G-wagen v's Defender

Capri

Due to the high demand for the G-Class the Mercedes -Benz partner has comprehensively modernized and expanded its production facilities

.

I suppose the Defender / 110 /109 has been around a long time but the G-wagen seems to be able to increase sales just when L-R are announcing the end of the Defender as we know it :rolleyes:

Donkeygonads

G-wagons are AMG pimped out mafia-mobiles with LED's and illuminated door sills ...... Defenders dont need glitz and glamour, a good honest workhorse that is completlely classless.

Capri

Donkeygonads wrote: »

G-wagons are AMG pimped out mafia-mobiles with LED's and illuminated door sills ...... Defenders dont need glitz and glamour, a good honest workhorse that is completlely classless.

G wagen workhorse
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a5/Bulgarian_army_Mercedes_G-Class.jpg

http://www.armyrecognition.com/europe/France/Eurosatory/Eurosatory_2006/pictures/pictures_2006/MErcedes_G_Jeep_ArmyRecognition_Eurosatory_2006.JPG

http://www.rubicon-trail.com/G-Class/wheels/img/disp/LUVW.jpg


http://www.army.gov.au/Our-work/Equipment-and-clothing/Vehicles/G_Wagon




Pimped Defender

http://www.defendericon.com/images/forsale/52/fs1.jpg

http://tuning.carwallpapers.cc/wp/land-rover/defender/2011-startech-90-yachting-edition/Startech-Land-Rover-Defender-90-Yachting-Edition-2011.jpg


:rolleyes::rolleyes:

Donkeygonads

Ok,,,, so all the g-wagon pics you posted are specialised military versions !! The defender pics are aftermarket customised , tuned versions ... Not standard factory versions from LR . If you walked into your local mercedes dealer in Ireland , could you drive away in a brand new G-wagon ?!?.... NO !!! ....For special order only, They are 2 versions ... G63 AMG and G65 AMG ..... Price range ...probably well over €150k ..!! Lotto money !!! ....... Can you walk into a Land Rover dealer and drive a new defender off the showroom floor ...... Yes, price range from €30k - €60k !!! ....... PS: if you ever see a 2013 Irish reg G-wagon please do send me the pic !!!!

Capri

There IS a 'Professional' model available for tradespeople but bet MB IRL won't market it here, except for bulk buys from ESB or Eircom etc.

G-Class Professional :cool:

G-Class Professional - Available in G 280 CDI (long wheelbase station wagon) and G 300 CDI (long wheelbase station wagon, panel cab, chassis cab, pickup truck), it is a version of G-Class Military for civilian market. It included 3.0-litre Diesel engine rated 185 PS (136 kW; 182 hp), 5-speed automatic transmission, manual windows, snorkel engine intake, air conditioning, two lockable toolboxes, a flexible map-reading light, drainage plugs in the footwell area,

http://sa4x4.co.za/component/k2/item/123-off-road-test-mercedes-benz-g-class-300-cdi-professional

What’s more, on the subject of reliability there’s nothing simple or low-tech about the 300 CDI motor; it’s fitted with an ECU and an assortment of sensors and gadgets that most of us couldn’t identify let alone fi x. Plus, I refuse to believe that this motor could be more reliable than the Cruiser’s normally-aspirated 4.2-litre diesel donk.
And, in the unlikely event that the G-Class may need mechanical attention, you’re gonna have a tough time finding spares in the middle of Africa, a place where you can almost always find parts for say, a Hilux or a Defender.
To look at it another way, the Professional requires a service every 10 000 km, not a lot of mileage in terms of cross-border travel. What then? You’ll have to plan your trip around the location of a Mercedes-Benz dealer while making prior arrangements so that they have the necessary spares and the correct training to work on your vehicle.
So what is a reasonable price for such an incredibly well-made, well-designed 4x4? Fair enough, it can’t be priced the same as the Cruiser 76 or Defender 110, but likewise, it shouldn’t be more expensive than feature-packed vehicles like the Discovery 4 or Land Cruiser 200. So would it be a worthy buy at R600k?
I think so. At that price you’d be buying a better-made vehicle than the Cruiser 76 without paying the Mercedes-Benz premium. But it’s all academic when you consider that according to MBSA they’ve already sold every unit they’ve imported. That doesn’t surprise me – who wants to follow logic when you can revel in the melodious rhythms of pure, unadulterated envy?

