Thoughts on going from G500 to LX 570?

[yeshua777]

I’m considering swapping my 2002 G wagon for an 08-11 LX 570. It’s a tough decision for me, but it mainly comes down to finances and a net gain from the sale of the G and the purchase of an LX.

Main reasons are to have a newer, more reliable (maybe?) truck, more “modern” amenities, a more comfortable ride, a more powerful engine and an extra gear for the transmission, active height control, and a bit more room for sleeping in the back, all while maintaining the off-road capability of the G (for the most part).

A bit of background/context - I have owned an ‘89 RHD diesel Land Cruiser from Japan (still my profile pic). We mainly camp in the summer at least once a month and rarely in the winter. Other than that it’s mainly daily driving around the city. It’s just my partner and I with no kids or dogs.

The only thing I’d be “losing” by selling the G is the cool/unique factor, as well as the iconic styling and design. I much prefer the G’s look over the LX. And since I love cars, that’s very hard for me to give up. It’s been a great truck for the past three years, though it’s not without its issues.

Would love to hear people’s thoughts and opinions. Would the LX be overkill and too big for just two people?

 

[hickuptruck]

Just get whatever is better maintained and has a better more well known service history. We really can't say here which one you'll like more. One has the production techniques of a 1970s assembly line, which is a good and bad thing - that means rust and more hidden rust but it also means that bank vault likeness.

I drove and wheeled my friends w463 G550 about 10 years ago. I didn't like it and never understood it. But I get that people like it's for it's shape and cache. It's narrowness makes it have a tall center of gravity which I really didn't like when wheeling. The aftermarket in the G-class has a ridiculous tax. The 200 series, you'll feel a lot more stable on the road with also about 100hp more. However they're at the minimum 17-18 year old cars now and arent invincible to issues - there will be a good amount of baselining to do. Issues are well documented and can be anywhere from easy 10 minutes to needing to source a new engine due to head gasket issues.

You've owned the G for some time and know it well. You mention finances and all It takes the draw of a coin and you're at a loss due to a repair or such for 2008-2011 LX. Buy the LX because you like it and not because you think you'll get ahead financially.

 

[yeshua777]

Just get whatever is better maintained and has a better more well known service history. We really can't say here which one you'll like more. One has the production techniques of a 1970s assembly line, which is a good and bad thing - that means rust and more hidden rust but it also means that bank vault likeness.

I drove and wheeled my friends w463 G550 about 10 years ago. I didn't like it and never understood it. But I get that people like it's for it's shape and cache. It's narrowness makes it have a tall center of gravity which I really didn't like when wheeling. The aftermarket in the G-class has a ridiculous tax. The 200 series, you'll feel a lot more stable on the road with also about 100hp more. However they're at the minimum 17-18 year old cars now and arent invincible to issues - there will be a good amount of baselining to do. Issues are well documented and can be anywhere from easy 10 minutes to needing to source a new engine due to head gasket issues.

You've owned the G for some time and know it well. You mention finances and all It takes the draw of a coin and you're at a loss due to a repair or such for 2008-2011 LX. Buy the LX because you like it and not because you think you'll get ahead financially.

Thanks for the input. Well said. I do know that there will probably be things I need to fix on an LX. I did find a low mile and very clean one that I’d strongly consider.

I do love the G but it’s becoming increasingly tedious to drive with how rough the ride is.

I also really like the LX. I was considering one before I bought the G a few years ago. I just prefer the classic looks of the G over the LX. Although I don’t dislike the look of the LX.

 

[ScottBaugh]

The LX will definitely be way more comfortable for daily driving and road trips compared to that rough G-wagon ride, plus parts are cheaper and easier to find.

 

[paulunm]

I have a Europa G500, and my LX. I will agree with you, the LX rides sooo much better, but- it's basically a big/comfortable Camry. It's not nearly as interesting to drive as the G.

The LX is great on the highway, but the G is more interesting/fun to drive in the city. The narrowness (and shortness, mine is a SWB) makes it so maneuverable and easy drive/park.

I've heard about electrical issues in the 2002, I don't have those challenges with the pre-MBUSA. Mechanically I think the G with the m113//722.6 is a more reliable and easier to maintain DIY than the 200.

My answer, you need BOTH.

 

[Supra Turbo]

As someone who started considering adding a g550 to 200 series, I am surprised to read about this lack of comfort in the Mercedes.

I have a bad back and already find the 200 series not that comfortuble, I thought the G wagon would be more comfortable being a Mercedes.

