G-WAGON
G-WAGON
CID Vicious
11-28-2009, 11:34 PM #2My recommendation would be to look at SoCal. Lots of the old ones out here, and they survive very well. Elsewhere I'd say the 'Benz Tax' is too much...
A good place to start is www.clubgwagen.com. they have a classifieds sections. Another is the G-wagen forum of www.pointedthree.com
Both have tons of G-specific information and with a search, you can find answers to most of your G-wagen questions.
As for benz tax - some parts are as cheap to maintain as the average mercedes sedan while others can get very expensive if left unmaintained. (A good G-wagen is going to cost much more than a good 123)
Also, it's important to find a mechanic who knows how to work on them. the engine and tranny are familiar to most mercedes mechanics but the rest tends to be easily misunderstood and improperly maintained. Suspension is totally different and the issues that come with 4WD are going to be totally new to a w123 owner.
-------------
'84 G-Wagen turbodiesel
'75 240D 4-Speed
(weird - I posted a couple times on this thread yesterday and all of them are gone now.)
A good place to start is www.clubgwagen.com. they have a classifieds sections. Another is the G-wagen forum of www.pointedthree.com
Both have tons of G-specific information and with a search, you can find answers to most of your G-wagen questions.
As for benz tax - some parts are as cheap to maintain as the average mercedes sedan while others can get very expensive if left unmaintained. (A good G-wagen is going to cost much more than a good 123)
Also, it's important to find a mechanic who knows how to work on them. the engine and tranny are familiar to most mercedes mechanics but the rest tends to be easily misunderstood and improperly maintained. Suspension is totally different and the issues that come with 4WD are going to be totally new to a w123 owner.
-------------
'84 G-Wagen turbodiesel
'75 240D 4-Speed
Benztek, for my money, I'd simply fab up an adapter plate, find a barely running 4Runner from the 80's with a 5 speed, swap in an OM617 and call it a day. You'll go anywhere a G Wagen can for less than half the price. It won't be a G Wagen, though, if you just really want one of those, it's going to cost you. The old ones are all grey market cars, which drives up their price, and the new ones are just new. Meanwhile a diligent search of craigslist will eventually turn up a 4Runner or pickup 4x4 project, or a decent condition one with motor issues or a blown clutch or something. Way easier to find parts, and once you get rid of the motor it's hard to fault the Toyota engineering. The motors are great until you have to work on them, a Honda motor seems like working on a carb'd small block in comparison...
One correction: W123s are a pleasure to work on, the G Wagen less so. We were replacing the radiator on one and I was just shocked at how much you had to do (removal of the skid plate, front grille, etc) just to swap out a radiator. As though the radiator is some highly stressed structure of the car...
We had this old German guy who came by once in awhile, and he was watching me work on it, and he suddenly read my mind:
"Fucking over-engineered piece of shit! Blow it up!"
CID Vicious
12-08-2009, 02:39 AM #8Benz Tax = shops and some price suppliers gouging Mercedes owners for these era vehicles merely because they carry an MB part number. These cars are a breeze, almost a pleasure, to work on, and most parts are reasonably priced, but walk into a 'Mercedes Benz Specialist' with one and prepare to be bent over with no lube. You'd think working on one of these was like working on a Rolls Royce (which I've done) or a Ferrari, the way some of these mechanics act.Practically an industry to itself in Lost Angeles.
Benztek, for my money, I'd simply fab up an adapter plate, find a barely running 4Runner from the 80's with a 5 speed, swap in an OM617 and call it a day. You'll go anywhere a G Wagen can for less than half the price. It won't be a G Wagen, though, if you just really want one of those, it's going to cost you. The old ones are all grey market cars, which drives up their price, and the new ones are just new. Meanwhile a diligent search of craigslist will eventually turn up a 4Runner or pickup 4x4 project, or a decent condition one with motor issues or a blown clutch or something. Way easier to find parts, and once you get rid of the motor it's hard to fault the Toyota engineering. The motors are great until you have to work on them, a Honda motor seems like working on a carb'd small block in comparison...
One correction: W123s are a pleasure to work on, the G Wagen less so. We were replacing the radiator on one and I was just shocked at how much you had to do (removal of the skid plate, front grille, etc) just to swap out a radiator. As though the radiator is some highly stressed structure of the car...
