[downwarddawg]

Greetings! As the subject states, I am a future owner and I have a question about reliability of the G Wagon. First, to clear up the future owner part, my son wants my tricked out/lifted 4x4 really bad when he gets his license next year. I've always drove 4x4's that were lifted and not really loaded with creature comforts. My wife drives a BMW X5, and as I've aged, I've decided that I really like these luxury vehicles too! Anyway, every time I try to like another vehicle, I always go back to the G. My wife told me to stop looking at other vehicles because she is buying me the G. She knows me better than I know myself.
Anyway, we've had some reliability issues with our BMW and it's the only German engineered vehicle we have ever owned. I've always been a toyota man, mainly because of dependability. I live 1-1/2 hours away from the nearest dealer. I'll be buying a 2009-2010 (more than likely, depending on deal). Is this a reliable vehicle? How often do things break? Does it HAVE to be serviced by Mercedes once the warranty is out? What are some things that I can expect to go bad and how expensive are we talking about to operate?
This is pretty much my dream vehicle. I really want it but I don't want to spend all that money on something that I have to keep throwing money at.

Thanks,

 

[grazza]

I have to keep throwing money at.

You posted on a G wagen forum asking if you should buy a Toyota.
I suggest you buy a Toyota.

Or, if you think the seeds of G-wagen entusiasm are part of your blood then buy an old W460 and spend a huge amount on it, to make it an awesome, timeless offroader, which will still be cheaper than a near-new W463 factoring in the money you will need to spend on it, just to keep all the unneccessary gizmos working.

Thats the deal with a G - either something comfortable and expensive that looks the part, or one that is the part. Thats progress for you.

But those gizmos are so important these days!

 

[downwarddawg]

You posted on a G wagen forum asking if you should buy a Toyota.
I suggest you buy a Toyota.

Or, if you think the seeds of G-wagen entusiasm are part of your blood then buy an old W460 and spend a huge amount on it, to make it an awesome, timeless offroader, which will still be cheaper than a near-new W463 factoring in the money you will need to spend on it, just to keep all the unneccessary gizmos working.

Thats the deal with a G - either something comfortable and expensive that looks the part, or one that is the part. Thats progress for you.

But those gizmos are so important these days!

Nowhere in my post did I ask if I should buy a Toyota. I stated that I have owned several Toyotas in the past. I won't be buying an old vehicle. This purchase will be my primary vehicle. I'll be purchasing a 2009-2010 G like I stated. I don't think you actually read my post before replying. I hope not.
Thanks for the informative reply.

 

[CHRIS F]

Funny I went from a Toyota and into my cpo 2012 G550. I purchased about 5 months ago and tried to get as new as possible with some existing warranty / extended warranty. At least you can experiment with it and see for yourself if this is a long lasting vehicle. After the warranty, you are free to take anywhere. Your profile is not complete so perhaps you can mention your location and some members maybe able to assist you with a good independent mechanic in your area.

I have only had minor issues such as minor wire short from the illuminated door sill light and the drivers side heated mirror does not work properly. Both are waiting for parts and it has been a 3 weeks wait.

Hope this helps!

 

[downwarddawg]

Funny I went from a Toyota and into my cpo 2012 G550. I purchased about 5 months ago and tried to get as new as possible with some existing warranty / extended warranty. At least you can experiment with it and see for yourself if this is a long lasting vehicle. After the warranty, you are free to take anywhere. Your profile is not complete so perhaps you can mention your location and some members maybe able to assist you with a good independent mechanic in your area.

I have only had minor issues such as minor wire short from the illuminated door sill light and the drivers side heated mirror does not work properly. Both are waiting for parts and it has been a 3 weeks wait.

Hope this helps!

Thanks for your nice informative reply! I expect minor stuff as with most vehicles, I just don't want to get into something that is going to leave me stranded or have me replacing axles, radiators, transmissions, etc.... every time you turn around.

 

[AlanMcR]

The basic mechanical parts are very reliable if taken care of (by the book) The hassle with the newer Gs is that they have a lot of electronics. Diagnosing problems can be difficult. In that dimension the G is no worse than any other modern vehicle.

 

[downwarddawg]

Thanks Alan.

 

[ET550]

I have owned a 2003 G500 since new and have put 135,000 miles on it and it has never left me stranded nor have any major components failed. Other than replacement of basic wear items (which can nonetheless be expensive on this truck), the only typical issues at least with my vintage have been minor annoyances like window regulators and occasional malfunctioning door locks on a specific door. Otherwise the thing is a tank. I would not hesitate to buy a new one but for the fact that mine still drives great so not enough incentive for me to trade up at the current prices.

 

[downwarddawg]

Thanks a bunch! That's what I like to hear.

 

[Golden Lover]

It has been my dream truck as well. I have owned 5 modern or leased Mercedes in the past and have had only minor electrical gremlins. The G is built like a tank. Good luck in your hunt.

 

[downwarddawg]

It has been my dream truck as well. I have owned 5 modern or leased Mercedes in the past and have had only minor electrical gremlins. The G is built like a tank. Good luck in your hunt.

Thank you. I'm looking forward to it!

 

[CHRIS F]

Thanks for your nice informative reply! I expect minor stuff as with most vehicles, I just don't want to get into something that is going to leave me stranded or have me replacing axles, radiators, transmissions, etc.... every time you turn around.

I just thought I would revisit this thread. My radiator went on my 2012 this past weekend as all the seals were coming undone so a replacement is on order. Of course none available in NA and had to order from Germany so it is a 2 week wait. Of course still under warranty so the cost ($2300 plus labour btw) is not an issue for me but my frustration is that this is my only vehicle and service loaners are very hard to come by.

 

[AlanMcR]

I just thought I would revisit this thread. My radiator went on my 2012 this past weekend as all the seals were coming undone so a replacement is on order. Of course none available in NA and had to order from Germany so it is a 2 week wait. Of course still under warranty so the cost ($2300 plus labour btw) is not an issue for me but my frustration is that this is my only vehicle and service loaners are very hard to come by.

That would be a highly unusual at this age of vehicle. It sounds more like a symptom than a failure. I'd be insisting on a detailed explanation of what caused the problem.

 

[CHRIS F]

Thanks Alan, that is a good suggestion and will do when I follow up with the service advisor.
Chris

 

[CHRIS F]

So I got my truck back today and with only speaking with the service advisor about radiator failure, he insisted one of two things could have occurred, a faulty rad. or the vehicle moving from extreme cold (outside temp -20 to -30 C) to room temperature (about +21 C) which may have put a strain on the system. Any how it is fixed but to address the OP question, yes these failures happen regardless of age.

 

[peter4271]

Hi, i've made this video about most common issues with G class, video does not hold any advertisement or spam. Its intended purely to help the new owners with budgeting, Hope it helps. Thank you.

 

[Guest]

Rust seems to be a huge problem. I have a 2010 G550, and even though I baby it to no end, at 60k miles it already has several areas of rust.