We used to have a Mercedes S class and really liked the comfort on long drives (300-500 miles).

 

[Fisher23]

Myself .. I would keep the G-wagon and just buy some nice new shocks & dial them in for a smooth ride..

 

[yeshua777]

I have a Europa G500, and my LX. I will agree with you, the LX rides sooo much better, but- it's basically a big/comfortable Camry. It's not nearly as interesting to drive as the G.

The LX is great on the highway, but the G is more interesting/fun to drive in the city. The narrowness (and shortness, mine is a SWB) makes it so maneuverable and easy drive/park.

I've heard about electrical issues in the 2002, I don't have those challenges with the pre-MBUSA. Mechanically I think the G with the m113//722.6 is a more reliable and easier to maintain DIY than the 200.

My answer, you need BOTH.
View attachment 4044382

Woah, that rig is sweet! What size tires do you have on it and is it lifted? I love the SWBs.

Surprisingly, I didn't have too many electrical issues when I got it. Of course my window regulators are starting to go out and I had to replace a seat motor, but that's it so far. It's been fairly mechanically sound.

That's my only concern. I would lose the uniqueness of the G and go to a more standard, comfortable car.

I wish I could afford to have both!

As someone who started considering adding a g550 to 200 series, I am surprised to read about this lack of comfort in the Mercedes.

I have a bad back and already find the 200 series not that comfortuble, I thought the G wagon would be more comfortable being a Mercedes.

We used to have a Mercedes S class and really liked the comfort on long drives (300-500 miles).

It's definitely not unbearable. I've taken many long trips with it and haven't had any comfort issues. It's the squeaks and rattles that are starting to get to me.

It's definitely rougher than more modern G wagons, but it's FAR better than my '89 Land Cruiser that I had before it.

Myself .. I would keep the G-wagon and just buy some nice new shocks & dial them in for a smooth ride..

I'm leaning towards this as well. There are a few other items I need to address on it before swapping out components.

 

[paulunm]

Woah, that rig is sweet! What size tires do you have on it and is it lifted? I love the SWBs.

Surprisingly, I didn't have too many electrical issues when I got it. Of course my window regulators are starting to go out and I had to replace a seat motor, but that's it so far. It's been fairly mechanically sound.

That's my only concern. I would lose the uniqueness of the G and go to a more standard, comfortable car.

I wish I could afford to have both!


It's definitely not unbearable. I've taken many long trips with it and haven't had any comfort issues. It's the squeaks and rattles that are starting to get to me.

It's definitely rougher than more modern G wagons, but it's FAR better than my '89 Land Cruiser that I had before it.


I'm leaning towards this as well. There are a few other items I need to address on it before swapping out components.

Stock suspension. I am hesitant to do a lift, 1. Because of the SWB- would make it less stable IMO, 2. I worry about driveline vibrations post lift. The Gs seem to be sensitive to a change in driveline angle after it's been in one position for many miles. Just be ready to replace drive shafts I guess, at $1k/pop...

I deliberated on tire size for a long time. I think 275/65/18 is the ideal size. I'd also suggest a P tire, rather than LT. The tires in that pic are LT, and it rides quite a lot stiffer than another G I had with P rated.

 

[yeshua777]

Stock suspension. I am hesitant to do a lift, 1. Because of the SWB- would make it less stable IMO, 2. I worry about driveline vibrations post lift. The Gs seem to be sensitive to a change in driveline angle after it's been in one position for many miles. Just be ready to replace drive shafts I guess, at $1k/pop...

I deliberated on tire size for a long time. I think 275/65/18 is the ideal size. I'd also suggest a P tire, rather than LT. The tires in that pic are LT, and it rides quite a lot stiffer than another G I had with P rated.

Good point. I'm also on stock suspension with stock-size KO2s. I'm considering sizing up to 275/70/18 KO3s when the tread is gone on these in a couple more years. Can't do a lift since I won't fit in my parking garage lol.

That could explain the stiffness and rougher ride that I'm experiencing.

 

[Fisher23]

I think Koni Raid shocks (which are adjustable), or another option is Bilstein 7100 Series and have Bilstein put in custom valves for your vehicle.
Springs OME (Old man emu) or EiBach.
That should give you a luxury ride both in town and off road.

 

[yeshua777]

I think Koni Raid shocks (which are adjustable), or another option is Bilstein 7100 Series and have Bilstein put in custom valves for your vehicle.
Springs OME (Old man emu) or EiBach.
That should give you a luxury ride both in town and off road.

