I don't what to spoil a good conversation but it seems like the las 10ish comments didn't even mention the G model.. why are they so unpopular o unused? is it because they are expensive or because trying something new is always a bit of a gamble.

I mean they have been produced since the 70s, the army buys them in many different parts of the world, there are enough spares around to build a mercedes G aircraft carrier..

I know quite a few people use them for off road but for overland they don't seem to be too popular apart from the people mentioned.

By the way i love landies and the cruisers.. but a bit of change once in a while is healthy!!

My take:

Expence. Buying a good one in the first place (as with most vehicles there are some complete shed's out there and you need to find a good one or have deep pockets) and then the preceved cost of keeping one. This is an incorrect perception by the way.

The not "normal" / unknown.

Just joined the forum
It seems that not many are traveling by means of the G series. It's a shame, as it really is well suited for that.
I have the GD290 LWB in a basic W461 configuration.
Much like the original purpose of the 4x4 vehicles - it's here to do a certain job with as little fuss about it as possible.

If you are looking at the Gwagen as a adventure vehicle, take your time looking for the right one. As there are many not-very-good speciments out there.
They will cost a bit more than the rest - but what you will pay initially, you will save tenfold on repairs.

The trouble is, that a G will drive for a long time on a severly worn part, rather than falling to bits right away. If it just stopped dead in it's tracks, then you would be forced to repair right away - rather than trying to squeaze another 50.000 km out of it.

W461 up to 2002 are very similar to the W460 series, with the 461 becomming the more refined version of the basic build concept.

Early W463 series are brilliant as basis of modifying into overland vehicles. Less vibrations, less noise, permanent 4wd and on most vehicles ABS brakes.

Later W463 vehicles turned more into status symbols, that lost a lot of interiour space and gained electronics everywhere. To each, their own.

It's a great adventure vehicle, you just won't find 10 of the same kind to rob of parts- if you crash it in the middle of nowhere.