300GD in Portland Oregon... Member's rig???

[mk216v]

I'm not sure what model. I need some guidance in that area. It seems like the 280GE can be had for the least money, but they are unloved and considered a bit of a dog. A 300GD seems like what most here long for, but it seems like they are a bit rare. I'm looking for advice!

Ok, let me try to help (keep in mind I just bought my first W460, but have been looking at them for years---please chime in others who are more experienced with these).

From my research, it seems the 280GE's are the most plentiful, followed by the 230GE's, followed by the 300GD's. I would say that the 280GE I-6 M110 feels more powerful(maybe not a torquey off the line) than my 300GD I-5 OM617. I haven't driven a 230GE I-4 M102 but have been told they're geared lower (5.333 vs 4.888) so power feels similar to a 280GE;
http://www.pointedthree.com/disc/for...=16703#M174073

I love my rig, don't get me wrong, but I'm used to more powerful(and lighter) vehicles with quite a bit of torque (300ft/lbs +) so my lil 88hp&126ft/lb 5000lb vehicle does fairly well w/ a 4spd manual on flat ground or downhills, but uphills it really struggles, usually requiring at least 1 downshift and turning on the hazards.
I'll be swapping in a more powerful MBZ turbo diesel.

I think in general my advice would be to be open to whatever you find that's clean, as rust free as possible, well maintained, etc. Was a red 300GD exactly what I was looking for? Did I really want to spend what I spent for it? No(I would have liked an even rarer color, already a turbo diesel swap), but it was 10min from me, Oregon native for all but the 1yr it was first in Germany, pretty much all rust free (small rust spot in the typical windshield location), always been maintained really well, has the uber utilitarian interior I wanted, rare winch, etc...so I plunged and went for it. I was looking at some 280/230GE's but they were on the other side of the country, had typical rocker panel/windshield/taillight/door/etc rust (would have cost $3000+ easy to fix properly), etc. Be patient, persistent, look EVERY day on craiglook.com, ebay.com, EP, pointedthree.com, clubgwagen.com, etc...you will find your "one."

HTH,
Jeremy

[4Rescue]

Yes, the Olive drab one is indeed a SWB, and I belive it does have a basket rack up top. I almost thought it had an elevated tail-pipe (like to match a snorkle for deep water fording)???

This is awesome to hear from local folks with these great trucks. To say I'm in love with the G-Wagen would be an understatement... Next to the venerable HZJ-70 series they're probably one of my favorite rigs ever (and of course 1st Gen 4Runners )I LOVE THESE TRUCKS!!!!!

The one off 99W is right by my house and the baxter auto off 99W @ a Euro-Car shop I belive??? I was just drooling over it and boring my GF to death talking about it yesterday oddly enough . I grew up in the area (SW Portland over by Alpenrose Dairy) SO I know all the little back-roads and what not.

Great looking trucks guys, I'd love to go out and see some of these amazing machines on the trail some day. THere seems to be a real strong Oregon contingent here on the Portal eh.

CHeers

DAve

MK216V (love the name too BTW, I was a water-cooled VW builder in a previous life before I moved on to Toyota 4x4's) if I see you around town, you'll know it. I'll be hanging out the window of an old 4Runner waving and giving you a big thumbs up for sure. I'm also a Red-Head so I stick out a bit eh Great looking truck mate.

[4Rescue]

Just saw the White, or A white G rolling up 99W towards Portland a few minutes ago... THere was a woman driving it and I think she was a little confussed by the guy in the 4Runner hanging out his window Giving her the thumbs up with my tounge hanging out HAHAHAHAHA IF that was anyone's wife, please apologize and let her know I was not intending to look like letcherous old hoon

Man I would give up on a 70-Series Cruiser and my 4Runner if I could afford to buy and build the G-Wagen I want... Hell even the better half thinks that the non-blingy, off-road oriented ones look "SWEET AS" to use her words... That's all I need to hear (well that and say 20G's to throw at a truck )

Cheers

Dave

[mk216v]

Yes, the Olive drab one is indeed a SWB, and I belive it does have a basket rack up top. I almost thought it had an elevated tail-pipe (like to match a snorkle for deep water fording)???

This is awesome to hear from local folks with these great trucks. To say I'm in love with the G-Wagen would be an understatement... Next to the venerable HZJ-70 series they're probably one of my favorite rigs ever (and of course 1st Gen 4Runners )I LOVE THESE TRUCKS!!!!!

The one off 99W is right by my house and the baxter auto off 99W @ a Euro-Car shop I belive??? I was just drooling over it and boring my GF to death talking about it yesterday oddly enough . I grew up in the area (SW Portland over by Alpenrose Dairy) SO I know all the little back-roads and what not.

Great looking trucks guys, I'd love to go out and see some of these amazing machines on the trail some day. THere seems to be a real strong Oregon contingent here on the Portal eh.

CHeers

DAve

MK216V (love the name too BTW, I was a water-cooled VW builder in a previous life before I moved on to Toyota 4x4's) if I see you around town, you'll know it. I'll be hanging out the window of an old 4Runner waving and giving you a big thumbs up for sure. I'm also a Red-Head so I stick out a bit eh Great looking truck mate.

