G300 G Wagon/Class
Discussion
Signed up to the 'G' forum, but awaiting approval.
In the meantime I thought I would ask here - after hunting for a Defender that ticks the boxes within my price range, I have conceded defeat that a Defender isn't for me (not least because of the way it gets down the road). A friend of mine has a friend selling a very clean looking G300 on a 93 plate. I can't seem to find a lot of info on the power plant - it's the 6 cylinder 3.0 with an auto box. It seems to drive very smoothly, but I haven't yet taken it on a long run involving faster roads. I am reading conflicting reports on bhp/lb-ft - can anyone confirm what these push out? Is it a viable prospect for use on dual carriageways etc at sensible cruising speeds? Obviously not expecting sports car acceleration but I would like to keep up with traffic. As it'll be a 2nd/3rd car it'll only cover 3-4k miles a year tops, no commuting etc.
Apart from some expensive parts, are there any real pitfalls/things to look out for on these? I am seriously tempted but need to make a decision shortly. Thanks!
In the meantime I thought I would ask here - after hunting for a Defender that ticks the boxes within my price range, I have conceded defeat that a Defender isn't for me (not least because of the way it gets down the road). A friend of mine has a friend selling a very clean looking G300 on a 93 plate. I can't seem to find a lot of info on the power plant - it's the 6 cylinder 3.0 with an auto box. It seems to drive very smoothly, but I haven't yet taken it on a long run involving faster roads. I am reading conflicting reports on bhp/lb-ft - can anyone confirm what these push out? Is it a viable prospect for use on dual carriageways etc at sensible cruising speeds? Obviously not expecting sports car acceleration but I would like to keep up with traffic. As it'll be a 2nd/3rd car it'll only cover 3-4k miles a year tops, no commuting etc.
Apart from some expensive parts, are there any real pitfalls/things to look out for on these? I am seriously tempted but need to make a decision shortly. Thanks!
Edited by Nick_MSM on Thursday 25th August 17:25
I bought a 1994 G300 GEL from Japan a short while ago.
It's not fast, a bit bouncy, a touch noisy and overall fairly crude by modern standards but I love it!
Build quality is first class and everything works apart from a bulb in the window lift switch.
The G has had some admiring looks and started conversations with random strangers.
Good ones are very rare and hold their value well.
If you are near J4 of the M42 PM me and drop in.
It's not fast, a bit bouncy, a touch noisy and overall fairly crude by modern standards but I love it!
Build quality is first class and everything works apart from a bulb in the window lift switch.
The G has had some admiring looks and started conversations with random strangers.
Good ones are very rare and hold their value well.
If you are near J4 of the M42 PM me and drop in.
Nick_MSM said:
Signed up to the 'G' forum, but awaiting approval.
In the meantime I thought I would ask here - after hunting for a Defender that ticks the boxes within my price range, I have conceded defeat that a Defender isn't for me (not least because of the way it gets down the road). A friend of mine has a friend selling a very clean looking G300 on a 93 plate. I can't seem to find a lot of info on the power plant - it's the 6 cylinder 3.0 with an auto box. It seems to drive very smoothly, but I haven't yet taken it on a long run involving faster roads. I am reading conflicting reports on bhp/lb-ft - can anyone confirm what these push out? Is it a viable prospect for use on dual carriageways etc at sensible cruising speeds? Obviously not expecting sports car acceleration but I would like to keep up with traffic. As it'll be a 2nd/3rd car it'll only cover 3-4k miles a year tops, no commuting etc.
Apart from some expensive parts, are there any real pitfalls/things to look out for on these? I am seriously tempted but need to make a decision shortly. Thanks!
