Yellow is for warning - a G-Wagen buying experience
There are many words of warning on this forum about being careful when you go to buy a used G-Wagen, and especially older models. I thought I knew a bit about buying classic cars and had done the research but I wanted to share my experience and also to let you know some more information about the Maize Yellow 300GD SWB that has raised a few comments on this forum and on the web — in case you see it available for sale again - you can know a bit about what I have found.
I went to see the vehicle at “Chiltern Motors (trading name of Sky Logistics Ltd.)” which is located at the same address as G-Wagen near Reading. Due to the wrong postcode in the advert, I ended up arriving later than expected and the light was already fading - not a great start.
I won’t go into all the details, but having looked over the very yellow 300GD, and a test ride on and off road, I liked what I saw. I returned some days later with my CLK430 Cabriolet as a possible part exchange. This time I drove the car at and noted a few items - tachometer, radio, etc, which I wanted repaired. As the vehicle was registered in the Isle of Man, and there was no service history, I relied on what the salesman told me - that it had been in a private collection from 2003, only two owners from new. I went through the process with the dealer to register it back in UK mainland through DVLA. The 35,000 miles appeared to be genuine given the condition (according to the G-Wagen mechanic) and what little information was available (before export to IOM).
I did as much research as I could with the help of forum members for VIN WDB46033227056973, formerly registered in the UK as E558LRY (and now on that plate again). Not having the title or V5C, I could not check MOT history, and Mercedes-Benz in Douglas IOM could not tell me anything as I was not the owner. MBUK could not either. I could verify the colour, options, engine, etc. with the VIN. I have subsequently heard from Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Centre that they have no service records at all. (They will perform this check for you if you have the V5C and can establish your identity.) By the way, Isle of Man Government does not have an MOT equivalent (yet), so there is no history available from them.
I got good price with trade-in and proceeded with the purchase. I noticed a number of things wrong on my drive home - the fuel gauge did not work, the rev counter, which they tried to repaired, was erratic, the radio face place that they had repaired was actually held on by blue tack and did not last 10 miles! A number of instrument panel bulbs were burnt out. The next morning i noticed that the windscreen wipers started on a downstroke before going up, the heat would not turn off, the cable to open the bonnet was seized and the car was leaking fuel from the back. The fast idle control did not work either.
I went to visit Axel with the 300GB. He was very kind to look it over and very tactful about what he was seeing. Under-inflated tyres, the unsecured earthing strap on the battery, the missing bolt that holds the bonnet catch in place and the leaking fuel hose were all safety issues. There were also many telltales signs that it had done a far higher mileage and the standard of maintenance and repair was not good. Examples were a replacement glow plug relay hanging by its wires alongside the old one because the mechanic did not want to take the trouble to undo the bolts in the wing, and the wrong size bleed hoses on the injectors with jubilee clips to hold them. More worrying was the lack of earthing and the corroded battery tray leading to water ingress into the passenger foot well, a sodden carpet, and underneath a sizeable hole in the floorboards (which had paint around it to slow down the rust, I presume).
The salesman, Martin Traynor, had made a point of telling me that an expensive plastic replacement fuel tank had been fitted, and that the mechanic was amazed at the condition of the underside of the vehicle - rarely seen in this condition on a W460. But, Axel showed me with a magnet that the fuel tank was steel, not plastic - quite a difference in price. It may well be that Martin Traynor himself was misled by the G-Wagen mechanic or others, but too many things were ‘not as described’ for me to continue with owning it. Thankfully, with encouragement from Spider1V and Axel, I acted quickly and returned the G-Wagen and got back both my money and my CLK from Chiltern Motors. For this I am very thankful.
So again, without impugning the motives of those involved with sale, I wanted to let members know that if you are considering purchasing the 1988 300GD SWB in Maize Yellow described above, you should carefully check it out.