Dave, cruise out to NWMF(Mogfest) next year--I think you'll be in heaven. Also, G-Treffen in Philomath too! And look out for Eric's(LockedUp) urban safari trail run later this year after the rain. Should be quite a few G's involved with it too.

Yes, Craig's is the one off 99W near Baxter's.

PS--We'd love to have you in SAR w/ your credentials. There's even an unofficial 4x4 team.

PPS--I read in one of your other posts about your early watercooled history--I see I'm in good company. Thanks for the kind words on the G!
I thought you'd enjoy these;

Bunkmates;


The other classic (1976 w/ 58k);

[4Rescue]

PHILOMATH!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have a cabin on the Alsea river (Little Switzerland area) so I'm REAL familliar with Philomath... THat is awesome, I'll have to peak around next week when we head down there.

Love that MKI Rabbit mate, I've had a few of theose but I never built the MKI's up like my MKII Jetta Oh how fun it was to embarass Porshe's in a "Little old Jetta" HAHAHAHAHA. Good looking bunk you go thtere.

I would LOVE to get in on some SAR groups now that I"m FINALY able to do heavy work again... PM me and let me know cause I'm fairly free currently and would love to give some of my time to Help out. That's what I live for eh

I've been really interested in the NWMogFest but it just never line's up with my schedgule. I WILL be going to the next one eh. I drove MOG Fire engines a few years ago so I have ALOT of love for Merc 4wd's like MOg's and G-Wagens...

Cheers

DAve

[mk216v]

PHILOMATH!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have a cabin on the Alsea river (Little Switzerland area) so I'm REAL familliar with Philomath... THat is awesome, I'll have to peak around next week when we head down there.

Love that MKI Rabbit mate, I've had a few of theose but I never built the MKI's up like my MKII Jetta Oh how fun it was to embarass Porshe's in a "Little old Jetta" HAHAHAHAHA. Good looking bunk you go thtere.

I would LOVE to get in on some SAR groups now that I"m FINALY able to do heavy work again... PM me and let me know cause I'm fairly free currently and would love to give some of my time to Help out. That's what I live for eh

I've been really interested in the NWMogFest but it just never line's up with my schedgule. I WILL be going to the next one eh. I drove MOG Fire engines a few years ago so I have ALOT of love for Merc 4wd's like MOg's and G-Wagens...

Cheers

DAve

Hehe, awesome Dave! My uncle has a place on the Alsea too. What a great drive that is from Philomath to Waldport.

Two links from this year's event at Dai's winery(gorgeous);
http://www.clubgwagen.com/forum/view...hp?f=17&t=1703

http://www.clubgwagen.com/treffen/

Thanks on the Mk1. It's what got me started ('83 GTi--first car) in the German's.

Ok, PM sent regarding SAR. We'd LOVE to have you. Some serious wheelers and backcountry adventurers in the group (lots of Jeep's and a nutty 4dr Samurai w/ CAD-designed rear susp setup and all).

Come out next year to NWMF. You will be in heaven!

[somesnowday]

Just saw the White, or A white G rolling up 99W towards Portland a few minutes ago... THere was a woman driving it and I think she was a little confussed by the guy in the 4Runner hanging out his window Giving her the thumbs up with my tounge hanging out HAHAHAHAHA IF that was anyone's wife, please apologize and let her know I was not intending to look like letcherous old hoon

Man I would give up on a 70-Series Cruiser and my 4Runner if I could afford to buy and build the G-Wagen I want... Hell even the better half thinks that the non-blingy, off-road oriented ones look "SWEET AS" to use her words... That's all I need to hear (well that and say 20G's to throw at a truck )

Cheers

Dave

No way. That was my wife and I on our way home. I was re-teaching my wife to drive the manual because we just sold our other vehicle and now have only the G a the motorcycle. Man small world eh.

-
Craig

[4Rescue]

No way. That was my wife and I on our way home. I was re-teaching my wife to drive the manual because we just sold our other vehicle and now have only the G a the motorcycle. Man small world eh.

-
Craig

HAHAHHA Awesome, yeah it sure is a small world eh. Love your truck mate, I have a friend who lives back in behind the shop there towards Taylors Ferry so I go right by the back yard there several times a week. Like I said EVERY time we go by I yak the better half's ear off about how sweet your truck is. Best part is She thinks it's awesome too. She hates seeing them all "bling'd" up... I got a good one eh

Well, I'm sure we'll see eachother around again soon enough mate. I'm in the Charcoal Greay 1st Gen 4Runner With a basket-rack and a shovel on top. Like I said you'll know it's me I'm trying to start a trend like motor-cyclists where I give a wave whenever I see a neat 4wd/expo rig and it's catching on!!!!!

Take it easy Craig hope to someday meet you guy's and see your awesome trucks up close.

Cheers and No Worries

Dave

[rbgerrish]

My friend knows where a SWB OD G is parked in the Gabriel Park area. I'll email him and go take pictures of it.

[mk216v]

My friend knows where a SWB OD G is parked in the Gabriel Park area. I'll email him and go take pictures of it.

Please do. Is it for sale?