MOD and G-Wagens

Well according to a few members with insider knowledge it is definite. One fellow has said that they have been testing G-Wagens off and on for quite a few years as he was one of the people involved.

Quercus, Going to show my ignorance now, what’s a Santana?

Re. Original question. Any G, even a tired one will feel way more refined and accomplished than your LR90. Ease of ownership when things go wrong though? LR every time.

Having said that mine has been relatively pain free (haven’t even got round to getting a manual yet!). It did have a full dealer history until 10K miles ago though.
Also when compared to older LR’s G’s are incredible value. Especially petrol 280’s they are soo cheap, sound great and if you don’t do mega miles (mine only does 4-5K miles a year) who cares about the fuel.

If it is true it'll be bad news for Landy drivers and good news for G drivers. It could mean better and cheaper parts availability.

I suspect that piece of "news" was more a publicity exercise by MBUK, which the press latched on to with their usual poisonous glee. Certainly MB are offering the 270G, but there are other vehicles in the competition too....Santana for one.

My understanding is that it has already been confirmed internally, just not to the public yet. And we could see production beginning within the next year or so.

Don't forget that the MOD has been testing Gs since 1983.
http://www.gwoa.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=153#2688

Now then Mike. you know full well that Gs were in use with BRIXMIS from 1981 & you know they were well tested, after all you could hear us from where you lived at the time epecialy when we were trying to teach the yanks stealth tactics.

This was a modified version of BSG/BW 280 lwb with 4 single racing seats observation pot hole and stowage for 5 days away in DDR,based out of Potsdam it also had fittings to mount assult ladders and was adapted for use later to the anti terror & close protection role for Northern Army Group & 2 ATAF. they also had special door pockets to conceal weapons mainly the Browning 9 mil smg.
Stealth lighting came as standard and night vision was later fitted, some were converted to permanent 4 wd at Ferguson FF Siskin Drive Coventry, a rare beast that is now common as the 463, Ferguson FF also converted all the Opel vehicles in that theatre and even a VW mini bus, REME fitted the rally seats, full harness, black out curtains, special interior lighting(black lights) extended range fuel tanks and later anti mine plates and run flats.
Aaah those were the days

Bill

Followed one of those Santanas from Fenny Compton up through Gaydon one day (mainly out of curiousity), about 8 miles - I was in my (just sold) Audi A4 TDi 130 Sport and was having to work a bit to keep up with what was probably a factory test driver in the Santana.

No big clouds of black smoke out the back either so fuelling most definitely sorted out whatever engine it was running, though was certainly a diesel.

Re Santana,
Drove one some time ago as I was seriously considering buying one ( mostly because it had a decent engine )
I thought I knew what to expect in the way of comprimised handeling on road, but was still really taken aback at how agricultural it was, and that in light of only previous 4WD experience being series III L/R in TA
The one I drove was a very new demonstrater but even allowing for the engine being tight I thought it felt pretty lifeless.
I only drove it on road as that would have been its main use with us & I dont think that they were likley to let me do any meaningful off-road stuff in their very first demonstrater, but I do appreciate that it prob only comes into its own working off road.
THUS when I first drove a "G" I was ready to see the light !
Actually thats a lie, the very first "G" was a dog -- accident repaired etc -- I did not buy it, nor thankfully was I put off "G's" either
Marcus