Anyways, I have my old Grand Cherokee V8 commercial so won't be buying anything else - cheapest is best :cool:

hi5

Donkeygonads wrote: »

if you ever see a 2013 Irish reg G-wagon please do send me the pic !!!!

I wouldn't pay too much attention to what you see in Ireland, one of the least adventurous countries when it comes to cars.

Donkeygonads

Yup, i agree, the government screw us with VRT, vat, road tax, high fuel costs etc .... Which means most people can only afford a diesel focus , plus Ireland is a very small car market. .... Yup, i'd love to be driving around in a Ford F150 Raptor !!:D

bbsrs

hi5 wrote: »

I wouldn't pay too much attention to what you see in Ireland, one of the least adventurous countries when it comes to cars.

VRT and extremely high road tax kills the Irish market for anything above a 2.0 litre diesel.

101sean

There's a few older G-wagons here but not that many. If you thought Defenders held their value well you should see how much second hand G-wagons go for!

The Australian army has just replaced its entire fleet of locally built Perentie Land Rovers with G-wagons inc a lot of 6x6 versions.

MercMad

The original G-Wagon was a real workhorse far better off road than anything Land Rover ever made but nowdays they have designed out the ability to service it and repair it anywhere, unlike the others.

That said I dont know how the modern LR's or Toyota's are in that department.

The G-Wagon is purely a status symbol car nowdays, for the US market, and the price for the AMG versions IMO is probably north of €200k in Ireland.

Seweryn

It is the G-Wagen, short from Geländewagen or just G-Class.

NOT a "G-Wagon" (where did that come from ).

Just to make things clear, so my poor eyes don't have to read this .

Tzar Chasm

I've driven the G wagen, Defender110 & 78 series land cruiser.

the G wagen was by far the most comfortable of the 3, but it was also the highest spec, Roofs are apparently an optional extra for defenders, and the engine in the landcruiser has a Very agricultural note to it.

the one I felt most confident throwing around the forest was the Landcruiser,
I was a bit 'disconnected' in the merc
and the 110 just seemed underpowered with the 2.5 diesel

however, if you want it all in a neat package,

Nissan Patrol

Capri

There was an Aussie Patrol ST 4.2 for sale before, that'd be the biz

http://cdn.caradvice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/nissanpatrol2000.jpg

MercMad

Seweryn wrote: »

It is the G-Wagen, short from Geländewagen or just G-Class.

NOT a "G-Wagon" (where did that come from ).

Just to make things clear, so my poor eyes don't have to read this .

.....and of course you are correct. I knew that typing but was too lazy to correct it. My bad.

unkel

101sean wrote: »

The Australian army has just replaced its entire fleet of locally built Perentie Land Rovers with G-wagons

That's interesting. When I was in the army (20 years ago, not in this country) all our Land Rovers were being replaced with G-wagens

MercMad wrote: »

The original G-Wagon was a real workhorse far better off road than anything Land Rover ever made

Better in what way? I've been in both side by side and the Land Rovers were capable of more extreme terrain. That said their reliability was brutal.

Capri

Was there some problems with oil pumps on Nissan 6's, that's why they went to 4's in Europe :eek:

kuro2k

Capri wrote: »

There IS a 'Professional' model available for tradespeople but bet MB IRL won't market it here, except for bulk buys from ESB or Eircom etc.

G-Class Professional :cool:

Tom Sheppard, probably one of the most famous g-wagen "profeessional" users, I'm more of a toyota fan but...........

