Anyone have a Mercedes Benz G wagon?

[OM617isbest]

Does anyone have a Benz G wagon? I'm a bit of a fan but couldn't find one to buy. I know a few things about MB diesel, mostly late 70's and early 80's stuff. I also have some OM617 parts, I wouldn't mind swapping one into a light duty landcruiser for more reliability.

[OM617isbest]

so no one has one of the best off road vehicles ever to grace this earth

[Marc 1]

There weren't that many imported I'm thinking. Price was horrendously high (quite a bit more than a topline Range Rover), and in its initial form it was powered (if thats the right word) by a 3 liter naturally aspirated diesel. Add to that looks that only a mother could love and you soon realise why not many were sold. Most people couldn't see the value and didn't bother. Which was a pity because offroad they were nearly unstoppable - diff locks front and rear, a fairly efficient automatic and great low range reduction. And they were designed and built when 'Benz was run by engineers, not the marketing guru's so engineering and quality was sky high.

If you could find a well cared for example it'd make a nice vehicle, but benz parts can be as expensive as buggery.

[4bdan]

Top Gear did a story about these machines a while ago. They were talking about how bad the old one's were, but then showed one that AMG got hold of and re-fitted it with a sh*t hot motor and other refinements. From memory they made it into a pretty awsome truck, both performance and looks wise...

[grimbo]

there is a guy in the Suzi Club with one. A 4 door diesel wagon running 36" Swampers. Awesome machine that is great offroad and ugly as sin. Have alook over on outerlimits for gwagensteve.

There is a 2 door for sale in Williamstown Victoria

[Marc 1]

Top Gear did a story about these machines a while ago. They were talking about how bad the old one's were, but then showed one that AMG got hold of and re-fitted it with a sh*t hot motor and other refinements. From memory they made it into a pretty awsome truck, both performance and looks wise...

I think the AMG model they got hold of is actually brand spanking new off the production line. It's called the G55, stats are 476bhp/6100rpm and 516ftlb of torque at 2650rpm (a casual 700nm from the supercharged V8). O to 100 in between 5.2 to 5.6 secs depending on which report you read. When they tested it on the show I think it accellerated faster to whatever the benchmark was towing a trailer and a small car than the small car could run by itself! It's a beast, and still in production (the same basic bodyshell went into production in the 1970's).:D The pick of the range now would be the 420CDI V8 turbodiesel.

[OM617isbest]

They aren't that ugly. Just look at the new Hilux or Triton, thats ugly. Designed and built like a truck, sort of a miniature Unimog.

[OM617isbest]

http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/picts/paragraph-line.jpg http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/images/car_info/thumbs/mercedes_300GD_2_t.jpg (http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/car_info_mercedes_300gd.htm)
Mercedes Benz 300GD Gelandewagen (http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/car_info_mercedes_300gd.htm)
1981 - 1989
The 300GD Gelandewagen four wheel drive model was Mercedes answer to the Range Rover. Nobody had anticipated the demand for a luxury four wheel drive, however the "Rangie" was to prove far more successful in the showroom. Why?, perhaps that the 300GD was such a good off-road performer but lacked a little of the on road finesse of the Range Rover says more about the type of people buying these cars than the cars themselves.

[Marc 1]

The 300GD Gelandewagen four wheel drive model was Mercedes answer to the Range Rover.

I think you'll fnd it was Mercedes' answer to a military requirement for an offroad vehicle in the jeep/land rover class. This is why it was designed with flat glass (easy to replace and minimises shine) and vertical sides (better for interior space, plus its easier to 'place' a vehicle on a tight track if its a box shape). The difflocks and everything that made it such an awesome offroad vehicle are as a result of the military requirements.

The marketing department thought they needed something to combat the RR, and tried to tart it up to match the Rangie. The very things that made it so effective as a military vehicle worked against it as a luxury fourby, that and the price you paid for all the overengineering.

[Gelandewagen]

As a G-wagen owner and enthusiest I should probably speak up.

The G wasn't really pushed as a luxury 4WD - simply as a Mercedes Benz 4WD. Having said that though, the W460 that were sold in Australia can match the Range Rover in every aspect as far as luxury goes; I should probably say too that my G on 33s handles just as well as my late model E-class - more than I can say for an early 80s Range Rover (Don't get me wrong - I like Range Rovers too!). The military/commercial model was the W461 - these were (and still are) absolutely bare bones.

Sure I might have a biased viewpoint, but the G-wagen is the toughest, best designed and most capable 4x4 ever made. I like the way it looks but really that's a personal taste thing. There are two things that I can fault however - the Diesel models are underpowered; and (like all Mercedes Benz automobiles) the petrol models are exceptionally thirsty.

