Hi, I'm new
Hi to everyone, I'm new here.
Before I go any further, I have to ashamedly admit that I've never owned a 4x4. I've have admired from afar, Discos and G's for quite a while. Years really, on and off.
So, as I'm busy saving for one or the other, I'm trying to get the low-down on the pro's & con's.
Forgive me if there's countless posts & threads that I can research, but have just joined and thought I should say hello straight away.
I, or rather we, my wife and I, have 4 teenagers and two German Shepherd dogs. Though, we will not need room for 6 of us, as one, if not two of my eldest will be probably be driving sooner rather than later. So, they can keep out of my machine, hey.
As you can see, we'll still need some people room, just in case.
On top of this requirement, is the fact that we intend to eventually (next year or so anyway ) get a caravan. Probably 4 or 5 berth, so towing is going to be another requirement.
For torque, I'm pretty sure I'd be right in saying that with a disco, I'd best get a TD5. But what about the G-Wagen, what would be the best model to aim for? And, is there a model best avoided.
Alas, like all things in life, I'm probably talking about a £7000 maximum budget. No doubt that narrows things down considerably.
I'd appreciate any help and thanks in advance,
Silversurfer
Welcome to the club!
I've heard a LWB is better for towing, also some of them have jump seats in the back which can increase your seating capacity for a short while (but no real seatbelts to speak of in back).
There are 2 main models, 460 (made from '79-'89) and 463 ('90 onwards), the former is a bit louder and rougher around the edges, the latter was made more passenger friendly, with wood and carpets and saloon switch-gear.
If you wanted a SWB I have one for sale, but you're probably want a LWB for towing. The diesel 300d (non-turbo) is supposed to be very very slow, but dependable at least. I'm sure others with more experience will speak..
Sure it's on the classifieds section here, 1991 300GE petrol 3dr auto, 143k miles, looking for around 6k.
Thanks for that M2.
Anytime!
Once you have a car in mind you can put the details on here and people might be able to point things out for you to look at...
Silversurfer,
Hello and welcome.
This being a G Wagen site, I will be slightly biased and promote the G!(Although my opinions do not represent those of the GWOA ;) )
No problem not having owned a 4x4b4, however its is a lot different from owning a normal car. Some of the negative points compared to a car you will find; Increased fuel consumption and potentially higher insurance, that would be about it. Now the good bits; Driving height - you can see further, Space - tones more in a 4x4, Practicality - given what you would like to do - perfect vehicle and finally the fact that no matter the weather you can still get about!
I do find it difficult to compare the G between a landie, as while they are both 4x4's they are quite different, esp say the Disco. Please don't get me wrong the Disco is a good vehicle, however the G is better, a lot better, the best way to test that is the 10 year test - simple really, you find me a 10 year G Wagen and compare it with a 10 year old disco! Well firstly the G will be more expensive, that's because they are better made and that there are not many of them in the UK esp if you are wanting a RHD. The build quality will be far superior on the G. The mechanics will be, again tend to be better on the G and in most cases the G will have fewer owners.
SWB - It has been a while since I have driven one, however they are good vehicles, personally I needed more space than a SWB could offer, though one past member used to carry round her husband and two lab's in her SWB quite comfortably. As for towing another member has a SWB and was towing around a 3.5 ton tractor while he was building his new house. The SWB I also thing is slightly better off roading, should you want to get into that once the kids have left home! :)
LWB - Space, space and more space. As has been pointed out you can get the rear jump seats, and I can now comfortably carry around 8 people + the driver. I also get exemption from the CC in London. You also get a soother ride in the LWB on the roads, less 'choppy'. Again a good off roader.
The G is also (on these shores) a unique vehicle, as some members moan to me, it can be months before you see another G, but unlike a Disco when you see one, you will probably know the owner and you will almost certainly get a wave from the driver! It was only last year that MB decided to (disastrous in my opinion) to re introduce the RHD and have done a very poor job in both promoting it and being exceptionally greedy in the premiums they are asking.
I hope that the above helps and provides some useful information, feel free to keep posting your questions and thoughts, I am sure someone here will be able to answer them for you, or at least comment.
Spider1V
Hi silver surfer, whilst my friend above loves the g, he doesn't live in the real world, he has never owned any other g than a g500, costing in excess of £30k. This is one of the best g's to own! However with the budget your looking at there are limited G wagen options, and all those options suck when it comes to towing!. 463 300 petrol, drinks fuel, 463 300gd drinks fuel, and slow,firget a 460 for towing too. A td5 will return 20-23 mpg towing a caravan and give you good comfort, a 463 lab will give you comfort but will cost a fortune in fuel, for 7k try Nissan patrol, Toyota Landcruiser or landrover, there are more option out there. What does a g wagen give you compare to others on the off 7k, for get longevity, forget reliability, there are more options for what youmwant out of a 4x4, and that's coming from some one that has owned 6 g wagons, 2 range rovers, 2 land rovers, toyota land cruisers, 2 Nissan patrols (y60)
Thought That would provoke the troll out of his cave..... :)
The above advice is from one of the best!
Spider1V
I am the guy who had to tow the 3.5t digger on a regular basis while building my house. I also had to tow 2.5t of sand twice a week over broken ground using diff locks to get to the building site.
I wouldn't change my G for anything, but then again I don't drive fast. Like Peter Perfect I have owned a lot of cars, LR's, Jeep, cruiser, etc. I have also had many G Wagens including 500's and G55's. I often buy cars here and then export them to South Africa. I have just sent another G55, which I intended to replace my G300 diesel with.
I love my G300 diesel, it is slow, but comfortable and reliable and for off roading they are incredible. I drive mine on bio-diesel and get about 23m/gal on it. I have owned and used this car for 60k miles now and never had any problems with it.
After I finished the house and built a track I simply towed the caravan out. To get it there was a different matter.
That's because your using it as a tool, where you are and what you do this tool works,And your towing locally. I had a swb 230 petrol and towed a 3.5t trailer on a regular basis, it performed well, but I was running it on LPG at £0.17 a ltr :0) what silver surfer wants is a vehicle to tow a caravan, and maybe an every day car, I know having owned many 4x4 I just couldn't live with the fuel consumption of the petrol, although refined as they are, or the pace of a 300gd.
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Thanks M2dxb,
Yes, I had read about the 460's & 463's.
I would go for the LWB, but just out of interest, would you mind mentioning what price you're after and the mileage.
Just as a guage for me, to be honest.
Cheers.