Should You Buy a MERCEDES G WAGON? (Test Drive & Review 2012 G350 Diesel) 

"alright guys, how's it going, welcome back". I've started using that to everyone I know. No one has a clue why lol

“They cost about £150k new but hold their value really well - this 10 year old is still about £40k”, only a car dealer could sell the £110k depreciation as reasonable 😂 nice one Matt!

I had one for about 8 years in the mid 90’s Never any trouble tyres was the only expense & the drivers door latch It’s great a hose out interior Tows 3 tonnes Never stops in the snow & ice I loved it As I lived 2km up a lane on a farm ✌🏽

This could be the best review of G Class in a manner that we got impression what is at all about. Its not about numbers, its about feeling!

Been over 20 years since I was last in one of these. Dark blue metallic and I think a straight six diesel auto. We had it as a competitor assessment vehicle. It felt absolutely bomb proof and went from car park to off roading easy as pie. Just like a posher Defender as you said.

The off road capability of the G wagon is great! Never understood why people drive them on the road tbh. A friend has a 2013 G wagon 500 he uses for hunting and it goes everywhere without an issue

I miss mine terribly. It was an early 1987 280GE 5 door auto. Slow and ridiculously thirsty. Solid as a rock. Sold it to an Irish guy who fitted a 5 cylinder diesel an six speed manual. It was a very tasteful beige metallic.

I've had two short wheel base G Wagens 3 litre diesel and 2.3 litre petrol. The off road performance is outstanding far better than any Land Rover product (I've had over 30 of them). If you really want to drive something that looks outrageous with even better off road performance try a Unimog!

Highly recommend Approved Vehicles, very welcoming and happy to let you spend as much time as you need looking around and test driving some amazing vehicles they have for sale without being pushy at all! Another informative video Matt, cheers 👍

i love the new 2017 onwards G wagon,looks stylish and retro at the same time! Great video Matt! :D

I’m the same with the Ford maverick. It truly is a horrible car, but I absolutely love them. Only reason I don’t own one now is because my mechanic said he would burn my house down with me still in it if I bought another one. Merry Christmas everyone

Hi Matt, I've driven a couple of G's in my time as a delivery/demonstrator driver. One was the G55 AMG, the other, the later G63 AMG - both were cool as, and sounded like thunder. However, actually driving them terrifying to say the least. A hell of a lot of go, with hopes and prayers for brakes and handling. Was what you might call 'entertaining'. They do get a lot of attention from passers by though, and that is what makes them cool I think. Thanks for the video, keep up the great work, and I hope you have a great Christmas. :)

I have a 2003 G500 US version. Nearing 200k miles. ZERO major issues, only minor maintenance and some electrical components to replace which were cheap and easy (window switches, regulators, door lock actuators etc). One item all of these will need right at 175-200k miles is the "Short Shaft" replacement. Small driveline coupling between the transmission and transfer case. About $3500 for a shop to do it. This truck lives in Utah and sees dirt roads and winter conditions regularly, not a Beverly Hills mall crawler. Highly recommended.

These are great fun. As an extra car. Haven’t tried the upgraded 2018 onwards, but the amg63 is said to be a proper weapon. Probably not worth the money, unless you don’t have a budget😊

That was a good watch. Love it when something quirky makes you like 1. Even if they’re terrible.

That's actually the ~2001 to early 2012 model. In late 2012 they came up with the refreshed one, which ran all the way until 2018.

Mate, you changed my mind about getting one of these vehicles. Thanks Matt.

During the pandemic when the petrol stations were running low (well around here they were) one of the V8 G Wagons pulled up next to me as I was filling up. The lady started filling up as I was about halfway through, I finished, went in, paid, came out and pulled away and she was still there pumping at about 100 quid or so 😂 the side exit exhaust sounded amazing!

Another fantastic video mate 😁

Says its proper name gelendvagen made me very happy! Good on ya great review as always

Fortunatly, the interior has been heavily updated since that one :). For celebrities, image is everything and they look good, even if they perform less well.

Great video, so honest.