The Top Gear episode in question can be seen here:

YouTube - Top Gear - Mercedes G55 AMG (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEhiggKzzO4)

[Marc 1]

That is one sweet looking vehicle. A 300GD? Any more pics? How old is it, and how many k's?

[Gelandewagen]

Still new here so haven't really got much in the way of info up yet, but:

It's a 1983 300GD but just been completely re-done cosmetically - re-upholstered in tan leather with a new Obsidian Black metallic paint job. Now has a custom front-bar and is currently being re-powered with something that has some go to match its show. When I get it back from the mechanics I'm going to get rid of those stupid rubber fender flares.

http://img485.imageshack.us/img485/6381/threequarterps8.jpg

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/7334/frontle7.jpg

While my truck's getting the new powerplant I'm driving this one:

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/623/barrysgzf4.jpg

For more info, visit our G-wagen club, the Australian Gelandewagen Owners Association (http://www.agoa.org.au) - we're organising our annual Treffen (mothertongue for "meeting") for late November in Mansfield.

[Marc 1]

What donk are you getting?

[OM617isbest]

I love it, both of them. I was actually looking for a 4 door at the start of the year but couldn't find anything so I settled for toyota.I find the OM617 to be pretty good actually. I know its not a power haus but its very rugged and will go any distance. Have you thought about a turbo?I am thinking of getting one on mine with just a slight boost increase for a bit extra, I was also looking at a motor swap .I hope you are looking at another Benz donk just to keep it real. I was looking at repowering my 300TD with an OM603 turbo.

[OM617isbest]

The 463 looks so tuff and military. I can't get enough. I'll have to put one on my desktop.
I don't know why the aren't sold here anymore, they would probaly be better than the ML.
It seems that more 4wds are targeted at a more yuppie population which Australia is becoming.
Oh! take me back to the 80's.

[OM617isbest]

Here's the beastly 300GD powerplant
300d1hh.jpg (http://www.4wdmonthly.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=11915&stc=1&d=1191824862)

[Marc 1]

There'll be a heap more on the roads soon. I think 'Benz has just won the tender to supply G wagons to replace the Land Rover 110's the military uses. Good news from two points of view, if benz is going to be doing any of the servicing tasks then they may think that re-releasing them to the public is viable. (G55 for the well heeled yuppies, G270 for me please.)

The other good point is that the army's 110's will be flogged off - Izuzu 3.9litre diesel donk, coil sprung, alloy panels should make a tidy offroader at the right price (one with winch would be nice).:thumb:

[OM617isbest]

My cousin is a driver in the Army so I will have to ask him what the go is concerning what 4Bs they are going to get, he's actually a truck driver but might know something.
I don't know if you could still get a G270 as the 2.7L diesel has been superseeded by a V6, the same as in the Jeep. That would make it the G320 CDI. I never really liked V motors.

[Marc 1]

My cousin is a driver in the Army so I will have to ask him what the go is concerning what 4Bs they are going to get, he's actually a truck driver but might know something.
I don't know if you could still get a G270 as the 2.7L diesel has been superseeded by a V6, the same as in the Jeep. That would make it the G320 CDI. I never really liked V motors.

Well picked. I think the army have been doing trials with G270 CDI's, whereas the production versions will be G320CDI's (a thousand or so).

[Gelandewagen]

The ADF should be getting either the G270 or G290 - the G320 is a W463, unless they have ordered them specially (being RHD they're already pretty special); although as each unit is hand built anyway I don't think fitting the 3 liter CRD V6 from the G320 would be much of a stretch.

As for the OM617, I personally do not share your faith - I know of two examples with good service history that have failed catestrophically under 300,000 kms.

Also, as you may be aware on the Australian and European versions an aftermarket turbo does little more than add some decoration - the fuel pump does not have any boost compensation - you can wind up the boost but the fuel delivery remains set.

[OM617isbest]

I have 3 OM617 motors and all are well over 500,000km. I pulled one down for a rebuild and all that was worn were the rings, the bearings were near perfect, although the cam is also a bit worn. With a bit of care these babys can do in excess of 1 mill km easily.
As for the turbo thing I'd just import a pump with the ALDA and bolt it on and even without it there will still be a slight increase in power without a huge jump in boost. Thats all I am looking for as it goes pretty good as it is.

[Gelandewagen]

Unfortunately they don't work too well in G-wagens. Lugging almost a tonne more than your usual W123 and revving over 4000 rpm on the freeway means they have a very short lift expectancy.

John from MB Spares just pulled a dead OM617 from a GD apart only only to find the rings broken and severe piston slap after 200,000 km.

Piece of advice - if you're going to buy an Australian Gelandewagen get a 230 or a 280 Einspritzung.

[steelo]

Wasn't there a mean looking black one in 1 of the "Bourne" movies involved in a u-beaut car chase set in Russia.:confused: :truck:

[Gelandewagen]

That's funny actually, after I bought my black G-wagen a colleague of mine made the comment that I should have bought one of those Russian Taxis instead, as it clearly came out better off.

