Don’t believe you Matt. I know and you know it’s a terrible car. Admit it, don’t say it’s nice to promote the car dealer trying to sell it. Not your best post, thought you were better than this.
“They cost about £150k new but hold their value really well - this 10 year old is still about £40k”, only a car dealer could sell the £110k depreciation as reasonable 😂 nice one Matt!
This generation G350 like the one he’s driving in the video started at just under £80k new in 2011. So for it to still be worth 40 odd grand now is really good for a luxury car, especially since an 80k 2011 Range Rover would now cost you around £12 grand
I had one for about 8 years in the mid 90’s Never any trouble tyres was the only expense & the drivers door latch It’s great a hose out interior Tows 3 tonnes Never stops in the snow & ice I loved it As I lived 2km up a lane on a farm ✌🏽
The off road capability of the G wagon is great! Never understood why people drive them on the road tbh. A friend has a 2013 G wagon 500 he uses for hunting and it goes everywhere without an issue
I miss mine terribly. It was an early 1987 280GE 5 door auto. Slow and ridiculously thirsty. Solid as a rock. Sold it to an Irish guy who fitted a 5 cylinder diesel an six speed manual. It was a very tasteful beige metallic.
I've had two short wheel base G Wagens 3 litre diesel and 2.3 litre petrol. The off road performance is outstanding far better than any Land Rover product (I've had over 30 of them). If you really want to drive something that looks outrageous with even better off road performance try a Unimog!
Matt's a typical LR product driver, more bothered about cup holders than years of properly developed engineering which a G-Wagen has, whilst conveniently forgetting how unreliable every LR product is.
I have a 2003 G500 US version. Nearing 200k miles. ZERO major issues, only minor maintenance and some electrical components to replace which were cheap and easy (window switches, regulators, door lock actuators etc). One item all of these will need right at 175-200k miles is the "Short Shaft" replacement. Small driveline coupling between the transmission and transfer case. About $3500 for a shop to do it. This truck lives in Utah and sees dirt roads and winter conditions regularly, not a Beverly Hills mall crawler. Highly recommended.
Been over 20 years since I was last in one of these. Dark blue metallic and I think a straight six diesel auto. We had it as a competitor assessment vehicle. It felt absolutely bomb proof and went from car park to off roading easy as pie. Just like a posher Defender as you said.
During the pandemic when the petrol stations were running low (well around here they were) one of the V8 G Wagons pulled up next to me as I was filling up. The lady started filling up as I was about halfway through, I finished, went in, paid, came out and pulled away and she was still there pumping at about 100 quid or so 😂 the side exit exhaust sounded amazing!
Fortunatly, the interior has been heavily updated since that one :). For celebrities, image is everything and they look good, even if they perform less well.
I’m the same with the Ford maverick. It truly is a horrible car, but I absolutely love them. Only reason I don’t own one now is because my mechanic said he would burn my house down with me still in it if I bought another one. Merry Christmas everyone
I remember driving a dealer demo G300E for a day back in 1990 - it was comical (and bloody thirsty). The model you’ve reviewed is supposedly a step-change from the original, so guess how good the early ones must have been!
I drove the original during my military service back in the 90s. No power steering, 75 hp or so, and a tent as a roof, it was atrocious…every time i see an old military one i think about buying it, because it was such good fun and got you trough everything 😁
Good morning, I've always like the look of a g-wagon but you confirmed what I always thought then it would be terrible. Has become just a fashion accessory for the rich and famous. Great video as usual cheers Phil for Newark
Marbella? Beverly Hills? Champagne Charlie. Great video, brought back a lot of memories. I'm a retired journalist and had a G-Wagon off the press fleet for a couple of weeks back in the late '80s. It was a normally-aspirated 3-litre diesel (300GD). Beautifully made, felt a lot more solid than Range Rovers of that era, but Hail Mary was it slow - especially up hills! It boasted (?) 87 bhp and 127 lb/ft of torque. Wikipedia quotes a 0-60 time of 27 seconds and I believe it. I did take it off-road and found that to get it to move you had to give it some revs, but when you did that you broke the traction and spun the wheels. It had diff locks on both axles but even when you applied them they didn't help. When you were stuck you were stuck and that was it. But I shared your delight in driving what felt like a giant Tonka toy. Everything screamed rugged, built-to-last quality and stick your wind-tunnel up your axxx. You're not being weird in loving the driving experience, I felt the same. Due to an eccentric taste in cars and bikes I can't drive things to impress others but I did notice that many people were extremely impressed by the G! I was getting the VIP bowing & scraping treatment - much to the amusement of my girlfriend at the time. Incidentally, Mercedes has promoted this vehicle by offering free, long-term loans to a host of celebrities worldwide - hence its Hello Magazine status. DJ Nick Grimshaw turned one over in a suburban street when he "swerved to avoid a cat." Will Young's got one too, and Myleene Klass. Got to stop now, feeling queasy.
