Jeremy,
How did you decide on 97-99?
The late 463's are highly managed electronically. Read some stories about dealing with electrical gremlins on these vehicles. The G320 you are drooling over just got billed $7K for CEL issues. Pulling off a diesel conversion on one of these is going to be very difficult. Your best bet would be to find an early 463 that is rust free and in nice condition. Basically a 300GE or 463 300GD. The fit and finish is considered the best with respect to interior build quality. The only real advantage of a late model 463 (preMBUSA) is the transfer case shifter. That's about it. A 2002-2003 G500 will be your best bang for the buck and allow bigger tires without compromising available power. There is no advantage to the earlier models with respect to fuel economy unless you go diesel. I have said it before, the G500 after 2001 in North America has good parts and service support through the dealer network, and that fact alone dramatically effects repair times. I drove a brand new G550 in Europe for a few weeks, and it had as many small issues as my 2002 G500 with 57K miles on it, except that it costs $80K more. So while the newest trucks are great and lower mileage, I wouldn't recommend a newer 2004+ unless your budget allowed it.
I have nothing against the Europa trucks they are a great value when they are priced competitively. I feel fortunate to have a G500, even if it is considered one of the "bad" ones (2002). If you want that G320 because it is the last of the V6 models in superb condition, then you should get it, but I don't think you should assume that it could be even better with a diesel transplant in the future. The sweet red truck you have now is all the nicer due to its original condition.
Now if you ask me what is the best Gwagen, I would give a little pause. While I like the power and all wheel drive that the makes the G500 excel in winter mountain driving, I really yearn for the mechanical simplicity of the 460 series. I would not take a 463 or later 461 deep into the bush out of the US without a diagnostic program like Star Diag set up for that appropriate model. Read Tom Sheppard's account of being in limp home mode from Algeria all the way back to Munich. That was in a post-1996 461 that looks to all intents like a 460 but with a complex management and monitoring system that adds little to the 5 cyl 290 td motor pushing it around. I say go all mechanical or go all the way and get yourself a computer for your tool box.
If you want a description of my version of a perfect 460 I'll give it. For a 463 version I will just attach a pic.
Hey Eric,
The M112 V6 of the '97-99 is a great engine IMHO--better than the M103 I-6. I also really like the look of the preMBUSA(but "late" W463) gauge cluster and early/late rocker switches(same as in late W460). Those are very clean/classic MB to me. The MBUSA cluster/switches are too "Americanized" for my tastes. Plus, look how many **************' switches you can get for the preMBUSA rigs (winch, working lights, blah blah). :sombrero:
It seems most of the veteran G owners have "upgraded" from the W460 to the W463 due to being more comfortable at freeway speeds, etc....so I'm trying to learn from you all in building one G one time (vs two G's separate times).
Please correct me if I'm wrong(on any of this) but the preMBUSA W463's have less elec's than the '02+ MBUSA rigs, and of the preMBUSA's, the 300GE/G300 have less elec's than the G320. From some of the info I had found so far;
http://www.pointedthree.com/disc/forums/showthread.php?tid=17330&posts=7&highlight=300GE&highlightmode=1#M180119
http://www.clubgwagen.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=1795&hilit=300ge
Yes, I'm aware the previous G320 owner had racked up a $7k bill at a certain MBZ independent(same one my W460 was taken to) but this doesn't equate to unreliability to me (I say that because this shop seems to really push some expensive repairs on these rigs--my rig's $12k heater box invoice is a prime example).
Regarding a diesel swap, the euro 300GDT came with the 606A overseas, and there was no immobilizer in '96-00 I'm aware of, so would be some work yes, but shouldn't be anything like a CDi swap.
I think finding any preMBUSA W463 that's clean and low mileage is going to be difficult, wouldn't you agree?
Can you educate me on the late W463 preMBUSA t-case shifter?
My biggest qualms with the early MBUSA rigs are; "Americanized"(IMHO) gauge cluster and switches, even more electronics. The pluses to them are availability and cost for what you get(newer vehicle, usually lower miles, V8, etc).
Understood that the G320 MPG may be similar to an MBUSA G500 depending on how heavy your foot is. Same goes with the VW Treg VR6/V8's.
How couldn't a 300GDT trump a G320 in regards to MPG and torque? Swap costs aside, the 606A seems like the engine that would be the best mix of torque and MPG without a lot of elec's, no?
Thanks for the kind words on my W460. Let me run my pro/con thoughts by you;
W460 pros;
-Already have one
-Simple to work on as no elec's
-Lower cost initially (kinda)
Cons;
-Part time 4WD (not as safe as full time 4WD)
-Manual tranny(not as easy to upgrade engine like it is with an auto, as many more auto boxes available vs manual), no hill-hold like with G auto (think overlanding)
-Will have to galvanize/rustproof/repaint to last tens of years
-Rear seat folds as one unit
(PreMBUSA) W463 pros;
-Still fairly simple (compared to MBUSA rigs which have more elec's)
-More aesthetically pleasing cluster, newer switches, nicer steering wheel on ’96-01's
-More comfortable (quieter on road, heated seats, easier to achieve freeway speeds out of the box)
-Safer w/ full time 4WD
-Ability to split fold rear seat—either use 65 or 35 (good for overlanding)
-Less rust potential
Cons;
-Could be more expensive initially depending
-More difficult to find
Of those, the biggest pro's for the W463 over the W460 to me are;
-More comfortable (quieter on road, heated seats, easier to achieve freeway speeds out of the box)
-Safer w/ full time 4WD
-Ability to split fold rear seat—either use 65 or 35 (good for overlanding)
-Less rust potential
I'd REALLY appreciate your thoughts Eric. Feel free to PM or email me if that works better for you.
Best,
Jeremy
PS--I'd love to hear your ultimate W460, then I'll share mine.