Need opinions on purchasing used G500

[MzCris]

Hello...I am looking for a used 2002-03 G500. I found one today at a small dealership that is 2002, has 109,800 miles and they are asking $25000.00. If I don't dicker with them, they will replace the windshield and buy new tires both of which are very needed. Is there any problems that I should be aware of? Is this a reasonable price? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

[Pooka]

A good place to check the price would be www.kbb.com. Just follow the promps.

By the way, these ride rather like a truck from the 1980's. If you are looking for off-road then they are the real deal, but if you are only going to drive in on the street you need to understand it will not have a Mercedes like ride.

[Fulcrum525]

The 2002s are sometimes known to have some rather funny electrical issues. Hopefully they were sorted out by the previous owner(s) $25,000 for one with over 100,000 miles is about what the market it dictating these days but still try to negotiate down (Do some research on the front axle service before you get stuck with a nasty repair bill)

I used to have an 04 and while it drank fuel like there was no tomorrow it was still a fantastic vehicle. Keep in mind that the steering is quite heavy and it will tire you out on longer trips.





Ohhhh dear is it this one?

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=278726947&dealer_id=55101935&car_year=2002&rdm=1273370839086&lastStartYear=1981&num_records=100&model=G_CLASSCLASS_SERIES&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&engine=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=0&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=y&sownerid=88841&make=MB&color=&keywords_display=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&position=top&position=top&position=top&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceASC&address=06111&advanced=&end_year=2011&transmission=&doors=&max_price=&cardist=2019&standard=false

If so I would avoid it. Aftermarket wheels like that pound the heck out of the suspension........ It almost looks like a 2nd owner bought it and drove it till the warranty went out at 100,000 miles and then freaked out when they realized what it would be like to pay for repairs.

[MzCris]

Yes, that is the one I was looking at. The first thing I asked was if they had the original rims and they do. The dealership put these rims on because the others needed new tires.

[TylerH860]

I'd want a dealer PPI on that one. Smells like a neglectful owner car to me.

[DieselPaul]

People who are mad tyte ballers yo have a bad habit for driving high mileaged cars because thats the only way they can afford them and they have a bad habit of not keeping up on maintenance. If I go to look at a 300D and it shows up with deuce deuces on it I pass.

I second an inspection.

[Hatterasguy]

I wouldn't buy any MB with big chrome wheels on it or other tacky aftermarket crap. Unless it was a screaming cheap deal which this is not.

Pass.

For $25k go find one from a MB dealer, or that a private seller is trying to get rid of in a very good neighborhood.

[MzCris]

So, after all of your comments (thank you very much) and some investigation, I'm going to pass on that one. I found a link to an '03 in California that looks and sounds promising. Any comments? Cars for Sale: 2003 Mercedes-Benz G500 in Costa Mesa, CA 92627: Sport Utility Details - 278784390 - AutoTrader.com

[Fulcrum525]

If your budget allows it get one with lower miles that is still under warranty. You'll pay more upfront but WHEN the window regulators snap it won't come out of your pocket. Overall these trucks are bullet proof but when something needs to be fixed it will cost a lot just like any other newer model. (The M113 engine in the G is very similar to the one used in your S430 so use your experience of that car as a basis.)


I do have to say that the 2002-2004 G's have held their value a lot better then I expected. That 2003 that you posted doesn't look to bad. There are plenty of members on this forum in southern CA. One or two might be willing to look at it for you. Also make sure you check as many different listings as possible to find the best possible car. )Ebay, cars.com, hemmings.com etc etc)

[DieselPaul]

I actually didn't know US spec Gs were getting down near $20k, I may need one too

I like the california one better.

[tonkovich]

not that its any of my business... but why do you fancy such a vehicle?

[MzCris]

Well, I have to say, the first time I saw one, I wanted one. For me, it's the combination of my Chevy Trailblazer and S430....functional outside and beautiful inside. I test drove one and loved it, as I new I would. I want to take my son camping and this will be a very versatile vehicle with which to do that.

[MzCris]

If there is any one in the Costa Mesa area that would be willing to go have a look and let me know what you think,I would really appreciate it! I emailed the dealer to ask if there are any issues with it, and this is what he wrote back...

yes, srs light is on,door senser is on,right window regulator is not working properly,all will be fixed prior delivery & any other will be found. i have so many customer on this g500. the rull is first comes first, no deposit, no holding . we sell the car to the first customer who comes to see it & buy the car . you can even send inspector to check the car.
THANK YOU ,MAJID

[iwrock]

My parents bought their G500 a few years ago, and have use it as one of their daily drivers.

Just a few notes. The window regulator design sucks. Expect to replace one yearly, if not every other year. We have replaced all 4 in ours, and one of them is starting to have problems again. Most of the parts are straight out of the shared MB parts bin, but for the G-Specific parts, be prepared with an open wallet. Second hand parts are hard to find, and usually the dealer is only place to get parts. IIRC, the last window regulator was about $400… We also replace the headlights yearly from cracking due to rocks and sand from taking it up to the snow.

It’s a truck first and foremost... It has a truck like ride, which is fairly stiff. It is geared pretty aggressively, and when rolling down the freeway, expect to be spinning roughly 3200-3500RPMs when cruising about 70. On a good day, with tail wind, flesh filters/fluids/ignition system, we were able to extract approx. 17.5-18 MPG. Around town, it gets about 11-12MPG.

I drove it about 650 miles freeway miles two weekends ago, and got approximately 14MPG. My average speed was about 75mph. Not too bad for what it is, but my friends E55k gets about 24mpg on the freeway!


With all this said, it is fantastic offroad. Every summer since purchasing it, we have done the Rubicon Trail. It’s pretty fun off-road, and always gets nods and thumbs up from other people out on the trails.

[tonkovich]

there's a lot of them in l.a., where they are a status symbol and never go off-road - hence my question. the above poster says it all. great off road i hear, but expensive and awful in town or on the highway. they look very top-heavy.