Somehow the way your offroad experience with the 300GD reads, makes austrian and swiss conscript look like offroad driving gods. Generations of austiran and swiss conscripts drove and drive old G wagons on and offroad, and they do't have those problems going everywhere they are ordered to in the alps. Just for reference: the swiss use(d) the 112 NA petrol engine with an auto gearbox and front and rear diff locks, while our mil uses and used the NA 300GD with the 88hp, as well as the NA 250 GD with 90hp but both without the front locker and manual gearboxes. (And the tyre choice of both militaries for most of the time were standard size mid range M&S Winter tyres, not even offroad tyres)
@@nirfz I think weight was the long-wheel- base G-Wagon's main impediment. At the time I had one I was helping out at an off-road driving school so we would compare different types of vehicles. Conditions were wet and muddy. I found such things as the Lada Niva, Daihatsu Fourtrack and short wheel base Land Rover to be much more able - basically because they were lighter. However, on the road the G-Wagon was far more comfortable & civilised.
The garage that lent you it, has a nice Velar get them to lend you that, a Range Rover video would be great or an update on the running costs of your own Range Rover
Thanks for the review Matt. My missus has been saying for a long time that this is her dream car, and my reaction has always been "never in a month of Sundays". I'll send her your review and point out what a terrible car it is, in the hope she switched to the L405 instead!
Matt, I’ve been in the new type G Wagen. Definitely not in the same league as a Range Rover or the new Defender but it has its own charm as you say, you can’t help but still like it.
@@wwilll range rovers are complicated top marque motors. As discussed many times on here, they are no less reliable than any other 4x4s on the market. I’ve owned numerous land rovers, including vogue se supercharged range rovers and a freelander V6 ES Premium over the years . The problem arises when people purchase these motors and stretch themselves budget wise in doing so, and cannot afford to maintain these complicated and highly capable 4x4s. This leads to the lack of maintenance when needed and repairs et cetera. They get run and run without care and inevitably develop faults. I serviced my last range Rover supercharged every year and fixed the odd minor fault straight away. Over the course of four years of ownership it did not cost me more than an Audi or BMW, both of which I have owned previously.
@@davidbrooks187 I've had a RR sport that was faultless during my ownership. Routine maintance it was perfect and a lovely machine to drive. I don't get the G Wagon, sure it is very capable but so damn expensive......a old style Defender is just as capable, has it's own charm and although they themselves are expensive not anywhere near the G.
These are great fun. As an extra car. Haven’t tried the upgraded 2018 onwards, but the amg63 is said to be a proper weapon. Probably not worth the money, unless you don’t have a budget😊
When I lived in Tokyo the barber next door to my apartment had the AMG version, but mapped for 620 bhp. AFIK, he never drove it out of Tokyo - ever. He did tell me the mileage, and I converted it to 11mpg.
It has stood the test of time for a reason, and it is fashion. If the Slebs have one, that means it must be rubbish, and only owned by those for whom the car has more personality than they possess. Great video, Matt.
Having driven a a reg g wagon, safe to say the interior of this one is not a lot different. The one I drove was used on a farm for its intended purpose, it was good enough on and off road and towing but no better than a landrover 90 although perhaps more reliable. I can't say I'd hanker for one myself.
Had the pleasure of being invited by Mercedes in January 2019 to go to the AMG factory in Affalterbach to test drive the AMG G-Wagon - pretty much as Matt says defo not as luxurious as a Range Rover but the performance was mind blowing and still makes me smile today !
I always smile when I see big chunky 4x4s like these or pick-ups that have 4x4 systems you can't utilise on a standard road surface (where they spend 90% of their time) without screwing up the transmission. Come back Mitsubishi with the Super Select II system (oh or the Subaru symmetrical all wheel drive system). Fun vid Matt - thanks for posting
I think in the uk it's approx the 2010-2012 model, I don't think you could get it before that. But yeah, get one a year newer and the interior is a lot better.
"With all its flaws it makes you feel more... human" - I can almost hear tones of Harry Metcalfe, and I mean that in the best possible way! (PS: thanks for having the l/100km on screen!)
Hi Matt, I've driven a couple of G's in my time as a delivery/demonstrator driver. One was the G55 AMG, the other, the later G63 AMG - both were cool as, and sounded like thunder. However, actually driving them terrifying to say the least. A hell of a lot of go, with hopes and prayers for brakes and handling. Was what you might call 'entertaining'. They do get a lot of attention from passers by though, and that is what makes them cool I think. Thanks for the video, keep up the great work, and I hope you have a great Christmas. :)
I absolutely love G-Wagen's Matt. I have had several over the years. Personally I would always go Petrol...the 3 Litres were good, the V8 better. I would never have a 'gangster spec' Black/Black/Black wheels with dark glass. A nice dark blue, silver or dark green with tan leather will still look good in the countryside. Yes the elbow room isn't good (better than a Defender), turning circle isn't great (much like a lwb Defender), but it is built like no other vehicle by Steyr, and will outlast and (off-road) out perform any other 4x4 - hence the secondhand values. 30 year old examples still over £20k! This older model's narrowness is actually a boon off-road and in country lanes. They become like a family pet....part of the family!
How an Austrian developed 4x4 for the German and also French military became such a status symbol still bemuses me. A nice honest early 80s 4 pot petrol engined short wheel base example would be good fun at the right money.
Plenty of those for sale around in europe; the swiss army sold off a lot of them. G230 with an auto gearbox and quite good protection of all the voids and cavities to prevent rust. But they come with a "soft top" and are oliv green and left hand drive.
We have 3 of them, all v8’s, and I adore them. They are used as fun cars rather than for daily use as the cost would be prohibitive. Occasionally we use them off road for fun but certainly not the sort of green laning you see scratching up paint work and bashing panels. One word of warning if you go for a G350cdi - the 2010 and 2011 models came with a small sump which were changed by mercedes if the engine showed signs of issues.
