[supersport6]

Hi everyone, I currently own a very nice 1990 420sel with 116k miles on it, I do all of my own Maintenance on it. I am looking at buying a 2003 G500 with 86k miles on it, I have a few questions if anyone can answer I would appreciate it;

1. Reliability, is it good compared with other Mercedes models around that age, my 420 sel has been excellent?
2. Performance and comfort, at present I also own a Range Rover 4.6HSE, good on the road, comfortable, 16 mpg. Anyone with a G500, what would it compare to, is it really as good as i read about?
3. Any normal running Maintenence issues you can relate to based on your experience?
4. Would you own another newer G500 based on your past ownership?
5. I will be doing some fairly mild off roading so I have no issues with that, how are they compared to other off roaders you have owned/driven?
6. The stealer wants $32k for it and it is in excellent shape with full service history, is this a reasonable price?

Thanks for all of your input, I will keep you posted. Rod..

 

[DUTCH]

$32k is high.

 

[supersport6]

OK, that was kind of a short answer, what would I expect to pay for this G500 in your opinion? Can you answer any of the other questions as I am seriously looking at getting one? Thx, Rod..

 

[Scott Blake]

I did a review here

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/g-class/1515199-g500-2004-first-impressions-11-250km.html

I am now at almost 50,000 km and all of that still applies. The only incremental cost of note has been a front windshield replacement as I got nailed by a rock in the winter.

I don't really know if that price is too high or not - it seems 'close' to me albeit its a fair number of miles vs a lot of the examples I have seen (granted, it ain't like 2003's are getting any younger each year!). I don't think you would find it for 25,000 so even if its possibly 28k, you are within some haggle room of a reasonable price I suspect.

I am still very happy with my G and definitely wouldn't sell it. The only real downside of them is that getting aftermarket type stuff for them is a pain. You are not buying your snorkel from Autozone and having a dealer snap it on for you as a dealer has never done the job (nor will they take it). If you are handy, this is likely less of an issue.

 

[GregKy]

My silver 04 is at around 107K now. I am the second owner with all the maintenance records. There have been no surprises. Biggest expenses (without looking them up) were probably the 100K service, the 80K xfer case, tranny and axle fluid change, a couple of window regulators, an alternator and a T/C motor.
Performance is good for what I do with it. Average 13-14 MPG. Rides (IMO) a lot like late model Jeep Wranglers... Fine for me around town, but gets old on the freeway after a four or five hours.
Seems like there are some owners with vibration issues. Mine had a minor high freq vibe at 50 MPH, turns out it was the center shaft. Over a grand for a new one from MB... took it apart and removed the clay like grease and relubed it and it removed 90% of the issue. I rarely notice it anymore.
I've yet to take mine on any serious off road treks. I bought it in cherry shape and cannot bring myself to scratch it up.... I've got other vehicles for that anyway...
Price... It's what the market will bear and what it is worth to you. There is no way I'd sell mine for less than $28K. Price is so dependent on condition and service history...

FWIW, my wife hates the G500, her list of complaints is long... hard seats, heavy steering, heavy doors, rough ride, accel pedal hard to push, horrible nav system, crazy cup holders, not enough 12 volt outlets, etc.... I think all of that just means I get to drive it more. Oh yeah, If this one got crashed, I would definitely buy another.
Good Luck,
Greg

 

[Scott Blake]

My wife loves mine (uh, ours she will say) - so I am lucky that way. She does agree with yours Greg in that the seats are like rocks to her.

Its interesting how some people can not like features that others do - we both like the heavy steering, the 'firm' (lets call it) ride, the heavy doors and the accelerator pedal feel. When I drive my fathers truck (a 2009 Dodge Ram) I am thinking 'really, this steering resistance is like a joke' and 'why is this pedal so soft' etc. I really don't like it in comparison.

You get used the G quickly I think. It does take a bit of time to get to be able to drive it smoothly - you want to make nice smooth corners, not be a weeble wobble type driver all over the place or your passengers will likely be reaching for the 'oh s%^&' handles.

 

[DUTCH]

OK, that was kind of a short answer, what would I expect to pay for this G500 in your opinion? Thx, Rod..

Check Edmunds or Kelly Blue Book. My guess would be low to mid $20's.

 

[Scott Blake]

Mid 20s would likely be a steal imho. I don't know how well these vehicles track vs blue book numbers as it is so outside the mainstream - by that I mean blue book is probably pretty close for a Honda Accord or something.

 

[Mark Harris]

Check Edmunds or Kelly Blue Book.

Bad advice. Horrible guides for low production/niche market vehicles. Average guide for Camary's and Accords.

Do an exhaustive seach using filters on Cars.com and/or Autotrader. Better yet find someone (they are on the fourms) who has access to Manhiem results but don't expect to get one at the auction price.

 

[DUTCH]

Bad advice.

Don't I always give bad advice?

 

[w5yk]

I agree that the price is high. Mid twenties will buy one of those.
Some of your other questions:

Maintenance costs are low. I am at 150k miles and have not had any major expenses yet.
Reliability is good if you mean will it not conk out by the side of the road and leave me stranded. Not so good regarding minor things like power windows. But at 86k miles, all the minor things that might break have already broken and been replaced, so I would not worry much.

Performance and comfort: Personal taste. Not as civilized as Range Rover. You definitely should drive one in case you hate it. I like mine, my wife hates it. Situation excellent.

Would I buy another one? Definitely.

Off road ability: Better than anything else you can buy stock, so I would not worry. You will want to stop before the G500 wants to.

 

[krnnerdboy]

I'd pay up to 30k for it and I consider myself to be a savvy shopper.

go to autotrader.com and fill in the trade in info and you'll get an instant quote. I use that as a baseline when buying used and tack on about 10-15% for a fair purchase price:thumbsup:

 

[littlehandegan]

I have mine on ebay.


Low miles, 2nd owner. VERY clean inside and out. 2010+ Facelift etc.

Check it out!


Mercedes-Benz : G-Class | eBay

 

[2000BEAST]

My 2003 just hit 90k. Overall, it's been a great truck with the exception of a few things over the years, including :

The usual window lift problems (why hasn't MBZ come up with a stouter regulator part ?).
The AC condenser sprung a leak and lost all the refrigerant and had to be replaced $$.
Occasional TC in Neutral annoyance (why hasn't MBZ been able to reprogram this glitch ?).

Other than that, not much to complain about - lousy mileage, and eats tires, but overall a very capable truck on and off the road with an enduring look that always turns heads. Also nice that most of the maintenance items can be done by yourself if you are somewhat mechanically capable - very straightforward stuff.

If I were to do it over again, the only change would be to a G55 for another 60 HP and relatively little mileage sacrifice.

 

[supersport6]

Looking at a G500

Thanks for all of your replys, I never did get this one, the Stealership wouldn't lower his price, I will check but I believe it's still on his lot. I did get to drive it, wow, it really was a blast to drive. Acceleration felt as good or better than a normally aspirated 2007 Range Rover I drove right before driving the G500. The brakes were much better than I expected for such a heavy vehicle, they stopped on a dime. Not sure if this was normal or if after market, high friction pads were fitted. The build was like everyone says, "a bank vault". I was very impressed how tight everything was for an 80k mile plus ride. I am 6' 7" tall and room was great in front, rear leg room is average for the size of the vehicle.
My wife loved it, I was blown away when she said she liked the look, she usually like "cute" rides, this thing was a building on wheels, but she thinks its rugged and purposefull looking, no argument there. I will keep looking as I really want one. I have seen a green one around the area, was this available in the 02-03 range?

Thanks again and I will let you know if I get one.

 

[zft325]

post em here when you get it.