G300 LWB - should this be my first ever G?
Hello everybody. Newbie here. Signed up recently and have been looking for my first G. I used to drive a van for a living so can't bring myself to consider anything that won't let me put a cabinet in the back should the mood take me, so it has to be an LWB. This one looks good, though I would be inclined to think the cost seems a little optimistic on Kahn's part.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201502120892134?page=1&min...
It has already dropped £2.5k since I started watching it in June! How do you think I should consider starting negotiations? Ta very much :-)
Welcome Wrathgar11. Well we have all been through this loop! Please make sure you read the sticky on the buying advice here no the forum, some experience that you can capitalise on. If you are not fussy and want to get into a G, there are a few LWB's around, however my advice would be to take some time and look around. Ask loads of questions, there are a few G wagen sites so plenty of experience out there and within the G community we are happy to help all new owners.
Ideally, you should negotiate, by going up there to see it (or ask for detailed pictures).
When you see that the chassis is all rusted and the contents of the engine compartment need TLC, you'll be able to negotiate further reductions in price.
Spider is right, someone has already inspected this one to reveal all these things.
However, don't expect to find one that doesn't require some work. If you do you'll be lucky, or have the funds for a nearly new one.
Hmmm - it's possible that this is the one that Gav had a look at for me before the current owner/dealer purchased it. Ask for the VIN and let me know and if it is the same one then I still have photos and vehicle spec sheets that Gav provided for me which I can send on to you.
Gav wasn't overly impressed which is one reason I didn't go ahead but don't want to give wrong impression if this is a different G - I think they have several for sale.
Nice interior though.
A rare car in the UK with this engine, if I interpret it correctly it has an m104 engine a 24v 3.2 litre engine which uses an all electronic fuel injection system, the system itself seems to have a good reputation what does not is the loom that came with this engine, the plastics used as insulation have poor heat resistance and over time they crumble. This shouldn't be the end of the world; something like £500 should be budgeted for in a w124 for a replacement but this could be much much more for the g-wagen. Having said that the engine gives something like 220bhp in the w124 so is a useful improvement on the 3 litre engine but with no improvement in fuel consumption. The vehicle looks in decent order it has a good colour but the asking price seems on the high side compared to what's available on e-bay, I would negotiate hard having had an estimate for replacing the loom as a bargaining tool
Well this 500 I know! I looked at it for another member and it is immaculate inside, however you will need to spend money on getting the High range/low range mechanism fixed. I engaged it and we almost panicked as it would not go back in for quite a while, telling me that it probably has never been used. The diff's also had a problem engaging and the front one refused to do so totally. It is an import (about 9 months ago) and I think they have got it cheap and are trying it on in the UK market. I think a more realistic price would be closer to £18.5K -£21K max.
One thing I did forget to post, if you are a member of the AA or RAC they can do a 190 point check for you (does cost some money) but the pain it can save for the future, it's well worth the investment.
Spider1V
I think there's some debate about the value of an AA/RAC check Joe. Personally I would advise paying for a specialist to accompany the prospective buyer. I know folks who have done this and it's saved them shed-loads.
I think there's some debate about the value of an AA/RAC check Joe. Personally I would advise paying for a specialist to accompany the prospective buyer. I know folks who have done this and it's saved them shed-loads.
Hi Ian, fair point, but I know a member who had the AA check her truck out, gave it a clean bill of health and then it developed a problem which the AA sorted out as they provide a warranty (of sorts) with the check. £150 well spent IMHO. Though a specialist will cost a bit more, I have to agree - if you can get one, then against anything over £10K it's well worth it.
Spider1V
I think there's some debate about the value of an AA/RAC check Joe. Personally I would advise paying for a specialist to accompany the prospective buyer. I know folks who have done this and it's saved them shed-loads.
Hi Ian, fair point, but I know a member who had the AA check her truck out, gave it a clean bill of health and then it developed a problem which the AA sorted out as they provide a warranty (of sorts) with the check. £150 well spent IMHO. Though a specialist will cost a bit more, I have to agree - if you can get one, then against anything over £10K it's well worth it.
Spider1V
Wasn't aware that there was any warranty attached to their inspections. Certainly stuff I've read on PH suggests their isn't. If indeed there is, I would reconsider my view of their usefulness. That said their inspections for older vehicles is a bit basic.
