10 problems 10 days 1 1983 LWB 280GE

[DTM]

I have wanted a Gelandenwagen for quite some time now and I finally got one ten days ago and it seems like it is falling apart each day. I understand that it is a 1983 280GE and as a vechilce of 23 years its bound to have some leaks and opportunities for improvement. Since I have purchased this vechicle I have found:

A tranny leak from a plastic plug where the speedo sending unit would go on a 2WD vehicle. I ordered this 6 dollar part from the dealer and am waiting to replace it.

I have also found one of the mouldings for the driver side rear door which needs to be replaced but the dealer doesn't have a clue on where or what to order.

My gas pedal when completely depressed doesn't fully open under the hood disabling the ability to fully open the throttle.

My gas pedal has too much play which lead me to the linkage/bushing for the pedal under the hood which again the MB dealer is lost.

My CAT is non existent

My oil light comes on in hot outdoor temperature while stopped in drive

My muffler had a hole in it but the muffler shop could not fix it because they should me a gas leak which could be my tank or a gas line that I didn't know about.

The rear defrost simply doesn't work

And the brake pedal requires two feet to stop the 6200lbs vehicle. Checked the vacuum and it sound fine.

....I bought this truck knowing and growing up with the understanding of its quality and legend on and off the road. I have been driving mercedes for the last 12 years and could take apart anything on a 190E, but I have never been so frustrated with a vehicle before in my life. I want to keep this truck and make things right but I guess it would be nice if there were some online catalogue showing the parts with part numbers so I can click on what I need and order what I need without having to hunt and deal with a MB dealership that literally knows nothing about the Grey Market or ANY G CLASS 2002-2005 market.

Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to vent!

[G-Benz]

Venting allowed.

Consider that rather than falling apart, those problems already existed in some fashion, and the previous owner grew tired of trying to keep up with all of the minor issues and dumped the vehicle.

Consider that although all of my MBs do start and drive daily, if I add up the anomalies and impending replacement of aging components, I'm looking at no less than twenty items that require attention...and those aren't even the normal maintenance items!

Pick your battles in order of safety, critical engine life, and convenience items. In my case, the ones on the lowest order of priority take years to get around to fixing!

[Frank X. Morris]

Howdy DTM,
Go to www.unipaser.com and e-mail Michael Smith. He is a Mog dealer but I know he had a GW at one time so he might be able to help get parts. Hope this helps.

[DUTCH]

The truck obviously was not properly taken care of by the previous owner. When I sold my 1984 280GE in 2002 with 111,000 miles, it still ran like new.

You need to get an EPC for the truck to help you determine the correct part numbers. You then have at least three sources in North America that I know of to get what you need. And you are correct, NA MB dealers, on the whole, don't have a clue when it comes to the G - even the ones (2002-2005) they're selling now.