This is a crazy question, but is the G-wagen a true-blooded MB? I am planning to replace my Caravan with a 4-door version.

It is more than that. I have owned one, and it is a beast. I don't think that it is a direct replacement for a caravan though. It is a true 4 wheel drive vehicle, the parts are VERY expensive, and to find a good repair technician is hard at best for these.

Think it through and drive a few before making the plunge.

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Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
1991 GMC Syclone
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

Trading a van for a G? By any chance are you planning to have your wife drive it?
At the risk of sounding sexist, let me tell you that it is NOT a woman's (most women, anyway) car. My wife absolutely loves our G -- towing our boat, exploring back roads that would tear up the bottom of our MB sedans -- she's thrilled at all the things we can do with it. But after first driving it a little bit, my wife (who's NOT small or weak -- she's heavily into fitness, heavy workouts, etc. -- more than I am) told me that she isn't planning to borrow it any time soon -- it's too much work to drive. The steering is very heavy and slow (you'll use 2 hands); brake pedals need a lot of extra push compared to a car (though the brakes themselves are quite good); etc.
Bottom line -- it's a truck -- make no mistake about it. Despite Europa's claims that it drives like a S-Class, it really doesn't (not even like my mere E-Class).
On the other hand, it is an amazing truck! And if you're into those things that the G does well, you will love it immensely. Just be sure what you're getting before you buy it.

Ken is a little off, his commments probably apply to the more industrial early version 460 chassis. In 1989 MB introduced the 463 chassis with the luxury of the sedans and the capabilities of a tracked vehicle. The problem for most is the price, while 460 Gs are availible for 15-25k a 463 starts around 45k and goes to 150k for a new G500 V8 with all the toys. I have a 463 and find it to be very easy to drive, silent, smooth, and with a typical German sense of the road. Remarkable considering its origins as a military vehicle. Unless you want/need the ultimate off road vehicle the ML may replace your minivan better and more economically than the G. If you want the only one in your county, love the safari styling, or plan off road adventures, the hand built G will fit the bill.

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90 300GE 5sp
95 740iL
86 944 Turbo

Quite true -- my comments were describing the G that I own, a W460. The newer ('90-on) W463 is a lot more civilized -- I test drove one once and it was very impressive. There are, in fact, many differences between the 460 and 463, not only in interior trim and comfort but also in the drivetrain. The 463 are full-time 4WD, whereas the 460 is normally RWD except when you engage 4WD (which you should only do on slippery surfaces, because there is no center differential as in the 463s); actuation of the differential locks are also different; the list can go on and on.