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So my friend thinks G Wagons are better than Jeeps...

24K views 115 replies 60 participants last post by  Mike-D 
#1 ·
Yeah...he claims that G Wagons are better than Jeeps... *facepalm*
 
#3 ·
Define "better". There is a retired German engineer who has essentially driven his G Wagon all over the world, all of it cross country. 26 years and 557,000 miles and it's still running. Not confident that a JK would be able to do that. Granted, the G Wagon (as currently seen on the streets of LA) doesn't much look like a capable off road warrior, but don't be foolish thinking that they are not excellent purpose built vehicles, abet very expensive.
 
#5 ·
Yeah that trip was unreal. And I might have to agree with your friend. At least the older ones are very capable. And German engineers are very, very good at what they do. I bet you if you take the tail light off a G Wagon, you will not find the body insulated with spray foam like the JK. But for the money, I will take my Jeep any day. 20 year old G Wagons still go for more than I paid for my new JKU.

Link to said trip. If you have 30 minutes, read it and be inspired to go explore. It honestly set something off in me and I have been camping and wheeling almost every weekend since I read it.

Gunther, Christine and Otto
 
#4 ·
It depends on how you compare them. Price, leather, knobs,cylinders,...ponies, luxury, letters in its name (Gelandenwagen), it certainly has bigger and more of those. It will even go faster on a highway.

How is it better? ;)
 
#94 ·
Not entirely. If you fit a G wagon with good tires and rims (not the show-off street ones) then I think it will outperform the Jeep. 3 locking diffs, air suspension, tire pressure adjusting system (it has an on-board compressor) and what not. Add to that the comfort and luxury of Mercedes-Benz and it's not really a competition.

Then again, this question is only valid if you *can* afford a G waggon, which even at their non-AMG models are very very expensive.

So if we're talking about best jeep for average joe, then you can't beat a wrangler. if the budget exists, go G waggon. If money is no problem, I bet you could get something even better. Like a costumized unimog.
 
#10 ·
I own both and the G Wagon is indeed better from a technical aspect in almost every way (its basically a luxurious tank with power) but the Jeep has a higher fun factor in terms of open air driving and the vast range of modification possibilities. I am not sure what the point of the comparison is though as I doubt anyone that is in the market for one is seriously considering the other as an alternative.
 
#13 ·
I would trade my 2014 rubicon 4 door straight across for a 2014 G Wagon in a heartbeat be crazy not to.
 
#15 ·
G wagon is definitely a beautiful vehicle. i seriously doubt anybody would take a new one of those out in the wilderness to go off roading though.... you'll see them mostly at panera bread and starbucks.

Now if we're talking about an old one then hmm idk.
 
#18 ·
Challenge accepted.



We managed to get some paint off the control arm mounts, the underside of the side steps scratched and the gas tank skid tested.

I didn't get any pics of the G-wagen on this spot, but he made it through here too (the gas tank skid tested in this spot):



He has since switched to a nice Defender 90 for off roading.
 

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#16 ·
Lookit... if it's good enough for the His Holiness, it should be good enough for you...


 
#17 · (Edited by Moderator)
It would behoove you to research other vehicles a bit. Wranglers are awesome...but there are other vehicles out there that are also pretty awesome; each unique in its own way. If I wanted to travel the world, I'd be more inclined to run a G-Wagen or Land Cruiser than Wrangler (my own comfort standards - your preference may vary). I'd agree that the Wrangler is more fun...I'd say in stock form, the Rubicon is the most hardcore off-road vehicle available (new) in the 'States. I'd say in modified form, the Wrangler is far easier and cheaper to build up than just about anything else.

But keep in mind, Wranglers are also limited - ATVs and off-road bikes can go places a Wrangler could only dream. Everything is a compromise of some sort.

Case in point, lets see a Wrangler follow these boys:

Big Balls Trail Ride - YouTube

Enjoy what you have; don't worry about what is better or not.
 
#25 · (Edited by Moderator)
I saw that a few years ago and still get a kick out it. Pretty gutsy when the cost of failure is so high lol.
 
#19 ·
In my opinion, those things are the most hideous looking vehicles on the road and it isn't even close. No chance I'd trade my Rubi for one of them, other than to sell it immediately and buy another Rubi with WAY more build stuff. I couldn't imagine giving up the functionality and configurations of my Rubi for that thing. I'm sure they are excellent off-road vehicles, but geez they are terrible to look at.
 
#27 ·
I was surprised when I heard the rubi was running 170kph/105mph..i`ve never had mine over 85mph..How fast do they go????
 
#28 · (Edited by Moderator)
Diesel rubi (jealous) but an interesting comparison. And that is the ugliest G I've ever seen. In my opinion they serve 2 different purposes.

