I was offered a 1996 G320 SWB

[fredsegal]

This truck looks perfect. Black with tan leather interior. 120,000 miles. These appear to be rare in the US so idon't know if the price of $26,000 is a fair one. I would be grateful for any help

Hi, It sounds like a good price. Do you have a mechanic that could check out the mechanicals? If it checks out, make an offer. It seems as if G's have dropped in value in the past year at least for older ones. If you do not pursue it maybe you could put contact info for other possible buyers. Good luck.

[Lebenz]

Sooooo????

[fredsegal]

The paint color was changed. It was originally dark blue and is now black. Also previous owner was not too pleasant so I passed on it. I'm still looking.

[DavidF.C280]

Correct me if I am wrong, but if its a 96, it would have come with the M104 Flat Six Engine, not the V6 which was only availble from 98MY onwards.

As I can attest from personal experience, and if you read tales from C and E class owners with the M104 Engine, this was not one of the best Engines from MB, Problems with the Wiring Harness and Head Gasket come straight to Memory.

It was probably best that you passed.

David.

[Lebenz]

Yikes. Given that I’d turn it down, too. There is a guy on another site that is up on the G wagon. His screen name is Brent, and you can find him here http://benzworld.org/forums/forums/forum-view.asp?fid=30

Not too long ago he was doing a lot of research on acquiring several G wagons. Plus he owns at least 2 of them. He’d be an excellent contact in your search.

[G-Man]

The M104 is an inline six. Most do develop a headgasket leak at some point. It is an external oil leak and not an engine stopping malady. Cost at a dealer for replacement is about $1000. The fix seems to be a permanent one. The engine wiring harness is a concern also in 1995-96. I replaced mine myself in just a couple of hours, it is not a difficult thing. The part was about $500. I don't think any of that would dissaude me from buying one, in fact I have had a 1995 G320 for four years now, very nice truck. I can't think of an MB model that doesn't have some shortcoming, but the M104's have now been covered. The only other G specific items to be concerned about are the front axle wheel bearing service every 60-70k miles and the possibility of driveline vibrations but these are much more common in the old style G's. Driveshafts to fix the vibe are about $1000 each, there are three The front axle service is $4-700 for parts and a good 10hrs labor.

Otherwise these trucks are dang tough. Since moving to Colorado I have been using mine off road 4-5 times a week. The remain very comfortable and reliable just as a Benz should be

[n2lw]

Hey, I have a 90 G300 with a few driveline vibrations. Can you balance the shafts or do you need to buy new ones?
I can source them from Germany if needed
Thanks

[G-Man]

At nearly 100k miles there is a good chance balancing wont do it. The u-joints have likely loosened up to the point of needing replacement. One other consideration is the center shaft between the trans and t-case. On the 1990 it is still a u-jointed shaft. There is an updated shaft that uses CV's there and often that is the fix. Have you figured out which shaft is the culprit?

I might persue a balancing first just based on the cost of new shafts. Finding a shop that can work with the odd-ball flanges is tricky, but it can be done. Even if you can get the shafts in Europe, they will still cost you at least $800 each.

If you have some time to wait there is a fellow working up a DIY u-joint replacement kit for the G. It may be ready by spring '05.

[n2lw]

Thanks for the comment.
I havnt figured out which it is.
The DIY kit sounds interesting and is well within my capability.
I have made a few trips in this vehicle and it is a surprisingly good road car.
I will be a regular on this part of the board from now
Best wishes