1989 Mercedes-Benz G-Class 300GD 3.0 diesel from Hungary

Summary:

The best car that I will ever own

Faults:

Nothing yet.

General Comments:

It's a real boy's toy. Massive iron body, it's still from the time when Mercedes lived up its promises, not like nowadays.

My car is 1989 Steyr Daimler Puch W460 300 GD, also known as Mercedes Benz G 300 GD.

It was an army reserve vehicle, that's why it has such low mileage. The previous owner has changed the engine chain distribution, both front and rear hub oil, and wheel bearings. Had changed the engine oil every 5000 km. For me it was a bargain. I will come back later with more...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st March, 2011

21st Mar 2011, 18:42

Hold on that reliable Honda... you will need it.

Have you owned a Mercedes before?

Don't you think it is odd the car needed a timing chain, wheel bearings etc etc already at 50K.

Your Honda sure didn't, and won't for a long time.

Good luck, and I don't want to rain on your parade, but save your $$$, as you will be spending big $$$ for constant repairs.

In reply to 21st Mar 2011, 18:42

28th Aug 2014, 20:36

I have owned a Mercedes Benz before. In fact, I have owned several. The total mileage combined would be at least 1 million miles at this point. Are they reliable? Yes, if you do the maintenance. The used car market allows for this brand to be sold for a lower price, but service costs are still high. Parts can be expensive. A lot of people buy a Mercedes and then forgo the maintenance. They scoff at the $300 A service cost and the $600 B service cost at the dealership. Both are oil changes with a bit more. These services can be DIY'ed for about $70. But if the owner takes his or her Mercedes to a jiffy lube type place and then finds they have issues, it is not the fault of the vehicle or the manufacturer.

I could find nowhere that the timing chain needed replacement as mentioned in your comment. Suspension parts on the G-Wagen that were replaced I imagine would be because the owner went offroading. Let's be honest, not something your Honda could do. It cannot go where the G-Wagen can go. They are two different types of vehicles. If you want a cheap road going "SUV" that can get you from point A to point B - maybe the Honda is right for you. If you want a quality product that was good enough for military use, can go on pavement and offroad, and still can be resold for a good price, then the G-wagen is right for you.

It looks good on the pavement and off. It will get you from point A to point B as well, just with more fun and better looks.

1991 Mercedes-Benz G-Class W463 300GD 3.0 diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Best out of all 4x4s

Faults:

The G-WAGON is the best car I have ever driven. None of new cars can be compared with it. Just the few things that I would like to say went wrong:

1. Seats wear very badly. The car has 60.000 miles on the clock, and the driver's seat is worn (has been driven to Lithuania for new leather interior job, all seats, armrests, and the door panels cost 550 euro with good natural leather, and best job you can imagine).

2. Brake cylinder had to be changed (50 euro).

3. Hand brake cable has been changed at the cost of (100 euro). I caused that fault, by trying to adjust the hand brake.

4. Steering wheel was loose. No need of any expensive steering rack reconditioning, or a new steering rack, just needed to be adjusted, 3 minutes job. Cost nothing.

5. Change all bushings (400 euro).

6. Had to change a window regulator, which was a overpriced (800 euro for new, from a Mercedes dealer, so I tried to fix it myself, only few washers did the great job, and saved me a fortune).

7. And also I changed glow plugs (30 euro), all the oil filters, things you normally do for the car, none of those things cost any more than for any other 4x4.

General Comments:

This car is real boy's toy. And at the moment, I have bought a second one. So if you not strong enough for addictions, and planning to buy one of them, likely you will get one more addiction

As I say, it is real boy's toy, it drives everywhere you would not take a risk to drive with most of 4x4s. My G Wagon last summer did the big trip around Europe, 13 countries were visited, and it went through rivers, fluted areas, forests, mud, and mountains, nothing stopped it, had no problems with the car at all.

So it's extremely reliable, average fuel consumption for the whole trip was 10L for 100km, which was shocking; I was expecting to use way more fuel. I think it's very good for the size of the car

The car is made for driving, it's comfortable, has all electric toys: windows, mirrors, sun roof central locking, like the most of new cars. A lot of space inside, panoramic windows... you do not expect that even from Mercedes

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th September, 2010