I need to find out if a 350GD has the corrected conn rods...
 

Can I do this through the VIN number? What do you suggest me?

which rods? i can using vin number, but need more info

I'm guessing connecting rods? As in 603 3.5L "rod bender?"

The VIN is WDB46332117085763

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Where are you Juan? In the US, you should be able to call up MB and they will tell you about recalls and major warranty work done on the car. If it is grey market, you may be on your own.

One other way to do it would be to use the Russian MB Club website where you can input the VIN and get the engine number and compare it to the engine in the car. I know an MB tech and he told me they replaced many of the 3.5 liter engines in the W140. Maybe they did the same with the G chassis.

I would love to have a G with an OM603 turbo, but just the 3 liter, not the 3.5. I am not a masochist.

The car is in Costa Rica and I'm currently down here. The dealer down here sucks in costumer services terms. They won't even give you part numbers...:mad:

Which is the Russian MB Club website? Thanks!

The site is here: http://www.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/?lng=eng
This site only identifies the original specs of the vehicle, it does not give any information about updates...that can be found out through the dealer.

Here is the report for the vehicle:
VIN WDB46332117085763
Body 3
Model 350GDT284X4
Chassis 46332117085763
Engine 603972 12 000870
Transmission 722398 13 765251
tCase 750651 10 000913
Order 6 - 226 01067
Approx. year not defined
Cab 463585 10
Steer 765503 10 N92157
Dealer Munich branch (226)
Paint
9199 blue blck metallic
Options
A02 joint heads, chromium plated (? 1978)
A52 track enlargement
A70 differential lock, front axle (? 1978)
B02 braking system, anti-lock (abs) (? 1978)
C27 reinforced front springs (? 1978)
D27 electric tilting/sliding/lifting sunroof (? 1978)
D39 multiway connector
E43 trailer plug socket, thirteen-pin
cassette holder (? 26.06.1997)
E68 antenna autom. with radio (? 1978)
automatic antenna
blaupunkt radio set luebeck, cassette recorder, road-traffic broadcasting decoder
E72 becker radio set mexico 2000, vk (? 1978)
E80 cassette box (? 1978)
F46 headlamp wiper/washer (? 1978)
H02 air conditioner (? 1978)
H10 heater for driver's seat and co-driver's seat (? 1978)
H20 heat-absorbing glass all round (? 1978)
J65 outside temperature indicator (? 1978)
M19 tempomat cruise control
P37 enlarged fenders, in color of vehicle, with metallic paintwork (? 1978)
Q55 trailer coupling, reinforced, ball-head type, low mounted d96/4 (? 1978)
R78 light alloy wheels for wide tires (? 1978)
S34 passenger compartment seat headrests (? 1978)
S37 driver's seat armrest (? 1978)
S38 co-driver's seat armrest (? 1978)
V18 interior trim in black (? 1978)
V35 steering wheel and gearshift lever with leather cover (? 1978)
V51 window lifter, electric, quadruple (? 1978)
V56 wood trim burred walnut root (? 1978)
V57 luggage compartment cover (? 1978)
V63 luggage nets on backrests (? 1978)
X32 vehicle registration book for individual acceptance
X59 leather, designo-dark green, two-color (? 1978)
central locking system
Y16 fire extinguisher (? 1978)
Y45 emergency lantern

Awesome!! Thanks!!

This G we're discussing is a 92. How much should I pay?

You're welcome. Sounds like an interesting vehicle...3.5L diesel G-wagen, heated seats, burled wood trim, sunroof, Designo leather, air conditioning...

What kind of condition is it in? The price will vary accordingly.

i would stay away from any engine with the 3.5 motor, regardless of whether it has the uprated rods, unless i had a 3.0 motor on hand to swap in when the rod bends.

tom w

the number i get is 603-030-32-20

I went to see the car yesterday. It's in immaculate condition!! The guy told me they overhauled it about a year and ago. I asked him about the rods, but he doesn't even know what a rod is... :rolleyes:

Anyway, I asked him who overhauled the engine and it turned out that is the same guy that did the overhaul to my w123. He is a certified Mercedes mechanic and happens to be a good friend of mine.

