Notice I didn’t say hi tech didn’t say the newest Design I’m talking about dependability, longevity, pride in the construction of the vehicle. Superior construction principles. Examples are that you can’t even work in the factory that builds our vehicles unless you’re experienced and considered an artistIan. Toyotas top engineer has stated that our vehicles are designed to survive 25 years in a Third World country. Any input would be appreciated.
Is the LC/LX the best built most robust and dependable vehicle made?
- Thread starter SWUtah
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The 25 year thing is marketing. And it's one quote coming from an engineer that has nothing to back it up. Any car can last 25 years if you throw enough of what the owner deems as "consumables".
There are certainly way more diesel Mercedes in 3rd world countries running off slum juice and tar. Is Land Cruiser a fantastic vehicle? Absolutely but there are still relativities. It's relatively good.
Certain Mercedes from 70s 80s 90s are matchable in my opinion. But ones an off-road tourer whereas ones made for the road.
The 200 series is made for lot of compromises, it needs to be decent on road and decent off-road, and to a certain weight limit. For it's compromises, I would say it's top of it's class.
There are certainly way more diesel Mercedes in 3rd world countries running off slum juice and tar. Is Land Cruiser a fantastic vehicle? Absolutely but there are still relativities. It's relatively good.
Certain Mercedes from 70s 80s 90s are matchable in my opinion. But ones an off-road tourer whereas ones made for the road.
The 200 series is made for lot of compromises, it needs to be decent on road and decent off-road, and to a certain weight limit. For it's compromises, I would say it's top of it's class.
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There's also Unimog, DAF, and Kamaz trucks used the same way 200 series that have a hard life out there and those are considered "vehicles" as well for expeditions etc.
As a former German enthusiast seeking the ultimate diehard vehicle that can take abuse for decades- my answer is YES! The Japanese have beat the germans on this one. The 200 is the Ultimate Marvel in engineering in my book. It does have some faults but overall the most amazing vehicle for my purposes.
Between the arab desert, down under in the outback, from the african jungles to antartica ice, to south american rain forests all the way to the Baja the Land Cruiser Lives and never dies across the globe. If its good enough there it can handle the unpaved streets of CHIraq. We have sinkholes downtown that swallow multiple cars at once. Our streets are always under construction.
I had 4 V12s before getting my 200. I used to ask the Mercedes dealer what do people buy after having S600 (Twin Turbo V12 with 800hp/1000ftlb tq). They really didn't know, neither did I. I didn't think I'd forego luxury, class, speed but reliability, ruggedness and durability won out in the end.
Between the arab desert, down under in the outback, from the african jungles to antartica ice, to south american rain forests all the way to the Baja the Land Cruiser Lives and never dies across the globe. If its good enough there it can handle the unpaved streets of CHIraq. We have sinkholes downtown that swallow multiple cars at once. Our streets are always under construction.
I had 4 V12s before getting my 200. I used to ask the Mercedes dealer what do people buy after having S600 (Twin Turbo V12 with 800hp/1000ftlb tq). They really didn't know, neither did I. I didn't think I'd forego luxury, class, speed but reliability, ruggedness and durability won out in the end.
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When I lived in Maui Oprah Winfrey had a fleet of Mercedes G 500’s for her guest to drive, talking to the service manager one day at the Mercedes dealership he says they basically replaced every part on every one of those vehicles because they were pieces of s***. And the G500 is supposed to be Mercedes toughest vehicle
Prestige & wallet size (Mercedes, Range Rover) can’t get you home when you’re alone in the boonies...or in the more dangerous zones of the world at night ( you know...like Compton or Tijuana...hehe).
Rugged reliability gets you home.
This argument cannot be settled here, but I know what I think. So.... That’s that (for me).
Rugged reliability gets you home.
This argument cannot be settled here, but I know what I think. So.... That’s that (for me).
When I lived in Maui Oprah Winfrey had a fleet of Mercedes G 500’s for her guest to drive, talking to the service manager one day at the Mercedes dealership he says they basically replaced every part on every one of those vehicles because they were pieces of s***. And the G500 is supposed to be Mercedes toughest vehicle
It's the Unimog. I've spoken with a Canadian Army mechanic and the W463 lives up to the standard and name when abused. These are fully armored to about 8000 lbs in weight. I can imagine though parts on the inside needing to replaced when they're built for Calabasas spec.