Wow, thanks for the input on this, all of you.
I am pretty certain a G is it and I know that I will need to budget a little for maintainenance, etc.
As you've probably guessed, I have been searching far and wide for a sensible intro to the fold. In addition to the aforementioned, this is the green Puch I hinted at:
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C612894
My only reservation with the above is the fact it is a diesel, the mileage is around 120k and it lacks the nine seat option. Oh and it looks like most of the controls are in german, though I could sign up for evening classes 
This one on Autotrader is an option, petrol, lower miles, LWB:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201505013103302/usedcars?l...
Again, no leather, not sure if it has AC, but miles are low and FSH is a good thing, shirley (don't call me Shirley).
And finally the optimistically priced Nene Overland offering:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201506254643537/usedcars?l...
Then again, there is always the outsider:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201506294742786/usedcars?l...
Great price and right fuel, though lacks V8, extra seats and some service history. Question mark over the miles too.....
Did you see Joe's post about it's faults and the money needed to fix them...?
Did you see Joe's post about it's faults and the money needed to fix them...?
I think he is referring to the Maroon G500 which is being sold by Nene Overland and was discussed in this thread...
http://www.gwoa.co.uk/content/g500-rhd-sale-0
I actually agree, this is a good price for a UK spec G500, try and find another unmolested RHD G500 with such low mileage for less than £30k.
Did you see Joe's post about it's faults and the money needed to fix them...?
I think he is referring to the Maroon G500 which is being sold by Nene Overland and was discussed in this thread...
http://www.gwoa.co.uk/content/g500-rhd-sale-0
I actually agree, this is a good price for a UK spec G500, try and find another unmolested RHD G500 with such low mileage for less than £30k.
did see this one for 35k, not under 30k bracket. Very low miles.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151729021618?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&fro...
I have a nice ultra rare G36 Brabus if interested?
Auto
LWB
Black/grey
Bench seats
Ac
etc etc.
I think he is referring to the Maroon G500 which is being sold by Nene Overland and was discussed in this thread..
Is he? In that case I'm confused too as I was sure he was referring to this Silver LHD one:-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331591985448?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPa...
Gooch's Brabus makes sense earlier w463 G-Wagens were much better built; 95-2000 is the era of the catastrophic Chrysler merger where quality nose-dived, the m103 engine is delightfully smooth and breathed on by Brabus gives it power not far off the 500 but without the thirst
I think he is referring to the Maroon G500 which is being sold by Nene Overland and was discussed in this thread..
Is he? In that case I'm confused too as I was sure he was referring to this Silver LHD one:-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331591985448?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPa...
Mark, this was the post I was referring to....
did see this one for 35k, not under 30k bracket. Very low miles.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151729021618?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&fro...
Hi Gooch
That's a nice G500 and and it lives in Scotland. What's going on in the boot, looks like something out of Ikea !
Gooch's Brabus makes sense earlier w463 G-Wagens were much better built; 95-2000 is the era of the catastrophic Chrysler merger where quality nose-dived, the m103 engine is delightfully smooth and breathed on by Brabus gives it power not far off the 500 but without the thirst
The MB-Chrysler merger was actually from 1998-2007 although you are right about the build quality during this time.
MB bought 92% of Chrysler for $38 billion and eventually sold it for $7 billion, I am sure it seemed like a good idea at the time 
.
Did you see Joe's post about it's faults and the money needed to fix them...?
I think he is referring to the Maroon G500 which is being sold by Nene Overland and was discussed in this thread...
http://www.gwoa.co.uk/content/g500-rhd-sale-0
I actually agree, this is a good price for a UK spec G500, try and find another unmolested RHD G500 with such low mileage for less than £30k.
I meant the Silver 500 they guys run out of an office just round the corner from me. Re the Maroon G500 without the leather, It was a personal import, as all the 500's supplied in LWB were packed with goodies one of which was leather AND wood .
