Forbidden Question
I'm still in the market for a lwb diesel g wagon but that's mainly because I love the way they look and the air of charisma they carry. My old swb 230 was a nice example but I wouldn't really say I loved the drive or the speed and I can only imagine how slow a lwb will be.
So why shouldn't I buy a Land Rover Defender over a G... Body shape is not hugely dissimilar, more economical and the engines seem to be more tuneable if you want more power. Just thinking out loud :)
Mechanically not even close, geaboxes on Landys have a combined Gearbox and transfer box and they're easy to break and a bitch to get out and strip(comes out through the door), G wagen has a separate box and transfer, LR has better performance from later engines, G has much more style AND will hold it's value, Landy parts will be cheaper but you'll need more of them.
Should be a busy thread!!
Gordon
You Have PM
The 230's although with a small engine, it performances quite well in urban driving. It definitely is not a touring vehicle for which you want the 280 or the 3 Lts of petrol or diesels in the W463 chassis. If speed is your thing, you want to bump your budget up to buy the latter W463 with 320, 400 or 500 models.
True, the Range Rover or Landy versions are easily available, parts are cheaper but as the above thread says, likely to need more of, don't expect fuel economy to be any better. Off road driving techniques are different. You need to ensure that at least two wheels minimum are always on ground or else you loose your traction. With the G-Wagen equipped with the locking diff's, one wheel on ground in theory is sufficient.
Handling qualities of the the Range Rover and L/Rover are distinctly different, The former is soft and rolly, at faster speeds on a' B' road going around a bend, you do need the confidence of when the body weight will tilt and when that happens, it does seriously change the vehicle characteristic. The latter model is very basic, crude yet functional, not necessarily faster than the lower end G's. In favour of the G, I can say either chassis model one gets a firm and reassuring ride. The 'B' roads can be driven at speed with confidence, you don't get body weight thrown about when you get body tilt.
I would say, you would do better in trying out the different engine models in the G to appreciate your preference. Because the G's are not readily available, exercise patients and keep looking around.
A decent G; you can expect to pay within a £4500 - £13000 bracket, anything higher, you are sure to pick up an excellent example.
Tee,
Of course you are free to choose what you want :)
However, as pointed out, the G tends to be of a more robust nature than most modern Landy's (I think our Midlands Rep has one - so drop him a note and ask). If it is economy your looking for then I would say the short term gain will be with a Landy. However if your aiming to keep it, then I would say a G all the time!
What will you be doing with it? If its off roading, then the benefit of the locking diffs come into their own, however if its for A to B, then you may want to consider the landy as you will blend in with all the others. I tend to like the unique nature of the G and the difference in costs is (was) a premium I would be willing to pay, for the right, well maintained vehicle.
If power and speed is what you are looking for I can say there is a great G500 (2001) that is up for sale, though it may be out of your current budget LOL. Failing that you may want to take a peek at some of the conversions that have been listed on the forum from that members have done.
Hope this helps?
Spider1V
Not a forbidden question at all: I've owned 15 LRs. Had a lot of fun with them, but got really bored with replacing all the parts on them (including gearboxes every 30-50k miles or so). The other problem with the landy is that you will need to add a few safety extras before you get to the same spec as ANY g: namely a roll cage, diff locks and (on later models) ABS brakes. Also, the seating position, lack of a heater, leaking roofs (even on late-model defenders) and bad seals started to annoy me at the manufacturer's complacency towards what customers have been complaining about since 1948! Got fed up. Bought a G: never looked back!
As Spider mentioned, the choice is yours, but you have been warned........
Good luck /ph
i happened to be present at a g 'specialists' when a phone call came in from a main dealer ,the call was from a technical chap asking about the swivel hub seals on g wagens as he said they were constantly replacing seals and housings/swivels under warranty on their range of popular 4x4 vehicles, and he was interested as to the reliability of the steyr puch design...
the g wagen has a superb chassis and drivetrain ,full mechanical diff locks/shift on the move 4x2 to 4x4 in the 460 and full locks on constant 4x4 in the 463 . i have some early eighties g 's in the workshop recently with excellent chassis frames and leak free axles very few other vehicles present this well at this age. be careful what vehicle you choose.
My wife has the opportunity to drive a 2013 62 plate lwb Defender at work and my 1988 230GES at home.
Which does she prefer, without hesitation - my G !!
Good Girl.
nothing to add to my friends here....
i too have owned a disco and 90 and various other japanese 4x4's. would never be without a G.
my 87 model cabrio went in to my friends workshop a few weeks ago. i asked him to check the axels for any leaks etc, and to check the cv's and seals.
he was shocked !!! because everything was like new and he was able to make no money from me.
btw, he owns a disco !
you've been warned...
rgds hus
Just saw this. I have hankered after a Defender for years. Like the look, especially with the alloys.
But then I 'sat' in one and that was enough to (unfortunately) put me off. Seat position mainly. Maybe one day, but focus on getting my G sorted and back first.
i use to be a LR nutter
until i sat down in one, and my friend closed the door, and i slided 5 inch off the seat
could be me but ( as i'm not the smallest bloke in town )
why they place the steering wheel so close to the door i never understood
and i fixed to many old v8's to know there not the best ever build
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