However with the G, you really don't get much for what you pay for. So that's why it's a niche vehicle in the niche of expedition vehicles.
I like the Unimog. But I’d hate to try and squeeze through small passes, trails, trees or rocks with one...or drive it on a daily basis.
My 80 year old uncle just bought a 1974 Pinzgauer which is sort of like a Unimog mini.
Thing is one tough critter.If we suffer an EMP and electronics all fry, gimme the ‘74 Pinz or the Unimog. Otherwise...I’ll take my 200.
As I’ve mentioned before around the forum I drove a 2003 (before they went full Gucci ) g500 for 10 years before my current 2013 LX 570, and my second vehicle was a 60. Both vehicles share many similarities both in terms of build quality, history, capability, urban ledgend, lore, and Both are built in a small prestigious factory separate from the “mass market” vehicles. Honistly I would still be driving the G if I didn’t need higher tow capacity and wanted a 3rd tow.
I only put ~150k miles on the G. But they were hard miles, lots of off road, towing, loaded to capacity, cold, heat, sand, rocks,... same way I drive my LX. Never had a failure, heck I finally changed the battery after 8 years even though it tested Ok, just out of paranoia. Other then the interior quirkinesses in many ways the fit and finish of G was better than the LX, welds, wiring, tolerances were top notch. In terms of capability it was at least as good or better in stock form (triple locked, SFA) and had an advantage on paper of smaller dimensions and better angles. And the 5L is one of the best gas engines MB has ever produced (much like the 5.7 in the 200). The only disadvantage I see with the G is parts in the bush. If I blow a water pump in rural Alaska I could possibly find one for a Tundra, almost no way for the MB.
I guess what I’m getting at is: My 200 is awesome, my G was awesome. And in no way I believe stories of a fleet of g’s all breaking down, one ok but even cruisers have issues.
And here is a cool story that speaks to the capability of the G
www.autoblog.com
) g500 for 10 years before my current 2013 LX 570, and my second vehicle was a 60. Both vehicles share many similarities both in terms of build quality, history, capability, urban ledgend, lore, and Both are built in a small prestigious factory separate from the “mass market” vehicles. Honistly I would still be driving the G if I didn’t need higher tow capacity and wanted a 3rd tow.I only put ~150k miles on the G. But they were hard miles, lots of off road, towing, loaded to capacity, cold, heat, sand, rocks,... same way I drive my LX. Never had a failure, heck I finally changed the battery after 8 years even though it tested Ok, just out of paranoia. Other then the interior quirkinesses in many ways the fit and finish of G was better than the LX, welds, wiring, tolerances were top notch. In terms of capability it was at least as good or better in stock form (triple locked, SFA) and had an advantage on paper of smaller dimensions and better angles. And the 5L is one of the best gas engines MB has ever produced (much like the 5.7 in the 200). The only disadvantage I see with the G is parts in the bush. If I blow a water pump in rural Alaska I could possibly find one for a Tundra, almost no way for the MB.
I guess what I’m getting at is: My 200 is awesome, my G was awesome. And in no way I believe stories of a fleet of g’s all breaking down, one ok but even cruisers have issues.
And here is a cool story that speaks to the capability of the G
German man drives Mercedes G-Wagen on 557k-mile, 26-year road trip [w/video] - Autoblog
It's a common dream to just drop everything, load up the car and make a life on the open road traveling from place to place. The vast of majority of us just fantasize about it, but it's a reality for the German couple Gunther and Christine Holtorf. They are just finishing what might be the...
www.autoblog.com
As I’ve mentioned before around the forum I drove a 2003 (before they went full Gucci
I only put ~150k miles on the G. But they were hard miles, lots of off road, towing, loaded to capacity, cold, heat, sand, rocks,... same way I drive my LX. Never had a failure, heck I finally changed the battery after 8 years even though it tested Ok, just out of paranoia. Other then the interior quirkinesses in many ways the fit and finish of G was better than the LX, welds, wiring, tolerances were top notch. In terms of capability it was at least as good or better in stock form (triple locked, SFA) and had an advantage on paper of smaller dimensions and better angles. And the 5L is one of the best gas engines MB has ever produced (much like the 5.7 in the 200). The only disadvantage I see with the G is parts in the bush. If I blow a water pump in rural Alaska I could possibly find one for a Tundra, almost no way for the MB.