A few photos: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/34976-Tom-Sheppard-and-his-G-Wagen

101sean wrote: »

There's a few older G-wagons here but not that many. If you thought Defenders held their value well you should see how much second hand G-wagons go for!

Sheppards g-wagen linked above was on the market recently for 23k STG, crazy money..............not sure what it sold for

Capri

Probably :rolleyes: the best description of different models - http://australiangelandewagenownersassociation.yuku.com/topic/981

iverjohnston

As I understand it, the major difference between the two was the fact that the Mercedes had diff locks on both front and rear axles.

Chap near me has a 2 door G Wagen parked up at his house, enquired once about it, but he said he'll never sell. He was Mercedes's service man for their Coaches.

Do-more

Just get yourself a Bowler Tomcat with a big V8 and go bash the countryside in that!

MercMad

unkel wrote: »

That's interesting. When I was in the army (20 years ago, not in this country) all our Land Rovers were being replaced with G-wagens



Better in what way? I've been in both side by side and the Land Rovers were capable of more extreme terrain. That said their reliability was brutal.

....the G-Wagen had centre and rear diff locks which the LR does not. That basically means an LR can have a wheel spinning in the air and no drive, whilst with all diff's locked the entire drivetrain on the G is locked together.

911s

....the G-Wagen had centre and rear diff locks which the LR does not

and front diff lock!!

101sean

Land Rover used to have an attitude that the utility vehicles be kept simple so the user's didn't get into trouble or break them (except rear half shafts that snapped to save the rest of the transmission! ) . One of the original designers even thought coil springs were a bad idea and diff locks would only get you in to more trouble!

A bit different now with the majority of them relying heavily on electronics to keep them on the move.

A lot of it comes down to the driver in the end. Do a Google on Ken Beadell and see how the Australian outback was opened up by Len in Series One Land Rovers.

The G-Wagen is in the same mould with added diff locks although much of it was developed by Steyr Puch as are most of the best 4x4 systems and trucks (apart from Land Rover of course ;-))

Do-more

Found the perfect 4X4 for you Capri!





I did also find an offroad club near me that has access to two ex-military proving grounds, I must enquire further and see about going for a bash!

w124man

Donkeygonads wrote: »

G-wagons are AMG pimped out mafia-mobiles with LED's and illuminated door sills ...... Defenders dont need glitz and glamour, a good honest workhorse that is completlely classless.

This is one of the things that sorts out the men from the boys, the cool from the un cool. Yes the G Wagen gets pimped out by some of the most respected tuners on the planet with all the latest and most powerful goodies and the wealthiest and coolest people buy them at huge prices. The G Wagen is a symbol of cool. Engineered to the max.

Pimping out a Defender can be done in half an hour with a pop riveter, a Black & Decker and some aluminium checker plate.

Go up the Wicklow mountains and you will see more G Wagens than Defenders being used as daily workhorses.

The G Wagen is available now in RHD after many years thanks to the Australian Army who ordered hundreds of them to replace their Defenders (of which more than half are specially made for the Armies of the world). The Aussies choose the G over the Toyota which says something in itself. The basic G Wagen is far superior to the Defender and its price reflects this and in most countries they are available off the shelf but this is not so in RHD markets.

The G Wagen might be a special order but so are 90% of all MB cars sold here!

Donkeygonads wrote: »

They are 2 versions ... G63 AMG and G65 AMG ..... Price range ...probably well over €150k ..!! Lotto money !!! ....... Can you walk into a Land Rover dealer and drive a new defender off the showroom floor ...... Yes, price range from €30k - €60k !!!

The G Wagen is available in petrol and diesel versions with options on manual and automatic transmissions and if you really search around instead of posting nonsense you will find that the basic G Wagen is every bit as basic as a Defender if thats what you want. Yes you can most likely buy two Defenders for the price of one G Wagen but you'll most likely need two LR's to do the work of one G !!

As they say in Oz .... If you want to go out into the bush, take a Land Rover. If you want to come back take ANYTHING else .....

Now why would they say that?

