Mercedes-Benz G-Class production continued...

Forget it! No turbodiesel GWagen has ever been made in RHD, with the notable exception of the G 290 GDT and that is because most of the turbo stuff around the inlet-and exhaust manifold is situated precisely where the steering column needs to be.

Yes Jesus you are right about the rhd Gs. But if the 5 cylinder engine can fit (290 GDT) then a v6 turbo diesel could be made to fit as there would be only 3 cylinders on the side against the steering column. So technically it should be straight forward. Whether it is economicly viable is different. I imagine not.

I think we should petition MB to bring back the G in RHD, times have changed since 96 and the selection of 4x4/SUV's is now massive. The biggest problem with the older 463's was the engines, too thirsty or not powerful enough. This G320CDI V6 I think would hit the mark in the UK market, think about some of the appauling 4x4's some manufacturers have managed to sell, I'm sure there is space for the G in the market. You also forget other countries that are RHD, including Japan and we know they love G-Wagens(I know in Japan its kind of a status symbol to have a LHD car, but I think more would be sold if RHD was available) and I think Austrailia, New Zealand and South Africa would give it a warm reception. You have to remember that the G is 26 years old now and is much more well known through legendary stories of great off-roading feats. Also I heard that MB were tendering for the Austrailian Army contract, but I dont know if that will come to fruition. You must also not forget India, big time up and coming country, with over a billion people living there all driving right hand drive, gotta be a market there. There are others but not so significant, but they all add up. I think MB should definitely take the opportunity seriously, especially if sales start to drop in LHD, they can beef up the numbers.

2 Billion people drive on the left
4 billion drive on the right

It's all the old British Colonies really, except Japan, at the start of 20th Century Britain and Japan were best buddies, we sold them lots of arms and helped bring them up to date, including automobiles.

Contradiction in the same sentence. The steering column has very little to do with it. They were going to produce the 463 300TD in right hand drive. But it was MB uk that refused to sell the G in the UK anymore. it was to expensive to convert to RHD with very little sales. Like Roly says the 320CDI is going in the G with a turbo either side. Its volume of sales.

Most 4x4's are a fashion accessory. Look at the BMW x5, not that good off road but sold thousands. Same for the Range rover. If the new models that are availble now for the G were introduced 3 years ago here in the UK in RHD they also would have sold thousands, after all there's not a lot off difference is price for a top of the range G500, Range rover or X5, all above £45k

MB Uk are knobs, and snobs for that matter. Let the g be a fashion item in RHD, I dont care, that we we get a decent 3 year old G500 for sensible money.

But only one of the above 4x4's has been on the market for over 26 years thats worth buying in either basic or bling form.

Now that's a good point... when they finally become out of fashion we could get G500s for Lada Niva Money!

(stooop dreaming!) :lol:

Having had a LHD G for a couple of years now, I quite enjoy the advantage LHD gives - and don't worry about the disadvantages anymore - I've just changed my driving style.

If a RHD of the same spec / age / condition was available at the same time as a LHD - I think I'd, on balance, still buy the LHD - there's a much bigger resale market and as I understand it, the RHD's are 'conversions' not 'factory' made - just my own personal opinion.

As the driver of a decidedly 'non' bling G400 (it's diesel, ok?!) I'm surprised people think of them as 'fashion statements'. Where I live a 4WD is a way of life - but you can't go five miles without seeing twenty new X5's, RR's, RR Sports' etc - I've only ever seen one other G on the roads up here - a blue LWB.

I've come from the RR and have just become fed up with the crappy product quality and poor performance. I've blown buckets of money on trying to make RR's better with Overfinch suspension, engine and braking upgrades. Then I bought a G and found it was what I'd been trying to find all along - a unique, highly capable, hand built car - something a RR, X5, Cayenne will never be.

Long live the G :)

p

i asked my dad and he said it would be great. i would have one when im older. but eventhough the LHD is cheaper if i was in london it would only make sense to have the rhd. the 320 engine has been getting amazing reviews in the c-class, it is limited to 155mph with so it will definately shove!

some little comments on the engine...

'Interestingly, Mercedes doesn’t release comparable figures for its range-topping AMG-powered C 55, but given that it has the same torque yet needs 4000rpm rather than 1600rpm before it can deliver it, perhaps it thought this was information best left out of the public domain.'

as for mbuk, bunch of idiots, they charged us for a free service and were so arrogant about it that my dad blew his top in the middle of the showroom and the whole place was quiet, they were trying so hard to get him into a back office but he was having none of it (i think the comment was 'no im staying here, all your customers should know your all scheming t*****s') we eventually got a free service and a trip to the testing as silverstone, but it shouldnt be like that. i think if anything needs to be done head office needs to know about it, not the bleached teeth of mbuk.

and for the cabrio ade, that would look very smart

As to the above comment regarding MB's customer service, I couldn't agree more. I have had dealings with MB both here and in Germany and can only say that they are extremely bad. I like the G but, with this exception, would never have another Mercedes. MB want to wake up. They are alienating their customers and they will not come back.

I have had recent dealings with Porsche where something went wrong. They have offered my a 911 for the weekend in an effort to make amends. I think they work on the basis that people who drive expensive Mercs could be soon driving one of their products. I am begining to agree, however, not that funny off-road car of theirs.

Adrian Flux @ £1700 + a year, didn't require a tracker.
Roadsure @ £733 required a tracker & Churchill @ £650 also wanted a tracker.
Been searching for tracking firms, and while i haven't read up on them all, the few i have so far will track the vehicle anywhere, but will only liase with UK police. So if your car has been stolen and taken to France, they'll locate it and tell you where it is but not the French police. Thats a lot of bloody good innit. :?

HI Mark,
Norwich union were the only one able to insure the 270cdi for me without tracker and quite cheap too....around 600 quid

Mercedes-Benz is unveiling a new highlight in the luxury Sports Utility Vehicle market segment: the GL-Class. The seven-seater premium off-roader offers excellent handling both on and off-road and pampers occupants with its extremely spacious accommodation and the comfort of a luxury saloon.
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Tanyaa

Is this a joke? :shock:

Must be :roll:
Spider1V

Last monday I visited the Graz factory and I saw the bodywork of a DoKa RHD with armouring, painted plain white. Maybe there is hope for the RH drivers?

Greetings,
Frank

BTW no pictures allowed.