2013 Mercedes-Benz W463 G350 Bluetec (no titivating allowed)
Discussion
Feeding the car-crack habit again and not long after reducing the fleet of shonky old Mercs to three on grounds of economy, I have just acquired this 2013 G-Wagen. With less than 50k miles on the clock and fresh from a very expensive overhaul at MB Newcastle, it puts the rest of my cars to shame and wants for very little.
The car is a G350. This means it has the (found-almost-everywhere) 3.0litre om642 V6 diesel putting out 211bhp in this application. It runs on the AdBlue stuff to make it a bit cleaner. The motor is teamed with the 7-speed autobox driving all four wheels via a high-low transfer box and three lockable differentials, centre, rear and front. It is Obsidian Black metallic over black leather with black poplar wood trim. It is very black. My car has the sports pack (what sport? I hear you ask) consisting of grey wheels, extended wheel arches and stripy rubbing strips; the chrome pack consisting of a bling-a-ling chrome grille and various chrome accents inside; and the exterior pack consisting of the running boards and stainless spare wheel cover. It also has a tow bar and blacked-out windows. The list price was £87,450 back in 2013.
The obligatory first-drive forecourt shot:
I will photograph it better sooner or later. I expect it will be found on a filling station forecourt more often than not. It is the car's natural habitat. Driving like Miss Daisy is in the back, it has struggled to beat 22mpg. Thankfully it has a 96litre tank so it goes about four days between fills.
My intentions are to de-bling it a little. The big issue is the blacked-out glass. However, I suspect that will be very expensive to swap out. It makes the car very difficult to reverse in low light; at night it is almost impossible. There is a reversing camera but it gets dirty very quickly and also has a bit of an odd view. I also don't like the way that black glass makes raising a hand in thanks an unseen gesture. If anyone has any insight into the cost and ease of swapping the glass, fire away.
I have already swapped the clear indicators for orange. This is a vast improvement:
I'd like to remove the running boards (although the jury is out on that one) and have the wheels painted silver. Steels will not fit. I could go for 16s but it would cost a lot of money and I expect the handling would suffer.
I am not sure whether to replace the chromed grille with the earlier, more classic version as seen here:
In the meantime I have been spending many times over the savings made on the disposal of the dear old E430. New tyres are on the way, Conti WinterContact TS850P SUV (phew, what a mouthful). The present tyres are coot-like in their baldness. And a load of tat from the internet, too:
So what's it like? Brilliant. The feeling of solidity is unmatched. The doors... everyone raves about the door shuts and they are right to do so. Everything feels weighty and durable. The driving experience offers an unique feeling of well-being, security, safety. It is actually quite fun to drive because you have to think and concentrate. Going round corners tidily requires effort and effort is its own reward here as in everything else. And anticipation. And a fair bit of heft. It goes like the clappers up to about 60mph but then the wind slows the pace of change. It'll top out at 108mph but it takes forever to get much beyond 95. I'm used to that: my other car is a 124 diesel.
It is also pretty practical. A consignment of dodgy fireworks was, um, consigned to the vast boot with ease:
Will we take it skiing at Easter? I'm not sure I can be bothered to drive it (and fuel it) for 1,000miles at speed. Even my super-enthusiastic 8 year old says that is a job for the trusty 124.
The car is a G350. This means it has the (found-almost-everywhere) 3.0litre om642 V6 diesel putting out 211bhp in this application. It runs on the AdBlue stuff to make it a bit cleaner. The motor is teamed with the 7-speed autobox driving all four wheels via a high-low transfer box and three lockable differentials, centre, rear and front. It is Obsidian Black metallic over black leather with black poplar wood trim. It is very black. My car has the sports pack (what sport? I hear you ask) consisting of grey wheels, extended wheel arches and stripy rubbing strips; the chrome pack consisting of a bling-a-ling chrome grille and various chrome accents inside; and the exterior pack consisting of the running boards and stainless spare wheel cover. It also has a tow bar and blacked-out windows. The list price was £87,450 back in 2013.
The obligatory first-drive forecourt shot:
I will photograph it better sooner or later. I expect it will be found on a filling station forecourt more often than not. It is the car's natural habitat. Driving like Miss Daisy is in the back, it has struggled to beat 22mpg. Thankfully it has a 96litre tank so it goes about four days between fills.
