Thread: Test Drove a G-Wagen

Originally Posted by Ace

For that money I'd buy a nice D4 and a Defender for weekend play and still have change left over.

Going for quantity over quality aye Ace?
Wagoo.

Originally Posted by wagoo

Going for quantity over quality aye Ace?
Wagoo.

Something like that, I am sure Merc's are good quality, just not for me thats all. I feel the D4 would be alot better value for money. I cant see the value $160000 for something that is essentially a blinged out defender with higher quality control during manufacturing.

I'm with Ace here. Just a quick look on google UK landrover (in UK pounds) RR from 69K, D4 from 36K, Defender from 20K and G-wagen from UK official website 81K? Holy smoke! Buy the highest spec Defender you can get plus locking diffs plus just about every other mod and accessory you can and you'll still have change for a spare Defender or two! QC can't be that much better, surely?

One of the blokes in our 4x4 club out here in Dubai has a G55 & a G500. The G500 was his daily drive and is now his off roader, it has done a lot of work off road in the desert and has somewhere between 350-400k on the clock it still looks like it is in show room condition, it has always been well maintained and look after but on the same token well used.

There is no way in the world a Defender would be in the same condition with over 350k on the clock, they really are built to last.

If you are planning on buying a vehicle and keeping it for 20 years, this is one of the vehicles to do it with.

Yes but I could buy 4 Defenders now and throw one away every 5 years!

It amazes me that the G-wagen is hand-built, but when you compare the build quality with a Defender, there is a world of difference.

You really cannot fault the Germans for the quality of their work and their attention to detail

Originally Posted by Celtoid

Forgot to ask.....$160K.....traction control? Did it have TC and all the other safety bits and bobs?

Yes. Of course that's unsurprising since Mercedes invented ABS. And the airbags can be switched off manually by a switch on the dashboard (not pulling a fuse). Also, whilst there is good engine braking in low range, there is some sort of automatic hill descent control even in high range that prevents the speed getting away downhill. If you touch the brake when idling down a hill it seems to take this as an indication you don't want to go any faster and holds that speed (or thereabouts, it does creep up a bit).

Originally Posted by Naks

It amazes me that the G-wagen is hand-built, but when you compare the build quality with a Defender, there is a world of difference.
You really cannot fault the Germans for the quality of their work and their attention to detail

I'm not sure how hand built the G-Wagen is. I don't think it's anywhere near as manualy assembled as the Defender. The body shell is a much more integrated unit (but not monocoque) on top of the chassis unlike the Defender which is a lot of bits rivetted and bolted together.

Well now, thats a big statement! My Defender is only ten years old with 400 000 km on it and is still in good nick and looking for the next 400 000.

However my Dads 86" brought new in 1955 I must admit is looking a bit forlawn, over 1 million kms, 1 engine/gearbox rebuild in 1980 (and about 7 exhaust valves bit) and almost no paint, but I get the feeling it will out last my Defender. Time will tell, as will a bit of salt air and water on those steel panels.

[/QOUTE] There is no way in the world a Defender would be in the same condition with over 350k on the clock, they really are built to last.

If you are planning on buying a vehicle and keeping it for 20 years, this is one of the vehicles to do it with.[/QUOTE]