MercMad

I was in Switzerland earlier this year and the Army has a base in Bern which had rows and rows of fresh looking G-Wagens too !

Donkeygonads

w124man wrote: »

This is one of the things that sorts out the men from the boys, the cool from the un cool. Yes the G Wagen gets pimped out by some of the most respected tuners on the planet with all the latest and most powerful goodies and the wealthiest and coolest people buy them at huge prices. The G Wagen is a symbol of cool. Engineered to the max.

Pimping out a Defender can be done in half an hour with a pop riveter, a Black & Decker and some aluminium checker plate.

Go up the Wicklow mountains and you will see more G Wagens than Defenders being used as daily workhorses.

The G Wagen is available now in RHD after many years thanks to the Australian Army who ordered hundreds of them to replace their Defenders (of which more than half are specially made for the Armies of the world). The Aussies choose the G over the Toyota which says something in itself. The basic G Wagen is far superior to the Defender and its price reflects this and in most countries they are available off the shelf but this is not so in RHD markets.

The G Wagen might be a special order but so are 90% of all MB cars sold here!




The G Wagen is available in petrol and diesel versions with options on manual and automatic transmissions and if you really search around instead of posting nonsense you will find that the basic G Wagen is every bit as basic as a Defender if thats what you want. Yes you can most likely buy two Defenders for the price of one G Wagen but you'll most likely need two LR's to do the work of one G !!

As they say in Oz .... If you want to go out into the bush, take a Land Rover. If you want to come back take ANYTHING else .....

Now why would they say that?

So.... You can buy petrol and diesel versions ... Manual, automatic and some even more basic than Defender ..Wonderful !!! .....ok, please send me then one pic of a 2013 Irish reg G - wagon then ?? .....or even a 2012 ..... Or a 2011 ...

Tzar Chasm

Capri wrote: »

Was there some problems with oil pumps on Nissan 6's, that's why they went to 4's in Europe :eek:

from what I remember the turbos had a habit of failing, may have had something to do with the oil pump or seals.

650gs

I have over the years had maybe 100 defenders I love them to bit and drive one every day BUT have to say they are the greatest heap of junk on the road people say they go for ever well that just because you can buy parts for any year.
As I said I love them but pure crap

w124man

Donkeygonads wrote: »

So.... You can buy petrol and diesel versions ... Manual, automatic and some even more basic than Defender ..Wonderful !!! .....ok, please send me then one pic of a 2013 Irish reg G - wagon then ?? .....or even a 2012 ..... Or a 2011 ...

Em..... no! I have a life and anyway what would it prove? Just because no one over her bought a G Wagen new does not mean they dont exist.

Capri

Do-More, real Capri 4x4

http://imagehosting.rodsnsods.co.uk/1304e2c5c38d96a7.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/austin7nut/5195100817/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1JFpNnlmeE :eek::eek:



W124 - theres an ex-Bundeswehr G wagen around Wicklow town - tho' Kings and the other chap (Power?) out on the Aughrim seem to have WW covered with LR's :rolleyes:

kuro2k

Capri

kuro2k wrote: »

http://www.jimrogers.com/


http://www.4x4abc.com/MBUSA/bio.html


http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&index=books&keywords=jim%20rogers%20adventure%20capitalist&link_code=qs&search-type=ss&tag=answertoyour4whe

http://jimrogers-investments.blogspot.ie/

Capri

Strange, trying to find any sales info for a 461 Worker/Professional/Greenline is impossible - seems MB want to focus on the V8 AMG (more profit ? ) and army sales,rather than the individual.

http://tractors.wikia.com/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_G-Class

mitosis

As we are talking classic, I'm not sure why the requests for 2013 reg G-Wagen pics. But the 463 G from c1990 was and is the standard against which all other off roaders should be measured. That is why they are so sought after even today. For reference I am pretty sure both Top Gear and Wheeler Dealers did dedicated pieces on it.

