I am ready to pull the trigger on a G500 or G55 as a basis for an onroad/offroad for regional adventures. Not planning on continent crossing but time to get to spots I want to fly fish and want to do it in a G wagon.
I am trying to find the best value mark in terms of years, miles vs. maintenance etc.. and I would normally say I would like to find one already built so I dont have to pay for parts and labor this time around, as I have contributed a lot of cash to the church of "the build it, drive it sell it, lose a bunch but have fun along the way". However, I am not finding many G's built for overlanding or light/medium offroad, more are built for the streets, at least those readily available in the various markets.
As for budget, in a perfect world I am 50k all in including building, etc. but I have some flexibility. My problem is the pricing seems to vary pretty dramatically.
I am also trying to find the ideal year to balance value and maintenance, etc. . I have been soaking up the threads I can find on this, and I am coming to a direction, but I am opening up to ideas and opinion.
I am thinking 2005-2006 G500 as the basis, because the newest of the 5 speeds, and try to find a relatively low mile version and build it up.
As for where it is going, I love the new 2017 GD350 Professional look in EU, that roof rack is clearly the best tightest design for the truck I have seen. I would probably just get that if the TD is really as powerful as the reviews I have translated from DE.
The question I keep coming up with, is there are a TON of AMG G55's on the market, many with low miles and assuming I got a smoking deal on one of those and put on new springs and shocks, and most cases I am getting new wheels and tires anyway, this is not much different than getting a G500. I am assuming I would change the exhaust but read of at least one case here where someone went from G55 to G500 exhaust relatively painlessly. So to the question, should I ignore whether it is a G500 or G55 and just get the best vehicle maintenance and miles wise or stick with the simpler G500.
I am partial to white but can go silver but not a huge fan of black or green. This is not the decider, but just preference. I do really like the lighter leather interiors for comfort, but again...
So in summary, my questions and a couple more.
1. Any better value in terms of years than the 2005/2006 5 speeds?
2. Should I rule out Overlanding a G55 (or any AMG)
3. What are the next best years from the 2005/6. I found a 2008 that is two owner and a great price for 80k miles.
4. Does anyone know of any built rigs out there for sale ready to go?
I have done a bunch of project vehicles, including Hummers with alternative power, toyotas with LS3's, a bunch of Range Rover classics and tried hard to do a restomod FJ60 but I am not comfortable in any of the Toyota products as I am very long waisted and sit like I am 6'6", hence the interest in Range Rover and now G Wagon's. I prefer not to do a big project, but don't mind bolting on a bunch of goodies.
Ironically this picture has my imagination, and I will probably order one of these when/if they come to the US, or at worst wait for a 1 year old one, but for now that is where I am heading with a used G500/ G55 (I think!)
Thanks -
Craig
brammo dot com
I am trying to find the best value mark in terms of years, miles vs. maintenance etc.. and I would normally say I would like to find one already built so I dont have to pay for parts and labor this time around, as I have contributed a lot of cash to the church of "the build it, drive it sell it, lose a bunch but have fun along the way". However, I am not finding many G's built for overlanding or light/medium offroad, more are built for the streets, at least those readily available in the various markets.
As for budget, in a perfect world I am 50k all in including building, etc. but I have some flexibility. My problem is the pricing seems to vary pretty dramatically.
I am also trying to find the ideal year to balance value and maintenance, etc. . I have been soaking up the threads I can find on this, and I am coming to a direction, but I am opening up to ideas and opinion.
I am thinking 2005-2006 G500 as the basis, because the newest of the 5 speeds, and try to find a relatively low mile version and build it up.
As for where it is going, I love the new 2017 GD350 Professional look in EU, that roof rack is clearly the best tightest design for the truck I have seen. I would probably just get that if the TD is really as powerful as the reviews I have translated from DE.
The question I keep coming up with, is there are a TON of AMG G55's on the market, many with low miles and assuming I got a smoking deal on one of those and put on new springs and shocks, and most cases I am getting new wheels and tires anyway, this is not much different than getting a G500. I am assuming I would change the exhaust but read of at least one case here where someone went from G55 to G500 exhaust relatively painlessly. So to the question, should I ignore whether it is a G500 or G55 and just get the best vehicle maintenance and miles wise or stick with the simpler G500.
I am partial to white but can go silver but not a huge fan of black or green. This is not the decider, but just preference. I do really like the lighter leather interiors for comfort, but again...
So in summary, my questions and a couple more.
1. Any better value in terms of years than the 2005/2006 5 speeds?
2. Should I rule out Overlanding a G55 (or any AMG)
3. What are the next best years from the 2005/6. I found a 2008 that is two owner and a great price for 80k miles.
4. Does anyone know of any built rigs out there for sale ready to go?
I have done a bunch of project vehicles, including Hummers with alternative power, toyotas with LS3's, a bunch of Range Rover classics and tried hard to do a restomod FJ60 but I am not comfortable in any of the Toyota products as I am very long waisted and sit like I am 6'6", hence the interest in Range Rover and now G Wagon's. I prefer not to do a big project, but don't mind bolting on a bunch of goodies.
Ironically this picture has my imagination, and I will probably order one of these when/if they come to the US, or at worst wait for a 1 year old one, but for now that is where I am heading with a used G500/ G55 (I think!)
Thanks -
Craig
brammo dot com
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