Advice wanted.....

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Sat, 27/11/2004 - 14:47
pete75
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Joined: 27.11.2004

Hello folks.
I'm looking to replace my G reg LWB shogun. It's done nearly 220,000 miles, 120k of them in my ownership. It needs 5 new tyres and I'm a bit loath to spend more than it's worth just for tyres, along with the fact it doubles in value everytime I fill up. It's a V6 petrol and I think my change to diesel is long overdue. I suppsoe the logical choice would be a 2.8TD Shogun. However I fancy a change and there is a 1987 300GD LWB one owner full merc history, all mots etc 45,000 miles advertised locally at a very good price. What I'd like to know is how a G wagen compares to a Shogun. Off road ability isn't that important , I'd say I do around 500 off road miles a year , none of it extreme and in any case round here there aren't any rocks or hiils it's mainly mud and in my experience it seems the type of tyre fitted is a more important factor than the make of vehicle.
I do a bit of towing but no more than a couple of tons. The vehicle would be used for longish trips including motorways as well. I use the Shogun for long work trips on the grounds that as it's worth bugger all it's better putting the miles on it rather than my V70.

What I'd like to know is if a G wagen has the same toughness and reliability as a Shogun. Apart from servicing , brake pads and tyres all mines ever needed is cam belts, a water pump and front shockers. Whats the handling and "driveability" like. A farmer friend who used to have one tells me they make a Fourtrak seem refined - is he right? I must admit I'm quite tempted though, as my 11 year old son says "They're cool!"
If anyone can give me a simple rundown of benefits and drawbacks of the vehicle I'd be grateful.

Thanks

Pete

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Sat, 27/11/2004 - 22:09
#1
Maxwell Smart
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Joined: 05.11.2003
Location: London
Advice wanted.....

In terms of reliability I think you would be very hard pressed to beat a diesel G. I have never driven a Shogun other than as a passenger but what I can say about the G is it may well be the last 4x4 your every buy.

The engine in the Gs is the same as in many of Mercedes saloon cars and Merc diesels have a reputation for durability and longevity.

As far as the ruggedness of the G, the vehicle was originally designed for military use and hence built like a tank - no pun intended. The Gs are by and large hand-built in Graz by a company called Steyer-Puch (now Magna-Steyer) who specialises in creating 4x4s for other companies such as Jeep, Mercedes etc... Even at over 25 years old, the G is still the number one choice of many armies in the world - the MOD is even rumoured to be switching in the very near future.

As for motorway trips I find the G extremely comfortable but then I have a slightly newer G with the more saloon like interior. Having said that a lot of the old Gs did come with Recaro seats.

Gs have excellent towing abilities. The one thing is don't expect a rocket with a diesel G - that they are not. But they will run forever.

45,000 miles on a 1987 G is almost too good to be true - I would make sure that the odometer hasn't rolled! If it is real mileage and it has a full Merc history then it sounds like you may have stumbles across a real gem!

Be sure to read the Buying Advice threads as there are a number of points to look out for when buying a G. They are prone to rust around the tailgate, windshield etc.

Regardless I am sure you won't be dissappointed. Once a G driver always a G driver...

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