1985 Mercedes Gelandewagen 280ge (g-wagen) - 94k - Rebuilt Engine - No Reserve! on 2040-cars

 I am selling my 1985 280GE Gelandewagen (“G-Wagen”). I owned two of these superb 4x4s back shortly after they were imported into the states. They ran over $100k back then. I had them at my Telluride, Colorado ranch, and they were the most amazing off-road (and on-road) vehicles I’ve ever driven. Experts agree.

I’ve always regretted selling them.

Several years ago, I saw another G-Wagen listed on eBay, and bought it on the spot for $12,500. I knew there were some problems with the engine, so brought it into a foreign auto specialist here in town. As a couple of chambers were not quite up to pressure I chose to completely rebuild the engine with larger MERCEDES pistons and re-bored block.

Over the next year plus, I had the engine totally rebuilt, plus replaced the entire exhaust system, the entire fuel system (including the fuel tank, the fuel pump and all soft and hard fuel lines), the brake system, and various other improvements including a rebuilt alternator and radiator.

The G-Wagen is a pretty austere vehicle … nothing fancy, just simple, solid German engineering that lasts almost forever. This vehicle gets a LOT of attention, wherever it goes. People constantly tell me how cool it is, sometimes going way out of their way to take a look at it.

(This is a great winter car too … if you remember the 1991 Halloween blizzard that dumped 30”+ in the cities, in one of our previous G-Wagens we drove out of being totally BURIED by snowplows – over the top of the vehicle, had to dig our way into it and then just put it in 4-wheel drive, locked the axles, and slowly drove out of the mountain of snow — and drove all over the cities – when no one else was out driving – to pick up some of our employees who had to work that day.) My wife uses this vehicle whenever there’s a bad storm here in Minnesota, and feels very secure.

So, Why Am I Selling it?

My last 2 kids are in college now. I work out of my home. I simply don’t drive often enough to warrant the expense of a second vehicle (I drove it once last week … to get donuts about 1/2 mile away … I “should” have walked!).

So, while I love these vehicles, I will let it go. I may regret it.

Technical

• VIN# WDB46023317042645
• 1985 280GE
• Approx. 94,000 Miles
• 2.8L Inline 6-Cylinder
• 4-Wheel Drive
• Coil Spring Suspension
• Locking Differentials
• Automatic Transmission
• Factory-Installed Winch
• Tow Hitch
• REBUILT ENGINE

Issues

• It is starting to rust, mostly surface rust in a number of spots (seem to buff out easily). The worst spots are under some of the body rubber mold pieces (which are falling off), and the quarter panels by the rear side lights. (See pics.) The driver floor pan is rusted, yet still solid.
• This vehicle was grey market. I spoke with the woman in charge of this at the U.S. DOT and learned this particular vehicle was “legally imported to the States,” but was never “certified” as being converted to US standards. Bottom line, at this point each state has its own requirements for titling a grey market vehicle. I know for sure this one was titled in Wisconsin, where I bought it (apparently a “tough” state) and now in Minnesota (I had absolutely no problems getting it titled or insured). Your state may vary.
• While the vehicle originally had A/C and has the brackets and dash buttons, there is no A/C.
• There is a great what looks like a factory-installed winch, but when I bought the vehicle the wiring was marginal to the battery. As I did not intend to offroad, I did not get it rewired and the winch is disconnected. I assume it still works, but do not know for sure.
• There is a factory-installed pre gas heater, its lights come on, but I had it disabled ... I've had no use for this, the vehicle has always started fine, and I heard it's dangerous (I have no interest in heating up gasoline).
  
• The speedometer reads faster than actual speed, odometer trip sometimes hangs up. I simply use a chart for driving for mph (eg. 70 mph on gauge is really 45 mph). Engine temp gauge works on and off, fuel gauge works fine.
• There is a slight vibration which increases with speed, goes away at higher speeds. At about 60 mph, if you hit a bump or are on a rough road it sometimes shakes – if you speed up or slow down it stops. New shocks/springs, which would be nice, might take care of it. I was also told by Eurotruck that getting the wheels balanced with Hunter’s Road Force system has helped significantly in the past. I have not had a chance to get them balanced.
• Neither the rear wiper or license plate light work, the wiring from interior to exterior of rear door is cut which may be the only problem (the rear wiper spray button sounds like it is pumping washer fluid back that way).
• Front seats need to be reupholstered, worn away where you put your hands to get out (see pics).
• Misc: Night switch on rear view mirror doesn’t work, need to adjust mirror manually. If the driver’s window is lowered more than about half way, it needs some “help” getting through the midway point on it’s way back up. One window crank missing. Driver side front turn signal bracket loose, I used black electrician’s tape to hold it 2 years ago, it works fine and looks normal. This is all I can think of, though it’s almost 30 years old so expect to find more little things. 
• None of these problems bothered me a whole lot … I have just happily driven it worry-free!
  

Good Stuff

• I have over $25k invested in this G (I have receipts) … you can get it for a steal
• Over $10k invested in just the engine alone
• Clean engine and engine compartment
  
• Very solid undercarriage
• New exhaust system
• New fuel system (including all soft and hard fuel lines)
• New brake system
• Replaced fuel tank
• Replaced fuel tank guard,
• New “original” spare tire cover
• Rebuilt alternator
• Rebuilt radiator
• New starter
• New battery
• New tires last summer (~$650)
• Regular oil changes
• Always warmed up before driving
• Always starts, even during the “Arctic Freeze” last winter of -50 degree windchill for weeks
• Comes with complete set of shop manuals, owners manual, and brochures
• Parts readily available

There have been almost NO repair expenses with this G since the rebuild. One brake line split, the part cost was about $10. A switch under the dashboard needed to be re-soldered (I got a new starter and a new battery before figuring out the switch issue.) I had a minor electrical issue that would blow a fuse regularly while accelerating, but it was fixed easily. A pvc valve was put in backwards, which required fixing. I can’t recall anything else, other than regular oil changes.

This truck is sold where-is, in as-is condition without any warranties. This vehicle is listed locally so this listing may end at any time, without notice. 

Bottom Line

If you've always wanted to own one of these incredible vehicles but couldn't spend the $18-20K+ they normally sell for (and don't mind lots of people asking you questions about it and telling you how "cool" it is), take advantage of this opportunity now.

Thanks