The Black 500 is a really nice car, have viewed this back about 3 years ago, when Beck's had it. Needed a lot of TLC then, was an estate car used up in Scotland, came down here, have seen it's lost the rear bench seats. I think it went to another dealer Lincon way, where they removed the rear bench seats, lost track of it after that. If the work (looking back at past notes) has been done, and mileage was correct they are selling it for a wee bit more than than last time (£32K then dropped down to £29.9K)
HTH
Spider1V
Gooch's Brabus makes sense earlier w463 G-Wagens were much better built; 95-2000 is the era of the catastrophic Chrysler merger where quality nose-dived, the m103 engine is delightfully smooth and breathed on by Brabus gives it power not far off the 500 but without the thirst
thanks for that! I must admit it doesn't dink at all for a 3.6, infact I think it consumes less tHan a g300, you don't have to push it too hard to move.
cheers
g
did see this one for 35k, not under 30k bracket. Very low miles.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151729021618?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&fro...
Hi Gooch
That's a nice G500 and and it lives in Scotland. What's going on in the boot, looks like something out of Ikea !
and it's quite a low miler and RHD.
yummy
Cheers Gooch, G36 certainly sounds good and enjoyed reading about it on the classified section here. Thing is am not into the Brabus look. Its a bit too Footballer-spec for me. Just my personal opinion though, am sure it is a great car.
And the G36 (as well as the G500's mentioned earlier) is a little out of my price range. I really don't want to spend much more than 20k if I can.
Cheers Gooch, G36 certainly sounds good and enjoyed reading about it on the classified section here. Thing is am not into the Brabus look. Its a bit too Footballer-spec for me. Just my personal opinion though, am sure it is a great car.
And the G36 (as well as the G500's mentioned earlier) is a little out of my price range. I really don't want to spend much more than 20k if I can.
Hi,
I can understand that, my car has come from brabus as it sits. willing to negotiate in the middle if interested.
Remember its the genuine article!
take care
Goochie
hello wrathgar11
I'm thinking of having the diffs changed on my 463 and visited Mark Ashton in N Somerset recently as I trust his work and in his yard he has a lovely lwb 460 fitted with a 606a td and 6 speed manual 'box. it has unmarked recaro interior and recent paint. he is asking £30k.
HTH
tiny
Thank you tiny. 30k is a tiny (see what I did there ) bit more than I want to pay. Think he'd come down if the trucks a good 'un?
Website or pictures if possible, ta v much!
Hi
probably best if you pm me your contact details and I'll pass them on to him.
Done, cheers
Hello Tiny!
Thanks for the PM and your call yesterday. Very kind of you indeed!
I spoke to Mark Ashton earlier this afternoon and he is sending me through a bit more information on the 460 LWB you mentioned. It sounds like it might be what I'm looking for so fingers crossed! Might take a drive out West tomorrow if I get the chance.
Am pretty sure there's a few drinks in it for you if this one works out
Hello
ok thats good news
if you do head west I'm about 45 mins away from Nailsea at the moment so if you do want to natter about Gs give me a call.
cheers
tim
Might just do that, I spend a quite a bit of time in the Larkhill area which is on the way, so will give you a shout when am about.
Cheers mate!
Cheers Tim, PM sent
Picking up my LWB 662a, six speed G on Thursday
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Thank you all so much for this warm introduction. I really do appreciate the pointers. I have indeed read the stickies and done a little lurking on this forum, so although my initial interest (not expressed here) was in a Puch Green diesel I saw here a while back, I am also mindful of the fact that I do spend a little more time on the motorway than would make a diesel bearable. Also, reliability is a an issue which was brought up about not being a strong point on the diesels.
So the Khan one is out. Wondered why their pictures were so arty!
I do have a family (nothing major, couple of kids) so an LWB makes sense. A nine seater would be great for the kids friends but isn't a deal breaker for me. And as a petrolhead (I owned no less than 3 Alfa 164's and a very second hand 750iL, all of which nearly brought me to tears) I would jump at the chance of getting a V8. As I see it, fuel costs are high and always will be. I'm not going to live forever so may as well enjoy it while I can.
I'd like an RHD as I do spend a bit of time driving into the city, but I have driven LHD before and am comfortable with it, so that isn't too much of a worry. I don't really want to spend time importing a G, so would rather something that is here already. And there is a budget to consider as well, ideally 18-25K though I would always haggle.
No off-roading, not much call for that where I spend time, so it's really just something to put a smile on my face on the way to work and back.
I like the look of this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331591985448?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPa...
Good... bad... Dr Spider I think I am addicted!
Thanks guys