Ok... Getting closer to purchase... Give me your thoughts..

[beachcruiser]

I saw two "tuned" wagens, for lack of a better term, listed on ebay as well as the Europa website. There is a smoked silver wagen 1999, completely reowrked by RennTech.. ASking 50k or something like that... Then there was a Brabus tuned 2000, which although badged 5.8 claimed to have an upgrade (b11, maybe?) via Brabus on the engine. The Renntech G apprently has close to 450 hp, and I am guessing that the Brabus w/ b11 specs would be somewhere in the 310-350 hp range. The Brabus is trying to go for 56k-58k... Any thoughts? I would look at a 2003-2004 G55, but I am wary of the electrical issues, and may look for a 2000 G500... Hmmm.. Decisions, Decisions

[Brent]

I have a couple of choice "thoughts" for the seller on ebay regarding the brabus 5.8[:0] That truck was sold not more than three months ago for $42k. The previous owner had it listed repeatedly on ebay and never could get the deal done. The new seller is pulling a fast one with that buy it now of $58k.....yeah right. It was orginally imported by a Russian ambassador ans then owned by Joe out in California. It is a 380hp Brabus 5.8 conversion. Awesome truck but thirsty with that engine.

I don't know anything about the silver one. If it was supercharged by RennTech it would be rather rare. He didn't use to supercharge anything. They were all displacement upgrades similar to Brabus. I would want to know more about the history. The added on door speaker worries me too. There are plenty of speaker locations in the G without having to cut into the leather door panels.

I personally like the Brabus for the color and the engine. I might give $40-45k for that one assuming it is still in good shape. The new owner has only driven it about 3000 miles. The Silver doesn't appeal to me as much and I would want to know more about it. It takes a "special" buyer to want a car like that. You almost never recoup the cost of the mods. Unless it is REALLY special and perfectly clean it isn't worth $50k to me. Even then, you can pick up a regular G500 and fit a Kleeman SC to it and likely save money. The low miles and big brakes might be worth a little something though.

With anything modded to the extent these trucks are I think you are gambling more with them than with a new G55K and its electronics. At least a new one has a warranty. The modified trucks are more likely to be compromised in some way as everything is not integrated like a factory job.

[Kerr]

I would check on the Renntech one. Its listed on his web page for sale. I feel that if they are posting it will be the real deal. Im not sure where he is getting $40K in parts. I looked it up the other day and it has more like $25K in renntech stuff. However im sure what they charge for labor. Also the renntech one has the orc winch bumper and winch. That right there is close to $4k. As for the brakes i feel its a must, my G does NOT stop very good even with new pads and rotors. On the down side with the big brakes you will always have to run 18 inch wheels.

Also if you do decide to get a 02+ you could probably do a 03 G55 then a blower. Have a warranty and help if and when it does have a problem. a 03 G55 has 350hp and 390 tq i think. www.myhps.com did a blower from a guy and they said its about 150hp and tq extra. That should put you around 500hp and 540 lbtq.

[mb230s]

Kerr - 12/19/2005 4:51 PM

I would check on the Renntech one. Its listed on his web page for sale. I feel that if they are posting it will be the real deal. Im not sure where he is getting $40K in parts. I looked it up the other day and it has more like $25K in renntech stuff. However im sure what they charge for labor. Also the renntech one has the orc winch bumper and winch. That right there is close to $4k. As for the brakes i feel its a must, my G does NOT stop very good even with new pads and rotors. On the down side with the big brakes you will always have to run 18 inch wheels.

Also if you do decide to get a 02+ you could probably do a 03 G55 then a blower. Have a warranty and help if and when it does have a problem. a 03 G55 has 350hp and 390 tq i think. www.myhps.com did a blower from a guy and they said its about 150hp and tq extra. That should put you around 500hp and 540 lbtq.

Kleeman, Brabus, and RennTech are all very good. I would do a lot of homework before trying out HPS. There are a lot of posts on Benzworld and MB W o r l d . o r g that are less than satisfactory.