For me, I now need to sell my genuine low mileage1999 CLK430 Cabrio if you know of anyone interested, and to find the right G for me. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to Spider1v and Axel for all their help and support and for all of you that post helpful advice and experience on the forum.
All the best,
Dan
And to reiterate, new members and old, please, if you're interested in buying a G you've see advertised.
Take a knowledgeable member with you,
Put your prospective purchase up here, there aren't that many Gs out there so someone will know it.
Contact Gav Helm he may be able to supply some history.
I'm the Northern Area Rep and I'd be more than happy to accompany a prospective purchaser on a viewing locally and further afield if you cover my diesel.
regards Gordon O
And to reiterate, new members and old, please, if you're interested in buying a G you've see advertised.
Take a knowledgeable member with you,
Put your prospective purchase up here, there aren't that many Gs out there so someone will know it.
Contact Gav Helm he may be able to supply some history.
I'm the Northern Area Rep and I'd be more than happy to accompany a prospective purchaser on a viewing locally and further afield if you cover my diesel.
regards Gordon O
I’m not purporting to be an expert but I’d do the same around Shropshire. Sometimes all you need is an un biased/non emotional 3rd party who isn’t desperate to own their dream car.
I actually fly to Northern Island with a friend (he paid!) to look at a G a few years back that had been polished to within an inch of its life and far too much Dinitrol sprayed everywhere! We walked (well fly) away after a 6hr delay which really s*****d my Saturday. Easy Jet 
Dan - thanks so much for posting up the whole sorry tale and am really glad that you had a very lucky escape.
This was originally sold at auction and I expect, given what has happened, this could well be the route the dealer takes now to offload this lemon. Fortunately, in a way, this is a VERY rare colour for a G so at least it's unlikely to miss being noticed for what it is by anyone who regularly reads GWOA posts.
Dan - thanks so much for posting up the whole sorry tale and am really glad that you had a very lucky escape.
This was originally sold at auction and I expect, given what has happened, this could well be the route the dealer takes now to offload this lemon. Fortunately, in a way, this is a VERY rare colour for a G so at least it's unlikely to miss being noticed for what it is by anyone who regularly reads GWOA posts.
As a matter of interest, who is the G mechanic you refer to in your OP.
I ask because my G has the same origin, and suffered some serious bodges of the brakes.
On the test drive the brakes scared me, "It's a feature of G's Sir, that type of braking," was his reply to my questioning.
My mechanic was amazed at just how horrendous a bodge job it was. He was virtually speechless (in between expletive tirades) at the dangerousness of the wholly cretinous workmanship, but managed to untangle some of the mess. However it was only after all pipes (mesh covered) were replaced and new rear shoes fitted did it actually stop the G properly. A far bit of time and money on that issue.
I won't list all other issues that revealed themselves, some within days/weeks and some a little later, as it would take too long.
Suffice to say it took time and money to get my G to the state it should have been it when I bought it. I got some back from Mr Smiley, but he still owes me an indictor stalk thingy he promised to give me.
I just gave up and I wasn't well or I would have pursued him to the end.
Still I now have a nice G 
Dan_UK
G fever, can be all consuming sometimes. 
Well done on getting your money back and an unusual situation where the dealer was compliant and worked with you to get everything back. Some nice Gs on Pistonheads at the moment, though as has been expressed before in his thread, there are so few G's , with the power of the GWOA there will be someone who may know the history!
As I have banged on for a while, ask, ask and ask again. When you consider a good condition 1984 truck can go for in excess of £6+K that's not bad going for a work horse like a G! Put the request out, as I am sure there will be a G member happy to pop along and take a look for you, failing that consider having an AA or RAC report done.
Spider1V
Lucky escape there Dan.... hope the whole issue doesn't put you off G's for life!
And a big-up to Mike Axel-berg on stepping up to the plate and helping you out.
I think they are one and the same....but I'm suspicious by nature!!
If you could cope with two seats and a "slightly in need of sprucing up interior" you could buy mine now that it's straight.
