Hi All. Looking for advice on finding a good LHD G-KLasse in Fra/Bel/Netherlands/Germany/Switz.
Hi all,
i'm from the UK but just moved over the water to Holland and am looking to take advantage of tax-free 'oldtimer' rates... will also be moving to Sweden for 2 years so figure a G-Klasse would be a good bet! They seem pretty bomb proof and love the design.
I'm not registered in Holland yet so don't know if this is a problem for buying a used car (easily solved anyway) but am looking for as much bang for my buck as i can get for about 5000 euros for a SWB, Diesel... is this a realistic budget not to end up with a complete dog and does anyone know of any trusted dealers over here that I could go and speak to?
Been reading up on what to look for in terms of rust/transmission issues and will hopefully get someone more knowledgeable to come along for any inspection.
A bit worried about the running costs but then I suppose you buy the ticket you take the ride and it will seem worth it during sweden's 5 month winter driving conditions!
A couple i've been looking at:
http://home.mobile.de/GAZAAUTOMOBILEMOENCHENGLADBACH#des_161312946
http://www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/312533918.htm?ca=15_s
http://nl.autoscout24.be/Details.aspx?id=211134294
Opinions advice from you good wise folk appreciated!
Guten Tag uber_gruber,
You have asked quiet a loaded question. It may help if you could mention what sort of purpose you want to put the G-Wagen to. I appreciate you like one, but that alone should not be reason in buying one.
In your own words you have indicated concerns about its runing costs, if that is of concern, then perhaps you would be better off not buying one just yet.
Getting a good vehicle of any sort or make is fine, as long as you it is just filling with fuel is concerned, but second to that is the insurance and taxation, followed by service and maintence and finally repairs.
The G-wagen is a heavy vehicle hence, being a Diesel, you are looking at an average return of 18-22 mpg. Service items are not bad, oils, filters and brakes are reletively cheap. Servicing is dependant at your host countires labour rates; a W460 Diesel has oil sevice every 5000 miles (half an hours labour plus parts), a maintenence service is at every 12,000 miles (1.5 - 2.0 hrs labour plus parts). A maintence service with additional schedules is at 24,000 miles (2.5 hrs minimum labour plus parts). Other elements of servicing includes on annual basis or every two years is the brake fluid renewal (1 hr labour plus parts or 0.5 hrs when conducted with any brake work) Coolant renewal is at every two years if you choose Mercedes products; dependening on which type you use, these can have renewal intervals can be between 2 yrs and 5 yrs.
Tyres can be expected to do between 30,000 to 36,000 miles, exhaust life can be serviceable from 6 yrs to 10 years and the type of driving you do can affect the life of exhaust; lots of short journeys as oppposed to long runs.and it is for you to conside rif they are within your spending capacity.
There is a lot to consider here, local taxation laws,etc.
As a club, I for one will try to help how ever we can and I am sure our members will contribute how ever they can, but all I will say, beacuse of the task of question, in my mind it will take a bit of time to fully answer for you.
I do not know of the Eurpoen market but finding a vehicles in the Uk can take time to find, I would expect this will be the same in Europe.
Finally, I would post the same quetion from G-Wagen clubs in the countries you have mentioned, for they can give best advice regarding local laws and taxation etc.
cheers,
Deleted due to duplicaion :-)
check out the P4's for sale on e-bay, I can't find it but if you trawl through my posts on this website you will find the link
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEFT-HAND-DRIVE-EX-MOD-PEUGEOT-P4-BASED-MERCED...
There are a number of G specialists in Holland.
Try Derk-Jan Veneklaas:
http://www.veneklaasautos.nl/Occasion-g-klasse-specialist-Overijssel-Twe...
And Albert Bouma:
http://www.ikwileeng.nl/
In Germany it's Daniel Wiesel at GFG:
http://home.mobile.de/GFG#ses
Good luck with your search
Regards.
Eddie.
Hi, you should include a set of winter tyres in your calculation; in northern Sweden the roads are snow covered all winter, the G's weight does not help in these conditions; contrary to the general view, a Golf-sized front-wheel drive car on winter tyres will outperform any heavy 4x4 on snow and ice.
Try this site, http://www.cormillenaar.nl/millenaar2/g-center/home
In particular, the G-Centre link from the site.
Cheers,
Sorry,
Delete due to duplication.
hi
Thank you so much for the information.
It is really helpful.
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Hi Rakesh,
thanks for taking the time to reply-I really appreciate it.
I'm looking to take advantage of the Dutch 'oldtimer' tax break where if your vehicle is older than '87 you pay zero tax... but this means you drive an old car! So I thought the G Class would be good as it has a nice Mercedes Diesel engine, and will be tough enough to cope with Swedish winter driving which I'm told can be pretty extreme! so, the diesel is expensive but then there is no tax so...
The alternative is getting an old E class or BMW which would be cheaper to run but 4x4 would be much better in the ice and snow and I'm not planning on driving really long motorway trips. The space would be great too.
I've seen a couple of pretty scruffy but solid looking G 300d's in Germany and also here in Holland for around 3250 which would be great as long as there are no nasty surprises... think I'll better pay up for a vehicle inspection before buying if I go ahead and I will definitely take your advice and try to find some local G Klasse clubs that might help me out too.
Thanks again and best wishes
Gregor