Mercedes G series

[JoshMB]

Can anyone give me some info on the G series here in the US? I lived in Moscow, RU, for 4 years and saw G500s all day (car of choice for the Mafia and Russian presidential motorcades) but have never seen one in the US? Wassup with that?

Is there a page with a lot of pics or info or an importer?

Josh

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81 300D 250K+ (odo doesn't work!)
Want another one.

[420SEL]

As far as I know there is only 1 authorized importer in North America. I don't know why, I assume they would sell like hotcakes. If I had that kind of money..
The importer is in California I think. I don't know the contact info.



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Jason Priest
1986 420SEL

[G-Man]

The sole importer for the G class is Gwagen USA in Santa Fe New Mexico. They do have distributers in New Jersey, Wolfgangs, and California, Keiser Motors. To the best of my knowledge they have also placed a salesman in Los Angeles CA. The current tally on US Gwagens is about 1100 units. They are rare mostly due to pricing, a new G500 STARTS at $135k. The used market for 6cyl Gs is becoming more buyer biased due to the influx of popular V8 models. I am awaiting the delivery of my '95 G320, hopefully this week. I sold my '90 300GE to a gentleman from New Jersey. He wanted a manual trans in the new chassis (463), I had the only LWB manual in the US. Gwagen USA has a website, there is a good message board via JT Outfitters and my current favorite site for the G is http://members.tripod.de/g4rce/eng/index.html I feel that I have a very good working knowledge of these cars, feel free to poast any questions.

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90 M-B 300GE 5sp
98 BMW 750iL
86 Porsche 944 Turbo

[Bill Wood]

Go here: http://www.gwagen.com/

My understanding as to why there are very few G-Wagens in the the US is because Mercedes-Benz of North America (now MBUSA) has always refused to sell and service them. Europa International has been the only authorized imported in the US for years. They have been trying to knit together a network of dealers and service centers. Benzmac talked to them last year about being a sales/service outlet. If there's demand, MB Autowerks may do something along these lines.

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Bill Wood - Webmaster
MercedesShop.com, LLC
MB Autowerks Inc

The new 2001 or 2002 G is coming soon and price is supposed to be reduced drastically. It's going through a major rebuild/redesign. You're better off waiting.
You have all mentioned $135,000 but you forgot to enlighten our man here and tell him that there is the small matter of about $20-$30,000 additional in luxury and sales tax. Out the door you are going to be light around $150-$160,000.
The new G is really supposed to be a much better truck. I'd wait.

[G-Man]

I figured that the mere mention of a $135k price tag would be enough to scare most folks off. Yep, they sure are spendy new. The 2001 G-Class debuted at the Paris auto show. Its just a good old 463 chassis with a revised dash to include the new Command system from the S-Class ( Car and Driver 12/00). I believe the current production schedule calls for G production until 2005. The replacement rumoured to be based heavily on the M-Class, hence the greatly reduced price. My advice would be to buy a used G320. This gets you just about everything but the V8 for about half the price. There is a possibility MB USA will market the G here in 2002. Speculative pricing is ~$95k. It would be the G we know today however.

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95 MB G320
90 300GE 5sp (Sold)
98 BMW 750iL
86 Porsche 944 Turbo

[This message has been edited by G-Man (edited 11-22-2000).]

[A. Rosich]

Actually the new 2001 G-class dash is composed mainly of all the switchgear of the new 2001 C-class (including the Comand monitor and the new window switches which are moved from the center console to the driver's door).

Minor revisions on exterior colors, upholstery, and wheels. Besides that, the 2001 model is identical to the 2000.

The big news for the 2001 model year is the new G400 CDI. This car uses the new V8 diesel which produces MORE torque than the 6.0 liter gas V12. That should be quite handy for hauling a trailer or a boat. And this model is actually cheaper than the G500 V8.

A. Rosich
1998 S320
1995 E320T

[This message has been edited by A. Rosich (edited 11-24-2000).]