Today I called the mechanic and he told me that when they did the overhaul to the 350GD, they replaced the engine head with an upgraded one and that they also used the updated rods. The also installed new pistons, rings, wrist pins, valves, etc., etc... He said they did the whole job, so the engine is practically new. About $8k invested.

The guy is selling it because he got a new G400CDI, so the 350 is now a bit slow for him...

Any idea of a reasonable price for the car? The seller is not sure about how much he wants. He told me to make an offer...:confused:

Create an eBay username that resembles bigbabbo, create a listing for the G, kill the auction 5 minutes before it ends, see what's the highest bid. I'M JUST KIDDING!

Very difficult to estimate value of something that uncommon. What do other G's sell for down there? Should price squarely between a G300 and G400 :P

Sixto
93 300SD 3.0

:D jajaja, I though about maybe estimating the devaluation of the car based on the amount of years since it was manufactured and the price of a new unit. However down here, G's start at about $160k. :eek:

How much is a G350TD worth in states? I haven't found any listing for a 350 in e-bay....:confused:

Europa was out of the import business before the G350 was available. I've never seen even a G300 in the US. At most the 617 300GD. If there were a G350 in the US it would be the only one and likely well over US$100K if in prime condition.

Maybe the folks at www.keisermotors.com can assist you.

Sixto
93 300SD 3.0

It sounds like a truly unique vehicle. I guess it would sell in the US market because of all the options, not necessarily the diesel engine. I have no clue what used Mercedes go for in Central America, but figure that vehicle was at least $50,000 new? Make an offer for $25,000? I know the new G500s are pushing $100,000 but you are talking a 15 year old vehicle.

I think with the rod fix the engine should be good, you just have to be very vigilant about service, especially the cooling system. Good luck and post some photos. That is another one of my dream vehicles.

I took the G for a ride. Its awesome!! It rides like a sedan. The engine moves this rig pretty good, amazing handling and lots of braking power. The tranny was rebuilt about 6 months ago, so it shifts smoothly and responds promptly.

I offered the guy $20K. He says he'll let it go for $23K. I'll let him cool down a little bit and offer $21K next week. I he doesn't agree, I'll wait a couple of weeks before calling him again.

I'll try to take some pics tomorrow. I'm taking the car to my cousins shop tomorrow to raise it with a lift and inspect it underneath.

Stay tuned! And wish me good luck!

Where is the engine head number in the 603 3.5L? I just want to verify if this G in fact has the corrected engine head? Also, where can I find if the tranny is five or four speed? The tranny number is 722398 13 765251

This should have come new with a good head. You can see the casting number in between intake runners 2 and 3. There are many posts on OM 603 head part numbers. You can use the search function to find out more information.

Thanks! I looked around and found how to identify a bad or good head. I'll take the G for a spin this saturday, so I'll take a look at the head to verify it has the corrected one.

Any advice of things to look for in this G? I mean, what should I look for in the tranny and engine that might indicate something is wrong?

Are there any of these where you are? A 606 beats a 603.97 in my book any day -

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1996-Mercedes-G-Wagon-Silver-Diesel-TN-615-969-9555_W0QQitemZ160124370138QQihZ006QQcategoryZ31854QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Sixto
93 300SD 3.0

You're right Sixto, the 606 engine is beast! I've seen a couple of those G's around, maybe 2 or 3. The most common one is the G320. Lately there are a lot of G400CDI, but not as common as the G320.

I'm thinking of buying the G350 for a low price and in the future change the engine.

What I like about the car is that it was brought from germany by the guy that is selling it. Since its an Euro version, there's no funky electronics at all. I mean, the engine doesn't even have EGR. :):):):)

I can vouch for the sweet goodness of the 606 :D
G300 Turbodiesel?? Damnnn, ich will ein! I want one! That would be a great Excursion replacement..

Good luck with the 350GD!

Waddaya know? There's one for sale in the US!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1992-Mercedes-GD350-GD-350-Turbo-DIESEL_W0QQitemZ270136651209QQihZ017QQcategoryZ31854QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Sixto
93 300SD 3.0 - comatose

That's about the same car I'm looking at. However the seller didn't accepted my first offer. I'm letting him cool down a bit before making another offer. ;)

if you really want the car, i wouldn't squabble over a grand or 2, as he's apt to sell it to someone else. BTDT...