Buying Used G Wagon In West Chester
The G-Wagon is now widely regarded as a prestige symbol, but we believe there is considerably more intrigue in its practical roots. Usually, buying a used G Wagon (or G-Class) isn’t cheap. The SUV holds its value surprisingly well for a luxury off-roader, and even older vehicles can sometimes sell for six figures. Getting a G-Wagon on the cheap is usually only possible through the military. However, finding a good deal on a used Mercedes G-Wagon is still feasible.
If you have a large sum of money to spend on a capable luxury off-roader but don’t want to follow the herds into a new Land Rover Defender, consider a used example of perhaps its closest competitor.
The Mercedes G-Class (as it’s now known) has evolved more minor than the original Defender did over its 41-year life cycle. Still, regardless, the Extreme Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen (meaning terrain vehicle, to give it its full name) is an overwhelmingly capable off-roader that manages to marry refinement with ruggedness in a way that its British counterpart never really could.
Buyers should beware of the following before buying a used G Wagon
- Suspension
Lift kits and large tyres should be avoided because they signal a harsh life. On the other hand, they could be a boon if you intend to travel off the main path. Check the strut mounts, as they’re a recognized weak place that could produce a terrible shock during an MOT.
- Bodywork
Rust is common on W463s from the 1990s, especially around the rear lights, windows, and bumpers. If everything appears in order, go deeper to ensure that corrosion hasn’t just been filled and painted over. Mechanical and chassis components may have been damaged during off-road excursions. Later cars may have leaky and faulty sunroofs due to clogged drain holes, and corrosion here can cost thousands of dollars to repair.
- Engine
Don’t expect the G-Wagon to be speedy or economical. Instead, enjoy the dependability of its laid-back motors. However, prop shaft failure is a known issue indicated by a noticeable shudder under load. Gasket, hose, and, more critically, turbo leaks pose concerns, but they are not fatal. Examine the service records and ensure the oil was changed every 6000 miles. It’s also a good idea to flush the fuel tank and hoses because rust might accumulate inside them.
- Interior
Seat wear can be repaired by retrimming or coverings in higher-mileage vehicles. A sagging headliner is more serious; replacement necessitates the removal of the entire interior. Because the mechanisms can seize and roll all the windows up and down, and don’t be shocked if the cup holder brackets on later models have cracked.
Also worth knowing
The G-Wagon has long been a popular military vehicle. Sky Motorcars has a good selection, including a 2004 armoured LWB, a group of no-frills Wolf 250GDs in full-field camouflage, and a unique box conversion example that would make an excellent adventure wagon. Due to high mileage and scant equipment can be attractive buys.
Isn’t reliability and maintenance an issue?
True, luxury vehicles frequently necessitate costly upkeep. Despite the lack of official reports on the issue, the Mercedes G-Class appears to be a reasonably reliable SUV. Car Complaints has no records of infamous vintage G-Wagon problems. Furthermore, one Expedition Portal forum user stated that diesel G-Wagon repairs are no more expensive than repairs on comparable Mercedes diesel from the same era.
Maintenance is not significantly different from that of other off-road trucks or SUVs. Piston Heads suggests replacing the oil at least every 6000 miles and the differential fluid every 30,000 miles. Used G-Wagons use a timing chain rather than a belt, which lasts longer. That shouldn’t be a problem, according to BenzWorld forum users, until you pass 200,000 miles.
If a G-Wagon does have problems, it is most often due to age. Underbody rusts, plastics and wiring deteriorate, rubber gaskets crack, and so forth. Fortunately, owing to the Internet and owner forums, parts aren’t too challenging to find these days. Furthermore, if you own an early diesel G-Wagon, it shares numerous components with other Mercedes types of diesel.
However, other non-age-related concerns can be problematic. According to Piston Heads, in addition to gasket failures in older engines, G-Wagon drive shafts have been known to fail. Pre-2004 vehicles’ batteries can also deplete quickly, and some electrical components, such as spark plugs and the transfer case module, can malfunction. Furthermore, brake vacuum pumps can fail after 100,000 miles.
Is a used G Wagon as good as a new one?
G-Wagons depreciate more petite than other premium SUVs because Mercedes didn’t update their design much. Mercedes has only considerably refurbished it twice since its public premiere in 1979: once in 1990 and again in 2018. That is, except for a few minor aspects, a used G-Wagon will perform similarly to a new one.
All G-Wagons were equipped with four-wheel drive and three locking differentials. They’re all body-on-frame SUVs with trail-ready underbody protection. If you buy a model after 1990, you can have a leather interior, A/C, and even factory-heated seats. Like a new Toyota 4Runner, a used G-Wagon is just as capable off-road and on-road.
New G-Wagons outperform older models in terms of power. The new G-standard Wagon’s engine is a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 with 416 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. Mercedes’ 8-speed automatic transmission is also standard on new models, whereas older versions typically had 5- or even 4-speed transmissions. While the V8 engines on older G-Wagons were not quite as powerful, imported models provide a variety of diesel engines. These engines are arguably more robust than gasoline engines and have superior fuel economy.
Why does the G-Class depreciate less?
Because it is both an SUV and a luxury vehicle, the G-Class is a highly fascinating case. Due to the perception of outmoded technology, owners of luxury vehicles tend to replace them relatively fast. This results in a low resale value. The G-Class, on the other hand, appears to defy the trend.
Furthermore, unlike many other vehicles (luxury or otherwise), the G-Class hasn’t changed its appearance much. Yes, the G-Class was redesigned entirely in 2018. However, Mercedes-Benz knew that if it changed the exterior too much, it would lose a large portion of the G-attractiveness.
Furthermore, the 2018 makeover was only the G-second—and Wagon’s the first since 1990. A five- or even ten-year-old G-Class looks nearly identical to a new one. As a result, someone can buy a used G-Wagon without worrying about looking ‘out of date,’ which keeps used values reasonably high.
