline
Joined: 07.04.2011
Location: Blackpool
GWOA Groups: Members
Re: Buying a 91 W463 with 606 diesel engine and 6 speed ...

This conversion is probably the best option for Gs at the moment, there are a few people doing these conversions on here me for one and Mike Axel username "axel" and Tony Brugger.

  Some converters leave the engine running on the original ECU and back- engineer the wiring so that the engine will run independently from the E300 wiring, it still needs the fat Merc key and key reader, this works but if it fails who will fix it?Mercedes won't touch it and will you be able to find the guy that did the conversion?.  If he's converted the injection to a mechanical pump this is a much better conversion and the converter has put some time and effort into it.

 

 The intercooler is also bit of a task to sort out as well so bodgers just don't bother and just blow the intake over the top of the engine. 

If you can put some photos on here we can get a pretty good idea what's what there are some pretty eagle eyed folks on here

I'm sure others will contribute as well

Gordon

axel
axel's picture
Offline
Joined: 26.07.2010
Location: South West UK
GWOA Groups: Members
Re: Buying a 91 W463 with 606 diesel engine and 6 speed ...

   hah , gordon types faster than me !!!  all he has says is bang on : please get some pictures of the vehicle /underbonnet /interior .

 the vehicle is left hand drive ?? and it was fitted before with a 603 diesel engine ?? or was it petrol? 

have the engine installers used the sump and dipstick from the removed previous engine?

 if the vehicle is in good order and it drives well then the g wagen would be a bargain as the work is very involved and expensive / if however the job has been bodged and not finished off to a good standard then it could be a waking nightmare of 'issues' and the need to return to the man that perpetrated it could become tiresome ...

has the vehicle done many miles since the engine and box swap? 

the engine should pull really strongly and the clutch light and positive /the gearchange should be very sweet and with a precise action/ if you drive carefully and keep the revs low on a long drive  you can get 30 mpg / 25 mpg more typical the engine loves to pull a high gear so keeping the revs low should be easy .

 please get the seller to send you plenty of pictures showing details of the engine bay and the underneath of the engine looking up from the front axle so we can see the sump /if it is the saloon w210 sump or the  603 g wagen  engine variety, this is very important/ it would also be worth finding  out if the 6 mm elements from the edc injection pump from the 606.962 injection pump have been built into the injection pump fitted to the engine ,if this has been done then the car has no electronics to go wrong and you have a very good package .

get some pictures / if the vendor is proud of his work /car then this should not be a problem.

 it may still be worth buying as  it is a good price for a 463 diesel lwb /get it checked for all its paperwork /chassis and engine numbers /accident registers etc / maybe consider a proper independent inspection of the vehicle -then negotiate.

if the drivetrain/bodywork has been neglected or bodged these vehicles can become a money pit.

 

G-Restorations
G-Restorations's picture
Offline
Joined: 07.04.2011
Location: Blackpool
GWOA Groups: Members
Re: Buying a 91 W463 with 606 diesel engine and 6 speed ...

Any photos yet?

Pistonhead
Pistonhead's picture
Offline
Joined: 16.12.2006
Location: Loughborough
GWOA Groups: Committee, Members
Re: Buying a 91 W463 with 606 diesel engine and 6 speed ...

Personally if I were in the market for a converted vehicle to buy; I would like to know of details and documentation of the donor vehicles as records to be included.

This is for several reasons, Insurance declaration, buying of repair or replacement parts of any donor components , so knowing the chassis number and other model details of the donor vehicle is vital to me, should I want to source replacement parts from either Mercedes dealer or else where. Some motor factors in the UK use vehicle registration numbers to look up parts; I do not know how this is affected if a vehicle has be salvaged but in some cases they can not go by chassis number either. 

So documents and or vehicle details in full of all donor components used in the conversion, addresses of a bespoke service provider contributing his efforts to the conversion - say, for example if the engine mounts had been specifically fabricated, you would want or at least I would want his details for future use if that occurs.

Finally, full and complete contact details of the convertor as matter of record for vehicle documentation.

As to fuel consumption of such conversions figures of around 28 mpg to 30 mpg have beeen stated by some sources.

Hopefully the convertor of the project would or should in my opinion make a list of such parts and catolque these part numbers for the owner. Such information should instil more confidence to the buyer and give platform to retaining good resale value for the vehicle.

From what you have already stated, you do not want to spend more money after purchase; you would be better off sticking to a standard version W463. Test drive one before considering a converted version. If you have no or little information of the convertor just steer clear from the vehicle.