Comments on a 1988 G280 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

euronatura · #1 06-08-2004, 04:36 PM

Can anyone give any comments on a 1988 G280 (gasoline). I just saw one here and it is in OK condition. 3rd World Version. It has 107,000 Km on it, with a 4 speed manual (?) transmission. Any weak points on these cars or engines?

I am in a position where I can sell my wife´s honda and then get this G for me and I will give her my 190.

Thanks,

Iggy

Snibble · #2 06-08-2004, 04:39 PM

My mechanic has a 1983 version... bought it new.. and he loves it. From what I saw... it had manual everything.

euronatura · #3 06-08-2004, 04:41 PM

Yea, what I saw is that it had manual everything. Surprised about it only having four gears?

Iggy

euronatura · #4 06-08-2004, 05:33 PM

They are asking $8,500. It is being sold through a delaership. Mind you that I am in Guatemala, Central America. Condition is OK, I guess what it really needs is a thorough cleaning. The dealer told me that it needs work on the cam? he is going to pay and get this done before selling. As for negotiating the price, I think that I can bring it down between $1000 - $1500. This is the gas version.

The new G500 either gas or diesel here is costing US$95,000 plus VAT and tags.

Iggy

euronatura · #5 06-08-2004, 05:49 PM

narwhal:

Yea the cam issue scares me. Though the owner of the dealership, who is a friend of a very close friend of mine here, told me that to fix the issue is like 1500 bucks and that he is going to take care of it before selling the vehicle. Though, I question now how the car has been treated to have an issue with the cam at 107,000 km.

But, I have always wanted one of these vehicles. Love them. And unlike the soccer moms, I will get to use it. One, I am negotiating a new job that is located 20 km outside of the city and given traffic and so forth I may have to jump over medians. Two, my MIL has two ranches where I can put this thing through the test. Three, my daughters 4 wheel suzuki (50cc) will fit just perfect in the back!

Iggy

euronatura · #6 06-08-2004, 08:09 PM

Just called the place where I usually purchase the parts for my car here in Guatemala and asked him about G280´s in general. He told me if I was looking at a beige one to buy, to forget it! He knows the car and knows that it has been poorly treated and the problem with the cam or or whatever with the car has never been defined 100% and from what he remembers it is like 1500 bucks in parts.

So I guess I will pass on this one. What I am really after is a nice 240D or 300D, very hard to come by in this part of the world. We will see if I can get my hands on one.

Iggy

PS he also told me that the G280 gas version sucks TOO MUCH gas and being the fact that gas here is now at $2.50 a gallon, gonna stay away from gas guzzlers.

Frank X. Morris · #7 06-08-2004, 09:05 PM

Howdy Iggy,
I replied to your post in another forum. As far as gas mileage the 280 gets maybe 15mpg on the road and less off road.

euronatura · #8 06-08-2004, 09:48 PM

Thanks for the replies Frank.

Read your comment in the other forum. Like I said the place where I buy my parts at, the person told me to stay away from the vehicle. If I can be sure about its repair, I may think about it but I would have serious issues with the 15mpg. Gee that is low given the commute that I will be undertaking on a daily basis and then for when I drive to the ranch and into Mexico. I would really like a diesel version but those people that own them here in Guatemala do not sell them.. VERY HARD TO COME BY.....

Iggy

sixto · #9 06-09-2004, 04:57 PM

What engine is in an 88 G280? I'd imagine by 88 you could get a G230, G260 or G300 based on the available passenger car gasser engines. Did MB keep the M110 around that long?

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

euronatura · #10 06-09-2004, 06:14 PM

Sixto:

I can not answer your question regarding these vehicles since I am not too knowledgeable on these versions. But here in Central America I have seen G230 and G300. (all european versions - very basic interior no thrills package at all - basically what a jeep should be!) Though, all these versions are hard to come by since the current owners rarely put them up for resale. Obviously the one that I found was up for sale cause it has serious issues with the engine.

As for the brand new ones, here they only come in G500 and it is available in the gas engine and a diesel engine. And as I mentioned in an eariler post these new ones go for US$95,000 plus VAT and tags.

Iggy

Frank X. Morris · #11 06-09-2004, 08:38 PM

Howdy All,
The 280GE had the 2746 cc 6 cylinder engine and is rated to get 12.7 mpg.

sixto · #12 06-10-2004, 12:49 AM

In fact Frank brings up a good point - MB didn't switch badging until 1994. A G280 would have to be a 94 or later with the 2.8l M104. A 280GE can't have gone beyond 85 but a 230GE could.

I imagine in Central America imported cars can be titled by the year of import rather than the year of manufacture.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

euronatura · #13 06-10-2004, 09:47 AM

Quote:

I imagine in Central America imported cars can be titled by the year of import rather than the year of manufacture.

Sixto:

Your comment is incorrect. Cars are titled as to year of manufacture no matter what year one imports it. For example, my 1988 190e, I brought with me to this country in the year 2000. The title still states that it is a 1988 190e.

Iggy

sixto · #14 06-10-2004, 10:58 AM

To clarify, I didn't mean it happens as a matter of process. They make such mistakes everywhere in the world and I'm sure unscrupulous importers tip the tables in favor of such errors.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Frank X. Morris · #15 06-10-2004, 09:49 PM

Howdy All,
Just FYI. The production run for the 280GE was from 1979 to 1990.