Donkeygonads

http://youtu.be/fkeh3U_bue0 G wagon v's Gravity !

mitosis

Do this with a Defender

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ebt5Zo70uQ0

Donkeygonads

mitosis wrote: »

Do this with a Defender

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ebt5Zo70uQ0

Indeed, its hard to complete with a stock G-wagon with matching rims and tires !!!:D

Capri

On a general sightings /day I'd say the LandCruiser wins, followed by Defender, with Patrols and G-wagens being rare as hens teeth. (Chap who started Aircoach, **** O'Sullivan used to have loads of G-wagens from basic to G500 , not sure if they're still using them to tow the fuel bowsers at the airport car park

iverjohnston

Go to the local mart on sale day, and its about neck and neck troopers and Land Cruisers. Good few 3.1 troopers, probably nearly 50% still, D Max slowly catching up. Leaf spring patrols all gone, Perhaps 5% Mitsubishi , rest made up of Nissan, ford pickups and a few Discos.
Never saw a G Wagen there.

Caddyvanman

Re: video, Have a look at the front of the G wagon and spot the winch cable !

That is no standard G, it has a suspension lift, bigger off road tyres, roll bar/cage and a driver that doesn't know how to use or drive his vehicle ! why are his diff-locks not engaged ?

Tzar Chasm

iverjohnston wrote: »

Go to the local mart on sale day, and its about neck and neck troopers and Land Cruisers. Good few 3.1 troopers, probably nearly 50% still, D Max slowly catching up. Leaf spring patrols all gone, Perhaps 5% Mitsubishi , rest made up of Nissan, ford pickups and a few Discos.
Never saw a G Wagen there.

the hilux and navara are popular i n my neck of the woods, but the surprise new contend or round here is the X5, I was rather surprised to see a few of the more traditional farmers driving them

RobAMerc

650gs wrote: »

I have over the years had maybe 100 defenders I love them to bit and drive one every day BUT have to say they are the greatest heap of junk on the road people say they go for ever well that just because you can buy parts for any year.
As I said I love them but pure crap

Haha - I just love this post. Shows just how nuts some of us folk are.
I admire you sir.

Capri

This must be 'Aircoach' O'Sullivan's collection that I mentioned before - didn't realise he had so many :eek:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/vintagecars-for-sale/mercedes-benz-g-wagon-13-x-g-wagons-pet/5809358

kasper

Capri wrote: »

This must be 'Aircoach' O'Sullivan's collection that I mentioned before - didn't realise he had so many :eek:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/vintagecars-for-sale/mercedes-benz-g-wagon-13-x-g-wagons-pet/5809358[/QUOTE]

they didn't hang around long add is gone already

unkel

kasper wrote: »

they didn't hang around long add is gone already

Somehow I doubt he sold 13 G-wagens in the space of a few hours today

w124man

Land Rover Defender to end production !!


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/10356980/Land-Rover-Defender-production-to-end.html

kev1.3s

http://m.autocar.co.uk/car-review/land-rover/defender/first-drives/land-rover-defender-dc100
Fear not although it doesn't really evoke the defender spirit to me, will truly be a sad day when the last real Landy rolls off the production line!

kasper

the last landy to be produced will probably on zv plates before its four years old

Capri

kasper wrote: »

Capri wrote: »

This must be 'Aircoach' O'Sullivan's collection that I mentioned before - didn't realise he had so many :eek:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/vintagecars-for-sale/mercedes-benz-g-wagon-13-x-g-wagons-pet/5809358[/QUOTE]

they didn't hang around long add is gone already

Still on dealers website http://www.brendanconlanautomobiles.net/viewanad.php?ad_id=945006&r=

but you never know - if the price and product are right there's buyers out there :rolleyes:

MercMad

Capri wrote: »

kasper wrote: »

Still on dealers website http://www.brendanconlanautomobiles.net/viewanad.php?ad_id=945006&r=

but you never know - if the price and product are right there's buyers out there :rolleyes:

............that Brendan Conlan site shows a few interesting (and suspiciously extremely cheap W111 Coupes) but the photos are upside down ??