A potential offer to anyone interested
Hi,
I own 2 Gwagens a LHD LWB 280ge and a RHD SWB 280ge. Now I was thinking (wanted to gauge interest ) would anyone be interested in taking the 2 Gwagens away and stripping the LHD one right down to the chassis and essential repairing issues and checking it completely over (like you see alot on these forums) and in exchange the person can have the SWB one.
They both work fine and run OK. If anyones interested let me know :)
Its only an idea. I was thinking of selling the gwagens but realised that the LHD I've owned for 25 years has never let me down one and you don't get that with many cars at all!
Let me know any thoughts :)
Kind Regards
Joe
Hi Joe
Thats a fair project
You need to expand more on the deal. eg pics of the trophy and pics of the work needed
How bad is the lhd g and how good is the rhd g
I have attached pictures of the RHD. It could do with a respray. It was originally Metallic Blue and got sprayed black on the outside. It runs all ok it has a few issues that I'm told are easy to fix by someone that knows what they are doing (not me!) the issues are:
- It has a hole in the exhaust towards the front of the G but was fixed by garage using metal and bandage etc it holds fine but thought id mention it
- The automatic gear box leaks. I found that if i top it up with gearbox fluid the gears change really smooth. I have been told it needs a new gasket but wanted stupid amounts to fix it again i was told it was easy to fix by some of the guys/girls on this forum. :)
- It had a problem for a while with the starter relay where it wouldn't start (you could hear fuel pump engage but no firing) it took it out and resoldiered it and it hasn't had any problems since.
- The four wheel drive seems to work fine have used it a few times in the snow to get up hills and felt a little smug cruising past other 4x4's :)
- As far as i know the diff locks work fine but I have never used them before.
- Someone tinted the windows and they are bubbling a little bit.
- It has rust in places i have tried to picture the worst bits of rust on the G that i can see.
I took it of the road last year it went through MOT and had new brake pads put on and as far as im aware no major issues (which is no change for Gwagens!). It has hardly used so i put it on a Sorn.
Any other questions please ask :)
Kind Regards
Joe
Here is the LHD Gwagen. I have tried to get the bad spots in the pictures that I can see.
Issues I know of are
- Bonnet cable/lever has snapped
- Rust!
- Fumey inside the car when driving
- Front prop shaft rubbing exhaust
What I would like done on the LHD is taken back to the chassis and essential anything that needs it gets repaired. I think the panels could be repaired by a welder so I don't think it would need any new panels. To be honest I need questions asked on what you'd like to know :)
We basically want to try and get it back to a great Gwagen again :)
Kind Regards
Joe
it doesn't look catastrophic to me why don't you get a price from a body shop; I'd have thought the black ge280 with recaros would be worth much more than the cost of the repairs
Hi,
Its not just the body work we are looking at its a really a proper check over as I don't want to say spend a load of money and then find that there are potential issues with the chassis or other parts that would cost a bomb to fix.
Kind Regards
Joe
routine and regular maintenance should take care of the rest, chassis rot in the UK is almost unheard of but worth checking as yours is a left hooker, I'm not sure about the interior though, that does need fixing
Apparently it is ex military which was then bought by a shake and used in dessert and when we bought it was full of sand! We are just concerned things like engine mounts go and obviously cost mount up more and more if you get me?
As for interior I HATE it! Its the LHD is my dads one and he decided one day to put maserati seats in it rather than cover the other ones. As a kid of about 10 (now 27!) i was thinking why the hell are we doing this it looks awful lol.
Im trying to persuade him to change them!
Thanks for your help
Joe
Also I may need to start another post for thiss but will see how it goes is there anyone in the Essex area that would be willing to do the work required like body repair and also check it over. I would like someone who has actually worked on the Gwagen's and can advise etc etc and come up with a cost to do the bits :)
Kind Regards
Joe
Ask your nearest Merc specialist for the cost of a thorough service the engine & gearbox are from a Maercedes w123, the brakes from a Sprinter . Befriend them; they might recommend a decent bodyshop too. Check for corrosion on the top of the fuel tank, check your exhaust, if these need replacing I'd go side exit forget going over the tank and discard the heat shields as these hold water. Waxoyl the rear three quarters very thoroughly after the repair and try to rig up plastic protectors 4 the rear wheel arches as in the w463. Your front footwell suggests a fluid leak often this is from the wiper spindles, check these for play. Keep your swivel hubs full of grease, a 14mm hex allows you in and also serves for access to the engine sump. If your auto fluid is still pink its fine just change the filter. These cars are pretty simple really, no electronics, reliable k-jetronic injection, nothing to be afraid of save the rust.