Bummer, I should've done this when I replaced the shocks post-purchase in October 2022. I replaced the shocks with OEM ones. They probably won't be due for replacement for awhile... but when they are I'll look into those options.

 

[stonepa]

I owned a G65 for while. Bought it new, thought I would like it, sold it back to the dealer (for a small profit) a short time later. Was not for me. Wasn't so much the G65 model as it was the G platform. Even new, it had rattles on rough corrugated gravel roads. The lockers were interesting but the articulation was so bad I had to use them. Just wasn't for me. Stock exhaust sounded a lot better than the 200, however,, and that acceleration was insane.

 

[paulunm]

Good point. I'm also on stock suspension with stock-size KO2s. I'm considering sizing up to 275/70/18 KO3s when the tread is gone on these in a couple more years. Can't do a lift since I won't fit in my parking garage lol.

That could explain the stiffness and rougher ride that I'm experiencing.

I'd suggest previous gen Tundra TRD Pro sized Michelin AT2 275/65/18. Nice and compliant P tire, and look a little more aggressive than the LTX that many like here. That's what I had on my other G, rode a lot better than the Toyo AT2 I have in LT in the pic I posted.

 

[sadovnik]

I had a 2008 G500 and then upgraded to a 2011 G55. I absolutely loved those trucks, but even after spending considerable amounts of money on upgrading the suspension, they still rode like crap. And don't even get me started on the reliability factor. The only thing keeping me from jumping to a Land Cruiser earlier (can't stand the look of the LX) was the massive power loss compared to the G55. I eventually let my reasonable side win out and bought a proper Land Cruiser. Yes, I miss the stupid power on the G55, but the ride quality and the driveability in general are on a completely different level. Hell, even my 80 series LC rides so much better than the G wagon. I have not driven the 463A platform but I imagine that it rides like a completely different animal given the IFS. But that's a topic for another day.

 

[sadovnik]

As someone who started considering adding a g550 to 200 series, I am surprised to read about this lack of comfort in the Mercedes.

I have a bad back and already find the 200 series not that comfortuble, I thought the G wagon would be more comfortable being a Mercedes.

We used to have a Mercedes S class and really liked the comfort on long drives (300-500 miles).

Yeah, no. Unless you're considering the new generation (2019 and newer), they are not comfortable vehicles by any stretch of the imagination. If you think a 200 series LC is uncomfortable, you will be miserable in an older G-wagon.

 

[coleAK]

I drove a 2004 g500 from 2004 until 2013 when I made the swap to my current 2013 LX570 that I have had since.

My thoughts: the main reason a made the swap was tow capacity and a 3rd row. I have 2 kids (now both in college) but we wanted a larger camper and a 3rd row to haul the kids friends.

Now the differences. I off road fairly hard here in Alaska, although they go about it a different way (the g was a triple locked bruit on 34’s, the LX (on 33’s) is smooth and stable) both are similarly capable, I wouldn’t own either if I didn’t need the off road capacity. The LX is head and shoulders better in the drive/ride department, I used to joke that my G wagon was the worst driving nicest car ever made. The LX is bigger than the G. But really doesn’t feel bigger. If anything, their situations where the LX feels smaller because the G has such an atrociously long turn radius for how short of a vehicle it is.

Attention, I got attention in the G wagon all the time, almost every time I pumped gas. People would ask questions about it. Off roading people were amazed that I had it out there, pretty much everywhere I went people were asking questions about it. The only questions or attention I get in the LX has been are you really OK pulling that camper with that Highlander? And wow, I had no idea Highlanders were that good off-road.

Since you’re asking our thoughts. If I wouldn’t have needed the extra to capacity or third row, I would not have made the change and if I was looking at a vehicle today, I don’t think there’s any way I would buy either of them.

 

[dudemancool1904]

are you really OK pulling that camper with that Highlander? And wow, I had no idea Highlanders were that good off-road.

I need these on a shirt stat

 

[Supra Turbo]

Yeah, no. Unless you're considering the new generation (2019 and newer), they are not comfortable vehicles by any stretch of the imagination. If you think a 200 series LC is uncomfortable, you will be miserable in an older G-wagon.

No, was thinking of 2008 ish. That is unfortunate.

 

[coleAK]

No, was thinking of 2008 ish. That is unfortunate.

My 2004 G drove/road like a 1970’s 3/4 ton and the interior was straight out of a c class. But you have to figure the g was pretty much unchanged from 1979 until 2019 (when they did the first comprehensive redesign and and went IFS). The interiors didn’t get better until 2015-2016’ish and the ride didn’t get better until 2019.