I guess what I’m getting at is: My 200 is awesome, my G was awesome. And in no way I believe stories of a fleet of g’s all breaking down, one ok but even cruisers have issues.
And here is a cool story that speaks to the capability of the G
German man drives Mercedes G-Wagen on 557k-mile, 26-year road trip [w/video] - Autoblog
It's a common dream to just drop everything, load up the car and make a life on the open road traveling from place to place. The vast of majority of us just fantasize about it, but it's a reality for the German couple Gunther and Christine Holtorf. They are just finishing what might be the...
But..but..it's not a Land Cruiser how is this possible?! Fake news!
As I’ve mentioned before around the forum I drove a 2003 (before they went full Gucci
I only put ~150k miles on the G. But they were hard miles, lots of off road, towing, loaded to capacity, cold, heat, sand, rocks,... same way I drive my LX. Never had a failure, heck I finally changed the battery after 8 years even though it tested Ok, just out of paranoia. Other then the interior quirkinesses in many ways the fit and finish of G was better than the LX, welds, wiring, tolerances were top notch. In terms of capability it was at least as good or better in stock form (triple locked, SFA) and had an advantage on paper of smaller dimensions and better angles. And the 5L is one of the best gas engines MB has ever produced (much like the 5.7 in the 200). The only disadvantage I see with the G is parts in the bush. If I blow a water pump in rural Alaska I could possibly find one for a Tundra, almost no way for the MB.
I guess what I’m getting at is: My 200 is awesome, my G was awesome. And in no way I believe stories of a fleet of g’s all breaking down, one ok but even cruisers have issues.
And here is a cool story that speaks to the capability of the G
German man drives Mercedes G-Wagen on 557k-mile, 26-year road trip [w/video] - Autoblog
It's a common dream to just drop everything, load up the car and make a life on the open road traveling from place to place. The vast of majority of us just fantasize about it, but it's a reality for the German couple Gunther and Christine Holtorf. They are just finishing what might be the...
I had 2 G wagons W460 (86 and 88 years). Heavy and slow and to utilitarian for me. I do think G wagons are much prettier than LC/LX but driving them was not fun. They had more issues even though one of my G wagons previous owner had spent $70k+ restoring it with receipts. I like G wagons alot BUT its no Land Cruiser. In fact, the person who sold me my first G wagon went to buy a Land Cruiser. I remember on the G wagon forums alot of land cruiser talk. I think the G wagons with nice engines are not off road friendly and lost their soul.
Funny I always said the g was the nicest worst driving vehicles ever made and I have no idea why people who don’t off road buy them. Again off road they are close but on road the LX is exponentially better in every way.
Here is how I ended up with my g. It was 2004 My wife hated my J60 and it didn’t have modern safety like airbags and LATCH for car seats (she was pregnant with our first). So I went to buy a 80 series. She hated the 80, too bubbly looking, slow, rough, so we went to look at a new LX470. On the Lexus lot there was a 1 year old g500 (that was traded on a new LX...) for $10k less than a new LX. She has always loved MBs. Drove nothing but MB from 1998 to 2016 (on her 2nd Tesla since then). End of story. Crazy thing I bought the g500 for $55k in 2004 and sold it for $42k in 2014.
Treason bird!Vehicle? I'd say the A10 Warthog is up there....
To the OP, yes, yes it is....
Yup! It was an interesting experience being deployed with those things back in the day. Cool seeing (and hearing) those things lumber through the sky full of JDAMs, AGM-65s and 30MM and then return empty.
Anyways, yeah the Land Cruiser is cool too... I guess.
Got Cliff Notes Version on thread responses from my crystal ball and thot I would save y’all some reading time:
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