G experts: need advice!

[A. Rosich]

Looking into buying a 1998 G320L with 50,000 miles on it.

The truck looks, feels and drives perfectly.

What should I look for at the engine bay and elsewhere that is not obvious to the eye??? I know what to look for on used S and E classes, but I am at home base with the G-class.

Any advise would be appreciated.

A. Rosich

S320, 1998
E320T, 1995

[G-Man]

That all depends. Is it a G320 with the M104 inline six or the new V6? '98 was the year it chanaged and there are some of each out there.

On the inline six there is a well known tendancy for the headgasket to seep oil on the right rear of the engine. You must look from the bottom. Once fixed, about $2,000 at the dealer, it is not a problem again. Looks like you have a couple M104s already, have they been done?

I don't know about the V6, I think they are pretty solid.

The rest of the truck is tougher than nails. One major service you will want to consider is a front axle repack. Mine is at Europa right now for this. They will be replacing the front CV boots and wheel bearings. My truck has about 77k miles on it now. I had my previous 300GE done at about the same milage. Europa reccomends it every 40k miles. I personally feel that is too soon but, by 75k or so it becomes a necessity. This will probably be between $1500 and $2000. The MB dealers in my area have no clue about this service, and it needs to be done by someone experienced, the bearing clearances are critical.

I don't know what you are planning to pay for this truck but, seriously consider a G500. They are out there with very low miles for $60k The milage will be the same, the power is worlds ahead. IMO a '98 G320 with 50k should be about $45k tops. There is a '99 G500 on ebay now with 38k and it is bid up to 40k. Make a good buy and keep it a long time.

[A. Rosich]

WOW, grear picture!

Thanks so much for the advice!

The '98 G320L comes with the new V6.

The truck definitely looks great, the mileage is the only thing the has me thinking twice. I do really hate to get into high mileage used cars, even if they look brand new.

The local market is very weird about pricing. Local taxes are a nightmare and a new G500 runs for US$150,000.00. a G320 goes for abour US$120,000.00

Used ones are another matter. They tend to devaluate terribly.
For example, this '98 example is going for $50K (not bad).

A. Rosich
S320, 1998
E320T, 1995

[G-Man]

I saw San Jose and assumed California Those sound like the old prices in the States, before MBUSA started selling G500s for $73k.

I would maybe pick Gilly's brain a little on the V6. I don't think it has any issues and it does have just a little more power than the M104.

50k miles on a '98 is pretty average here, about 12k per year. G's here tend to get driven less, at least they did until this latest round of mass marketing by MBUSA. I don't think the miles are much of an issue anyway. Run synthetic oils and the engine should be solid for triple the miles it has at least. The rest of the drivetrain is super durable. Even the twenty year old trucks remain very reliable. I know of one 1980 280GE with 250k on it. It had a cosmetic refresh and engine rebuild but for the most part it is very original and solid.

Good Luck

[Holson Adi]

I love those pictures!

Hehehe really nice - nice truck!

I probably would never go off roading anytime soon but if there was one truck I'd get in this world it'd be the G-Wagen.. be it a 300GD, G500, 230GE, anything..
a G400 CDI would be great!

I just love the way it looks!