We had this old German guy who came by once in awhile, and he was watching me work on it, and he suddenly read my mind:
"Fucking over-engineered piece of shit! Blow it up!"
I want one, but not at the price they demand. The only "insane price" MB I'd willingly pay for would have been the C111-III if they had chosen to put it in production.
If you want 4x4 on the cheap, converting a small pickup would be a fraction of the cost. If you want it to be an MB, remove the pickup's body and bolt a W123 or W126 on top of it.
ForcedInduction
12-08-2009, 12:17 PM
#9
G-Wagon = Pay To Play.
I want one, but not at the price they demand. The only "insane price" MB I'd willingly pay for would have been the C111-III if they had chosen to put it in production.
If you want 4x4 on the cheap, converting a small pickup would be a fraction of the cost. If you want it to be an MB, remove the pickup's body and bolt a W123 or W126 on top of it.
(12-08-2009, 12:17 PM)ForcedInduction If you want it to be an MB, remove the pickup's body and bolt a W123 or W126 on top of it.
I'd drive it!
CID Vicious
12-08-2009, 03:22 PM #10(12-08-2009, 12:17 PM)ForcedInduction If you want it to be an MB, remove the pickup's body and bolt a W123 or W126 on top of it.
I'd drive it!
Yeah I really want one, but I really am not willing to shell out the money for one at this point. It is defenitely a want thing and not a need thing. I have worked on a 300GD a couple of years ago, we had a salesman that bought one. It was in rough shape, rusted all to hell. I had to make all new brake lines for the thing because they were all leaking. Thanks for all the info guys. Maybe another time, but right now MB work is so slow that I am not buying anything that is not on the need list.
(12-09-2009, 11:47 AM)benztek Yeah I really want one, but I really am not willing to shell out the money for one at this point. It is defenitely a want thing and not a need thing. I have worked on a 300GD a couple of years ago, we had a salesman that bought one. It was in rough shape, rusted all to hell. I had to make all new brake lines for the thing because they were all leaking. Thanks for all the info guys. Maybe another time, but right now MB work is so slow that I am not buying anything that is not on the need list.
Why not contact Sean at Eurotruck in Flowery Branch, Ga ( just north of Atlanta). He bought out all of Europas G parts and could probably help you find one.
http://www.eurotruck-importers.com/
He and Steve are very nice to work with.
Mark
(12-09-2009, 11:47 AM)benztek Yeah I really want one, but I really am not willing to shell out the money for one at this point. It is defenitely a want thing and not a need thing. I have worked on a 300GD a couple of years ago, we had a salesman that bought one. It was in rough shape, rusted all to hell. I had to make all new brake lines for the thing because they were all leaking. Thanks for all the info guys. Maybe another time, but right now MB work is so slow that I am not buying anything that is not on the need list.
Why not contact Sean at Eurotruck in Flowery Branch, Ga ( just north of Atlanta). He bought out all of Europas G parts and could probably help you find one.
http://www.eurotruck-importers.com/
He and Steve are very nice to work with.
Mark
While you are getting the wife`s car up and running and trying to get back to square one, here is some Dreaming for you. hours of reading here
.http://www.rubicon-trail.com/G-Class/
Charlie
I hope your wife is ok.
While you are getting the wife`s car up and running and trying to get back to square one, here is some Dreaming for you. hours of reading here .
http://www.rubicon-trail.com/G-Class/
Charlie
http://www.clubgwagen.com/forum/viewtopi...=18&t=1456
(And sorry to hear the news - hopefully wife and family are OK)
-------------
'84 G-Wagen turbodiesel
'75 240D 4-Speed
Someone in Houston has an '85 for sale for fairly cheap (5K) will need transfer case rework but sounds like a good price for someone who wants to enter in low. swap to diesel after the other bugs have been delt with.
http://www.clubgwagen.com/forum/viewtopi...=18&t=1456
(And sorry to hear the news - hopefully wife and family are OK)
-------------
'84 G-Wagen turbodiesel
'75 240D 4-Speed
2 Guest(s)
2 Guest(s)