Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see May lease deals!
Options
Mercedes-Benz G-class (Geländewagen)
This discussion has been closed.
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
There's a shop here called Northern 4x4 you'd like. Their employees drive all kinds of exotic trucks, including a very cool Pinzgauer. The owner flew his CJ to a competition/expedition somewhere south of the equator last spring, and won the thing. It is a truly fearsome CJ, with nary a frame weld in sight.
I drove a Pinzie in Atlanta last weekend when I picked up the Mog. Really a cool truck, next on my list. I was particularly impressed by its on road abilities. It could work as a regular driver, unless of course your in a hurry.
While I love my 00 Disco II, my ultimate goal is to own a 3-door G-wagen. They are the ULTIMATE off-roader and my dream for 40 years. I almost bought one once while driving through Santa Fe. I had a new MB 320 sedan and almost traded even for an 85 G280 with 75000 miles. But common sense overcame my lust! But I will have one someday! Until then, I'll enjoy my LR.
PS: I can tell that "bwh" loves the G - good for you! I'm right behind you.
Mercedes adds another SUV to lineup
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
I guess I'll just keep waiting, and hoping! And yes, they are over-engineered, overbuilt, and the only vehicle still hand-built all the way.
What next, the "New Wave?"
Boy do I feel foolish.
2002 Mercedes-Benz G500 First Drive.
kirstie_h
Roving Host
Edmunds.com
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Need help navigating? kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
Share your vehicle reviews
Did you find any accessories for the G500 available? I don't think there is a bra, mud guards... let us know if you were successful.
BTW - What color are you getting?
Thanks - Frank
My ML500 will be Desert Silver with Java leather, will have bi-xenons w/headlamp washers, parktronic, bose 6cd, M3 (Convenience pkg), M5 (Sunroof pkg), M7 (third seat)and the Nav CD collection.
Mark
You should also join the G and ML forums at:
http://www.mbnz.org
There's lots of good info on both Edmund's and MBNZ and you won't miss a beat!
Take care - Frank
Thanks in advance for your help.
Why don't you come on down in the Disco? We'll see what that baby's made of!
http://www.thelen.org/Rubicon98/rub98.html
Here's the one I like...
Articulation?? What's that???
Oh, THAT'S what it is.....
Here's a Disco...
One more...
Cheers!
I am looking forward to Rubicon. We are trying to get Harold Pietschman to guide us. I'm pretty darn brave with my7 truck but, I am sure Harold has a few tricks I've never seen.
Yeah it's pretty amazing what a "grocery getter" will do with $1600 worth of lockers. Defender drivers tend to bad-mouth the Disco but it's basically the same truck with 10" more wheelbase... and a lot more liveable for our Better Halves. (wink)
I have a '95 G320, inline six 210hp. I think a similar year LC has identical engine configuration and HP. Both can be had with full lockers, optional on the LC, and are full time 4wd. Both are live axle on coils. They ride on identical wheelbases, assuming a LWB five door G. The G however is 12" shorter overall greatly reducing the overhangs, mostly in the rear, by comparison. The G is also three inches narrower, a handy margin on many trails. So the LC is larger overall, yet the G wieghs 800lbs more, ~5300lbs vs ~4500lbs. While the Toyota is a stout machine, the wieght alone tells me which employs heavier, stronger components. The trailer tow ratings are also telling. I found ratings for the '91 LC, 3500Lb max towing vs. 7000lbs for the G. On the cruiser you need to immediately relocate the spare from under the truck. The pics of the FJ80 I saw showed bumpers similar to my G, the newer ones I saw have more of a molded plastic cap. This will certainly be destroyed right off. People I have spoken with, that have experience with both machines, find the Toyota to be the "looser fitting" of the two. The G is an incredibly stout machine.
The LC is a great machine no doubt, the G is definately the heavier duty of the two though. Does it NEED to be that tough? Probably not but, it is very comforting when wheeling with the family along. I know that G failures are unheard off. The drivetrain, suspension, axles and frame are military tough. The LC is not a bad alternative for a whole lot less money.
Don't hold your breath for the live axle to come back. Even the new Range Rover is all independant now. The marketeers just don't believe people actually go off-road with these vehicles anymore, especially when the prices get up to $70k plus. Wouldn't they have been surprised to see the 2 $140k G500s that showed up for our G club Moab event.
