G class facelift

[Galaxy]

All in all I think it looks good. They kept the trademark chunky look, yet modernized the interior. Granted, I think they could have done more in the interior, especially with regard to paneling on the door interior, and some of the things look bolted on. The G class also got modern tech like radar cruise control, trailer stabilization, etc, plus gizmos like internet access. The G kept the offroad tech like three lockable diffs, the 7 gear auto got a low range. The base G is the G 350 CDI BlueTech with 211hp. The G 500 has 388hp and the G 63 544, and the G 65 612. Of course the last two will leave you stranded in the desert.

[cawimmer430]

Of course the last two will leave you stranded in the desert.

So true! But hey, you can merge unto a freeway with them!

[Lebowski]

Everyone knocks the interior but I rather liked the old school interior (pre-upgrade).

It's a niche vehicle, people who want a brand new looking interior are gonna buy something else anyway.

[Raza]

I never had a problem with the G class, inside or out.  But I do like the older exterior better.  I don't understand the point of the LED strips.

[Vinsanity]

Not gonna lie, I'm extremely curious to get behind the wheel of this G65.

[Rich]

Not gonna lie, I'm extremely curious to get behind the wheel of this G65.

I'm glad you refrain from lying.

[Atomic]

I never had a problem with the G class, inside or out.  But I do like the older exterior better.  I don't understand the point of the LED strips.

i am guessing the LED strips are for safety bragging rights on the part of 'benz. this vehicle truly has a cult following and i would imagine many (for numbers sold) are repeat customers obviously wanting little to change year-to-year. i see it as a "love it or hate it" vehicle for the wealthy. it's the rich man's jeep, IMO. the interior looks decent, but the navigation system looks like an "add on" or aftermarket accessory. going through the motions of updated it, benz certainly could have done a better job integrating the "navi" into the dashboard layout, i think. the exterior redesign doesn't do much to improve upon this cool mercedes, but that, too, should not affect sales for the better or the worse. the new "12 cylinder" i posted a thread about could seal the deal for some, i would think.

[Galaxy]

Keep in mind the G 65 AMG will be the most expensive vehicle Mercedes has on offer. For that it looks a bit plain imo, especially with the NAV screen from the A/B class.

[Vinsanity]

Keep in mind the G 65 AMG will be the most expensive vehicle Mercedes has on offer. For that it looks a bit plain imo, especially with the NAV screen from the A/B class.

Well, to be fair, it is a tad bit more capable than an SLS in quite a few regards.

I just want to know what it feels like to mash the throttle on a 30-year-old mini-tank with a 600-hp V12 under the hood.

[Galaxy]

I just want to know what it feels like to mash the throttle on a 30-year-old mini-tank with a 600-hp V12 under the hood.

Indeed. It is also interesting that a 33 year old design has internet and a radar cruise control.  Things like the A/B class NAV screen just make me feel like they could have put a bit more effort into it.

[Lebowski]

One of my bosses had a black amg g (I think it was the G 55 then) that he didn't like, and he sold it right around the time I bought my 4runner.  I didn't know he was selling it til it was gone, I'm sure I could have practically stolen it

[cawimmer430]

I just want to know what it feels like to mash the throttle on a 30-year-old mini-tank with a 600-hp V12 under the hood.

One of the salesman at the MB dealership where I used to work had a rare opportunity to drive a Brabus G V12 G-Class in Dubai. He said that when you performed a kickdown, the steering wheel would automatically lock and you could only use that power in a straight line. The car was just to heavy and the center of gravity was to high. Brabus suspension tweaks weren't that good. But the acceleration and torque according to him were just brutal. I think that thing did 0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds or something. Not to sure and to lazy to look it up.

Pointless car, but should be fun to drive in its own way in places with cheap gas...

[Atomic]

it must make money for the brand to have soldiered on past the introduction of the GL-class that was intended to replace it. i do admire a rare sighting, often in south FL or NYC.

[Raza]

Rare indeed, but every time I see one, it's an occasion.  It has style and presence unlike any other SUV on the market and more than a lot of cars.  Whenever a Continental GT, for example, slides on by, hunkered down, too much blobby sheetmetal, looking like a fat G35 coupe, it goes virtually unnoticed by most.  But the G class?  Everyone notices that car.

[sportyaccordy]

Merc seems to have lost the plot. That interior is not at all safari ready.

There are a lot of Monteros and Land Cruisers in Ghana. There is luxury in not having to wipe your feet or whatever to protect your 4x4's expensive + irreplacable carpet.

[Lebowski]

There are a lot of Monteros and Land Cruisers in Ghana. There is luxury in not having to wipe your feet or whatever to protect your 4x4's expensive + irreplacable carpet.

