The fate of this car turned out to be closely linked to military service, although it has nothing to do with the German army. Moreover, the Bundeswehr never showed interest in such a vehicle. The first order for the creation of an army SUV was received by Daimler-Benz in 1976 from the Iranian monarch Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Why was the order not placed by the Bundestag? There were several reasons: firstly, the German army at that time could not afford to finance such a large-scale project, and secondly, it was initially assumed that the car would be used to equip the armed forces of another country. However, further events took a completely different turn than the concern expected. By the time the project was fully ready for launch, the Islamic Revolution had occurred in Iran. The main customer, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, lost power and was forced to seek refuge in the United States.
By that time, a substantial batch of finished cars had accumulated in the company's warehouses. Daimler-Benz had to sell them off urgently. The first buyers of the G-class were the Argentine armed forces. After the military became convinced of the car's reliability, the military structures of Norway and Indonesia joined them. A couple of years later, this car appeared in the arsenals of more than twenty countries. At that time, no one could have imagined what a long and eventful history awaited this model.
From the very beginning, the G-class was developed by Daimler-Benz together with the Austrian company Steyr-Puch, so in many countries it is known not as a Mercedes-Benz but as a Puch. Under this name, it is in service in Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, and Liechtenstein.
It is worth noting that the military were not the only ones who appreciated the endurance and unpretentiousness of the Gelandewagen. In 1983, the car made a name for itself at the legendary Paris-Dakar rally. Under the control of Jacky Ickx and Claude Brasseur, the G-class covered 12,000 km and finished first.
Over time, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class ceased to be just a utilitarian SUV and turned into a symbol of status and prestige, backed by reliability and durability. Such cars are increasingly appearing in the garages of high-ranking officials. One of the cars built on the basis of the Gelandewagen is in the Pope's garage. This special armored version was nicknamed the "Popemobile."
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class has been present on the global market for more than thirty years. During this time, buyers were offered various body styles and wheelbases, diesel and gasoline engines of different displacements, and automatic and manual transmissions. It seemed that the model was time to retire, but no one is going to give up ground. In June 2012, the updated G-class Mercedes G63 AMG with a V8-Biturbo engine was presented to the public. The G65 AMG also debuted at the same time. Since 2013, connoisseurs of exclusive "cubes" have been offered a six-wheeled version of the Mercedes-Benz G 63 AMG 6x6, originally intended for wealthy Arab buyers. Later it became known that this exclusive would also be sold in Russia at a price of 24.5 million rubles. Officially, this model is not supplied to our country.
Where to start
Before buying a used Mercedes-Benz G-Class, you must definitely take it for a drive. It doesn't matter which model or year of manufacture it is. The main thing is to understand whether this car suits you in terms of its driving characteristics and comfort. The "cube" may not suit you in terms of convenience. Its military past takes its toll: the car is quite stiff and can disappoint at high speeds. Steering column adjustment appeared only on models from 1999. On earlier versions, the steering wheel is fixed. In addition, the location of the controls may seem unusual compared to modern cars.
Body
In our country, five-door versions are the most popular among Gelandewagen. In addition to them, there are three-door modifications and occasionally convertibles.
The five-door body is the most spacious; it can accommodate up to seven people. For this, additional seats must be installed in the trunk. Thanks to its longer wheelbase, it is also the most comfortable.
The three-door version is better suited for the city and off-road. Due to its shorter wheelbase, it has improved "geometric cross-country capability." However, there is a serious drawback - the rear seats are more cramped here, and it is not very convenient to get into them. Therefore, for a large family, this option is unlikely to be suitable.
The convertible is, as they say, for enthusiasts. Until 1996, the folding top was folded manually. Later, an electric roof drive appeared, as befits a premium-class car. The car was equipped with a powerful heater, thanks to which even in severe frosts, rear passengers felt quite comfortable.
With proper care, the Gelandewagen body withstands the effects of salt reagents quite well. But if the paintwork is damaged and the damage is not repaired in time, corrosion will not be long in coming. In about two years, rust will appear around such places.
In the exhaust system, at a mileage of 70,000-80,000 km, the muffler bracket may crack due to corrosion. This will be known by characteristic knocks against the body. Do not delay replacement, especially since the cost of the issue is about 20-30$. If you postpone the repair, you can spend 400-500$ more - on buying a new muffler. And if rust destroys the entire exhaust system, you will have to pay about 1500$. The optimal solution would be to purchase a part made of stainless steel.
Another common problem is door hinges. Over time, they become loose. You can try to adjust them, but if that doesn't help, replacement is the only option. One hinge together with installation will cost about 100$.