Looking at the pics it needs a few parts
The mechanical is pretty easy, its just the cost of parts. How mint do you want the vehicle
Its a petty you live so far away as i could have a good look and check it over
The exhaust etc is no big issue or brakes etc etc. If it drives well and just needs a good service it would be a good starting point
I would not patch it up i would get some panels as they are not too expensive and just remove what you need to fit them
Remove fuel tank and check it out and fit new straps after its all welded then a cheap respray and it will be good for a few years
A bare shell strip down will cost a lot and it might not need it
To me it sounds as if you need someone who knows what they are on about to check it over well. Mercedes dont see many and are not the right people in my opinion, and it will be very expensive
Look on the site for some experts who know g wagons. I have always had 4x4s and many projects but g wagons are very well built and last forever
My finding is they drive well for a proper off roader, Mine did. Ive spent a few 1000 on it and now its like it should be. When i first had it i thought thats how they were. Its not the case. Good ones with all the parts replaced make for a smooth driving vehicle that you could travel many miles in
Their downside is people dont know how to look after them to save future expense
I hear this one all the time
My landrover track rod ends are only 11 pounds Toyota and mercedes are about 100. Mine has done 190000 now and they are still perfect
We had a defender 90 land rover in for an m o t. It was mint and it was its first mot being 3 years old. Only done 9000 miles and not a farm vehicle. I never forget it. The drivers track rod end was falling off. I invited them to have a look as they said it was just serviced 80 miles ago at main dealer. They did not believe me. I showed them and they were horrified. I have driven some knackers in my time but i would not risk this. It was nearly falling apart. We fitted a new track rod end and set the tracking what most people dont bother doing and we had a happy customer for 2 years. We never saw them for a while. Guess what. They had bought a landcruiser on my advice and it rolled in for its first m o t. Passed perfect. I left the garage 11 years ago and i still see the lancruiser they still own
Mercedes is just the same but i would bore you lol. A beige 230 convertible g wagon. Same story. I think it was on ebay a while ago. A proper farm vehicle from new and only needed minimal repairs since its 1985 year and life of cow muck
To finish. phew i hear people say about time
G wagon will be fine but be prepared for cost if it needs a few parts. But it might all be still just fine
Get it checked by a specialist who knows what they are on about. Or drive to me and i will check it and give you an honest opinion what to do and costs involved
G
Hi,
I'd like to just say thankyou for all the help you've both given. I am a computer programmer and am often on forums asking advice and 9/10 greated with arrogance unhelpful people. So thank you for your time and advice :)
I think I may take both your advice and get someone to look at it and maybe try and repair what I can. What is the rough cost of pody panels? I know Merc bits are expensive but I know they last hell of alot longer :)
G Wagon G where about's are you located (if you don't want to post it on here please PM me :) )
I know alot of mechanics have looked at the LHD Merc (green one) and said under neath it is in great condition.
I also love those kind of stories as I get some flac from 4x4 people that are friends (like they do!!!) at cost of Merc bits and it being old and all i know is the most expensive part ive bought for it in the past 14 years (mine being the black one) was a set of break pads! And on the Green one Dads had for 25 years i think he said and never once have pads been replaced (again supposed to military) from his memory and stops on a pin point. Don't get that with many cars :)
Kind Regards
Joe
Hi Joe,
Rear panels that seem to have the rot in are not too bad from Merc, about £90 as I recall, but the rear side panels start to get very expensive around £400.
Paul
I think I saw a set of rear panels on Ebay recently for a w460 Less than £400 for all 4.
It's an interesting way to get some work done. You could always sell the SWB 1st then you'll have some cash to spend on the 'good' one you want to keep. Not trying to mess up your deal but I would ask a local G owner who knows a bit about them to look it over, drive it and tell you how much it will cost to repair in parts and approx labour.?? I'm sure there will be offers to do this for free or the price of fuel.
D
Is the lhd auto as I would do I swop over I have a diesel and petrol swb manual
Hi,
No the LHD is Manual but that is the one we want to keep :)
Kind Regards
Joe
Hi,
I've been thinking about what you have all been saying and I think I will sell the Black Gwagen and put money towards the Green etc.
Where would you suggest is the best place to sell the Black one? Is it on here? or Just Ebay really?
Thanks alot for everyones help :)
Kind Regards
Joe
Joe
I am sorry to see your plan fail - I too have two Gs, 1983 280GEL and 1991 300GDL. Some months ago I was going to propose just what you did: get the 300 up to scratch and in return have the 280.
Without wishing to hijack your thread therefore ... anyone interested?!
Alan
put some pics of the cars. The work needed and the reward vehicle
The 91 should be ok i would think. It depends on owners and maintainance like all gs. What issues does it have
G
This sounds like a good deal if you're not doing the work, I restore Gs and they eat up hours, they eat up expensive parts and the work you do doesn't really show. The "reward" vehicle as it stands is probably worth about 3k this equates to about 100 hours work deduct from this any parts needed possibly £1000 so we're down to 65 hours. This May or may not be enough to fix up the customers vehicle.
So, the repairer has invested £1000 and a couple weeks work, then the vehicles are handed over and the repairer gets his "reward". This also has to be repaired more money more time.
So the repairers G is finished so to get a wage it has to be sold, this can take weeks
so an investment of probably £2-3000 and 4 weeks work absolute minimum to wait god knows how long for a wage. Which is doubtful if it covers half the time spent.
Nice idea but I don't think anyone will go for your offer
Gordon
Hmm - I will put up photos and a list of horrors!
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Hi!
Thanks alot for the reply :) What type of pictures would you like just external and inside the Gwagens? also Highlighting any issues that I know of with them both?
As soon as I get back In and heard back from you I shall get the info posted :)
I can tell you that the LHD is actually not to bad considering the age and same with the RHD but will get more info etc :)
Kind Regards
Joe