Excellent video! Been waiting a while for this review and you've finally made it. You're going to buy one I know it! 😉

My dream car. Just an amazing creation. By the way, great video as always.

I always smile when I see big chunky 4x4s like these or pick-ups that have 4x4 systems you can't utilise on a standard road surface (where they spend 90% of their time) without screwing up the transmission. Come back Mitsubishi with the Super Select II system (oh or the Subaru symmetrical all wheel drive system). Fun vid Matt - thanks for posting

Love your channel! I am a spanish guy who wants to be in the future a used car dealer. I think you are inspiring. Greetings from Málaga :)

Can tell how excited you were filming this one, getting a bit giddy!

good review for the G.. many thanks

It has stood the test of time for a reason, and it is fashion. If the Slebs have one, that means it must be rubbish, and only owned by those for whom the car has more personality than they possess. Great video, Matt.

Good morning, I've always like the look of a g-wagon but you confirmed what I always thought then it would be terrible. Has become just a fashion accessory for the rich and famous. Great video as usual cheers Phil for Newark

I got an older model from 1991, Diesel om606. Super fun to drive offroad.

Merry Christmas to you and your family and thanks for your effort good job ! Take care

Matt 😂 much love for your honesty 😂😂😂

One of the best reviews I’ve seen on a GWagon. Awesome!

I seen a brand new one recently it was amazing to see up close and personal.

Great vids mate

Insane how, once again, the High Peak algorithm knows what cars interest me. Top work!

Thanks for the review Matt. My missus has been saying for a long time that this is her dream car, and my reaction has always been "never in a month of Sundays". I'll send her your review and point out what a terrible car it is, in the hope she switched to the L405 instead!

I remember driving a dealer demo G300E for a day back in 1990 - it was comical (and bloody thirsty). The model you’ve reviewed is supposedly a step-change from the original, so guess how good the early ones must have been!

Great review, what a classic...

great video

Had the pleasure of being invited by Mercedes in January 2019 to go to the AMG factory in Affalterbach to test drive the AMG G-Wagon - pretty much as Matt says defo not as luxurious as a Range Rover but the performance was mind blowing and still makes me smile today !

Nice! Perfect winter beater 😉

Happy Christmas 🎅 keep up the great work 🎉

"G Wagon" a good example of superb 'German Engineering' you sure look good driving it Sir. 🙌 Dankeschon!👍👏

Fun review, thank you! Maybe get one for a year, see where the driving adventure takes you. Or perhaps a 4X4 Panda? And you could get the partnering dealership to lend you this car for the High Peak Autos Rap Video. Or perhaps in your place of birth is better, sunshine rays and shorts! Anyway, getting ahead of myself here. Thank you, that was a lot fun :)

The garage that lent you it, has a nice Velar get them to lend you that, a Range Rover video would be great or an update on the running costs of your own Range Rover

As a Land Rover fan, I totally get it. Although that 'good build quality' thing is a bit incomprehensible. I mean, I've heard rumours that's possible, but only having owned Green Badge things I have no personal experience. I'd be really interested in your views on one of those Ineos Grenadiers if you could source on from somewhere.

Having driven a a reg g wagon, safe to say the interior of this one is not a lot different. The one I drove was used on a farm for its intended purpose, it was good enough on and off road and towing but no better than a landrover 90 although perhaps more reliable. I can't say I'd hanker for one myself.

When I lived in Tokyo the barber next door to my apartment had the AMG version, but mapped for 620 bhp. AFIK, he never drove it out of Tokyo - ever. He did tell me the mileage, and I converted it to 11mpg.

Blimey Matt, you get that door lock sound with a Vauxhall Meriva

I totally agree with you Matt . . . . . . up to the 3:23 time mark.