[Saigon76nyc]

beachcruiser - 12/19/2005 3:47 PM

I saw two "tuned" wagens, for lack of a better term, listed on ebay as well as the Europa website. There is a smoked silver wagen 1999, completely reowrked by RennTech.. ASking 50k or something like that... Then there was a Brabus tuned 2000, which although badged 5.8 claimed to have an upgrade (b11, maybe?) via Brabus on the engine. The Renntech G apprently has close to 450 hp, and I am guessing that the Brabus w/ b11 specs would be somewhere in the 310-350 hp range. The Brabus is trying to go for 56k-58k... Any thoughts? I would look at a 2003-2004 G55, but I am wary of the electrical issues, and may look for a 2000 G500... Hmmm.. Decisions, Decisions

Hey beachcruiser,

I recently had a G-Brabus that was "sold" but it seems that it has found its way back to me since the "new owner" really doesn't know what he has or how to care for it.

I am going through some final paperwork, but it will be available soon, so keep your fingers crossed.

I have all the original paperwork sales receipt from Brabus that was sold for 175,000 dollars U.S. dollars to the first owner in 1993, a Burmese Prince, by the name of Crown Prince Shwebomin http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shwebomin

Well let me know what you think and good luck in your search.

Take Care,

Van

[AGR]

The 'so called' Brabus G 5.8 on ebay is actually NOT a 5.8 but did receive the Brabus B11 Kit. You can read more from the original owner and importer, 'Max'. http://www.benzworld.org/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=164124&posts=9. Although the Brabus and Renntech Gs are rare and sound exciting their would be some amount of liability attached to a tuner conversion vehicle especially without a warranty. If your budget allows I would purchase eiher a '03 or '04 G55 which actually offered a better warranty then the '05 models as it also included maintenance. And in some cases these cars will have a factory preowned 6 yr./100,000 mi. warranty.

[TH]

It will depend on your priorities. I drive G-Wagen for 17 years now and all have some strenghts. When you want the best high output engine, go for an AMG Kompressor.
The 2000 Brabus G500 is also a very good decision, because it is a regular tuned engine.
Some time ago, there was a discussion about a 500 SWB with a link, that car is for sale, when I remember right. It is modell 99, without the buttons on the steering wheel. This model is from the quality the very best G-Wagen ever made. When this is on top on your priority list, nothing out there can compare.


[:D][:D]

[beachcruiser]

Thanks for all of the responses to my email. The Brabus and the badging was the first thing that had jumped out at me, as well as the fact that I was pretty sure I had seen it floating around for sale in the not so distant past... I have more confidence in the Renntech G, however I have to admit the poterntial for not being able to find a competent mechanic able to work on a "specialty" vehicle out here does not seem too appealing to me (I live on the coast of NC)... As for the horsepower... Not a critical factor. I am migrating from a 94 Landcruiser, so walking/ running would be a vast improvement in acceleration for me. Right now I am 95% sold on buying a pre 2002 model for both cost and simplicity of the systems. I will be adding aftermarket navigation/ entertainment myself, so I can avoid the entire electronics debacle that seems to be pretty common. My main reason for the G is my perception of them as extremely durable vehicles.. and I plan on holding onto whatever model I get indefinitely (unless I find a new g55 that someone wants to give way!)

[Kerr]

moving from the current cruiser a stock 500 will feel very fast. Im not bashing on your yota, but a friend had one for many years and they are very slow. Id say go drive a regular G500 first. Then decided if you need the blower. As for renntech i have never bought anything from them and probably never will because of prices. However i have never heard of anyone having a problem with there parts. Also i think he use to work for mercedes.

[beachcruiser]

Thats the impression I have gotten... My Toyota has somewhere in the 212 hp range, yet weighs roughly the same as the G (I think)... Great reliability, and solid axles, locking diff, etc...