Jim, I think once you’ve owned one you’re hooked. I do use mine daily and it’s a 350d. Permanently filthy. Are there objectively better cars? Probably, but it’s like having the Terminator on your side.
The g63, bentayga, Cayenne turbo s, urus are ultimate 4x4 manly cars! Loving them cars. If only they were the price of something of a Mitsubishi shogun.
Highly recommend Approved Vehicles, very welcoming and happy to let you spend as much time as you need looking around and test driving some amazing vehicles they have for sale without being pushy at all! Another informative video Matt, cheers 👍
Matt, you should definitely BUY a G-Wagon…I’d say 2002-2004. V8 petrol. The interior is even more C-Class in that era. Then do a review and see if you can sell it for profit. Also, perhaps buy a year old or so Defender with high miles and show what all needs fixing on it to sell it on.
Thanks for the G wagon review. It’s like the bright light that moths are drawn to 😆. So impractical but I want one. If only there was something as quirky as G wagon but was a bit smaller and a bit cheaper 🤔 A new Jimney on steroids would do the trick.
I see what you did there, the old Top Gear thing of slating a car before revealing it is actually brilliant and why you should buy one. I think it may just trump the Range Rover in terms of badge snobbery and oneupmanship. "I own a Range Rover, it costs me thousands to keep it on the road." Well duh. "I own a G-Wagon, it costs me thousands to replace a lightbulb." Ouch. Feel the burn.🔥
I was just about to say the same thing. Very Clarkson to start of by saying all of what's wrong and terrible about a car...and then suddenly do an about turn to say he absolutely loves it!
It would be a fantastic alternative to a defender. Similarly great off road and the cool factor but with really good build quality and even with the 213hp diesel it's probably a much nicer engine.
Imagine my delight when I seen the thumbnail, adore the G Wagon! But then seen the video duration 8:21! Come on, this is as cool if not better than a FFRR plus more reliable!
Back in 2011. Mercedes took a bunch of us to Ladakh, a mountain desert 15000 feet above sea level in a bunch of GLs now GLS and a lone S 55. Off road, the S55 was competent except for tyre grip due to road tyres. Drove it on bad mountain roads, AMG spec meant it was crashy in potholes, steering was imprecise-around tight bends, the Only thing I liked was the solid build and the supercharged engine. I switched back to the GL350 we GCIH felt more competent overall. Later drove it on a straight smooth road, that’s all it’s meant for- LA Boulevards!
The best review I've seen on this vehicle. You're right. It's horrible in nearly every way. Terrible ride and handling. The seats are the hard and the gas mileage ( we get only the V-8 models in the U.S.) is nearly single digits per gallon. Get it up to highway speed and the wind noise is horrible. But my neighborhood MB dealer is selling them for 50k over sticker. People love em. Goes to show how far the looks of a vehicle can go.
As a Land Rover fan, I totally get it. Although that 'good build quality' thing is a bit incomprehensible. I mean, I've heard rumours that's possible, but only having owned Green Badge things I have no personal experience. I'd be really interested in your views on one of those Ineos Grenadiers if you could source on from somewhere.
UK car dealers should turn Matt into the UK's Doug Demuro (toned down a bit) - and allow him to drive all sorts of stuff - please any dealers out there allow him a drive. You got to love the honest and funny reviews. Now can anyone lend him a new G63 for a comparison to see if it is any better and as scary as a rollercoaster! Oh and we wait with eager anticipation the "Should you buy a Cullinan" Review!
I spent most of my time getting from A to B in HM Forces behind the wheel of a SWB Land Rover Discovery with a canvas cover. I still have nightmares about them.😰
@@cruzmalibu4361 They're Swedish. They have an assembly plant in China.. It's like saying Apple is Chinese since every iPhone, iPad and iMac is made in China.. Most companies have their manufacturing plants in China because of low tax, cheap energy and labour costs..
@@Nyasalands_Finest …China has owned Volvo completely for over 10 years. The company, Geely, is not a Swedish company. They will not manufacture parts for Volvos over 5 years old and believe in the Chinese ideal of “planned obsolescence”. Geely also has a controlling interest in Aston Martin, Jaguar, and Land Rover, which India’s TATA purchased over a decade ago as well. Any Volvo employees left in Sweden get a paycheck from China. You might want to trade your XC90 in quickly before the rest of the world finds out that China is the puppet master…
@@cruzmalibu4361 If China is so bad then throw away your cellphone, laptop and the shoes you're wearing. They probably made the clothes you're wearing also and most of the property in your house. 🤣🤣
These seem to be one to be seen in around town. Pimped out with black windows and top boys driving them. Prob the same in Beverley Hills. That range rover last week just looked better despite the scratches.
These were made for german farmers and german aristocracy to use for hunting and stuff. They are very popular hunting offroaders in Europe. I personally never understood the buzz about them. The G wagon was meant to be an upmarket offroad work machine, not a Chelsea tractor 😄
6:47. That couldn’t be more true😅. I love the G wagon and in my mind I think that I could look like a gangster for 40k. However, you suddenly realise you can get a newer, faster, more luxurious, bigger, more technologically advanced L405 for the same price.
Back in the day one of my salesman took a bloke out for a test drive in one and it got stuck in a muddy field we had a used Lada Niva so we sent that to pull it out no problem,style over practicality indeed.
