All started here:https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/im-pretty-much-sold-on-getting-a-g-wagon/143539/page5/
Figured like the other cars make a thread. Too much reading GRM and texting with these guys. Can't leave anything alone. After 35 years of all Land Cruiser and Toyota Trucks, decided well as we age, we do get dumber don't we? Why not add a German Vehicle late in life to the fleet.
Ultimate douschemobile. Everybody has one. SIGH. Bought it anyways.
Interestingly the G is the only vehicle in Benz USA, where the non AMG is rarer than the AMG, since every dealer orders the G55/G63/G65.
SPECS:
- 2015 G550 (supposed to be most reliable one with the last V8 NA motor and the newest interior). I think 1971-2019 are all the same. Then the new body came out.
- 1 owner.
- 46K miles
Truck finally delivered it... buying it sight unseen, was exactly as described.
It did the school line for a few months. Interestingly, the Land Cruisers (which have no street cred in USA), that garner no comment in the pick up line full of Rivians and Bentaygas, 3 of the kids kept saying "cool G wagen" and some of the summer camp counselors also commented. Pretty funny to have a SUV get comments. Guess dousche mobile rep in society remains.
Took it out to my favorite back roads - stock - to get a baseline. She did ok. Came home and ordered the orange turn signals for the front
Was time to play with the 3 differentials.. what this thing is known for..
but in order to do that had to upsize the tires.
Added 34 inch tires. All 5. Really wanted to swap wheels, as they are super ugly, but didn't want to drop $2500 for some steel wheels.
Large tires installed, and time to go offroading again to test them out.
Well one problem after adding larger tires is, that the rear cover won't go over the tires. No problem, take the cover off.
But when you do, you realize, Benz puts the rear spare backwards. Looks terrible. Have to fix that.
Time to buy $700 overpriced contraptions to swap the spare tire to face the right way
Time to go offroading and have fun. My brother came in my 200 LC and wife brought my 100 LC.
Will the G live up the hype?
Well after 8 hours of offroading, color me impressed. Even with stock side steps, stock suspension, the G conquered everything. Didn't even break a sweat. Did everything the Land Cruisers did. It truly was in its element. Couple of Jeep guys was surprised I was offroading it, and I told them that is why I bought it.
I loved the size of the G, instead of the behemoths the land cruisers are. The motor is FANTASTIC. The growl on startup, the giddy up, is so good. Will do a full 4 wheel burn out.
I mean its no GR corolla, BUT for a 4wd, it really is fun to drive. I see why people drive them. Interior space is intimate, and kids as much as they love it, think the 200 LC is much better for road trips.
Wife, interestingly, unlike every other woman, don't care for it, won't drive it, which is fine by me.
Time to de bling
1) remove and replace side steps
problem with G is the exhaust pipes. On AMG same pipes just has the chrome tips. So they hang low
Took 3 hours to do each side, by myself. Came out great. Will need to chop exhaust pipes later
2) take the chrome bull bar off. Lots of people powdercoat it black. I prefer the look without
Per the manual you can lay it down in front of you, put your dead hunted animal on it, and bring it home
Done for now. Debating if I want to lift it - albeit no need
Just when I thought 4,000 miles driven, so reliable, maybe I can sel a land cruiser, window regulator goes out
The door lock (slam) and rifle bolt sound of lock is amazing - but window regulator and door lock actuator supposedly need to be done every 6 months
dealer wanted $749
$27 and 2 hours of my time got it all going again
Very nice. Maybe try some body plugs for the holes the bull bar left?
Stampie said:
Very nice. Maybe try some body plugs for the holes the bull bar left?
That was the initial plan. Hasn't been bothering me much surprisingly.
Let me see if I can find any.
About time!
Love that you're off-roading it. Gives it purpose.
I'm next, soonish.
yupididit said:
About time!
Love that you're off-roading it. Gives it purpose.
I'm next, soonish.
As you know I use all my vehicles as intended. Appreciate your encouragement and freindship as always.
Hope you are in it soon!
Found an AMG version on a sketch used car lot when we had some time and figured, what the heck, let's see what it's like. Yep, it didn't do anything for me. Holds a special place in our car history because it legit ran out of gas on the test drive. Coasted into a bank parking lot (closed on Sunday) and walked back to the dealership, handed them the key and told them no thanks.
Awesome that you are off-roading this. Love it.
Way cool! I'd have to agree that a non-AMG G Wagen would catch my attention quicker than an AMG model.
