Mercedes Benz 230G

[upcruiser]

I don't recall much conversation here on Expo about these rigs. Anyone here had any experience with them? I looked at an '82 a few years ago but it had some body rust issues that didn't seem appealing. I've always liked these things. From what I've read up on them, high reliability, and durability. Front and lear lockers, and good interior space for the wheelbase.

Anyway, I was daydreaming on Ebay today and saw this one... <drool>


http://i24.ebayimg.com/01/i/08/d0/42/3b_12.JPG
http://i24.ebayimg.com/04/i/08/d0/42/60_12.JPG



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1982-Mercedes-Benz-230-G-G-wagon-Gwagen-Gelaendwagen_W0QQitemZ150068388430QQihZ005QQcatego ryZ31854QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This makes me want to rethink my upcoming car project in the spring.

[Scott Brady]

Oh man, that is awesome :luxhello:

I consider the G as one of the top 5 expedition platforms in the US, with a solid military history and above average reliability. Three locking diff's and solid, coil-sprung axles.

[Maddmatt]

So cool. So very very cool.

[upcruiser]

Oh man, that is awesome :luxhello:

I consider the G as one of the top 5 expedition platforms in the US, with a solid military history and above average reliability. Three locking diff's and solid, coil-sprung axles.

Scott, just out of curiousity, what do you rank as your top 5 US platforms?

[elcoyote]

They're awesome. Check out this guy who spends his G time on the back roads of Baja looking for the searching for the perfect break. He beats the heck out of it and it keeps on going. He likes it better than his Unimog...now that's saying something!

http://web.mac.com/rgrussell/iWeb/Geezer/Welcome.html

[blupaddler]

That was all great except for this...

"this is 100% US legal, certified and has a clear Maryland title transferable to 49 states except california. this vehicle does not have the california emissions sticker. it is legal in all other states."
:mad:


Darn! I need to move out of California. Anyone know of a good lifeguard job in Colorado? :p

[bigreen505]

Yeah, except here we call them ski patrol. ;)

Unfortunately you don't really need to know how to ski, but for a couple areas you have to be a bomb expert.

[flyingwil]

Check out this guy who spends his G time......
http://web.mac.com/rgrussell/iWeb/Geezer/Welcome.html

I was afriad to look:xxrotflma

[ShearPin]

Preferring the Land Rover 110 I was never a big G wagon fan until my brother and I had a chance to look over the G's purchased by our Canadian military at a recent car show. Split rims, hose out interior, diesel, snorkel, etc. - just about perfect. Despite the leather seats with memory foam - this looks like a good start.

Henry
www.4x4freedom.com

[Scott Brady]

Henry. Did you note the tire brand and size? They look like 8.25's

[ShearPin]

Scott

Not sure of the size - they were marked "Michellin X" with what looked like an XZL pattern.... I'll look through the photos I took to see if I can get the size - I know I took some photos of the rims.

Edit - I found them on the net, they are xzl 8.25 R16
Henry
www.4x4freedom.com

[CLynn85]

Having driven a USMC IFAV Version of the G-class, I was very impressed. I'd trade my Jeep for one in an instant. On road it was a very pleasant ride, the 5-cyl diesel was very smooth. Around our test track it had no problems taking on everything we run the hmmwv's and tracked vehicles through, except for the deep mud. It got bogged down in a muddy field pretty quick with it's narrow tires and just sunk down to the frame. The beadlocks were hella cool but must've weighed a metric ton each. The canvas top on our IFAV was pretty slick too, but on the highway drove me NUTS. There should be more vehicles like this available to the US public.

-Edit: Oh, and our USMC version had BFG Mud Terrains

[Robthebrit]

Don't the mil spec G-wagons have portal axles? The only one I have ever seen had what looked like mini mog axles. There was also one on Eurotrucks website that had portals.

Rob

[Scott Brady]

Most of the pictures I have seen appear to be a standard axle.

Those mil. spec. units are major drool factor...

[Robthebrit]

Here is a picture of the one on eurotrucks website

http://www.eurotruck-importers.com/images/290GD%20-%20MogAxles1.JPG

It looks like this truck is a one off and actually has mog axles. Regardless, its really nice truck and it would look much better on my driveway next to its big brother.:)

Rob

[CLynn85]

The mil spec ones do not have portals, but that blue one would be a beast of a weekend wheeler.

[bootzilla]

That red G-wagen is only about an hour away from me - I wish I had room for another car!!

[gjackson]

For the record, Tom Sheppard, guru of vehicle based expeditions, switched from Land Rover to G-wagon.

cheers

[Kermit]

There is a sliver one running around Tucson. I doubt it sees any offroad duty, hence the street tires rolling on 20s and perfect body. Maybe that guy bought one because Brad Pitt has one....shame shame shame :(

http://www.luxurywheels.co.uk/DMTechamerica/Alba%20Wheels/Large/G_WAGON_FORCE.jpg

[justfred]

It should be legal to commandeer these fine vehicles that are being kept as pavement princesses and pimpmobiles, and release them to folx like us who will give them the abuse that they require.

In fact, there was one at the LA Auto show. In between the luxury Merc sedans, with a bunch of folks in loafers and sportcoats trying it on for size.

Speaking of which, I kept wanting to ask SUV spokesdorks where the offroad/X/beater versions of their rides were. Say, a Touareg with rubber floor coverings and sport fabric seats, and a real rack. Even Toyota and Jeep are showing cushy carpeted crapmobiles.

They did have a couple of Adventuremobiles downstairs, at least.

[Kermit]

It should be legal to commandeer these fine vehicles that are being kept as pavement princesses and pimpmobiles, and release them to folx like us who will give them the abuse that they require.
.

Come to think of it, I saw another one painted bright green metal flake with gold gee gaws...*sigh*...very sad...(he was pimpin' it...)...

[Kermit]

http://www.g4rce.net/bilder/pic-290gd-ktw-big.jpg