Have you ever driven a Porsche Macon? If not it would be a good car to review. The early models have become more affordable. I was wondering what you thought of them.
You hold many valid points. I can't find the attraction. Just like with the Range Rovers, the buyers of this G wagon will most likely never take it off roading. Thats where these vehicles shine. But lets be real here. Other than it capabilities, you're buying a german tank. Somebody please help me find the luxury here. I don't see it. Nothing has made me feel like my Evoque and can't wait for the day when I can afford what we call the full sized HSE (that's what we call it here in the states).
Fun review, thank you! Maybe get one for a year, see where the driving adventure takes you. Or perhaps a 4X4 Panda? And you could get the partnering dealership to lend you this car for the High Peak Autos Rap Video. Or perhaps in your place of birth is better, sunshine rays and shorts! Anyway, getting ahead of myself here. Thank you, that was a lot fun :)
I had the use of a g wagon I loved driving it slowly the brakes were schitt but it felt like a tank and so well built it was a 1984 version departure angle not as good as the defender which I think would be better off road 👍🏽
It's a pity the satnav only knows the way to Poland and the door locks sound like heel-clicks, but there is something reassuringly Germanic about them, which makes them Ideal for those wanting to drive across London, and arrive on the other side still possessing their Rolex.
Well Matt you did find one good thing about the “Gelandewagen”, which is one more than I could find although I have never driven one. This is interesting because more new SUVs are sold in Australia every year than any other type of car, yet I have never seen a Mercedes G-Wagon. That is apart from one of the 2,261 Australian Defence Force (ADF) Fleet of G Wagons. I believe the person who negotiated that deal no longer works for the ADF.
The australian army is the reason there even was a 6x6 squared! The australian order for a 6x6 sparked the idea they could just put portal axles on them and throw the AMG engine into it and sell it to some sheiks. And i too think the person doesn't work for the ADF anymore, because the person would probably be old enough for retirement ;-) Evne the USMC a "few" years back bought some because thanks to being so narrow they fit the tranport planes and helis better than the HMMVs. Right outside my workplace the factory does some road testing of the cars off the production line, and i still see military versions occasionaly, so the Aussies aren't in bad company to use them. (I have spent some time as a passenger in one offroad during my conscript time and back then i was kind of shocked what it could take without even being bothered)
Not sure about the rest of the UK but in my city they have a reputation for being the car of choice for the biggest Columbian marching powder pushers in the hood. Those lower down the pecking order get a Range Rover Sport in Nose candy white.
"alright guys, how's it going, welcome back". I've started using that to everyone I know. No one has a clue why lol
Right. I'm going to do that now!
He he. I like to end my conversations with, "so yeah, cheers guys."
Defo going to do this walking into work everymorning🤣
I use this phrase romantically before commencing the act.
Don’t believe you Matt. I know and you know it’s a terrible car. Admit it, don’t say it’s nice to promote the car dealer trying to sell it. Not your best post, thought you were better than this.
“They cost about £150k new but hold their value really well - this 10 year old is still about £40k”, only a car dealer could sell the £110k depreciation as reasonable 😂 nice one Matt!
and new ones on the lot are depreciating and prices dropping..all his shiite BS on not losing money is pathetic
This generation G350 like the one he’s driving in the video started at just under £80k new in 2011. So for it to still be worth 40 odd grand now is really good for a luxury car, especially since an 80k 2011 Range Rover would now cost you around £12 grand
Compared to other luxury cars, it could be worse. But still a money pit
Tit Magnet 😒
Yup, that's £900 a month every month for a decade lost in depreciation, insane
This could be the best review of G Class in a manner that we got impression what is at all about. Its not about numbers, its about feeling!
I had one for about 8 years in the mid 90’s
Never any trouble tyres was the only expense
& the drivers door latch
It’s great a hose out interior
Tows 3 tonnes
Never stops in the snow & ice
I loved it
As I lived 2km up a lane on a farm ✌🏽
The off road capability of the G wagon is great!
Never understood why people drive them on the road tbh.
A friend has a 2013 G wagon 500 he uses for hunting and it goes everywhere without an issue
I miss mine terribly. It was an early 1987 280GE 5 door auto. Slow and ridiculously thirsty. Solid as a rock. Sold it to an Irish guy who fitted a 5 cylinder diesel an six speed manual. It was a very tasteful beige metallic.
I've had two short wheel base G Wagens 3 litre diesel and 2.3 litre petrol. The off road performance is outstanding far better than any Land Rover product (I've had over 30 of them). If you really want to drive something that looks outrageous with even better off road performance try a Unimog!
Matt's a typical LR product driver, more bothered about cup holders than years of properly developed engineering which a G-Wagen has, whilst conveniently forgetting how unreliable every LR product is.
Me too had g300d swb ten times more comfortable than any defender i ever had never broke down solid beast
@@neilwalsh4058cup holders 😂 for sipping coffee? 😂
I have a 2003 G500 US version. Nearing 200k miles. ZERO major issues, only minor maintenance and some electrical components to replace which were cheap and easy (window switches, regulators, door lock actuators etc). One item all of these will need right at 175-200k miles is the "Short Shaft" replacement. Small driveline coupling between the transmission and transfer case. About $3500 for a shop to do it. This truck lives in Utah and sees dirt roads and winter conditions regularly, not a Beverly Hills mall crawler. Highly recommended.
