Hello from London
Hi,
New to the forum, recently retired and living in West London.
Have had a LR most of my life in some guise (county/countryman, discovery series 1-4 and Ranger Rovers, but just sold my new LR Disco. Not that keen on on the new software models as there is no 'physical' lockers on it, which last year proved very frustrating.
Been looking around and came across the GWOA. I was first stumped by the high prices of a new G! So looked second hand - was stunned at the prices for a 20 year old+. Are they really that good? The last one I looked at had been through the war's and they still wanted around 5K!
So time to do a bit of research and get some good advice!
Fred Frederickson
Just to say welcome to the forum! I'm going to leave your questions to more knowledgable members though..
Hello Fred,
Welcome to the forum and we look forward to you becoming a GWOA member; you don't need to have a G-Wagen to become one.
The G-Wagen is a true classic and time has proved it to be one of the best cross country vehicles about. It is a heavy duty vehicle. The British sqaudies like them, the Canadians army have faith in them. Even the Pope had one. The Russians go to the armour plated version like Bees to honey.
The G has its origins from a Military vehicle and got introduced to the civilian market by necessity rather than by policy. These are assembled in Graz, Austria and the plant assembles both civilian and military models on the same assembly line. Their assembly is not fully automated hence the build cost is high.
Yes, second hand values are high but please do your research well. To pick a wrong one can be very, very costly.
Most of all, Do not rush in to buying one quickly - be patient and level headed about selecting one.
There are several chassis types and available in various engine sizes in naturally aspirated and turbo charged form in either Petrol or Diesel. Mostly of automatic transmission, some manuals, pre 1984 model in 4 speed manual transmission and post 1984 in 5 speed manual transmission.
Largely, the vehicles are either Long Wheel Base (2800mm) and Short (2400mm). Soft tops are like Gold dust, Panel Vans are rare and Pickups are a special order.
The earlier G-Wagen is a bear bone version, as I put it, which is a part time four wheel drive and in UK spec came in with front and rear axle diff locks. If selecting a LHD version, take care as the European spec vehicle may have only opted for rear axle diff locks. A lot of the European version have twin rear tail gates, opposed to the single tail gate door specified for the UK spec.
The chassis type is a W460 version. Engine sizes in these are a 280GE, K-fuel injected petrol of a twin cam, six cylinder in- line engine making it an excellent touring vehicle but fuel thirsty. The Diesel comes in a 3.0 Lts - 300GD. This is a five cylinder in-line with good low end torque but slow making it a good work horse.
The chassis type W463 version was the next development, much improved in performance and comfort to the earlier chassis. These are in a 3.0 Lts Petrol and Diesel, both in-line six cylinders The diesel uses in direct injection technology making this a very refined diesel engine and not a harsh tractor sounding engine. The W463 is a permanent four wheel drive and has a slightly wider chassis compared to the earlier version. Latter versions came in more powerful engines and refinement improved a lot more and the latest becoming, as you put it software versions.
There is a W461 chassis, improving on engine power but retaining the part time four wheel drive ethos and progressed electronically. Engines are 270 CDI, 280 CDI and 290 CDI. These is a no option automatic only.
A rarely heard of W462 exists but these are a CKD (completely knock down) versions sold in parts form and assembled in Greece only and only military versions.
One of the beauties about the Mercedes Benz automatic as an offroader in G-Wagens that in first gear locked-in allows for engine braking, for descends.
Theres is a lot for you to decide on, your budget, preference in manual or automatic, Long Wheel Base or Short, Petrol of Diesel or even RHD or LHD.
Good reading.
Fred,
Sounds like you need a LWB 463 with as big an engine as you can get. I have a 463 SWB 300 which has a 3 litre lovely straight six in it. I love it, but it's a tad underpowered for long journeys. I have a turbo for it which I've been flip flopping about fitting for a couple of years, but If your just pootling about then itthen the 300 is fine. That said my other two cars are 6 litre and 4.3 litre.....see a pattern here?
A swb 463 will seat 4 in comfort and I have found the boot and a roof rack more than enough for camping expeditions though for offroading and camping a trailer would be better than a roof rack. Would a roof tent be an option you would consider as these are available for both lwb and swb cars.
...... I have a turbo for it which I've been flip flopping about fitting for a couple of years........
If you keep that turbo for much longer you will be able to take it along to the Antiques Roadshow 
.
PRWALES - Roof tent not really in the budget or considered, both the wife and I quite like being on the ground, would it not bend the roof overtime? The trailer option sounded good, but we have had two in the past few years and both have been pinched - both when we had packed the night before! Roof Rack? Depends on the height of the G, around here we have all sorts of restrictions and anything over 2M will not work. Had a run in with the local borough council about 5 years ago, they tarmac the local car park and posted a 2M height, but it was 1.95M - I lost a few layers of paint on the Disco, but a stiff letter from a solicitor and all was put right.