My intentions are to de-bling it a little. The big issue is the blacked-out glass. However, I suspect that will be very expensive to swap out. It makes the car very difficult to reverse in low light; at night it is almost impossible. There is a reversing camera but it gets dirty very quickly and also has a bit of an odd view. I also don't like the way that black glass makes raising a hand in thanks an unseen gesture. If anyone has any insight into the cost and ease of swapping the glass, fire away.
I have already swapped the clear indicators for orange. This is a vast improvement:
I'd like to remove the running boards (although the jury is out on that one) and have the wheels painted silver. Steels will not fit. I could go for 16s but it would cost a lot of money and I expect the handling would suffer.
I am not sure whether to replace the chromed grille with the earlier, more classic version as seen here:
In the meantime I have been spending many times over the savings made on the disposal of the dear old E430. New tyres are on the way, Conti WinterContact TS850P SUV (phew, what a mouthful). The present tyres are coot-like in their baldness. And a load of tat from the internet, too:
So what's it like? Brilliant. The feeling of solidity is unmatched. The doors... everyone raves about the door shuts and they are right to do so. Everything feels weighty and durable. The driving experience offers an unique feeling of well-being, security, safety. It is actually quite fun to drive because you have to think and concentrate. Going round corners tidily requires effort and effort is its own reward here as in everything else. And anticipation. And a fair bit of heft. It goes like the clappers up to about 60mph but then the wind slows the pace of change. It'll top out at 108mph but it takes forever to get much beyond 95. I'm used to that: my other car is a 124 diesel.
It is also pretty practical. A consignment of dodgy fireworks was, um, consigned to the vast boot with ease:
Will we take it skiing at Easter? I'm not sure I can be bothered to drive it (and fuel it) for 1,000miles at speed. Even my super-enthusiastic 8 year old says that is a job for the trusty 124.
Edited by r129sl on Saturday 2nd November 18:54
Cool car!
Reference the privacy glass... difficult to see from the photo, but if this is on the front windows then it will be an aftermarket film applied to the glass, as dark glass ahead of the B-pillar is not legal. You should thus be able to peel it off. Windows rear of the B-pillar will either be the same, or more likely proper tinted glass, so would need replacement, finding a scrap car with clear glass might not be too easy though - these cars do tend to wear a lot of bling... but they wear it well!
If you speak nicely to a Mercedes Retailer, you should be able to get hold of the data card which will give you the full build spec which will confirm whether it’s OEM or aftermarket. Also, some owner forums (like slkworld) have access to this data and may be able to get it for you.
Enjoy the new car
Reference the privacy glass... difficult to see from the photo, but if this is on the front windows then it will be an aftermarket film applied to the glass, as dark glass ahead of the B-pillar is not legal. You should thus be able to peel it off. Windows rear of the B-pillar will either be the same, or more likely proper tinted glass, so would need replacement, finding a scrap car with clear glass might not be too easy though - these cars do tend to wear a lot of bling... but they wear it well!
If you speak nicely to a Mercedes Retailer, you should be able to get hold of the data card which will give you the full build spec which will confirm whether it’s OEM or aftermarket. Also, some owner forums (like slkworld) have access to this data and may be able to get it for you.
Enjoy the new car
Hey, what kind of amateur do you think I am?! I have the chassis number (memorised already, my geek-facility to memorise long numbers depresses me rather) and the data card. The car has option W72, privacy glass from the 'B' pillar back (option W70 is privacy glass from the 'C' pillar back only). This means the tint is in the glass. However, I do think there is a tint on the front door windows and this must be a film. I have had a pick at the edges but I cannot find an edge or indeed any sign that it is film.
Here is a front grille shot:
I have turned off the day-light running lights, too. They are pretty grim but I think removing them will not be easy. What were Merc doing when they spoiled the styling of this car? The original w463, which ran from about 1990 to 2008, is perfect in my eyes.
Here is a front grille shot:
I have turned off the day-light running lights, too. They are pretty grim but I think removing them will not be easy. What were Merc doing when they spoiled the styling of this car? The original w463, which ran from about 1990 to 2008, is perfect in my eyes.
Towing is a breeze indeed. I had 4T on it (don't tell anyone) during my temporary custodianship back in the spring and it whizzed up grades and cruised at speed with aplomb.
If I did anything with the DLRs, it would be remove them and replace the headlamp surrounds. I don't know whether the electrics would then get grumpy. I suspect not. I am working on the glass. I have part numbers and it may not be expensive (being flat and square).