Been over 20 years since I was last in one of these. Dark blue metallic and I think a straight six diesel auto. We had it as a competitor assessment vehicle. It felt absolutely bomb proof and went from car park to off roading easy as pie. Just like a posher Defender as you said.
I'd recommend the G Wagon driving experience at Mercedes Benz World. Went a few months ago - really enjoyed it!
During the pandemic when the petrol stations were running low (well around here they were) one of the V8 G Wagons pulled up next to me as I was filling up. The lady started filling up as I was about halfway through, I finished, went in, paid, came out and pulled away and she was still there pumping at about 100 quid or so 😂 the side exit exhaust sounded amazing!
Love your channel! I am a spanish guy who wants to be in the future a used car dealer. I think you are inspiring. Greetings from Málaga :)
Ah thank you! Go for it! P.S I am also in Málaga
Says its proper name gelendvagen made me very happy! Good on ya great review as always
Fortunatly, the interior has been heavily updated since that one :). For celebrities, image is everything and they look good, even if they perform less well.
I’m the same with the Ford maverick. It truly is a horrible car, but I absolutely love them. Only reason I don’t own one now is because my mechanic said he would burn my house down with me still in it if I bought another one. Merry Christmas everyone
That was a good watch. Love it when something quirky makes you like 1. Even if they’re terrible.
I remember driving a dealer demo G300E for a day back in 1990 - it was comical (and bloody thirsty). The model you’ve reviewed is supposedly a step-change from the original, so guess how good the early ones must have been!
I drove the original during my military service back in the 90s. No power steering, 75 hp or so, and a tent as a roof, it was atrocious…every time i see an old military one i think about buying it, because it was such good fun and got you trough everything 😁
@@erebostd i guess you're from Greece, because there the army uses the convertible old G
@@sorinmiliescu Germany 😁
Can tell how excited you were filming this one, getting a bit giddy!
I got an older model from 1991, Diesel om606. Super fun to drive offroad.
The best engine!
@@h2489-m2l Agreed
Good morning, I've always like the look of a g-wagon but you confirmed what I always thought then it would be terrible. Has become just a fashion accessory for the rich and famous. Great video as usual cheers Phil for Newark
One of my neighbors had a G63. When he started it in p-cellar it was roaring like thunder. Now he's changed it for a Mini JCW.
Marbella? Beverly Hills? Champagne Charlie. Great video, brought back a lot of memories. I'm a retired journalist and had a G-Wagon off the press fleet for a couple of weeks back in the late '80s. It was a normally-aspirated 3-litre diesel (300GD). Beautifully made, felt a lot more solid than Range Rovers of that era, but Hail Mary was it slow - especially up hills! It boasted (?) 87 bhp and 127 lb/ft of torque. Wikipedia quotes a 0-60 time of 27 seconds and I believe it. I did take it off-road and found that to get it to move you had to give it some revs, but when you did that you broke the traction and spun the wheels. It had diff locks on both axles but even when you applied them they didn't help. When you were stuck you were stuck and that was it. But I shared your delight in driving what felt like a giant Tonka toy. Everything screamed rugged, built-to-last quality and stick your wind-tunnel up your axxx. You're not being weird in loving the driving experience, I felt the same. Due to an eccentric taste in cars and bikes I can't drive things to impress others but I did notice that many people were extremely impressed by the G! I was getting the VIP bowing & scraping treatment - much to the amusement of my girlfriend at the time. Incidentally, Mercedes has promoted this vehicle by offering free, long-term loans to a host of celebrities worldwide - hence its Hello Magazine status. DJ Nick Grimshaw turned one over in a suburban street when he "swerved to avoid a cat." Will Young's got one too, and Myleene Klass. Got to stop now, feeling queasy.
Somehow the way your offroad experience with the 300GD reads, makes austrian and swiss conscript look like offroad driving gods.
Generations of austiran and swiss conscripts drove and drive old G wagons on and offroad, and they do't have those problems going everywhere they are ordered to in the alps.
Just for reference: the swiss use(d) the 112 NA petrol engine with an auto gearbox and front and rear diff locks, while our mil uses and used the NA 300GD with the 88hp, as well as the NA 250 GD with 90hp but both without the front locker and manual gearboxes.
(And the tyre choice of both militaries for most of the time were standard size mid range M&S Winter tyres, not even offroad tyres)
@@nirfz I think weight was the long-wheel- base G-Wagon's main impediment. At the time I had one I was helping out at an off-road driving school so we would compare different types of vehicles. Conditions were wet and muddy. I found such things as the Lada Niva, Daihatsu Fourtrack and short wheel base Land Rover to be much more able - basically because they were lighter. However, on the road the G-Wagon was far more comfortable & civilised.
The garage that lent you it, has a nice Velar get them to lend you that, a Range Rover video would be great or an update on the running costs of your own Range Rover
Should! Period!
One of the greatest vehicles ever made (ideally as G500) and only this actually matter!
Insane how, once again, the High Peak algorithm knows what cars interest me. Top work!
Thanks!
i love the new 2017 onwards G wagon,looks stylish and retro at the same time!
Great video Matt! :D
Thanks for the review Matt. My missus has been saying for a long time that this is her dream car, and my reaction has always been "never in a month of Sundays". I'll send her your review and point out what a terrible car it is, in the hope she switched to the L405 instead!