IANA2 - Would love a big engine motor, but sadly the spirit is willing but the wallet is weak! I have been using the black stuff since the mid 80's.
MARK – Thank-you for putting me straight. Still learning.
I will have to see the Wagens in the flesh, I think to get a better perspective on the SWB and LWB, but the LWB does look more practical (looking at ebay). Reading through some of the other posts, advice etc it seems quite a spread on the prices, but what amazes' me is that from the price of say a 15+ year G one can get a LR almost half the age! German...sorry Austrian Engineering? Reading through its looking more like a 463 as the idea of perm 4x4 sit well with me and the Good lady- though when she told our daughter last night,it was commented that ‘G Wagen? Dad that is too cool for you’ Cheek!
Will have to take a look around and come back with some more questions.
Many thanks
Fred Frederickson
HI Fred
I'm in the same boat as you.... looking for a G. I've sold one of my defenders, and doing a few wheeler dealer projects to build up the funds to get something nice.
The wife & I regularly visit London (I'm only in Swindon, J16 M4, not far from W London) and love it there... always seeing a few G's around... as you say, mainly G63's and G500's around Mayfair etc!
One thing that made me smile last time I was there... as you come in on the A4 where it joins the embankment, there are the two cars 2B and NOT 2B... used to be an Aston Martin and Rangerover.... last time is was an Aston and.....
,,,,, a G!
IANA2 - Would love a big engine motor, but sadly the spirit is willing but the wallet is weak! I have been using the black stuff since the mid 80's.
We have a member who has well formed view on "the black stuff"
Reading through its looking more like a 463 as the idea of perm 4x4 sit well with me and the Good lady- though when she told our daughter last night,it was commented that ‘G Wagen? Dad that is too cool for you’ Cheek!
Respect, you have a daughter who knows what a G is 
...... I have a turbo for it which I've been flip flopping about fitting for a couple of years........
If you keep that turbo for much longer you will be able to take it along to the Antiques Roadshow .
With antique value?
Maybe worth having a look on mobile.de. Good site for pics and basic specs of various models.
This site is also good to show models. http://www.g4rce.net/engl/models.html Hasn't been updated for about 12 years though. :)
dear fred , sounds like you want a decent amount of performance from the 'g' that you have yet to find, as you have had permanent 4 wd vehicles before maybe a 460 might not be your 'bag' ,i would suggest finding a tidy 463 and you can always go for a motor swap for maybe a modern multivalve diesel turbo or a v 8 petrol / the 463's have the gearbox which is compatible with the more modern /powerful merc engines making the job of an engine swap more straight forward.
there was a 463 300gd for sale recently on classic/ and sports car internet car sales site /worth a look /but it was a bit miley at 200k miles..
dear fred , sounds like you want a decent amount of performance from the 'g' that you have yet to find, as you have had permanent 4 wd vehicles before maybe a 460 might not be your 'bag' ,i would suggest finding a tidy 463 and you can always go for a motor swap for maybe a modern multivalve diesel turbo or a v 8 petrol / the 463's have the gearbox which is compatible with the more modern /powerful merc engines making the job of an engine swap more straight forward.
there was a 463 300gd for sale recently on classic/ and sports car internet car sales site /worth a look /but it was a bit miley at 200k miles..
Hello Axel,
Many thanks - speed/performance is on the cards but not manic speeds! I do like the security of a permanent 4 wheel drive. What I am interested in finding out about the G's is how many miles the engine can take - OK a wide questions to ask, but if a G is well serviced and maintained, say as in the 300GD you mentioned is that too high?
I read the post by Tony Brugger in the Buying advice section on swaps etc - but could not see the link posted in the first post as it has expired? Will be off today to take a look at some G's I found on GumTree. Will report back what I find.
Fred Frederickson.
JOIN THE GWOA
This website and forum are provided for the benefit of enthusiasts and owners of all Mercedes Benz off road vehicles, in particular the G Wagen. The costs of development, upkeep and provision of the site are met entirely by the annual subscriptions of club members. If you are using the site and are not a member of the G Wagen Owners Association please consider joining. You will have access to areas on the site that are not open to non members, to club trips and meetings and to technical assistance. In addition your contribution (only £25 annually) will help us maintain and develop our website for future users.
Who's new
- Jaffa_JIM_23
- Wrabstar
- GG
- KTMSCANIA22
- 280ge
Gosh! That is a lot to take on board and such a selection!
Simply put: