Highlights

Like the old Defender was for Land Rover or the Wrangler is for Jeep, the Geländewagen is the function-first anchor for the credibility of Mercedes-Benz’s various other 4x4 SUVs. The ‘proper’ one, if you like. Derived from a military vehicle and no less tough underneath as decades and iterations have rolled on, the G-Wagen has had luxury and performance levels worthy of modern-day Mercedes crammed into its resolutely rectilinear body-on-frame structure to give a blend of indomitable off-road ability with a decent level of on-road civility. As a result, they are just as popular in Los Angeles as they are in the wilderness.

This example is a second-generation ‘W463’ model, hand built as they all were by Steyr-Puch in Austria. It then left Austria on a boat to Japan, where it’s lived most of its life. In October 2018, it was back on a boat as it was imported to the Netherlands, before crossing the Channel to Britain a year later. Since then it has undergone a refresh so thorough as to be considered a light restoration, with the chassis frame being refurbished, all the footwork replaced and the gearbox serviced.

With the exterior design having changed so little over the years, this 2001 G320 (3.2 V6) could be a decade newer than it is for all the average onlooker can tell from outside – but it’s much more affordable than a new one.

Climbing aboard, all occupants are welcomed by seats which are much softer than the hardwearing fabric upholstery may make you assume. Said fabric is remarkably unblemished for a 22-year-old 4x4, as are the dashboard and leather-rimmed steering wheel, while the wood veneer trim has also lost none of its colour or lustre. 

This Japanese-market G320 retains its original Pioneer Carrozzeria infotainment system – seemingly compulsory in Japan for any upmarket car of this era – which includes navigation and connection to a reversing camera mounted high on the driver’s-right side next to the rearmost door (see photos). 

The light grey headlining also looks like new and the clean carpeting is protected ahead of both rows of permanent seats by Yanase floormats. In the boot, just above the OEM CD autochanger, two side-facing seats can fold out to take a pair of additional passengers for short journeys. Their surroundings are just as tidy and unblemished as the rest of the cabin, suggesting that this is one pampered G-Wagen.

The rich, elegant Emerald Green paintwork adds a tasteful sheen of class to the utilitarian form it clads, aided by clear indicator lenses and understated 16” alloy wheels in flawless condition. The condition situation elsewhere is predominantly a match for the wheels – an invoice in the car’s paperwork notes that the exterior received a professional cut ‘n’ polish detailing job in 2020 after a whole host of mechanical jobs were done, so this G320’s paintwork is as fresh as can be. 

There are only minor details letting the side down; a loose section of roof seal above the right-side rear quarter window, a superficial corner scuff on each bumper and some surface corrosion on the right-side door mirror support, which has caused the paint to fall off it. The left-side door mirror support isn’t too far behind either, remaining fully painted but showing a certain amount of bubbling beneath.

It seems that then this G-Wagen arrived in the UK it was in need of some TLC, and a lengthy service invoice from July 2020 shows that it received exactly that. Jobs listed include a gearbox service, air conditioning system service, completely new brakes and shock absorbers all around, re-greasing of all the suspension joints, repair work to the wiring loom at the rear of the car, new injector seals, a full suite of fresh fluids for every system and a chemical cleaning procedure for the chassis, which was then waxed. The final bill for all this work is £15,478 and it puts these essential underpinnings of the car into a condition that by all rights should serve the new owner well for many years to come.

The seller has not reported any mechanical faults with the vehicle and during the photoshoot it started up promptly without any signs of an issue. The only quirk was an alert to check one of the indicators, but putting on the hazard lights (all of which worked) cleared this error message. 

With that said, however, the most recent MOT (29th June 2023) states that both front track rod end ball joint dust covers needed immediate attention at the time of the test, with further advisories about a minor exhaust leak, corroded and/or greasy brake pipe and corroded front coil springs. These are minor jobs compared to the work previously done, but not to be ignored for long.

The G-Wagen marries capability with class like few other vehicles, and whilst a G320 isn’t the full AMG cartoon character, it is more suitable for everyday use across any terrain in any weather. This example has received a lot of attention since arriving in Britain and while it may need just a little more, it is fundamentally ready to go and in fantastic cosmetic condition already. A caring owner could enjoy a long life with this ex-Japan G.

Notice to bidders

This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*