Matt,
I’ve been in the new type G Wagen. Definitely not in the same league as a Range Rover or the new Defender but it has its own charm as you say, you can’t help but still like it.
Doesn’t break down like a Range Rover either.
@@wwilll range rovers are complicated top marque motors. As discussed many times on here, they are no less reliable than any other 4x4s on the market. I’ve owned numerous land rovers, including vogue se supercharged range rovers and a freelander V6 ES Premium over the years . The problem arises when people purchase these motors and stretch themselves budget wise in doing so, and cannot afford to maintain these complicated and highly capable 4x4s. This leads to the lack of maintenance when needed and repairs et cetera. They get run and run without care and inevitably develop faults. I serviced my last range Rover supercharged every year and fixed the odd minor fault straight away. Over the course of four years of ownership it did not cost me more than an Audi or BMW, both of which I have owned previously.
@@davidbrooks187 I've had a RR sport that was faultless during my ownership. Routine maintance it was perfect and a lovely machine to drive.
I don't get the G Wagon, sure it is very capable but so damn expensive......a old style Defender is just as capable, has it's own charm and although they themselves are expensive not anywhere near the G.
Mate, you changed my mind about getting one of these vehicles. Thanks Matt.
These are great fun. As an extra car. Haven’t tried the upgraded 2018 onwards, but the amg63 is said to be a proper weapon. Probably not worth the money, unless you don’t have a budget😊
When I lived in Tokyo the barber next door to my apartment had the AMG version, but mapped for 620 bhp. AFIK, he never drove it out of Tokyo - ever. He did tell me the mileage, and I converted it to 11mpg.
"G Wagon" a good example of superb 'German Engineering' you sure look good driving it Sir. 🙌
Dankeschon!👍👏
It has stood the test of time for a reason, and it is fashion. If the Slebs have one, that means it must be rubbish, and only owned by those for whom the car has more personality than they possess. Great video, Matt.
One of most brutal and charismatic cars ever made. It's a 10 bandits from 10
Matt 😂 much love for your honesty 😂😂😂
Having driven a a reg g wagon, safe to say the interior of this one is not a lot different.
The one I drove was used on a farm for its intended purpose, it was good enough on and off road and towing but no better than a landrover 90 although perhaps more reliable.
I can't say I'd hanker for one myself.
Had the pleasure of being invited by Mercedes in January 2019 to go to the AMG factory in Affalterbach to test drive the AMG G-Wagon - pretty much as Matt says defo not as luxurious as a Range Rover but the performance was mind blowing and still makes me smile today !
I always smile when I see big chunky 4x4s like these or pick-ups that have 4x4 systems you can't utilise on a standard road surface (where they spend 90% of their time) without screwing up the transmission. Come back Mitsubishi with the Super Select II system (oh or the Subaru symmetrical all wheel drive system). Fun vid Matt - thanks for posting
That's actually the ~2001 to early 2012 model. In late 2012 they came up with the refreshed one, which ran all the way until 2018.
I think in the uk it's approx the 2010-2012 model, I don't think you could get it before that. But yeah, get one a year newer and the interior is a lot better.
I totally agree with you Matt . . .
. . . up to the 3:23 time mark.
My dream car. Just an amazing creation. By the way, great video as always.
"With all its flaws it makes you feel more... human" - I can almost hear tones of Harry Metcalfe, and I mean that in the best possible way!
(PS: thanks for having the l/100km on screen!)
The new models from 2019 is a completely different ballgame! More space and so much better - you should try one
I seen a brand new one recently it was amazing to see up close and personal.
Waiting to see what you think of the ineos grenadier when they start to get out on the road
Hi Matt, I've driven a couple of G's in my time as a delivery/demonstrator driver. One was the G55 AMG, the other, the later G63 AMG - both were cool as, and sounded like thunder. However, actually driving them terrifying to say the least. A hell of a lot of go, with hopes and prayers for brakes and handling. Was what you might call 'entertaining'. They do get a lot of attention from passers by though, and that is what makes them cool I think. Thanks for the video, keep up the great work, and I hope you have a great Christmas. :)
Another fantastic video mate 😁
Matt id love to see you review some vintage pick ups
What old prostitutes he did live in Spain 😘
I absolutely love G-Wagen's Matt. I have had several over the years.
Personally I would always go Petrol...the 3 Litres were good, the V8 better.
I would never have a 'gangster spec' Black/Black/Black wheels with dark glass.
A nice dark blue, silver or dark green with tan leather will still look good in the countryside.
Yes the elbow room isn't good (better than a Defender), turning circle isn't great (much like a lwb Defender), but it is built like no other vehicle by Steyr, and will outlast and (off-road) out perform any other 4x4 - hence the secondhand values. 30 year old examples still over £20k!
This older model's narrowness is actually a boon off-road and in country lanes.
They become like a family pet....part of the family!
Great video, so honest.
Now we're talking🤩 If I win the lotto I would buy the new G500 with all the bells and whistles in a heartbeat
How an Austrian developed 4x4 for the German and also French military became such a status symbol still bemuses me. A nice honest early 80s 4 pot petrol engined short wheel base example would be good fun at the right money.
Plenty of those for sale around in europe; the swiss army sold off a lot of them. G230 with an auto gearbox and quite good protection of all the voids and cavities to prevent rust. But they come with a "soft top" and are oliv green and left hand drive.
