Hi Gang,

I'm just waiting for the arrival of my new "79" G300D, its coming in from the left coast. Boy I can't wait...

I just called my insurance company to add it to my policy. I'm putting full coverage on it, she asked me how much I paid for it and I told her $16,500. I then asked her if the total value (wreck) would be what I paid for it, she said no. She said they go buy the blue book value, ok which blue book??? The Nada & Kelly sites only go back as far as 1983. There is no G wagon listed anyway. I'd hate to have something happen to it and then find out that they only say its worth $1000 or something crazy like that. She couldn't tell me what their $ value on the car would be and told me to check out Kelly to no avail.

Do I need some kind of exotic insurance or maybe a private appraisel? What do you do for insurance???

Thanks,

~George~

George:
My wife has worked for a large national insurance company for many years (home office, not an agency) involved in policy processing, so she is the perfect person to direct this to.
What she says is it's fairly universal for information to be sketchy for a gray market car, as a matter of fact this particular company discourages insuring gray market to avoid problems later on (if it gets totalled, for example) and recommends specialty collector car insurance companies (there are many ads in Hemmings Motor News for companies like this).
However, gray market or not, after the vehicle is 20+ years old, you are correct, the insurance limit (valuation) can be based on an independent appraisal and an agreement on the actual value can be done. Your insurance company may be able to recommend an appraiser.
Gilly

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There is a "book" value listed for your G. It is listed in the CPI guide, Cars of Particular Interest. You can look it up yourself on the "Hemmings" website under value guides. The value they list for a '79 Gwagen is $14,775. I suppose that if you were in the unfortunate position of dealing with the ins co on a total loss, you could employ Europa and Kieser Motors as sources for determining value.

I am on my second G, and I own a Unimog, all gray market cars. I have not had any issues covering them. Of course mine fall under a larger policy for my entire business. They have never once questioned any aspect of insuring these vehicles. Best of luck, and enjoy your "new" G-wagen!

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1995 G320
1984 280GE
1971 Unimog 416

Hi G-man,


I found the site you were talking about, its pretty vague. They don't make any distictions between long or short wheel bases, gas or diesel.

I kind of thought I got a solid deal for $16,500. Its the long wheelbase, Diesel, leather interior, 120K & in great shape. The few I find listed for sale on the net are usually more money for less vehicle.

I think I'll look into a private appraisel, maybe the local dealer could give me some help with this?

~George~

I think when you are talking about a 20+ year old vehicle, that is extremely rare, the CPI book is as accurate as you can expect. There really are not major price differences based on model. The LWB and SWB, gas or diesel pretty much all sell in the same price range. Your preferance runs towards the LWB diesel, I personally would prefer a gas SWB, so demand is all over the spectrum.

Values on old Gs are different today than they were even six months ago. I think you got a square deal on yours. I wouldn't consider it a steal anymore though. Before MBUSA started importing the new G500s your truck may have commanded anoth $5k or so, especially if it is very clean. My '95 was a great deal at $55k just over a year ago. With new 500s at $75k, the market value of my truck has plummeted too.

I think you are on the right track getting it appraised. That way you and the ins co. can agree on a value. This will eliminate questions should you have a claim. If you do this, would you post the resulting valuation? I would be very curious to see what an appraiser sets the value at.

Brent

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1995 G320
1984 280GE
1971 Unimog 416

Hi Brent,

I think the move by MBUSA to import G's now could work in favor for the older ones, like mine I mean. Think about it? Before you had a very small market who even knew such a beast was made by MB, much less wanting to buy one. I think in a short while you'll have a whole new flock of people who would want a G now, but could in no way afford a new one. Some or most will find out there are the older grey market ones out there. There will be a few who would want a solid vehicle which will pretty much look like a whole "new" Mercedes model for under $20K when the new one is $80K.

I know thats not gonna work for the newer greys, and it wont last forever. The new ones will get old some day and make mine just a novelty.

Not that, that thought was high on my list of why I bought it, but it was one of the things on the pro list.

I'm gonna get it appraised soon after it arrives, I'll let ya's know what its worth.

~George~