+1

A car like this does better with a tastefully appointed, if spartan interior that's also rugged/durable. It doesn't need a GL interior, and IMO a super lux interior takes away some of the appeal of the thing.

[CALL_911]

+1

A car like this does better with a tastefully appointed, if spartan interior that's also rugged/durable. It doesn't need a GL interior, and IMO a super lux interior takes away some of the appeal of the thing.

For me at least, the whole AMG deal ruins it before the interior. I like the idea of something like a G320 Bluetec.

EDIT: Apparently there's a G350 CDI offered, as per the initial post. That sounds good. Also, the LEDs look retarded.

[CALL_911]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1989-Mercedes-Benz-G-Class-Right-Hand-Drive-10th-Anniversary-SWB-Black-Very-rare-/261001318382?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3cc4e40fee#ht_928wt_1165

[cawimmer430]

Merc seems to have lost the plot. That interior is not at all safari ready.

There are a lot of Monteros and Land Cruisers in Ghana. There is luxury in not having to wipe your feet or whatever to protect your 4x4's expensive + irreplacable carpet.

+1

A car like this does better with a tastefully appointed, if spartan interior that's also rugged/durable. It doesn't need a GL interior, and IMO a super lux interior takes away some of the appeal of the thing.

Mercedes G270 CDI Worker - stripped of all luxury applications and with a functional original 1979-style G-Class interior. 5-cyl. turbodiesel with 170-hp. Available in Europe for people who need a capable SUV and not a luxury SUV.

[CALL_911]

I really would like one of those. I can't believe MB still makes that steering wheel. I'd imagine it's the only product that still uses it, which makes me wonder how much it costs MB to make?

(Assuming it's got AC.)

[Cookie Monster]

^Ooh I like that.

[Submariner]

Meh - a lazy update.

I love the G-class, I really do.  As Richard Hammand once said, it may very well be one of the coolest cars on the market.  But seriously, for 105k, I want an interior that's on par with a Range Rover and exterior touches that don't border on tacky and pasted on (the LED lights)

[Lebowski]

For me at least, the whole AMG deal ruins it before the interior. I like the idea of something like a G320 Bluetec.

EDIT: Apparently there's a G350 CDI offered, as per the initial post. That sounds good. Also, the LEDs look retarded.

Yep, this is one of the few mercs I'd rather have in non amg trim.

[sportyaccordy]

Mercedes G270 CDI Worker - stripped of all luxury applications and with a functional original 1979-style G-Class interior. 5-cyl. turbodiesel with 170-hp. Available in Europe for people who need a capable SUV and not a luxury SUV.

Obviously there are non Beverly Hills trims. The question is why they even make the Beverly Hills trims in the first place. Well I mean obviously it's because people buy them. But then the question is why people buy them. Which is obviously because they want the image of ruggedness without the ruggedness of ruggedness. Cars like the G65 just speak to the old mantra "money can't buy taste". Just a little sad that MB is willing to blunt a legendary car's versatility to cater to them.

[GoCougs]

Wow do you gotta be one desperate SOB to buy one of these things...

[Submariner]

Wow do you gotta be one desperate SOB to buy one of these things...

Why?

[cawimmer430]

I really would like one of those. I can't believe MB still makes that steering wheel. I'd imagine it's the only product that still uses it, which makes me wonder how much it costs MB to make?

(Assuming it's got AC.)

It's been upgraded now. It's now called the G280 CDI Pur (Pur = Pure). 3.0 diesel with 183-hp. A/C is standard.

http://www.4wheelfun.de/fahrberichte/mercedes-g-280-cdi-edition-30-pur-erste-fahrt-im-mercedes-g-klasse-sondermodell-1582910.html

[cawimmer430]

Obviously there are non Beverly Hills trims. The question is why they even make the Beverly Hills trims in the first place. Well I mean obviously it's because people buy them. But then the question is why people buy them. Which is obviously because they want the image of ruggedness without the ruggedness of ruggedness. Cars like the G65 just speak to the old mantra "money can't buy taste". Just a little sad that MB is willing to blunt a legendary car's versatility to cater to them.

There's a small market for pointless cars. This is one of them (with this V12 engine). It's all about status and perhaps a little "fun" (I can imagine a G65 AMG is fun in the straights).

[Galaxy]

I wonder if quirky features like the 24V NATO power socket survived the face lift, even if they are useless for civilian life. H&H! H&H! Imagine the awesomeness of finding an M1A1 with a dead battery and giving him him a jolt with your G 65. 

[cawimmer430]

I wonder if quirky features like the 24V NATO power socket survived the face lift, even if they are useless for civilian life. H&H! H&H! Imagine the awesomeness of finding an M1A1 with a dead battery and giving him him a jolt with your G 65.