It comes down to preference really. I prefer a jeep because I like to make modifications to my vehicles. A jeep is more easily modified and cost effective to modify than a G. My belief is that if you took the money you spend on a G and put that into a jeep the jeep will no doubt be more capable off-road. However the road manners in the G will always be better. Depends on what you're buying your vehicle for. Both are purpose built they just have different purposes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZaNAxDCdwk&feature=youtu.be
 
#29 ·
They would end up being pretty much the same offroad even when mod'd. Similar wheelbase and coils. The only think that holds the G back is the weight, but you can lean on the door without them deflecting.

Just think back to the mid 70s, the G had coils, difflocks, full range of specs from stripped army special to luxo suv.
Jeep and LR have been playing catch up.


We have been running a Pinzgauer turboD since the early 90s, same factory as the G originally but the job done correctly!
 
#30 ·
I guess my point was more along the lines that more people buy jeeps to mod than Gs. Making mods cheaper and not to mention the base price of the jeep. If you take the base price of a jeep and add mods until you hit the base price of a G there is no way a stock G is going to be nearly as capable offroad as a modded Jeep. I could mod a Zuk and make it the same thing as a modded jeep if money were no object.
 
#31 ·
I liked my G500 when i had it (it was a 2004, i owned for about 1.5 years). I sold it after i got tired of the trips to the dealer for small things, window lifts primarily. Good on fire roads and awesome on road.
To me this is a non-sensical statement- they are different trucks which do largely the same thing..
Better in what Way...

For instance my 200 Series Land Cruiser is much more comfortable and well appointed than my Jeep.. and for that matter than the G500 that we had as well.

My Defender is better off road than my jeep - but it has a lift, skids, sliders, and lockers.. so not a fair comparison - jeeps when everywhere we did (most were equipped like my truck or better)

My jeep is much more reliable than my Defender..

Etc....

Jeeps are great, Defenders are great, LC's & G's are too.. Own whatever makes you happy and meets your needs..
 
#32 ·
I liked my G500 when i had it (it was a 2004, i owned for about 1.5 years). I sold it after i got tired of the trips to the dealer for small things, window lifts primarily. Good on fire roads and awesome on road.
To me this is a non-sensical statement- they are different trucks which do largely the same thing..
Better in what Way...

For instance my 200 Series Land Cruiser is much more comfortable and well appointed than my Jeep.. and for that matter than the G500 that we had as well.

My Defender is better off road than my jeep - but it has a lift, skids, sliders, and lockers.. so not a fair comparison - jeeps when everywhere we did (most were equipped like my truck or better)

My jeep is much more reliable than my Defender..

Etc....

Jeeps are great, Defenders are great, LC's & G's are too.. Own whatever makes you happy and meets your needs..
This, you put this well. They are both purpose built but serve different purposes. Both great vehicles. The same reason you don't see as many people rock crawling hummers "although I have seen a few". They were built with different intentions in mind and different buyers in mind.
 
#33 ·
Rlynch, you also mentioned something that i liked. you mentioned your defender was modded but your jeep was not. Mods are a preference thing as well. You mod or buy your vehicle to suit the style of offroading you're going to be doing. That's why I tried to find a video of someone who had done a comparison of stock to stock. You can mod a vehicle to do whatever you want. It just depends on how much time/money you want to throw at it.

We could have a similar convo of 2dr vs 4dr. I have a 2 door for my trips to Moab and up the tight canyon trails I have local to me. I have a 4 door for family 4 wheel/ camping trips and yes groceries. It is bigger after all and Costco trips aren't exactly a joy in my 2 door. And then there's my FJ40 it's built as my overland rig that I take out with my defender buddies. I like to take my FJ40 out with my buddies who all run defenders because it is setup to do the same style of wheeling. Buy or mod your vehicle how you see fit and best suits your needs. I just prefer my jeeps because they get me out doing the type of wheeling I like without modding my wallet as much as a G would take to do the same thing. :)
 
#37 ·
Just tell your friend that in Germany, it's pronounced "Gay" Wagon. That ought to keep his mouth shut.

I've never really been a fan of Mercedes. Everyone I know that has one seems to constantly store them in their local shop or dealership instead of their own garage. They tell me they are "reliable" so I don't know what that's all about. Lol.
 
#38 ·
My jeep is in process of a slow modding adventure.. i am staying with what i know, so a cohesive planned build.

But in reality i don't do a lot of crawling, more on the expo side. so will as focus more on the camping side of the house.

My defender is done so time to work on this one

BTW. G-Wagons can and are built up for Expo mostly - there are some great ones out west - also with the 25yr import rule there are some great years of the G-Wagon diesel now possible for import at a realistic price and without all the gizmo's on the US spec trucks.

(Imports are a common thing in my Defender world)
 
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