Need advice G-wagen first timer.
Hi all.
First time posting on this great site.
I'm looking at buying my first G-Wagen and need advice.
The G-Wagen in question is a 1987 W460 280GE LWB
2.8 litre straight six petrol. Automatic
9 seater. Silver metallic with black check cloth upholstery.
Will need some body work at some stage as theres some rust
around the end of rear doors and bottom of tail lights!
1. What are the problem area
2.How bad really is the fuel economy on theses machines
(mostly do city centre driving)
3.Does 145,000 miles on the clock sound bad for a 1987
4.Can it be used for everyday driving (main form of transport)
5.Is there anything I should know before I buy.
Many thanks in advance for the help,
I hope to become a regular user on the site,
thats if I buy the G.
James
Hi you must be buying this from Eddie Gilmartin (needamerc) this forum....this G ' is known to us and is very good all round for the age...a modified exhaust has been added and as a result should better the economy by 3/5 miles per gallon...if driven using the Automatic G' box and accelerator correctly you will get 16/18 mpg around town and 20/24 mpg on the open road..economic cruise speed is 60/62 mph.... at 70 mph you are reducing the mpg by 5/6%... faster still means less economy..lifting your foot gently of the accelerator between automatic gear changes will increase the economy accordingly...body work in this area is mainly cosmetic.but recurs if not treated correctly....Eddie has the facilities to do this work....try and make it part of your deal!! 145.000miles for an 87 G' is not a lot! and serviced properly it will give you many years of happy motoring......
I had a very similar one a few years ago but traded it in for a diesel. Fantastic vehicle but I just couldn't live with the fuel costs; I used it off road, towing and for city driving and managed only around 12-15mpg.
Simon's figure of 12-15 mpg is closer to my experience (and in an swb) than Peter's, dare I say optimistic figures. :roll:
Hi driving it in the manner I have described will achieve those figures...IF the Bosch K' Jetronic fuel system is set up correctly...and NO vacuum leaks.....
She has one well looked after engine. And drives like a dream. Fixwin is right if she is driven correctly she is not to bad on fuel considering her age and body weight. The previous "owner" told me that she did so good in her ommisions test for the NCT that the person doing the test even commented about her and" said that she is a class vehicle ..........."
Yes you right I am the previous owner. Eddie bought it from me as I was unemployed and had a new baby. I regret selling her but hell what can you do . The day Eddie picked her up my wife said I was like a sad little kid .
But one day I will drive a gwagen again.
Its got the vrt paid which is one of the most costly expences as you will know living in Ireland . I can honestly say that during the time I had it its been great driving and have also spend a lot of money to maintain it and sure Eddie has also looked after it .
I know that he used it during the snow last december around Lucan and even more than his fancy AMG G wagen . And even commented how much he enjoys driving it .
Hello James, and everybody else.
I only picked up on this thread today.
In the interest of a full and frank discussion of this car here is a link to ALL my photos of it while it has been in my care:
http://picasaweb.google.com/gilmartin.eddie/Carlingford280GE#
All my photos of all my cars are always available for public viewing here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/gilmartin.eddie
I do not hold back when I am photographing a car. The photos are intended first for my own information and records. I do not remove or edit anything. The buyer sees everything exactly as I saw it.
My intention in my G-Wagen dealings is to be 100% honest at all times. This is probably not the best business model in the world but I cannot operate any other way.
This is a very good, well cared for G-Wagen that is beginning to show it's age bodywise. Mechanicals are excellent. It will be thirsty, but so are 300GD's. I bought it at a discount and am offering it on as such.
I am asking Euro4,500. Irish Import Duty (VRT, which is paid) would be about Euro2,200 today.
Can anyone in the UK offer a similar car for Stg1,900?
Maybe it should go back to the UK? Asking price equivalent is Stg3,700.
Eddie.
Jamesd,
From a Porches to a G.... only one person I know who has done that is Pok, on this forum. (and maybe Big Block - but he is unnatural as he has load of car's...)
Will say from the outset you don't tend to get a G for fuel Economy, but usually a) because you are in love with it, b) You need a practical truck to get you around and c) because you want to protect something valuable - in my case the family.
There a loads of tips that can eek out the odd mile here and there that have been passed on - one that was missed was coasting behind big trucks! - but to be honest the aerodynamics of the G are like a garden shed so they will not break any records! What I will say though is this - it really is worth the extra cost at the pumps. Come the bad weather you will be thankful, come the time your in a crash (may it never happen) you will be thankful, come parking it in the street and see the admiration from passers - you will be thankful and come the next G wagen meet you will be thankful mainly because we are such a nice bunch of people!. Life is hard, but somehow those little rays of sunshine that G ownership will give you will make it worth while! Go on take the plunge! :twisted:
Spider1V - A G500 Driver
The German driver of this G and his pregnant wife survived being hit by a Road-train in Australia:
MB repatriated the car to study it.
Eddie.
I would say that would be worth an extra 2p at the pumps? :?
Spider1V
Shocking Photo though..... :shock:
if its coming from eddie, dont hesitate mate. :wink:
btw, welcome to proper motoring :P
Proper motoring, I get a Suzuki vitara soft top, there's great ! Hey huss ?
great is an understatement pp :P
glad you got home safe and sound.. :wink:
great is an understatement pp :P
glad you got home safe and sound.. :wink:
the car on the left, is the one to have !
Hi Peter perfect . Whats the name of the lad with the orange shirt and shorts . He looks like a merc mechanic mate of mine from Germany originally . I am not sure if he still lives in Ireland . Might not be the same bloke.
He is a very good mechanic. Merc trained from Germany .
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
Is it that obvious, yes I was out with Eddie today having a look.
Its the only thing thats scares me is the petrol. I have a 3.4L 911 C4 and it's not that thirsty at all, but it does only weigh about the same as one of G's wing mirrors.