Video blog: Last 4 real 4WDs - GWagen; Defender; Jeep; Landcruiser70

[spudboy]

Interesting video blog on the good and bad points of the last 4 real 4WDs.

He has a lot of negative points about a "showroom" Land Cruiser's suspension (but that is the car he owns - he has also owned Defenders & Discos)!

Cheers
David

ASPWhite 4x4 Blog Jan2013 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=O1ZKzECv-cs)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1ZKzECv-cs&feature=player_embedded

[AnD3rew]

Also not sure about his assertion that the G wagen is the only one that requires no mods, when MB brought a bunch out here to do the Canning Stock route they had to airlift new shockies out to all of them halfway.

Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen | Technical problems | Outback (http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor-news/updated-outback-cripples-mercedesbenzs-toughest-offroaders-20110805-1ie5s.html)

[Judo]

I had no idea the GWagen was so good off-road?

[Judo]

Also not sure about his assertion that the G wagen is the only one that requires no mods, when MB brought a bunch out here to do the Canning Stock route they had to airlift new shockies out to all of them halfway.

Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen | Technical problems | Outback (http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor-news/updated-outback-cripples-mercedesbenzs-toughest-offroaders-20110805-1ie5s.html)
I vaguely remember reading that now actually. I think I'll take a Defender off the showroom before a GWagen thanks!

[SBD4]

I guess the other consideration he omitted is bang for buck. How much capability do you get in standard form for the price? I would say Defender would be pretty close to winning that.

[MBZ460]

Also not sure about his assertion that the G wagen is the only one that requires no mods, when MB brought a bunch out here to do the Canning Stock route they had to airlift new shockies out to all of them halfway.

Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen | Technical problems | Outback (http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor-news/updated-outback-cripples-mercedesbenzs-toughest-offroaders-20110805-1ie5s.html)

Ah, but he said clearly that the was talking about the W461 (bare-bones "worker" model) not the W463 bling ones. On the Canning the G which had no problems was the W461 (same base model as the ADF ones)
Although you can put the failure of the W463's on the Canning mostly down to the tyre choice on 18" rims. The W461 had 16" rims.

Here is the same bloke talking about the W461:
Mercedes G-Wagen 290GD Impressions - YouTube
Wonderful and absurd - the Mercedes Benz 300G Pro - YouTube

[DiscoWeb]

I vaguely remember reading that now actually. I think I'll take a Defender off the showroom before a GWagen thanks!

Not to mention the $120 K price differential.

That is right, MB website price calculator say the standard G Wagon 320 bluetec on road in NSW is over $173k, $230k+ for the AMG !!!!!:eek:.

Brand new 110 Defender wagon on road in NSW is around $53 k.

I think that assist in the decision making process!.

George

[MBZ460]

The AMG (W463) should be compared to the top spec Range Rover (up to $230k), BMW X5, Porsche Cayenne, etc...

If MB bring in the W461 is is rumoured to be upwards of $80k. Still a lot.

[Judo]

Not to mention the $120 K price differential.

That is right, MB website price calculator say the standard G Wagon 320 bluetec on road in NSW is over $173k, $230k+ for the AMG !!!!!:eek:.

Brand new 110 Defender wagon on road in NSW is around $53 k.

I think that assist in the decision making process!.

George
I'll take 3 Defenders thanks.

[DiscoWeb]

I'll take 3 Defenders thanks.

Or a D4 and Defender with $change to mod both just a little!!!

George.

[BigJon]

I could be tempted by a new 76 Series Toyota, but not by a Defender. I just don't fit into Defenders. The Toyota would need mods to keep me happy, especially in the rear track department.
Having said that, if I was in a 76 Series I would always be envious of every Defender I saw.

I might just have to keep the old Rangie and update it as I go.

[wally]

I think that bloke's pretty fair in his assessment actually. Rarely are people so unbiased. I don't know much about the MB or the Jeep, but as for the other two I find little with which to disagree.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Ah, but he said clearly that the was talking about the W461 (bare-bones "worker" model) not the W463 bling ones. On the Canning the G which had no problems was the W461 (same base model as the ADF ones)
Although you can put the failure of the W463's on the Canning mostly down to the tyre choice on 18" rims. The W461 had 16" rims. .....I seem to remember that of the seven MBGs six required replacement shocks and one of those was the mil spec ute.

Seems to be confirmed here: http://www.caradvice.com.au/131418/mercedes-benz-g-class-broken-by-the-australian-outback/http://

[series3]

This link works for me:

Mercedes-Benz G-Class broken by the Australian Outback |*CarAdvice (http://www.caradvice.com.au/131418/mercedes-benz-g-class-broken-by-the-australian-outback/)

[newhue]

The sad truth is no what he says is best, or most capable he wet for the pig because it's reliable.
Uncomfortable, under braked, handles poorly....but reliable

If the other manufactures took not of that they may sell half of what Toyota sell.

[bob10]

How would a Defender with either the 5 cylinder 3.2 litre version of the Ford TDCi Puma engine, or the twin turbo 3 litre TDV6 engine & gearbox from the Discovery 4 sound? NENE Overland have done both. Admittedly, they have have created these vehicles for speed, and set up the suspension for same, and there was a fair bit of modifying re engine mounts, sump etc, but a defender with a 5 cylinder 3.2 litre engine, sounds good to me Bob

[Chops]

I can't comment on the Jeep or G Wagon, but I've had a brand new 75 series Toy, and now the new Puma.
Straight out of the box the Puma wins hands down on just about everything.
Although there's a few years difference between the two, the Toy had mechanical concerns straight up in both the diff and the motor, and as he suggested, rough to ride in, and lacked braking.
The Puma had an elecrical issue, but so far (touch wood) no mechanical issues.

In buying Land Rover, changing out suspension, as new, is the last thing I want to do, but time will tell on that I guess, but I would suspect over time to "have" to do it with any vehicle. In driving the Toy out of the dealers, when I arrived home suggested I would have to change it just for comfort "on road" (and a straight run from Albury to Brissy confirmed it,, ouch)

[Michael2]

Let's remember that when the G-Wagen was developed, as a military vehicle, no one wanted it. The Germans preferred the VW Iltis to the MB. Here it didn't perform to the Land Rovers standard (plus perhaps a reluctance to buy an Axis vehicle). Slowly it got a foot hold in military markets (like Greece) and eventually by MB persistence spread. Originally the G-Wagen ABS was reported on as being out right dangerous on gravel, something Land Rover managed to get right.

I think that's a good marketing plan by MB. Take ambulances for example, not many manufacturers wanted to design an ambulance for a small market. MB did with the Sprinter Ambulance, they sold handfuls to various services, but the word grew and it's become a default ambulance. When you can't make a decision about what ambulance to buy, decide on what everyone else has.