Interior
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class may seem quite brutal. But what else can you expect from a car created as an army SUV. Nevertheless, even in the basic configuration, the "cube" does not look cheap: fabric upholstery of seats and doors of good quality, air conditioning, front airbags, ABS, and power accessories. In expensive versions, the trim already corresponds to the premium class. High-quality leather is used here, which covers all interior elements: steering wheel, gear lever, seats, and door cards, as well as natural wood inserts.
Rear visibility by modern standards leaves much to be desired, especially when a spare wheel is mounted on the tailgate.
When inspecting a used car, it is worth paying attention to the condition of the front driver's seat upholstery. This applies to both fabric and leather interiors. After 8-12 years of operation with improper care, it can wear through, and the seat cushion can sag. Otherwise, the interior does not cause complaints and looks quite decent. A heavily worn rear seat and trunk trim may indicate harsh vehicle use. In this case, it makes sense to inspect the entire car more carefully.
Suspension:
Since the suspension with two solid axles was created for an army SUV, it has a built-in safety margin for heavy operating conditions. Even on our roads, the chassis does not require frequent intervention. Nevertheless, every 80-90 thousand km you will have to spend about 1400-1500$ on bushings, silent blocks, and other elements. This is if you want to keep the running gear in perfect condition. After the same 80-90 thousand km, the car will begin to sag at the rear and will wander on asphalt waves. This is an alarming signal - it's time to change the rear springs. A set costs up to 500$ excluding installation. Do not delay this, as the shock absorbers will fail. And that's another 250$ for non-original or 450-550 dollars for branded ones.
Upon reaching the specified mileage, you will most likely also have to replace two sets of front brake pads. The rear ones last longer - on average, they last twice as long as the front ones. You must monitor them, otherwise you can wait for the replacement of the brake discs. And each of them will cost 300$.
In cars where drum brakes are installed on the rear axle, at a mileage of 110-120 thousand km, it is worth replacing the pads. Their cost together with work is about 200$.
By a mileage of 130,000-150,000 km, the steering damper may start to leak. As soon as you feel increasing vibrations on the steering wheel, pay attention to this. Repair will cost about 120$.
If knocking appears in the front suspension, check the wear of the silent blocks and the tie rods of the axle mount to the subframe. One silent block with replacement will cost about 150$.
Shock absorbers last for 100-120 thousand km. If the car was often used off-road, feel free to divide the mileage by two.
One important reminder. When choosing a used Gelandewagen, pay attention to the condition of the steering knuckles. If the previous owner skipped scheduled maintenance, they may be in poor condition. During maintenance, the presence of lubricant is checked in the steering knuckles; if this is not done, dirt can get into the mechanism through the seals, it rusts and becomes unusable. In this case, the treatment is one - replacing the axle. And its cost can be comparable to the price of a small car. In this case, it is better to refuse such a car. And finally: if during the inspection of the suspension you find a slight play in the tie rods, this does not mean that they must be replaced. The fact is that a slight runout is built into the design of the unit.
Engine
"G230" (1993-1995)
Gasoline engine with a displacement of 2.3 liters (126 hp). In these engines, you should pay attention to the injection system. Several variants were used. The "PMS" proved to be the most capricious. Its control controller is not resistant to the effects of salts and water. In case of replacement, the cost can reach $2,000. To determine which system is installed on the engine, you need to pay attention to the pipe connecting the air intake to the air filter. If there are no wires on it, it is "PMS." In all other injection systems, problems with the "G230" engine are rare. And the blocks themselves are much cheaper.
"G320" (1994-1997)
Gasoline 6-cylinder engine 3.2 liters (211 hp). With such an engine, fuel consumption averages about 17 l/100 km.
It should be taken into account that such engines have an inherent drawback - oil leakage through the gaskets. If a leak is detected, prepare 160$. From gasket replacement - 100,000 km. If, of course, the cause of the oil leak was not engine overheating. Then everything is much more serious. Very often this can lead to deformation of the cylinder head. For grinding the cylinder head and lapping the valves, you will have to pay up to 500-600$. If you overheat the engine again, only installing a new head for about 3,500$ will help.
Pay attention to the water pump. A new one together with installation costs 220$, and it can fail only because the coolant was not changed in time.
"G320" (since 1997)
This engine is V-shaped (215 hp). The average fuel consumption of the second-generation "G320" is quite reasonable - 13-14 l/100 km.
