Looking for a Late Model CDI (Diesel) G-wagon - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum

libenz · 11-09-2009, 11:28 AM

Hi, I am in the market for a 2001+ G-wagon, preferably a G400 series which is Diesel. This is extremely difficult since I can not find any in the US. If anyone has any information to share regarding this vehicle it will be greatly appreciated. I would even consider a European delivery propgram if that is the only option.
Thank you.

jonizz911 · 11-09-2009, 11:49 AM

Here in holland there are a lot of those G's for sale. My father had for several year's but it was nothing but trouble. But when everything was working correctly it was one hell of a car. The sound and power of that engine was brutal.
Do NOT buy a G400cdi of the first production years, they had a lot of electrical malfunctions. Get one of the later production years

Good luck

39ronin · 11-09-2009, 01:04 PM

Assuming from your signature you want to import it to the US. It is not elegible for the US unless it is 25 years or older, and if you can get a legal importer to bring one in and legalize it for you you probably will spend $200,000K total. It would be more cost effective to buy a US G500 and import a CDI engine and do the swap. Better yet, run the G500 gasser and buy all the gas you need with the money you save from not swapping the engine.

lkchris · 11-09-2009, 01:23 PM

That is, no diesel Gs were ever officially imported to the USA.

This means--even with "european delivery"--you can't have one except through the "gray market" process and individual certification.

39ronin · 11-09-2009, 04:15 PM

Yep, thats it. You can have a legal importer bring one in, but the Gov. likes to test crash them and it wouldn't be cost effective for just one. Europa was the one who brought ove the G prior to Mercedes and to give you an idea it cost almost twice what it did in Europe when it landed in the US, this was with them doing quantity.

otiswesty · 11-10-2009, 03:43 PM

The 400 cdi are a really touchy motor. The injectors are very high pressure and cost 850 Euros a piece. The presence of any water or impurities can cause a lot of problems for the motor and a are the root cause of the G400's reputation for unreliability. The G270, G280 and G320 cdi motors are much more reliable and would be good candidates to bring in. They wouldn't need to be crash tested but the federalization process would cost $20K and up. The G320 would probably be the easiest to certify since it is in other Mercedes cars (E,GL,ML,R) that were sold here.