If I did anything with the DLRs, it would be remove them and replace the headlamp surrounds. I don't know whether the electrics would then get grumpy. I suspect not. I am working on the glass. I have part numbers and it may not be expensive (being flat and square).
Good to see a thread! You have to take it skiing at least once, think of the shots of it in the snow. 
Not sure I'm keen on the amber indicators given the age of the car and the fact the rest are clear, but I approve of the de-blinging. Perhaps just get the grille wrapped in satin black.
Any interior shots? Does it have the little ipad stuck to the dash or the older comand?
Not sure I'm keen on the amber indicators given the age of the car and the fact the rest are clear, but I approve of the de-blinging. Perhaps just get the grille wrapped in satin black.
Any interior shots? Does it have the little ipad stuck to the dash or the older comand?
Why does this iteration of the OM642 only push out 220-something horses when my 61-reg GL is rated at 260-something? We have the same gearbox (7G-Tronic) so it can't be because one isn't as strong as the other.
I had an ML before this with the lower output - the difference is quite noticeable. The G is sometimes listed as being 300Kg heavier than the GL (inconsistent data, to be honest - Parker's, Wikipedia) so any extra grunt might be useful. One company quoted me £450 to take mine to 300bhp. I've decided to keep the car a little longer (I like older, mechanically sound but not-pristine, cars) so I'm considering it.
I had an ML before this with the lower output - the difference is quite noticeable. The G is sometimes listed as being 300Kg heavier than the GL (inconsistent data, to be honest - Parker's, Wikipedia) so any extra grunt might be useful. One company quoted me £450 to take mine to 300bhp. I've decided to keep the car a little longer (I like older, mechanically sound but not-pristine, cars) so I'm considering it.
Me and my rants. It's not really a modern, though, is it? And I am doing my best to de-modernise.
I have orderd a non-chrome pack (code ZD6) radiator grille mask at a cost of less than £100. I'll have to get it painted Obsidian Black but that won't be too bad.
The car has this interior, only all black:
r129sl said:
Feeding the car-crack habit again and not long after reducing the fleet of shonky old Mercs to three on grounds of economy, I have just acquired this 2013 G-Wagen. With less than 50k miles on the clock and fresh from a very expensive overhaul at MB Newcastle, it puts the rest of my cars to shame and wants for very little.
The car is a G350. This means it has the (found-almost-everywhere) 3.0litre om642 V6 diesel putting out 211bhp in this application. It runs on the AdBlue stuff to make it a bit cleaner. The motor is teamed with the 7-speed autobox driving all four wheels via a high-low transfer box and three lockable differentials, centre, rear and front. It is Obsidian Black metallic over black leather with black poplar wood trim. It is very black. My car has the sports pack (what sport? I hear you ask) consisting of grey wheels, extended wheel arches and stripy rubbing strips; the chrome pack consisting of a bling-a-ling chrome grille and various chrome accents inside; and the exterior pack consisting of the running boards and stainless spare wheel cover. It also has a tow bar and blacked-out windows. The list price was £87,450 back in 2013.
The obligatory first-drive forecourt shot:
I will photograph it better sooner or later. I expect it will be found on a filling station forecourt more often than not. It is the car's natural habitat. Driving like Miss Daisy is in the back, it has struggled to beat 22mpg. Thankfully it has a 96litre tank so it goes about four days between fills.
My intentions are to de-bling it a little. The big issue is the blacked-out glass. However, I suspect that will be very expensive to swap out. It makes the car very difficult to reverse in low light; at night it is almost impossible. There is a reversing camera but it gets dirty very quickly and also has a bit of an odd view. I also don't like the way that black glass makes raising a hand in thanks an unseen gesture. If anyone has any insight into the cost and ease of swapping the glass, fire away.
I have already swapped the clear indicators for orange. This is a vast improvement:
I'd like to remove the running boards (although the jury is out on that one) and have the wheels painted silver. Steels will not fit. I could go for 16s but it would cost a lot of money and I expect the handling would suffer.