We have 3 of them, all v8’s, and I adore them. They are used as fun cars rather than for daily use as the cost would be prohibitive. Occasionally we use them off road for fun but certainly not the sort of green laning you see scratching up paint work and bashing panels. One word of warning if you go for a G350cdi - the 2010 and 2011 models came with a small sump which were changed by mercedes if the engine showed signs of issues.
I've got four
@@simontaylor2525 nice! Which models?
Jim, I think once you’ve owned one you’re hooked. I do use mine daily and it’s a 350d. Permanently filthy. Are there objectively better cars? Probably, but it’s like having the Terminator on your side.
The g63, bentayga, Cayenne turbo s, urus are ultimate 4x4 manly cars! Loving them cars. If only they were the price of something of a Mitsubishi shogun.
Highly recommend Approved Vehicles, very welcoming and happy to let you spend as much time as you need looking around and test driving some amazing vehicles they have for sale without being pushy at all! Another informative video Matt, cheers 👍
One of the best reviews I’ve seen on a GWagon. Awesome!
Glad you liked it!
Matt, you should definitely BUY a G-Wagon…I’d say 2002-2004. V8 petrol. The interior is even more C-Class in that era. Then do a review and see if you can sell it for profit. Also, perhaps buy a year old or so Defender with high miles and show what all needs fixing on it to sell it on.
Brilliant review! Owning a G Wagon makes no sense, but that's not the point if it puts a massive smile on your face. Would I buy one?
Hell yeah!
Blimey Matt, you get that door lock sound with a Vauxhall Meriva
Thanks for the G wagon review. It’s like the bright light that moths are drawn to 😆. So impractical but I want one. If only there was something as quirky as G wagon but was a bit smaller and a bit cheaper 🤔 A new Jimney on steroids would do the trick.
Retrofitting a more recent G Wagon interior, would give it a more modern look. Wonder if it is feasible, as straight bolt on.
The electronics and wiring would probably make it difficult
I for one like the more old school interior. Timeless.
I see what you did there, the old Top Gear thing of slating a car before revealing it is actually brilliant and why you should buy one.
I think it may just trump the Range Rover in terms of badge snobbery and oneupmanship. "I own a Range Rover, it costs me thousands to keep it on the road." Well duh.
"I own a G-Wagon, it costs me thousands to replace a lightbulb." Ouch. Feel the burn.🔥
I was just about to say the same thing. Very Clarkson to start of by saying all of what's wrong and terrible about a car...and then suddenly do an about turn to say he absolutely loves it!
It would be a fantastic alternative to a defender. Similarly great off road and the cool factor but with really good build quality and even with the 213hp diesel it's probably a much nicer engine.
A G-class is simple nowhere near the Land Rover Defender
@@t8506yeah, its better
Imagine my delight when I seen the thumbnail, adore the G Wagon! But then seen the video duration 8:21! Come on, this is as cool if not better than a FFRR plus more reliable!
I secretly really liked shmee150's G63, tuned and sounded awesome.
Back in 2011. Mercedes took a bunch of us to Ladakh, a mountain desert 15000 feet above sea level in a bunch of GLs now GLS and a lone S 55. Off road, the S55 was competent except for tyre grip due to road tyres. Drove it on bad mountain roads, AMG spec meant it was crashy in potholes, steering was imprecise-around tight bends, the Only thing I liked was the solid build and the supercharged engine. I switched back to the GL350 we GCIH felt more competent overall.
Later drove it on a straight smooth road, that’s all it’s meant for- LA Boulevards!
Frankly, a 350d is more than enough and more honest!
The newer G63 is the one to get if I had the money I think I would buy one and take it to Urban for a set of wheels and a body kit.
The best review I've seen on this vehicle. You're right. It's horrible in nearly every way. Terrible ride and handling. The seats are the hard and the gas mileage ( we get only the V-8 models in the U.S.) is nearly single digits per gallon. Get it up to highway speed and the wind noise is horrible. But my neighborhood MB dealer is selling them for 50k over sticker. People love em. Goes to show how far the looks of a vehicle can go.
Excellent video! Been waiting a while for this review and you've finally made it. You're going to buy one I know it! 😉
It’s a yes. I couldn’t mind. But I get the love and dream. G’s are something else
As a Land Rover fan, I totally get it. Although that 'good build quality' thing is a bit incomprehensible. I mean, I've heard rumours that's possible, but only having owned Green Badge things I have no personal experience.
I'd be really interested in your views on one of those Ineos Grenadiers if you could source on from somewhere.
UK car dealers should turn Matt into the UK's Doug Demuro (toned down a bit) - and allow him to drive all sorts of stuff - please any dealers out there allow him a drive. You got to love the honest and funny reviews. Now can anyone lend him a new G63 for a comparison to see if it is any better and as scary as a rollercoaster! Oh and we wait with eager anticipation the "Should you buy a Cullinan" Review!
Thanks! I’d love to do a video with a Cullinan
I spent most of my time getting from A to B in HM Forces behind the wheel of a SWB Land Rover Discovery with a canvas cover. I still have nightmares about them.😰
Defender maybe
Would still go for an xc90 over this or an X5. Great video Matt
An XC90 is Chinese technology and the G-Wagen is German technology…are you sure you prefer the Volvo ? 😳
@@cruzmalibu4361 They're Swedish. They have an assembly plant in China.. It's like saying Apple is Chinese since every iPhone, iPad and iMac is made in China.. Most companies have their manufacturing plants in China because of low tax, cheap energy and labour costs..
