Highlights
- Fantastic condition inside and out
- Smart Almandine red paintwork
- 3-litre diesel engine
- Later W463 Updated Model
- Full Mercedes-Benz main dealer history
The Appeal
Launched in 1979, the Gëlandewagon (‘all-terrain car’) has climbed every mountain and forded every stream, and provided transport to a wide range of users including armies, forest rangers, firefighters and even the Pope.
Although originally developed as a military all-terrain vehicle, more luxurious models were later added to the line, and the G-Wagon has a reputation as a very capable off-roader that combines ruggedness with refinement in a way that its British rival, the Land Rover, never quite managed. It’s become the 4x4 of choice for the rich and famous.
The G-Wagon has remained in the Mercedes range for an amazing 43 years, and has changed very little in that time. The 400,000th unit rolled off the production line in December 2020.
K 858 GPW is a real ‘time-warp’ example: in superb condition both inside and out, it’s difficult to comprehend how a thirty-year-old car has remained in this condition.
The History and Paperwork
- Full Mercedes-Benz main dealer history
- Thick file of invoices
- Original owner’s manual
- Original G-Wagon brochure and specification guide
- Complete set of tax discs
- MoT until August 2023
- Current V5
- Full VDI check
- Original factory data card
The history file for this car must be the most comprehensive for any vehicle of its age and mileage. The original service record book contains a complete set of service stamps from Mercedes-Benz dealers and specialists, including the most recent from Mercedes-Benz of Newbury in late July 2022. This is clearly a car that has been carefully maintained throughout its entire life, with no expense spared.
There’s a remarkable folder of invoices, dating back may years and recording every item of expenditure, as well as a big pile of previous tax discs.
As well as the original Mercedes-Benz leather folder, complete with all the manuals, there is a rare period G-Wagon brochure and UK specification sheet.
In short, this is an astonishing folder of paperwork for a car that is thirty years old.
The car has an MoT valid until 10th August 2023, and the car is supplied with two sets of keys. .
The Interior
- Immaculate fabric seats
- Superb dashboard and instruments
- Clean, unmarked carpets
- Original tool-roll, warning triangle and first-aid kit
Open the doors, and it’s immediately clear that this is a car in remarkable condition for its age and mileage. Quite how it’s remained so clean, tidy and unmarked is difficult to comprehend – it really does look much as it must have done when new. The seats, door cards, carpets, dashboard and centre-console are all in fantastic condition. Look closely and there is some slight evidence of rust at the base of the passenger seat, and a couple of minor marks on the panel at the back of the rear seats, but otherwise the interior is immaculate.
The jack is in its designated place under the driver’s seat, and looks unused.
In the rear load bay, the carpets are similarly unmarked, and the nearside compartment contains an original tool-roll with tools and a warning triangle, while that on the offside has a first-aid kit that has clearly never been unwrapped.
The Exterior
- Smart Almandine red paintwork
- New tyres
- Excellent badges and brightwork
Not a common colour, the Almandine Red paintwork looks fantastic. There’s no evidence of rust and you have to look hard to spot a minor chip on the front of the bonnet, that has been touched in. The car looks good from every angle. The lights, badges, bumpers and front grille all look excellent.
A couple of the wheels are starting to show some evidence of corrosion, but are otherwise in very good condition, and the Pirelli tyres are all recent.
The spare-wheel cover on the rear of the car has recently been refurbished, and the spare wheel and tyre are in excellent condition.
The Mechanics
- 2998cc diesel engine
- 5-speed manual gearbox
- Starts and runs beautifully
- Recent new underseal
For the 1990 model year, the W460-designated G-Wagon was revised and a new chassis number, W463, was assigned. The new model upgraded the previously spartan and utilitarian G-Wagon to a luxury off-roader on a par with its Range Rover rival. New features included ABS braking and full-time four-wheel drive with locking differentials.
The combination of the (incredibly robust and reliable) 3-litre diesel engine and manual 5-speed gearbox is widely considered the most desirable; this example starts readily and the engine has a healthy note. The car drives as well as it looks and that service history and file of invoices should provide reassurance for the new owner.
Under the bonnet, there are a few signs of the car’s age, but everything is clean and tidy. The car’s underside has recently (August 2022) had new underseal; the invoice for this is in the paperwork.
Summary
Widely regarded as the finest, best-engineered and most capable 4x4 of all time, the G-Wagon remains in the Mercedes-Benz range 43 years after its launch for good reason. It has a big following and a lasting appeal, and for on-road comfort and off-road ability, there’s nothing to match it.
Because the car’s exterior design has changed so little, even older examples still look contemporary. The car’s styling is much enhanced, on this example, by the lovely Almandine red colour.
K 858 GPW is in simply outstanding condition both inside and out, and has a history file that must be unmatched for a car of its age. It’s clearly a car that has been cherished throughout its life and should provide many more years of service to a new owner.
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