I am not sure whether to replace the vulgar grille with the earlier, more classic version as seen here:
In the meantime I have been spending many times over the savings made on the disposal of the dear old E430. New tyres are on the way, Conti WinterContact TS850P SUV (phew, what a mouthful). The present tyres are coot-like in their baldness. And a load of tat from the internet, too:
So what's it like? Brilliant. The feeling of solidity is unmatched. The doors... everyone raves about the door shuts and they are right to do so. Everything feels weighty and durable. The driving experience offers an unique feeling of well-being, security, safety. It is actually quite fun to drive because you have to think and concentrate. Going round corners tidily requires effort and effort is its own reward here as in everything else. And anticipation. And a fair bit of heft. It goes like the clappers up to about 60mph but then the wind slows the pace of change. It'll top out at 108mph but it takes forever to get much beyond 95. I'm used to that: my other car is a 124 diesel.
It is also pretty practical. A consignment of dodgy fireworks was, um, consigned to the vast boot with ease:
Will we take it skiing at Easter? I'm not sure I can be bothered to drive it (and fuel it) for 1,000miles at speed. Even my super-enthusiastic 8 year old says that is a job for the trusty 124.
You absolute chav lolThe car is a G350. This means it has the (found-almost-everywhere) 3.0litre om642 V6 diesel putting out 211bhp in this application. It runs on the AdBlue stuff to make it a bit cleaner. The motor is teamed with the 7-speed autobox driving all four wheels via a high-low transfer box and three lockable differentials, centre, rear and front. It is Obsidian Black metallic over black leather with black poplar wood trim. It is very black. My car has the sports pack (what sport? I hear you ask) consisting of grey wheels, extended wheel arches and stripy rubbing strips; the chrome pack consisting of a bling-a-ling chrome grille and various chrome accents inside; and the exterior pack consisting of the running boards and stainless spare wheel cover. It also has a tow bar and blacked-out windows. The list price was £87,450 back in 2013.
The obligatory first-drive forecourt shot:
I will photograph it better sooner or later. I expect it will be found on a filling station forecourt more often than not. It is the car's natural habitat. Driving like Miss Daisy is in the back, it has struggled to beat 22mpg. Thankfully it has a 96litre tank so it goes about four days between fills.
My intentions are to de-bling it a little. The big issue is the blacked-out glass. However, I suspect that will be very expensive to swap out. It makes the car very difficult to reverse in low light; at night it is almost impossible. There is a reversing camera but it gets dirty very quickly and also has a bit of an odd view. I also don't like the way that black glass makes raising a hand in thanks an unseen gesture. If anyone has any insight into the cost and ease of swapping the glass, fire away.
I have already swapped the clear indicators for orange. This is a vast improvement:
I'd like to remove the running boards (although the jury is out on that one) and have the wheels painted silver. Steels will not fit. I could go for 16s but it would cost a lot of money and I expect the handling would suffer.
I am not sure whether to replace the vulgar grille with the earlier, more classic version as seen here:
In the meantime I have been spending many times over the savings made on the disposal of the dear old E430. New tyres are on the way, Conti WinterContact TS850P SUV (phew, what a mouthful). The present tyres are coot-like in their baldness. And a load of tat from the internet, too:
So what's it like? Brilliant. The feeling of solidity is unmatched. The doors... everyone raves about the door shuts and they are right to do so. Everything feels weighty and durable. The driving experience offers an unique feeling of well-being, security, safety. It is actually quite fun to drive because you have to think and concentrate. Going round corners tidily requires effort and effort is its own reward here as in everything else. And anticipation. And a fair bit of heft. It goes like the clappers up to about 60mph but then the wind slows the pace of change. It'll top out at 108mph but it takes forever to get much beyond 95. I'm used to that: my other car is a 124 diesel.
It is also pretty practical. A consignment of dodgy fireworks was, um, consigned to the vast boot with ease:
Will we take it skiing at Easter? I'm not sure I can be bothered to drive it (and fuel it) for 1,000miles at speed. Even my super-enthusiastic 8 year old says that is a job for the trusty 124.
What a terrific vehicle. I suspect you could hold the fireworks display in the back there, let alone transport them. I agree with your concerns over the dark glass. There's a lot in London which have a similar look and if I am frank they all appear rather brutal and unfriendly.
Never been in a G but have always been a fan of the more 'agricultural' end of the Mercedes market, if I can put it like that. I really look forward to hearing about how this progresses for you.
Never been in a G but have always been a fan of the more 'agricultural' end of the Mercedes market, if I can put it like that. I really look forward to hearing about how this progresses for you.
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