@@Nyasalands_Finest …China has owned Volvo completely for over 10 years. The company, Geely, is not a Swedish company. They will not manufacture parts for Volvos over 5 years old and believe in the Chinese ideal of “planned obsolescence”. Geely also has a controlling interest in Aston Martin, Jaguar, and Land Rover, which India’s TATA purchased over a decade ago as well. Any Volvo employees left in Sweden get a paycheck from China. You might want to trade your XC90 in quickly before the rest of the world finds out that China is the puppet master…
@@cruzmalibu4361 If China is so bad then throw away your cellphone, laptop and the shoes you're wearing. They probably made the clothes you're wearing also and most of the property in your house. 🤣🤣
@@Nyasalands_Finest …you seem to jovially support a government that effortlessly slaughters it own citizens if they disagree with the government.
These seem to be one to be seen in around town. Pimped out with black windows and top boys driving them. Prob the same in Beverley Hills. That range rover last week just looked better despite the scratches.
Merry Christmas to you and your family and thanks for your effort good job ! Take care
These were made for german farmers and german aristocracy to use for hunting and stuff. They are very popular hunting offroaders in Europe. I personally never understood the buzz about them. The G wagon was meant to be an upmarket offroad work machine, not a Chelsea tractor 😄
Every time i see a g wagon it gets a comment or a stare its just the law!
6:47. That couldn’t be more true😅. I love the G wagon and in my mind I think that I could look like a gangster for 40k. However, you suddenly realise you can get a newer, faster, more luxurious, bigger, more technologically advanced L405 for the same price.
Back in the day one of my salesman took a bloke out for a test drive in one and it got stuck in a muddy field we had a used Lada Niva so we sent that to pull it out no problem,style over practicality indeed.
never understood these ...pure flex ..look how much money I can afford to waste like a Louis Vuitton anything
Honestly its one of those expirence that you need to experiences to actually understand
Don't forget to have your mates take plenty of pics. of you getting into it, then post those online. The Likes will flood in.
good review for the G.. many thanks
Drive a brand new G Wagon AMG 63 and you will love it! ❤
Its the look of it I love big trucks and the G wagon is just my small truck
If your desperate to have one, try Military Sales...they usually quiet a few including the SWB.
Matt I think an Alfa MiTo would be great on a review and i feel like
other people would agree as well!
Nice! Perfect winter beater 😉
Have you ever driven a Porsche Macon? If not it would be a good car to review. The early models have become more affordable. I was wondering what you thought of them.
You hold many valid points. I can't find the attraction. Just like with the Range Rovers, the buyers of this G wagon will most likely never take it off roading. Thats where these vehicles shine. But lets be real here. Other than it capabilities, you're buying a german tank. Somebody please help me find the luxury here. I don't see it. Nothing has made me feel like my Evoque and can't wait for the day when I can afford what we call the full sized HSE (that's what we call it here in the states).
Fun review, thank you! Maybe get one for a year, see where the driving adventure takes you. Or perhaps a 4X4 Panda? And you could get the partnering dealership to lend you this car for the High Peak Autos Rap Video. Or perhaps in your place of birth is better, sunshine rays and shorts! Anyway, getting ahead of myself here. Thank you, that was a lot fun :)
Matt you really need to try the G63 totally different beast i know you will buy one once driven
I had the use of a g wagon I loved driving it slowly the brakes were schitt but it felt like a tank and so well built it was a 1984 version departure angle not as good as the defender which I think would be better off road 👍🏽
Of course a Defender is not better off road.
@@martinsvensson6884 true as it would be broken down while the toyota landcruser and hulux drivers would pass 😂
Would love to see a review of one of the 2018 onwards ones to see the difference…
It's a pity the satnav only knows the way to Poland and the door locks sound like heel-clicks, but there is something reassuringly Germanic about them, which makes them Ideal for those wanting to drive across London, and arrive on the other side still possessing their Rolex.
Some years back one of my clients had one, his staff called it his 'Tonka Toy' :)
Well Matt you did find one good thing about the “Gelandewagen”, which is one more than I could find although I have never driven one. This is interesting because more new SUVs are sold in Australia every year than any other type of car, yet I have never seen a Mercedes G-Wagon. That is apart from one of the 2,261 Australian Defence Force (ADF) Fleet of G Wagons. I believe the person who negotiated that deal no longer works for the ADF.
You have clearly never been to Melbourne… all the upper end Chinese drive G Wagons now, I have seen more than 10 in Clayton area alone
The australian army is the reason there even was a 6x6 squared! The australian order for a 6x6 sparked the idea they could just put portal axles on them and throw the AMG engine into it and sell it to some sheiks.
And i too think the person doesn't work for the ADF anymore, because the person would probably be old enough for retirement ;-)
Evne the USMC a "few" years back bought some because thanks to being so narrow they fit the tranport planes and helis better than the HMMVs.
Right outside my workplace the factory does some road testing of the cars off the production line, and i still see military versions occasionaly, so the Aussies aren't in bad company to use them. (I have spent some time as a passenger in one offroad during my conscript time and back then i was kind of shocked what it could take without even being bothered)
Great vids mate
Not sure about the rest of the UK but in my city they have a reputation for being the car of choice for the biggest Columbian marching powder pushers in the hood. Those lower down the pecking order get a Range Rover Sport in Nose candy white.