want to buy W460
Hi everybody,
Joined this club as recently my eyes cached G class. I am looking at one W460 and have found that previous owner has been registered to this forum. (car is now on sale from car dealer.)
Does anyone have any info on G235 HDW (plate) chassis WDB46033327065566.
As it being 3.0 diesel OM617.931 with auto 720.108 I understand it will be slow and always hungry but wanted to ask general info is it worth to go for this type combination. and what is most problematic places to look before buying.
Thanks for your advices.
It was on eBay in April last year and again in May when I guess the current owner bought it,
I fitted a replacement engine last year in October
http://www.gwoa.co.uk/forum/blown-engine
http://www.gwoa.co.uk/forum/story-make-people-smile
http://www.pxwheels.com/images/gdatabasepics/g325%20hdw.jpg
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1990-MERCEDES-G-WAGON-300-GD-MATT-BLACK-/29090...?
Regards Gordon O
Must echo Axel's words.
Lots of people here who know a lot about the vehicle and will gladly provide help and advice if asked.
The G is a fantastic vehicle but its worth taking the time to make the right buying decision as very little you will otherwise have to put right falls into the category of 'cheap to do'; some things are eye-wateringly expensive (relative to other vehicles) and a 'bargain' (or worse, something you have paid sensible money for) can quickly turn into the proverbial money pit (search threads here for Fuel tank, shock mounts and blower for a quick sense of what you can be in for).
On the other hand, the mechanical simplicity (if you can do the work yourself - especially in the earlier 460 version) is some compensation for this.
Good luck (and welcome!)
It has a normally aspirated (88hp) 617 and an autobox, and it weighs 2.5 tonnes! I'ts been wrapped i think it was white underneath but don't quote me
Gordon O
G-restorations thank's for links but for some reason I am not authorized to view second one.
Any feedback on the ride/drive for 3l diesel (617) with 4 speed auto and 22'' alloys?
Kornholio,
You need to be a full member - you get a natty little red banner as well as 'Members' under your avitar. Also where are you located?
Spider1V,
I am based in Hull UK. Looking for over lander with off road capabilities nice looking family car.
22'' are way too big for me but seller has 15'' (which are small) or pimp ones 22''. I would prefer 19''-20'' but with G's central bore it is not easy to find wheels.
As well cannot decide on should I go for W460 (ideally 280E or 300td) and build it to suit me taste of looks (exterior and interior) or try to save more and go for W463. But you know when you find car you want you want it now not in a years time :).
As all you probably know it is hard to find ideal combination condition+look+engine+drive train for G's unless you able to buy new.
Hopefully one day I will find mine.
R15 with 31" x 10.5" should do you, sell the bling
OK as a rough guide for you (members please do the usual and correct my enthusiasm and incorrect statements)
W460 - basic, manual, simple to use and easier to maintain. 2 diffs depending on age(? correct me if I am wrong please) Centre and rear, perm 2 wheel drive and manual 4 wheel drive. H/L range manual, the other advantage is you can get some really nice conversions to the 606A type engines (see the technical section and ask the like of Scouse G (Graham), Axel (Mike), Gordon - G restorations. More MPH and power (but not qite like a V8 petrol 
)
W461 - connoisseur choice, as it gives the simplicity of the 460 with a bit of luxury of the 463, a few floating around (usually under a Puch badge) and three locking diffs (? again please correct me if I am wrong, club) please read the warnings in the buyers advice section as there is a green one floating around and last time was not a very good buy.
W463 - Luxury (wood, leather, carpets, aircon), perm 4 wheel drive, H/L rang manual upto 2001), most all auto gear box, three locking diffs - centre, rear and front.
All the above G's will give you excellent off road manners, though the perm 4 wheel drive of the 463 does make for good road driving. All make great safe and practical family cars in the LWB guise, especially if you get the jump seats in the back - that 4 extra kids you can get in.
If you are mad keen on getting a G and keeping it, it can take a while to find the 'perfect' one and is well worth the wait, as you will be immensely rewarded when driving it, no matter what terrain. As for wheel sizes as the honorable member fro Wales has said, keep the 15's and the 22's and then sell them and get some nice 18 inch ones - just the right balance for look and you can put some serious rubber on them for overlanding and not lose too much in the wheel arches.