[steelo]

That's funny actually, after I bought my black G-wagen a colleague of mine made the comment that I should have bought one of those Russian Taxis instead, as it clearly came out better off.

I wasn't going to mention that but now you've brought it up........

p.s. What model was the 1 in the movie?

[Gelandewagen]

It was a W463 of some description, a film mock-up version of the G500 (if you have the DVD it outlines the chase in the Special Features), I think they used 6 of them. From memory all the interior shots were of a post 2002 G500.

[MYTANK]

Look pretty cool in my opinion.

G55 is nice, but I'm not sure how it would go being so low.

Still cool though ;)

Dan

[stu050]

I had the pleasure of driving a GD300 in the early '80's. It was bought new by the station that I was working on at the time.
It was used mainly as a "town car" (we had 120KM of dirt road between us and "town"), but also did general duty around the station.

The diff locks were great, but it did mean that one was worse off when one did get stuck. Had to leave it once for a few days and then tow it out with the grader after it got stuck while mustering sheep. The diff locks were operated hydraulically, and there was a plastic hydraulic connector that periodically broke. After purchasing a few, we ended up making one from copper pipe, and that solved the problem permanently.

The auto tranny was quite strong as well, I remember it tow starting the grader (20 tonne machine) when the grader alternator died.

The steering dampner could have been in a better position, it was always getting damaged in animal impacts or creek crossings.

The 90L fuel tank was a bonus, we could drive to Townsville from home no worries (roughly 650KM) but it didn't go very fast.

All in all, I was very impressed with the vehicle, and if I was in a position to have another 4wd, I would give it some serious thought.

My .02

[OM617isbest]

Unfortunately they don't work too well in G-wagens. Lugging almost a tonne more than your usual W123 and revving over 4000 rpm on the freeway means they have a very short lift expectancy.

John from MB Spares just pulled a dead OM617 from a GD apart only only to find the rings broken and severe piston slap after 200,000 km.

Piece of advice - if you're going to buy an Australian Gelandewagen get a 230 or a 280 Einspritzung.

That shouldn't be the case as those motors came out in a lot of light trucks and vans and Unimog aswell or was it the OM616 in that? Never mind, each to there own. But still You would want a Diesel and a 6 cylinder at that.

[OFFTRACK2]

That shouldn't be the case as those motors came out in a lot of light trucks and vans and Unimog aswell or was it the OM616 in that? Never mind, each to there own. But still You would want a Diesel and a 6 cylinder at that.

The most common engines for the mogs are the M130 (2.8 Petrol), M180 (2.2 Petrol) or the OM352 and OM352a (turbo) engines.

The 230GE's are around, but the ones I have seen are all Auto and with 89000km to125000km on them. They are a 2-door Long Wheel base, but in excellent condition from what I have seen/been told.

[OM617isbest]

The mogs have the M130 (2.8 Petrol), M180 (2.2 Petrol) or the OM352 and OM352a (turbo) engines.

The Unimog did come out with a 2.4L Diesel which would be the OM615. These are very rare but I have seen on the net OM617 conversions for this model.
I would prefer an MAN 8x8 truck to an Unimog.

extreme02_th.jpg (http://www.4wdmonthly.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=12845&stc=1&d=1194306950)

[OFFTRACK2]

The Unimog did come out with a 2.4L Diesel which would be the OM615. These are very rare but I have seen on the net OM617 conversions for this model.
I would prefer an MAN 8x8 truck to an Unimog.

extreme02_th.jpg (http://www.4wdmonthly.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=12845&stc=1&d=1194306950)

True..From memory the 404.117 had the 2.4l diesel and was built for the Angolan forces.

Dieselisation of the 404 is a common change. In fact we are going to convert a 404 to diesel using a Merc 300TD engine.

In regards to Man vrs Unimog, they are two different trucks aimed at two different markets.

The Unimog was primarily designed as a road going tractor intended to take a wide variety of implements - hence the name “Universal-Motorgerät”.

Even today , Unimogs are primarily built as tractors and implement carriers.

In regards to payload they are really a light to medium payload vehicle. Nothing like the 8x8 Man's...They are really chalk and cheese.

[OM617isbest]

Which motor out of the 300TD are you going to use?? The 5 or 6 cylinder?

[OFFTRACK2]

Which motor out of the 300TD are you going to use?? The 5 or 6 cylinder?

We are going to use the 6 cylinder.

[OM617isbest]

fantastic

[zorg]

anyone knwo of any shorty's for sale at the moment? I think there was one in Sydney on the agoa forum.. There is one lwb on the way home from work that just seems to be sitting out in the street rusting away, should leave a note and see if the guy wants to sell it...