Marbella? Beverly Hills? Champagne Charlie. Great video, brought back a lot of memories. I'm a retired journalist and had a G-Wagon off the press fleet for a couple of weeks back in the late '80s. It was a normally-aspirated 3-litre diesel (300GD). Beautifully made, felt a lot more solid than Range Rovers of that era, but Hail Mary was it slow - especially up hills! It boasted (?) 87 bhp and 127 lb/ft of torque. Wikipedia quotes a 0-60 time of 27 seconds and I believe it. I did take it off-road and found that to get it to move you had to give it some revs, but when you did that you broke the traction and spun the wheels. It had diff locks on both axles but even when you applied them they didn't help. When you were stuck you were stuck and that was it. But I shared your delight in driving what felt like a giant Tonka toy. Everything screamed rugged, built-to-last quality and stick your wind-tunnel up your axxx. You're not being weird in loving the driving experience, I felt the same. Due to an eccentric taste in cars and bikes I can't drive things to impress others but I did notice that many people were extremely impressed by the G! I was getting the VIP bowing & scraping treatment - much to the amusement of my girlfriend at the time. Incidentally, Mercedes has promoted this vehicle by offering free, long-term loans to a host of celebrities worldwide - hence its Hello Magazine status. DJ Nick Grimshaw turned one over in a suburban street when he "swerved to avoid a cat." Will Young's got one too, and Myleene Klass. Got to stop now, feeling queasy.

One of my neighbors had a G63. When he started it in p-cellar it was roaring like thunder. Now he's changed it for a Mini JCW.

Waiting to see what you think of the ineos grenadier when they start to get out on the road

Thanks for the G wagon review. It’s like the bright light that moths are drawn to 😆. So impractical but I want one. If only there was something as quirky as G wagon but was a bit smaller and a bit cheaper 🤔 A new Jimney on steroids would do the trick.

Should! Period! One of the greatest vehicles ever made (ideally as G500) and only this actually matter!

Now we're talking🤩 If I win the lotto I would buy the new G500 with all the bells and whistles in a heartbeat

Drive a brand new G Wagon AMG 63 and you will love it! ❤

Matt id love to see you review some vintage pick ups

I for one like the more old school interior. Timeless.

I absolutely love G-Wagen's Matt. I have had several over the years. Personally I would always go Petrol...the 3 Litres were good, the V8 better. I would never have a 'gangster spec' Black/Black/Black wheels with dark glass. A nice dark blue, silver or dark green with tan leather will still look good in the countryside. Yes the elbow room isn't good (better than a Defender), turning circle isn't great (much like a lwb Defender), but it is built like no other vehicle by Steyr, and will outlast and (off-road) out perform any other 4x4 - hence the secondhand values. 30 year old examples still over £20k! This older model's narrowness is actually a boon off-road and in country lanes. They become like a family pet....part of the family!

One of most brutal and charismatic cars ever made. It's a 10 bandits from 10

The new models from 2019 is a completely different ballgame! More space and so much better - you should try one

Every time i see a g wagon it gets a comment or a stare its just the law!

Brilliant review! Owning a G Wagon makes no sense, but that's not the point if it puts a massive smile on your face. Would I buy one? Hell yeah!

Imagine my delight when I seen the thumbnail, adore the G Wagon! But then seen the video duration 8:21! Come on, this is as cool if not better than a FFRR plus more reliable!

"With all its flaws it makes you feel more... human" - I can almost hear tones of Harry Metcalfe, and I mean that in the best possible way! (PS: thanks for having the l/100km on screen!)

It looks like an old Land Rover you'd use to haul hay bales across your farm to feed your stock, but wouldn't dream of driving out of the farm gate. No thanks. Style over substance is OK for a day or so, but not something one can live with.

Nice one 👍

Matt, I’ve been in the new type G Wagen. Definitely not in the same league as a Range Rover or the new Defender but it has its own charm as you say, you can’t help but still like it.

I always wanted the older G63. I know it's like a posh tractor, but I still want one

Interesting video and merry Christmas 🎉🚗🚙🚘👍👍👍👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I have always loved the G wagon, one day maybe I will have one!!

Quite a few in Vancouver and I seen at least 5 that are kitted out and clearly used for going out into the bush (pin stripping from branches is a giveaway). I think you were quite correct "A nicer Defender" . Thanks for this, I was kicking around getting a older 2 door that was available here, but seems like parts are very expensive and hard to get for the older ones.