Now, my daily driver is coming to the end of the loan agreement, a disco series II. Never took it off road but never had any complaints like my former series I. Fast and reliable, comfortable, a lot of car for the money. But saw the G500 last year and dreamt of it. Finally I will pick it up on Friday (silver, black leather with chrome bull bar). I feel kind of funny to take the brand new G off road... Are you guys doing anything soon? would love to get away.
But it would be a tough choice: roughing it up on the white horse (d90) or cruising on the G (the new Homfindr).
The next event is planned for late July. We are going to run the Rubicon trail near Lake Tahoe. We are very fortunate to have Harold Pietschman as our guide. You can check out his site @ www.4x4abc.com
Rubicon is more serious than Moab. I don't think it is a good place for a stock anything. My truck is getting its first round of mods later this week. I will be installing longer springs, to be followed by 33 or 34 inch tires, rock sliders for the door sills and most likely a custom steel rear bumper. I figure I stand a pretty good chance of getting through with little or no damage.
I think we are pretty full right now, we are trying to keep the number of vehicles down. The place to follow G gatherings is www.clubgwagen.com for the latest follow the link to the yahoo groups email list. It is a great bunch, depending on where you live, there is normally someone to go wheelin with. Welcome aboard.
That conversation about Mog axles makes me ask a question, I am on the restoration of my 406, before I put it in my shop I was concerned about the diff locks working or not, someone on the Mogml said an easy test was to get a shop air hose and pump air into the locks and listen for leaks? supousedly the torque tube is pressurised, but the top return line is broken at the fitting, I took a sure way and plowed trough a mud hole and got it stuck, then I flicked the switch and turned the front wheels, checked OK, then another notch and locked all the differentials, all four wheel were turning, off and on several times, checked OK, after I got out of the mud hole I noticed a puddle of gear or hydraulic oil, washed the truck good and back to the shop for good.
The oil came from the front axle, driver side, around the weld before the CV joint housing, I tought I broke the axle, but then I noticed oil in she shop floor, was there before I took it out, on closer examination the gear oil comes from the top of the axle, there is a small bolt and oil comes from there, seems like when I turn the front diff and lock, oil pours from there, that is a brainer for me, have any idea?
By the way I dont think I will be ready for the Rubicon, but I will take the trip in my ML to Baja with Harold, I sure would like to do something serious with my Mog this year, maybe Moab later, I will push it real hard from now on, the amount of work is incredible.
The best way to combat the seal deterioration is to drain the air tank of water EVERY time you run the truck. Later models employed an air dryer to fix the problem permenantly.
My first chance to really run the mog will likely be at next years Moab event.
Where did you get the parts if you dont mind.
DT
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
What do you want to know about its performance? On road, Off road, Fuel economy??? You have to take into consideration that this is an old design, one initially built to military specs. In many ways the driving experience is inferior to the ML. If you want the toughest most capable off roader in the world, the G500 is it. If you want something to haul your golf clubs, get the ML500.
Seriously, the G is a big strong tool for plying the mountains and deserts of the world. It does handle daily chores quite well though. As an example, most trading from a Range Rover have commented on how much more solid the G is. The road manners are superior, the quality is superior, its capabilites are superior.
I am on my second Gwagen, I happen to just love them. Mine goes off road several weeks out of each year. Don't look to me to dissaude you! But I do think that just "buying the look" is a mistake. If you do buy one, use it, the experience is one of a kind.
Most new owners have not had problems. Some however have had some minor trouble with some of the electronic gear added this year. The truely smart money is on the '99-'00 G500s. You get the new V8 but retain the slightly more simplistic interior and leave behind some of the useless electronic gizmos. Prices on these have dropped into the low to mid 60s
Also, I understand the G500 feels very unstable in turns. Does it "feel" like it will tip over like a Range Rover, but wont or is it something that should be a concern?
As to the "tippy" remark, the G is actually extremely resitant to tipping. It takes a substantially steeper slope to tip a G than the much wider and lower Hummer. The "feel" may be one of tippiness, it is a very tall vehicle. I had the 500 in a parking ramp with 6'7" clearance, I missed the hieght marker by no more than an inch on the way in. The G uses a huge anti sway bar in front to keep it on an even keel during road manuvers. Once you get used to it, you can corner as well as any taller vehicle.
Your absolutely right though. Take a tall narrow truck like the G or Disco and its going to feel tippy. I understand that the ACE system on the newer Discos is really a boon on the road.