If this is the M103 inline six three litre which I think it is then you have one of the finest engines that Daimler Benz ever built. They made approaching a million of them and the engine was fitted to six different model lines. Many years back Vicky Butler-Henderson did a test on a 300TE (old W124 estate) and literally proved the engine to be bomb-proof, by getting it to turn over after blowing it up.In the meantime I thought I would ask here - after hunting for a Defender that ticks the boxes within my price range, I have conceded defeat that a Defender isn't for me (not least because of the way it gets down the road). A friend of mine has a friend selling a very clean looking G300 on a 93 plate. I can't seem to find a lot of info on the power plant - it's the 6 cylinder 3.0 with an auto box. It seems to drive very smoothly, but I haven't yet taken it on a long run involving faster roads. I am reading conflicting reports on bhp/lb-ft - can anyone confirm what these push out? Is it a viable prospect for use on dual carriageways etc at sensible cruising speeds? Obviously not expecting sports car acceleration but I would like to keep up with traffic. As it'll be a 2nd/3rd car it'll only cover 3-4k miles a year tops, no commuting etc.
Apart from some expensive parts, are there any real pitfalls/things to look out for on these? I am seriously tempted but need to make a decision shortly. Thanks!
Edited by Nick_MSM on Thursday 25th August 17:25
Its a single overhead camshaft 12v unit that in standard trim pushed out about 188hp and about 192 ft-llbs of torque. Turbine smooth its has issues with the cylinder head gasket but that is a one-off fix. If serviced on schedule that's pretty much it. Good for 300,000 miles without a rebuild.
Here you go.
I've changed the indicators over to the clear ones and fitted a different steering wheel.
Also have a pair of Hella lamps to fit on the bumper
On the lookout for a new interior mirror and instrument binnacle to smarten it up a bit.
As to mileage, I reckon about 16 - 18 mpg at the moment. I mostly drive it around locally, but take it on longer trips to go fishing with a few old boys.
I've changed the indicators over to the clear ones and fitted a different steering wheel.
Also have a pair of Hella lamps to fit on the bumper
On the lookout for a new interior mirror and instrument binnacle to smarten it up a bit.
As to mileage, I reckon about 16 - 18 mpg at the moment. I mostly drive it around locally, but take it on longer trips to go fishing with a few old boys.
Edited by 55palfers on Saturday 27th August 14:53
We've owned quite a few and I'm currently running a 1999 G500.
We've always had SWB cars - less bootspace but smaller footprint and easy to place on the road and in car parks. The 300 is just about OK for the car's considerable weight. Acceleration isn't that rapid, but is acceptable. The 500 is, for me, the best option power-wise but these car very rare cars.
You should make sure everything works and that there is no rust st the bottom of the doors, under the rear lights, around the sunroof and around the front windscreen.
16 mpg is about right. More on a run of course.
Brakes are good, not sure if yours has rear disks too?
Easily updated to look like a later model but not inside.
Cloth seats wear badly, leather better.
Can be hustled quite well as long as you let it roll.
Our 300 didn't like braking downhill into wet bends - tended to lock the front wheels up. The G500 doesn't exhibit any of that.
Prices are hard to estimate. They can sell for £6k to £60k with no rhyme nor reason for the asking price!
But they're great fun, great presence and very rare. Don't attract the kind of reaction that Range Rover Sports seem to prompt.
We've always had SWB cars - less bootspace but smaller footprint and easy to place on the road and in car parks. The 300 is just about OK for the car's considerable weight. Acceleration isn't that rapid, but is acceptable. The 500 is, for me, the best option power-wise but these car very rare cars.
You should make sure everything works and that there is no rust st the bottom of the doors, under the rear lights, around the sunroof and around the front windscreen.
16 mpg is about right. More on a run of course.
Brakes are good, not sure if yours has rear disks too?
Easily updated to look like a later model but not inside.
Cloth seats wear badly, leather better.
Can be hustled quite well as long as you let it roll.
Our 300 didn't like braking downhill into wet bends - tended to lock the front wheels up. The G500 doesn't exhibit any of that.
Prices are hard to estimate. They can sell for £6k to £60k with no rhyme nor reason for the asking price!
But they're great fun, great presence and very rare. Don't attract the kind of reaction that Range Rover Sports seem to prompt.
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