Sticking with my 230 engine or upgrading it to the 280 one.
I am a new to the G community, and I just purchased for a 230 ge cabrio. I am hoping this community could help me with my dilemma. These are my two options, either I restore my current 4 cylinder engine, or switch it to a 6 cylinder engine (I found a 6 cylinder block which is a 1985 model, but is brand new, still in its box). What would you recommend. Is there much difference in power, and I heard that the 4 cylinder one is a better engine, is that true?
Thanks in advance.
The 4 cyl 230 is an excellent engine. If you swap to 6cyl 280 you will need to change the gearbox as well because the starter motor is on the other side.
Eddie.
Hi Malsaadi
Welcome to the Club
the 230 is a nice running engine and plently of power
and no were near as thirsty as the 280 i have had both
and it would have more power than the 460 300d
and very similar to run
I think Fixwin 38 on here has a fully recon 230 engine complete
with 10,000 miles on it
Good luck with your purchase
Stick with the 230 engine - I have run one for the last 7 years - great engine, good balance of power and economy (in as far as you will get economy in a G)
Stick to 230 engine, and if you need a bit more power there are loads of options, even a modern 230 Kompressor engine will go in there without a problem and you will be kicking dust in even a 300 petrols eyes. I have seen this done, and even had a quote for the electronics.
Stick with the 230 - I assume it's the injection and not the carburated model. A nice known quality engine would be nice but there are plenty of average milage ones around from the saloon cars of the same era for little money and a few extra bhp. . Keep your sump and salvage the starter too if it has the raised breather.
If you want a swap for power and economy then look at the ssangyong or sprinter 2.9 diesel - they will go straight onto your gearbox.
If you want fun and don't care about mpg then the 2.3 cosworth will fit.
having had all the engine ranges throughout the 460 and 463 model, my favourite are 230 and the 300 petrol. stick with the sweet little 230 mate
It is a matter of compromises. One factor is, what you want from your G-Wagen? A touring vehicle or a nippy city run about? For the latter, the 230 engine is the ticket but on long runs on the motorway, should you do a lot of those, do you want a screaming engine in the background to maintain the high speeds you want to?
Taking things further, due to vehicle taxation laws in Italy, it becomes very expensive to tax vehicles over the 2.0 Lts capacity; wondering how a 2.0 Lts engine would fair? To that point, I have never even considered which engines are fitted to the Italian G-Wagen.
Cheers,
hi, i used both my 230 and 280 off road, competativley too back in early 2000, 280 had a bit of an edge, but not much, id say not worth the hassle, invest in a winch instead.
Hi and welcome to the forum,
230 every day for me too , check link, those V8 couldnt keep up with the 230 .. :-) youtu.be/m7mtx9pY_fc
Cheers
Fred
Lol you found it, nice driving Fred
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
- Breniq
- Roscoe25
- RozzaTS
- Awon
- f.ecoheat
First and foremorst I'd like to thank everyone for their replies, got quite a bit of useful input here.
I'd like to clarify couple of things. Firstly, the purpose of this G wagen is mainly for offroad. Nothing too hardcore, but occasional sand duning (or dune bashing depending on your choice of terms). Also, where I live we dont have any taxes, and fuel is quite cheap so both are not a concern for me.
My main worry is whether the 4 cylinder will be enough for my needs in terms of power. However, if that is not the case, then Id rather stick with it, since it will be less of a hassle. I'm just wondering whether the difference in power be drastic if I switch to the 6 cylinder.
Regards and once again greatly appreciate your help.