The g63, bentayga, Cayenne turbo s, urus are ultimate 4x4 manly cars! Loving them cars. If only they were the price of something of a Mitsubishi shogun.

Hi, absolutely love your videos, entertaining and informative 👍, I used to have a Honda FRV, fantastic vehicle, I've been looking for something similar and just discovered the Honda Odyssey, they look amazing, have you ever come across one?

I'd recommend the G Wagon driving experience at Mercedes Benz World. Went a few months ago - really enjoyed it!

It would be a fantastic alternative to a defender. Similarly great off road and the cool factor but with really good build quality and even with the 213hp diesel it's probably a much nicer engine.

Some years back one of my clients had one, his staff called it his 'Tonka Toy' :)

Don't forget to have your mates take plenty of pics. of you getting into it, then post those online. The Likes will flood in.

How an Austrian developed 4x4 for the German and also French military became such a status symbol still bemuses me. A nice honest early 80s 4 pot petrol engined short wheel base example would be good fun at the right money.

Great informative video, still not sure if I like them. 👍👍👍👍👍

I secretly really liked shmee150's G63, tuned and sounded awesome.

Matt, you should definitely BUY a G-Wagon…I’d say 2002-2004. V8 petrol. The interior is even more C-Class in that era. Then do a review and see if you can sell it for profit. Also, perhaps buy a year old or so Defender with high miles and show what all needs fixing on it to sell it on.

Lots of love 😘 brother you are doing great keep it up 😘 I have a question 😊⁉️ I hope you can answer me how to stop your car from resting I mean how we can avoid it any tips or solutions

6:47. That couldn’t be more true😅. I love the G wagon and in my mind I think that I could look like a gangster for 40k. However, you suddenly realise you can get a newer, faster, more luxurious, bigger, more technologically advanced L405 for the same price.

It’s a yes. I couldn’t mind. But I get the love and dream. G’s are something else

Its the look of it I love big trucks and the G wagon is just my small truck

I see what you did there, the old Top Gear thing of slating a car before revealing it is actually brilliant and why you should buy one. I think it may just trump the Range Rover in terms of badge snobbery and oneupmanship. "I own a Range Rover, it costs me thousands to keep it on the road." Well duh. "I own a G-Wagon, it costs me thousands to replace a lightbulb." Ouch. Feel the burn.🔥

Back in the day one of my salesman took a bloke out for a test drive in one and it got stuck in a muddy field we had a used Lada Niva so we sent that to pull it out no problem,style over practicality indeed.

Love it

We have 3 of them, all v8’s, and I adore them. They are used as fun cars rather than for daily use as the cost would be prohibitive. Occasionally we use them off road for fun but certainly not the sort of green laning you see scratching up paint work and bashing panels. One word of warning if you go for a G350cdi - the 2010 and 2011 models came with a small sump which were changed by mercedes if the engine showed signs of issues.

Great vid as always, I am actually really thinking hard and most like will end up buying a swb 1980's g wagon soon , is that a good idea or not?

Retrofitting a more recent G Wagon interior, would give it a more modern look. Wonder if it is feasible, as straight bolt on.

Back in 2011. Mercedes took a bunch of us to Ladakh, a mountain desert 15000 feet above sea level in a bunch of GLs now GLS and a lone S 55. Off road, the S55 was competent except for tyre grip due to road tyres. Drove it on bad mountain roads, AMG spec meant it was crashy in potholes, steering was imprecise-around tight bends, the Only thing I liked was the solid build and the supercharged engine. I switched back to the GL350 we GCIH felt more competent overall. Later drove it on a straight smooth road, that’s all it’s meant for- LA Boulevards!

If your desperate to have one, try Military Sales...they usually quiet a few including the SWB.

big up chesterfield

Would love to see a review of one of the 2018 onwards ones to see the difference…

Matt I think an Alfa MiTo would be great on a review and i feel like other people would agree as well!