Dan_UK
G fever, can be all consuming sometimes.
Not just G fever
A friend asked me to look at some American pos 4x4. I can’t even remember what it was now apart from it having a monster V8, cart springs, acres of plastic wood and cheap leather.
I swear that even if the seller had doubled the price and no matter what I said he would have still bought it.
I'm really glad this worked out for you Dan. Lucky escape indeed.
A great example of members support for a fellow member. I've met Mike Axel-Berg a couple of times and he is a gentleman by any ones measure. Unfortunately, buying a G Wagon, like any rare vehicle I suppose, is a very dodgy business. I would not buy any G Wagon unless I knew the seller and / or had full endorsement from certain members here.
The high level of dishonesty in G sales and service puts me off the G scene to be honest....
Thanks for sharing and congrats on being insistent enough to get your money back. Some unfortunates don't.
Best Regards
with mike, 3k value on that yellow g, 10k the car would have to be scrutineered to be valued at price . Word of warning take someone who is G wise when looking at a potential purchase
what a story...!!
well done to all that helped this shady deal fail !
hope you find a decent G in time...
rgds hus
Dan, if you are still looking
this one looks like a nice example of a 280GE:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Estate-G-WAGEN-280-GE-/181583063399?
and, judging by the interior and tidy engine bay, this one looks to be quite genuine 300GD, with seemingly (15k or 115k miles) requiring some attention to rusty rear quarter, but these panels can be bought new and not too expensive.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-G-Wagen-G300-SWB/201226554204?
Dan, if you are still looking
this one looks like a nice example of a 280GE:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Estate-G-WAGEN-280-GE-/181583063399?
and, judging by the interior and tidy engine bay, this one looks to be quite genuine 300GD, with seemingly (15k or 115k miles) requiring some attention to rusty rear quarter, but these panels can be bought new and not too expensive.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-G-Wagen-G300-SWB/201226554204?
Nice G, though a quick look on the garage and this came up (its from the sun, so must be true)....
http://directory.thesun.co.uk/10737232
Spider1V
Not very good words about the garage, then !
I was thinking of going down to take a look at it, as it's about 35 mins from me, so will need to proceed with caution. (My brother-in-law is looking for a good example, but preferably diesel).
Dan did you get my PM just now......I got a "message undeliverable" Arrggghhhh!!!
Ian
hello, Ian,
Sorry, No messages received.
Not very good words about the garage, then !
I was thinking of going down to take a look at it, as it's about 35 mins from me, so will need to proceed with caution. (My brother-in-law is looking for a good example, but preferably diesel).
Did you get the one last night?
Hello, Ian,
No messages received at all. I've been off this forum for a while and perhaps my messages are no longer working.
Hello, Spider,
Thanks for the offer to come have a look. It's very kind of you ! But I think I can manage.. I've always had Gs in the family, starting in 1984 with a W460,SWB, 300GD Auto, followed by a 1991, W463, 300GE, then a 1986 300GD,Auto soft-top,, then another 300GE (Max Mc Arthur lemon) and then a 1996 300GE (Ex-MB UK demo car - just now rebuilt) and a 400 CDi Cabrio (G-Wagen UK problem-car, but now great) . and have maintained and worked on all of them.
Hello, Spider,
Thanks for the offer to come have a look. It's very kind of you ! But I think I can manage.. I've always had Gs in the family, starting in 1984 with a W460,SWB, 300GD Auto, followed by a 1991, W463, 300GE, then a 1986 300GD,Auto soft-top,, then another 300GE (Max Mc Arthur lemon) and then a 1996 300GE (Ex-MB UK demo car - just now rebuilt) and a 400 CDi Cabrio (G-Wagen UK problem-car, but now great) . and have maintained and worked on all of them.