HTH
Spider1V
W460s are as Spider says PT 4WD (no center diff on the TC so you can only use it on loose surfaces). All have front, rear and central lockers though.
LOL, Chris is quite right.. what was I thinking.. too many transfer cases on the bench 
the pt 4wd nature of the VG80 of course means no centre diff so no lock! The VG150 (463) has the centre diff and lock as a result.
As a new 460 owner i can dispel the myth that the 460 is 'agricultural' to drive.. its no motorway cruiser.. but 0 to 55mph it is very refined for a 4WD. I drove the LR Freelander when it first came out and was appalled at the poor refinement and cheap interior ... when 4WD is selected i understand there is no differential between the front and rear axles.. so no slip.. (someone please correct this if its wrong) so it works as if it had a locked centre diff...
much simpler to work on.... mine has walnut trim and plush carpets as standard.. all that is needed is leather... which is on my list for next year... i think if its a matter of budget.. the 460 wins hands down!.
as you can see... it doesnt look like a tractor!
John757 no disregard there, just my (personal) opinion having driven both types and I was referring to the lack of general refinement one get between the 460 and 463's.
BTW you will need to clear the leaves from your drain.
Spider1V
the 460 transfer box is
two wheel drive to the rear axles under normal driving
4 wheel drive with no diff in the centre so both axles rotate at the same speed so there can be some scrabbling on tight turns as the axles want to rotate at different speeds, known as wind-up
4 wheel drive low ratio with no diff
Hope that helps, these 463 boys are trying to confuse you
Gordon O
Oh and if you do decide to go offroading, it won't need to go home to mummy on a transporter, will it Joe? :-))
460 = agricultural is quite a stubborn view on this forum; many 460 delivered to the UK were for agricultural use and in combination with diesel engines were workhorses; but the 460 could be ordered with endless extras (were are talking Mercedes) incl recaro seats, wide alloys, wheel arches and upgraded interiors; in combination with a 280 engine it could be an alternative to a Range Rover.
Very tasty. Nothing agricultural about this 460.
460 = agricultural is quite a stubborn view on this forum; many 460 delivered to the UK were for agricultural use and in combination with diesel engines were workhorses; but the 460 could be ordered with endless extras (were are talking Mercedes) incl recaro seats, wide alloys, wheel arches and upgraded interiors; in combination with a 280 engine it could be an alternative to a Range Rover.
Aye....with the same consumption for a snails pace 
similar hp, similar torque, why would the Range Rover be faster?
Snail's pace??? I think not! My 280 with 5 speed manual will still do 90 with a following wind! Back in the 1980's a certain 'secret squirrel' element of the British Army chose 280GE over the RR of the time as a more suitable vehicle to evade foreign forces in an on-road / off-road chase scenario.
The Range Rover had a very soft suspension, drove more like a ship than a car. On the other hand, a high-spec 280GE was more expensive than a Range Rover.
when i bought my G in 1989 it cost 21.500 a new range rover was 15.000
Ge280 9 mpg at 90 mph, Range Rover was only quicker due to its light weight. Mercedes could also offer better technical support in Germany for the BAOR than a [at that time] struggling Land Rover company
I drove both cars a few times around 1983 (280 SWB, 2 door RR), whilst the Range Rover was the more elegant looking car, the G was the more confidence inspiring one. Both were heavy on fuel but the RR was worse taking it on longer motorway trips in Germany required planning fuel stops in advance. The RR gear-changes were slow and required sensitivity and significant body roll did not encourage fast driving. The RR was the 'cooler' car but in direct comparison it felt dated. People who had driven both cars preferred the G. The owner of the Range Rover (it was his second RR) replaced it with a 280 Convertible.
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After browsing for a while noticed that people here are very helpful that is why decided to join to ask for info and help.
Does any one know what engine has been installed after all 617 or 617A?
G-restorations thank's for links but for some reason I am not authorized to view second one.
Any feedback on the ride/drive for 3l diesel (617) with 4 speed auto and 22'' alloys?