Considering the G for me & my family
Hello & greetings from Shropshire, OK Telford, land of roundabouts where few seem to understand how to use them!
I have been looking very widely for a vehicle & have read the guides here & other posts. I was thinking of going to look at the tomorrow.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170380168481&ssPage...
This is around 1.5 Hrs away, so I do not want to waste time looking at it if it's no good,
I need a reliable, easy to fix multi-purpose transport, to move building materials (DIY) & perhaps even take us camping in Europe & further.
I have owned a IIA LR & recently the RR 3.9 (LPG) has so many holes I cannot face it. each time I tap it another lump of rust falls off.
I have tried a 4.2 VX Landcruiser & ridden in a Mitsubish Delica L400, I was thinking of a 110 or even double cab 130. Ohh and a U900 mog. hmm.. nice.
But my budget is £5000 or less, preferably less as this is the DIY money!
Do you have any thoughts please?
have a look in our buy and sell column as well I think this car has been discussed already. You may find the 5 cylinder diesel very slow after the Range Rover.
Post 1990, 463's which have permanant 4 wheel drive and do not have the rear 3/4 rust issues of the 460 are now coming in at £5000 or even lower though this would probably be for the swb.
According to wikipedia, 'the OM617 is considered to be one to the most reliable engines ever produced, with some units have done over 500k miles...'
prwales is right about the speed... I had a SWB 300GD and it took about a minute to do 0-60.... a late Kübelwagen has better hp/t ration than that!
http://www.gwoa.co.uk/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=8404
sorry my mistake, its discussed in the g-wagens wanted. The 280 is very thirsty and lpg does not work too well in my view, I had backfiring into the manifold on mine and the 280 is not a simple engine its a twin cam. If you want robust simplicity go with the taxi engine but I would bide my time and wait for a 463.
Is it true that G350 TurboDiesels are not very good?
Hi welcome to GWOA..some pointers... if you want a D.I.Y workhorse then the 463 series will show wear and tear inside very quickly...the 460 series is much more agricultural and less prone to expensive interior damage..the LWB diesel with the OM 617 engine is "sluggish" compared to any other popular diesel 4x4..the petrol 280 GE LWB is the same body and the diesel GD LWB but performance is at a cost (18mpg) or less if not set up right. the 230GE SWB is common and a little more frugal (22/24 mpg).the 230GE LWB is very rare and lacks performance..the G' wins overall for comfort. ride. space. and ability to remain generally in one piece for the last 25/30 years .rust problems are mainly non structural and the chassis and running gear will remain relatively rust free for many years.. bad points are -: worn wiper spindles letting water into the footwells...failed heater blower caused by blocked drain in air intake duct....wheel bearings... lack of grease along the drive train. failure to change the hydraulic fluid (brakes and Diff locks) every 3 years resulting in corroded callipers slave cylinders pipes etc ...and the inevitable rusty body panels....all parts are available but inexperienced labour can cost you dearly!! this includes MB dealers in the main who have only limited awareness of the G' but are prepared to learn at your expense. with TLC a G' will give you endless pleasure and versatile use at little expense but the 460 series production ended in 1990 so pristine. one owner. always garaged. 50.000mile versions are seldom what they seem...happy hunting.....
Peter is right about the 463 interior, it is very plasticy in appearance and far less robust than the 460 and in the swb the 463 loses boot space because of a more reclined rear seat. No space for the fold up jockey seats that can be fitted in the 460 swb to make a 7 seater. Don't buy the 1st one you see, take your time, good luck
Hi Miles please read your PM (private Mail)
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Thank you, prwales & lphong. I have had a quick'ish look but can't see any references to it.
I too read about the OM917 engine, this is what attracted me to it. But I think I might have issue when trying to "nip" out at the myriad of roundabouts here.
I saw this about a month ago in a breakers near Chorley (NW) (on ebay) for £2700'ish (stolen recovered) but missed going to see it by a day or so. It has now migrated down south & is about £3000 any thoughts? http://www.pistonheads.com/SALES/1207568.htm
Might this make a ready at least partly, work horse & off the beaten track tourer? LPG being added I guess.
Cheers,
Miles HC