Spider1V
Dear all,
Just to finish the story - I now have the V5C for the CLK430 back from the DVLA - still 2 former keepers, etc., so all is well there. I have received back the monies I paid, have confirmation from DVLA that I am no longer the registered keeper of the Maize 300GD and got back the tax as well. The only snag is that I have to re-tax the CLK and cannot do it online "due to recent changes" - I have to go to a post office.
This has to be one of the shortest G-wagen ownerships in history. Thanks again, Axel and Spider1V.
I will patiently, looking for the right G to come along: W460 or 461 SWB with 230 or diesel engine and manual gearbox. Extra seats would be icing on the cake.
Dan
that's great news dan!
this is just a classic case with a rare happy ending / be warned there are some real lemons out there ..
one for instance is for sale on a well known internet auction site at fairly big (well over 10k) and it is virtually scrap ( i have had dealings with this steaming heap of vehicular junk) it has major issues /m103 is in head gasket failure mode (oil in the water) gearbox crunches on 2nd and 3rd gears when cold/ chassis is rotten/body has hidden rot /axles are leaking and the cv joints are shot /steering box is leaking /it drives like a drunken pig // bargain ... sadly someone will buy it and more than likely appear on the gwoa like an excited dog with a new stick only to find out they have bought the minger of the year .
for goodness sake take someone with you to view a g who has some g experience or get an AA or RAC type inspection .
Is it not possible to keep a sticky list of vehicles that members either know about or have been to see but which they have reason to caution other members about buying?
Would obviously need a bit more detail than above - ideally the registration number or at least model/engine/colour.
It would at least give potential buyers an advance heads up on known problem vehicles.
I can smell that one from here.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-G300-Estate-G-WAGEN-300-GES-/18159772...
Don't even think about it...
its been pimped, interior is awful, rest of it is quite well done
Low mileage
Dan, if you are still looking
this one looks like a nice example of a 280GE:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Estate-G-WAGEN-280-GE-/181583063399?
What's a 280GE's consumption like?
Well known, Mark Ashton, Jamie Waterfield, Norfolk Tim have all owned this. avoid, it's a turkey
Well known, Mark Ashton, Jamie Waterfield, Norfolk Tim have all owned this. avoid, it's a turkey
Which one?
This one Ian!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-G300-Estate-G-WAGEN-300-GES-/18159772...
Polished turd.
What's a 280GE's consumption like?
It's great.... only took me a day of pottering up and down the lane by my house to empty the tank in preparation for an OM606 diesel.....
Dan, if you are still looking
this one looks like a nice example of a 280GE:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Estate-G-WAGEN-280-GE-/181583063399?
What's a 280GE's consumption like?
Not, great, I'm afraid.: probably around 14-22 mpg.
Probably why there are relatively more 280GEs with low miles
But you get a tidy looking car, which can be upgraded with a new engine, like a 606, as mentioned above.
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As a matter of interest, who is the G mechanic you refer to in your OP.
IanA2: Sorry, I did not get the mechanic's name. I met him briefly - a young man who was engaged in putting a large V8 into a G in the workshop. I assume he was the one that carried out the service on the 460 I bought - he may have changed oil and filters, but he could not have checked the tyre pressures or much else. His solution to the flaky tachometer was to fit a bit of wadding inside the amplifier housing to hold the circuit board in place - actually a stop-gap measure I have read about on the Internet. Needless to say, it did not work. Did he also use blue tack to 'fix' the stereo?
I cannot say what relationship Chiltern Motors (trading name of Sky Logistics) has with G-Wagen, Hodmore Farm, Mapledurham, Reading apart from the fact that they are sharing the same location (and mechanic, I think).
What really bothered me was I asked if the radio could be fixed or just removed. They could have said they couldn't fix it and I would have accepted that. The plastic fuel tank was another thing that bothered me - I did not ask about it and would have accepted that a replacement steel tank had been fitted - so why make a song and dance about this expensive upgrade was it was untrue?
I will keep on looking for the G that is right for me. Thanks to all of you for your support.