Thread: Mercedes G class ute VS 79 series Landcruiser.

Originally Posted by trout1105

I still have my D2a V8 and it is much Nicer to drive that the 79 series and it is my daily driver But it cannot possibly match what the Toyota is capable of and what I bought it for.

Of course the D2 won't match the 79. My D3 can't match my 75 Series 'tilly for intended use i.e. having a tray and load carrying, but other than that, the D3 is more economical, comfortable, powerful, better off road etc.

I have to agree that there isn't really anything other than a Tojo that I'd look at if I had to replace my 'tilly although, after so many rellies and friends buying new vehicles and the results over the years, I have never bought and will never buy a brand new vehicle.

Originally Posted by trout1105

I agree that research is an absolute Must before handing over your hard eared quids, The secret to GOOD research is being able to winnow out the BS from the facts Especially when it comes to cars/4WD's.
Also it is Never a Good idea to buy the first of a NEW line of vehicles because these are usually the ones that the Public pay for the R and D to fix the teething problems.
You may like the G wagon but you are putting a hell of a lot of faith in some half arsed and biased review and $140K is a bloody Lot of money to risk Also where is the dealer backup and service for these?
The 79 series for me was a No brainer for me as I have previously driven them, I had talked to people that have owned them for a number of years and the service and backup is Australia wide.
I did my "Due Diligence" before buying a 4WD ute that would tow and also carry heavy loads and the 79 series was head and shoulders above the rest of the crowd as far as I was concerned and the G wagon hasn't been able to sway that opinion.

I still have my D2a V8 and it is much Nicer to drive that the 79 series and it is my daily driver But it cannot possibly match what the Toyota is capable of and what I bought it for.

I was never going to buy a G Wagon. Like Toad in Wind in the Willows, I just like it because it is new, bright and shiny. A dirty old Perentie would keep me happy. But SWMBO needs creature comforts, and a noisy dusty rattley old Perentie , with a swag, doesn't cut it. Although it would fit my character fairly well.

Originally Posted by shack

I was actually talking to a group of of mechanics that work on them not far from home, when they were all having lunch while moving to the next stop, they all agreed that the g had its good points over the land rovers, they also all agreed that reliability was it's Achilles heel, commenting that they have never had so many vehicles having to be trailered back home for them to work on, as they weren't fixable out on the field.

That "news" article/review , and others similar have been floating around the internet for some time and they are clearly biased and poorly researched.
If you actually want to know what they're like, best to look elsewhere for info.

Cheers
James

Interestingly that same remark could apply to any vehicle marketed in the last 15 years. When you are talking to a bunch of mechanics that are used to fixing mechanical vehicles that rarely need component swaps or new sensors to keep them going compared to a modern vehicle which is probably more reliable but when it does break, the fix relies on electronic diagnostic equipment to properly troubleshoot and then the training to do that troubleshooting in the field is probably not given to the field service guy then the only alternative is to truck/trailer it home to base.

A similar comparison could be made with NRMA road service in the 1970s vs today. In the 1970s the NRMA mechanic would find your blocked fuel filter or your points that had worn closed and fix them on the side of the road. Today they are not much more than tow truck drivers.

I'm not sure that there is much difference between the merc and the Landcruiser in this respect, they are both electronic vehicles and if a sensor fails in the field in either vehicle unless its a known or common problem then its the tilt tray ride of shame for either.

Regards,
Tote

Originally Posted by Saitch

I reckon Providence comes into play with remote touring (whatever "Remote Touring" means these days) as when two mates of mine, one in a new 79 and the other in the last issue Defender, completed the Canning in June '18.

The 79 had several issues, albeit fixable on route by two capable, prepared blokes with a bit of ingenuity, and the Defender sailed through. If they did the trip again, who's to say the roles wouldn't be reversed.
I've come across "Locals" out that way in old Magnas and Falcons on tracks that some Off Road pundits would class as rough.

I look at remote as being as far away from other humans as I can get, but still be in a part of Aus. that could be regarded as nice, if that makes any sense. I can live with snakes, crocs, buffalo, mud, dust, sand. As long as there's a cold beer and a waterhole to swim in at the end of the day. And fish. There must be fish. Crayfish and abalone in TAS., King George whiting and sand crabs in SA., anywhere up the coast from Rocky [ Stanage Bay ,as long as they don't bitumen the road in to allow the crowd in, like they did 1770] Some humans have me reaching for my old 303, after a while . Luckily for me I gave it away years ago . I know what you mean about the locals and their vehicles . Travelling down the Tanami track years ago there were dead vehicles scattered along the track. Toyotas, Commodores and Fords, made up the numbers. Many had been scavenged for bits and pieces , sort of like bush spares .

One memorable time we left the escarpment north of Kings Canyon , drove down the track to the Canyon floor, where we saw a busted Ford, with a few empty beer cans alongside. As we drove along the floor, every now & then lay a small pile of tinnies, until we came up to a large pile of empty green cans, and empty cartons close by. They must have carried the cartons , drinking cans as they walked, until it all became too much, and they propped and drank the lot. Just about says it all, really. Didn't see any one, they must have reached home eventually.

According to some reports I read the G class goes into 2WD in reverse, which is bit of an issue if you’re, for example, trying to reverse back up a difficult slope.

Doesn't make sense, surely it would still be driving thru the transfer case/low box, maybe they mean the lockers come off in reverse? Would've been even better if they made it like that other great German off roader, the Unimog that had multiple reverse gears/speeds so then one can really reverse out of trouble!

Let's talk about the Ford Ranger. From unsealed 4x4

Ford Ranger 3.2L common problems and solutions - Unsealed 4X4 - Issue 067

Originally Posted by DeanoH

At the end of the day it's really simple ..................

3.0 litre Benz V6 with its neck wrung = 135 KW @3800 rpm and 400 Nm @ 1600 - 2000 rpm

4.5 litre Toyo V8 doing it easy = 151 KW @ 2400 rpm and 430 Nm @ 1200 rpm

Why is this "neck wrung"? This exact Merc engine in different tunes puts out 195kw and 620Nm. In this spec it is in a low tune because reliability. These engines have been in Sprinter vans for years, some achieving over 500K miles before major issues. Merc give it a 3 year 200K warranty which says it's a commercial vehicle designed to do high kms.

The reality is the G is just simply better at a lot of things. Payload is much better, that can not be denied. It's why forestry are using them, it's cause they have to. The LC just can't handle the weight with the water they need to carry.

There's also issues with them like brake lines cracking and dusting of engines both which Merc have accepted and redesigned parts. At least they got the axle widths the same size.