Wow, that died quick. Ok, zimm, how do you use each vehicle and what do you see as the strengths and weaknesses between the 100 and G (specifically the 'older' Gclass). I always assumed Mercedes quality on par with the W124s we have had, but have read quite a few complaints in the quality department recently. Admittedly, I have not actively researched much yet.
As for the 100, I expect something that I can maintain but not think about. Something my wife can drive and I don't have to watch after quick like I do our rover. I'm not expecting any emotional attachment to this vehicle, but thats the point. An instrument and nothing more I guess. I will admit emotional attachment to all the german iron I have had, as well as to my rovers. I guess I am hoping that the G will supply some of the character without the quality worries. Somewhere between a bland instrument and the irrational love of a Rover.
Thanks for lending your experience to a noob.
when it comes to the coach and chassis, the G is a tank. no doubt.
the drivetrain? i cant say its better than a toyota. it isnt. not that that isnt good company, mind you, if you compare cars designed 10-20 years ago. BUT the the difference is parts prices. having owned lexus's i mistakenly figured that $$ couldnt be any worse. i was wrong. wrong enough that i would hesitate to own a late model merc anything out of warranty.
i currently have the interior ripped out of the merc for some repairs, (you have to remove the ENTIRE dash to get to the AC fan) .... its basically a volkswagon in construction. not that i expected a wholesale difference in how a car interior is built, mind you, but i did think there would be a greater use of machine threaded fasteners and quality plastic. basically, its the same cheap thin plastic with a soft stick on layer for tactile "feel" with spring clips galore, AND ive discovered that the wiring is crapolla. ill get racial, after dealing with a passat years ago.... germans dont do electronics as well as as japanese. or americans... after having a few german rigs, and reading plenty on the internet.. the germans have cutting edge ideas, but the execution is always a beta test. while the internet is place for bitching and almost ever mark has had **** go wrong, you simply dont hear about a lexus having an electrical/computer issue.
the serviceability on any new car is just retarded, so thats tough to compare, but i can say that my lexus is easi
er to work on, and its newer.
what else...
theres the classic SFA vs independent front end... to this, i think most people are dreamers. unless you are rock crawling allot, the ride quality of the independent front end is soooo much nicer. i do light to moderate trails with my stuff all the time, and i'm just not feeling the love for a solid axle, when you gotta give so much comfort and control to get it. in a truck that is a DD also... forget the SFA. if you drive them back to back daily over the same exact bumps and dips, you will start to notice the shuddering and traction loss. reliability of the lexus independent front end vs a G solid axle? read 4x4abc website for that. large tires on G front axle will cause bearing failure, and having done mine, they are a mother****er compared to a toyota knuckle. i have yet to have an issue with my lx470 front end, and i dont recall there being an issue people ***** about. its very reliable.
to top it off, the flex on a G sucks. one would think a an SFA rig would have MORE ability to keep tires planted in washouts and such, but not the G. and mine is a 95 g320, not a later sportier (stiffer) version.
the G isnt easy to alter. bigger tires piss the computer off, and the narrow body make tire choices more limited. the lexus has big wheel wells, you can take out the rear cross member and install high clearance bumpers and sliders and youre pert near at G angles. (which is what im doing now)
so where does the G shine? stock it has a good angles, and is narrow. its box shape makes it easy to place. (although the turn radius is crappola). the stock lockers more than make up for a lack of flex. if you like a 1970's pickup truck seating position, its all you. upright and on top of the windshield.
it may sound like im bagging on it, and im not. you just have to look at what it IS and not what you think it is. what it IS, is a heavy built mill-spec truck. the chassis has to withstand the love and care all grunts express when they are stuck in some ****hole of a country for 18 months driving someone elses rig. then, you take that sledgehammer of a tool and glue in some leather, wood trim and a 500hp motor... and voila! you have a SUPER COOL frigging rig!!! is it better than a similar rig that was FIRST designed to be comfortable, and THEN given offroad abilities, like a 100??? **** no! likewise... will a 100 ever be truely useful as a tool for invading armies? **** no!
i just think its funny how people think they are "moving up". maybe they are, if cool is the thing, but really, an 80 will do all a g does and is cheaper to modify and maintain. i dont think you sacrifice much with a 100 and its such a great truck. ive grown to respect it more and more over the years. the G, i went into as being a cool boxy reliable version of my departed d110nas... and i was partially right. it not
as cool, but close, and it is a much better design all around. parts a bit spendier than i had hoped.
for the wifie to drive and give you piece of mind.... i dont think you can go wrong with any reasonably used 100 varient. for a G... that depends on age and budget. its 110,000 dollar tuck, and knows it when it wants fixed. if one was for my wife, id error on newer is better. 05 and up maybe? that also depends upon the wifes attitude too. if shes the type to bring it up that you bought her a "vaunted" G, and she got stuck at a peoria merc dealer getting rammed with a 7000 dollar repair bill, stick to toyota.
not that its ever saved anything, but i never get involved in a wifes vehicular opinion!