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Why not a Mercedes G Wagen? Why not a Mercedes G Wagen?
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Light Overland Vehicle Tech Tech issues, tips and hints, prepping for travel
Under 3500kg vehicles, e.g. Land Cruiser, Land Rover, Subaru etc.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #31  
Old 17 Aug 2014
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I would get an older one rather than a newer one and spend the budget doing it up to your required standard. mercedes are very good at supporting their older vehicles. I believe every part for every merc ever built is still available!

Unlike Toyota who are shite at this and would rather scrap old parts than store them!
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  #32  
Old 18 Aug 2014
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Old mercs are renowned for theirth durability, i was wondering if there is a series with was overdeveloped like the w123.. or are they pretty much the same? how about the engines?
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  #33  
Old 19 Aug 2014
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like all euro cars they did become increasingly electronic to deal with emissions regs, which is why I would go for an earlier one. Tom Shepherd did have a lot of trouble with his, can't remember the details and my books are all packed for a house move so I can't check!
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  #34  
Old 19 Aug 2014
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G engine conversion
Hi Jim - A build thread and results against a LR would be useful.
I'd love to know what you think of the vehicle after the conversion,
especially given your experience with landrovers.

I've driven lots of G's over the years and my favourite was a petrol auto
but found them all slow and not very agile you could feel the mass of the vehicle in soft ground, however i was tooling around in a V8 90 at the time
so not a fair comparison.

All the nice trucks I would want to own were out of my meagre budget and everything else looked like it spent its life in a salt pan.

I do like the Large G's drove a few of those and loved them but never seen one in the uk except at castlemartin.

regards all
Gren
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Why not a Mercedes G Wagen?-allrad-080.jpg  

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  #35  
Old 19 Aug 2014
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yummee, thats a bit tasty!
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  #36  
Old 20 Aug 2014
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g-wagon
if you break down in northern zambia.

in a toyota people come running to you with parts.

in a g-wagen it goes on a trailer,to somewhere expensive
and often far away
jm2c
kp
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  #37  
Old 20 Aug 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by moggy 1968 View Post
like all euro cars they did become increasingly electronic to deal with emissions regs, which is why I would go for an earlier one. Tom Shepherd did have a lot of trouble with his, can't remember the details and my books are all packed for a house move so I can't check!
I believe they eventually tracked it down to a damaged wiring loom where it had been incorrectly fitted from new.
His was the 5 cylinder, fully electronic injection version. Pretty much the same as the newer Sprinter engines.

The only electronics in mine is the ABS, basic 6 cylinder non turbo diesel. It's a 606 engine around 140bhp which is adequate.

Up to around 1993 they were all electronic free and share loads of parts with W124 cars, and 300 series vans. Even in the UK people are scared of them but once you delve underneath they are pretty basic and anyone who has worked on MB cars or commercials will feel at home. If you're stuck (for a price) MB have a brilliant parts back up.
Would I take the 4 litre V8 diesel or a new 350 Bluetec further than Tesco’s? Umm nope
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  #38  
Old 22 Aug 2014
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must be because no one can think of a good reason to choose a landrover over a G wagon as the original poster asked
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  #39  
Old 23 Aug 2014
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[QUOTE=*Touring Ted*;353138]I'm ditching my bike for a Combi Van for my next trip../QUOTE]

Crikey Ted, what's next, cheese cloth flares, long hair and jesus beads?
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  #40  
Old 23 Aug 2014
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For something that is supposed to be engineered so much better than a landy , you dont see many even in the lower end of the 4x4 travel market .
It cant be cost , as you just buy to your budget , and cut your cloth ?

i seem to remember a somewhat eventful publicity trip in Australia ?
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  #41  
Old 23 Aug 2014
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The plan with my one is to make a tidy road going vehicle, with the occasional off road trip.. the 110 is my main laning toy.

I'd like to build a G along the lines of a professional or a pur edition, but I'll start with a LWB not a SWB as mine is.

Indeed I'll be doing a build thread somewhere on the web. Will link to it here.
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  #42  
Old 24 Aug 2014
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Originally Posted by Cleland View Post
So.... your Toyotas are soooo reliable, that you are extremely bored and have to jump the fence and be troublesome in the british sector...

A
yup

actually, I have owned 2 series 3s, a 110, a 90, a 130 and even a 101
but now, I own three toyotas and lust after a fourth (a 40 series). The only landrover I really lust after now would be a pre 1950 series 1.

It's interesting to note that those who own Toyotas (for what might be termed 'proper' reasons, i.e. to go off road), and many other non British off roaders, have owned landrovers in the past. The same is not so true the other way round.

The one thing I am jealous about though, is the price of parts. Toyota are eyewateringly expensive, and massively more than Landrover (but then, I guess they have to manufacture spares in greater numbers)
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  #43  
Old 24 Aug 2014
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"It's interesting to note that those who own Toyotas (for what might be termed 'proper' reasons, i.e. to go off road), and many other non British off roaders, have owned landrovers in the past. The same is not so true the other way round."

I found several toyota owners who migrated to Defender after riding in mine , it was also interesting that it was the women who mentioned how good the ride was going cross country , whereas the men didnt comment at all at the time .

Do have to concur re parts prices , but that tends to be a norm with Japanese vehicles, although European vehicles seem to be catching up in that area !
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  #44  
Old 25 Aug 2014
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I was carrying my wife , and three couples in the 110 , going cross country to some caves, and thru a creek bed, It was at this time that the women were discussing how soft the ride was. It was about the time that toyota modded the landcruiser suspension , by lowering it , as they were having a problem with them falling over IIRC

BTw im 5'11" and about 14 1/2 stone i find them very comfortable , JMHO
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  #45  
Old 25 Aug 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tacr2man View Post
"It's interesting to note that those who own Toyotas (for what might be termed 'proper' reasons, i.e. to go off road), and many other non British off roaders, have owned landrovers in the past. The same is not so true the other way round."

I found several toyota owners who migrated to Defender after riding in mine , it was also interesting that it was the women who mentioned how good the ride was going cross country , whereas the men didnt comment at all at the time .

Do have to concur re parts prices , but that tends to be a norm with Japanese vehicles, although European vehicles seem to be catching up in that area !
not saying it never happens, just that it tends to be the exception.
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