The first thing to pay attention to is the valve seating. Especially after 100-120 thousand km of mileage! You can assess the level of valve seating by the appearance of a noticeable dip at medium speeds. Moving at a constant speed, sharply press the accelerator; if at this moment the car "stalls," then the problem may exist. Eliminating it is at least 750$.
If the engine was properly cared for and routine maintenance was carried out on time, there should be no problems with it.
"G500" (limited batch in 1993 and serial since 1999)
This unit is a V8 with a displacement of 5 liters and a power of 296 hp (265 hp in the limited series). The engine life of such an engine is 400-500 thousand km. You won't be able to save money with such an engine, since the average fuel consumption is 25 l/100 km.
The problems of this engine include leakage of the power steering pump fluid (250 $) and breakdowns of the engine oil level sensor. Cases of burnout of the cylinder head gaskets are also not uncommon (eliminating the problem - 450-500$). Nevertheless, V8 engines are considered among the most reliable and durable among all engines installed on the "cube."
"G300D" (1993-1996)
One of the most economical Gelandewagen engines. The naturally aspirated six-cylinder diesel engine 3.0 l (113 hp) has a good reserve of traction at low speeds. A good option specifically for off-road. A car with such an engine shows an average fuel consumption of about 7.5 l/100 km.
This is perhaps also the most reliable engine in the family. No typical drawbacks have been identified. The best choice for those who do not share the opinion "if you have money for a car, we don't count fuel costs."
"G35OTD" (1993-1996)
It differs from the previous engine by an increased displacement and the presence of turbocharging. Power increased to 136 hp. For improved performance, you will have to pay with increased fuel consumption - 14 l/100 km.
The weak point of the engine is the turbine. However, the main problems arise not due to design flaws, but due to the fault of careless owners. To extend the service life, it is necessary to change the oil in time and not turn off the engine immediately after stopping, letting it run at idle. This is necessary to cool the turbine before stopping the engine. Turbine repair is expensive, so before buying a car with such an engine, be sure to inspect it.
In addition, the engine is afraid of overheating. It is advisable to check the condition of the engine at a specialized station. Repairing the cylinder head can cost up to 2000$.
"G3OOTD" (produced since 1996)
Replacement for the previous two versions - G300D and G350TD. Develops 177 hp. The technical problems of this engine are mainly similar to those of the "G350TD" engine.
Transmission
When choosing a used Mercedes-Benz G-Class, special attention should be paid to the transmission. But this is not due to its reliability, but to the fact that maintenance and repair are quite expensive, so many sellers do not want to spend big money on servicing a car that will end up in other hands tomorrow. The Gelandewagen transmission itself is reliable. Problems can arise only with the automatic transmission.
This does not apply to five-speed "automatics" before 1996; they practically do not break. The next gearbox - the sixth-series "automatic" could no longer boast reliability. Already at 60,000-70,000 km of mileage, jerks may occur when shifting gears. The gearbox will have to be repaired. And this is not a cheap pleasure. Depending on the number of necessary parts, the cost of repair can vary from 1500$ to 3000$.
It is quite difficult to determine the poor condition of the gearbox "by eye." It is better to diagnose the gearbox at a specialized station. But if it smells of burning, and the oil is cloudy, repair is not far off. This is a reason to bargain for a discount on the cost of repair.
Transfer cases practically do not cause complaints. But the front axle requires increased attention. It must be inspected for mechanical damage, especially if the car was used off-road. The same should be done with the crosspieces.
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Conclusions
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class, with proper care, will be a reliable and faithful assistant both in the city and off-road. When buying a used example, it is best to turn to a specialist who will assess both the general condition of the car and individual components and assemblies. These costs will be compensated many times over, since the car is quite expensive to repair, and timely detected problems will allow you to get a significant discount when buying.
It is worth noting that for people who are not used to bearing significant fuel costs, it is not worth considering gasoline versions at all. Even the most economical gasoline engine consumes at least 15-17 liters of gasoline in the city. And this is provided that you drive unhurriedly. Diesel versions are more moderate in their appetite.
The body is quite resistant to rust. Problems can arise only in places where the factory coating is damaged. It is there that corrosion centers appear. If it has started, it progresses quite quickly. Do not delay in eliminating such problems.
Inside the car is quite comfortable. But on the move, the car may not please everyone. The suspension is somewhat stiff, and the steering is ambiguous. In any case, it is not recommended to take corners at extreme speeds. On a straight line, it is also not a model of handling. At high speeds, wandering appears, requiring slight steering correction.
But the most important thing to note is that such a car is not bought with the last money.
