Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6X6

G'day Doug,
Nothing wrong with the M-B G series stuff.

We had a M-B G300D wagon on the station in '85, VERY nice to drive. Had a bit of trouble breaking steering dampers, but I suppose when one was using it how we were using it........

Only automatic transmission that I have seen tow-start a Cat 14 grader. Was very impressed with it, and still wouldn't mind getting my hands on one.

The Australian Army has purchased a total of 2146 Mercedes G-Wagons in 4x4 and 6x6 versions, it will be interesting to see how they hold up, and what their overall reliability and life-cycle cost is, as compared to the Land Rovers.

The old Landies were pretty crude, but they were fixable, and they had no electronics.

The new Army Mercs feature electric windows, air con, 3 electric diff locks, and a host of other "switchable" features.
All great when they're working - but what happens when they stop working?
You need an army of technicians then, to keep them running.

Only time will tell I guess. The problem with so much German stuff is, the repair costs, and parts costs, are out of this world.

Someone has to keep German industry rolling in Scrooge McDuck-sized money bins, I guess - but it sure isn't going to be this little black duck.

I back away, holding out a cross, to all German-built stuff. I've learnt my lesson.
I owned a Magirus-Deutz truck many years ago, and that Deutz was certainly an education in how to get your cloaca ripped wide open, whenever you fronted the parts counter!

I guess it's lucky the Defence Dept has full and unfettered access to that bottomless pit of money, called the Aussie Taxpayer!

Cheers, Ron.

New G-Wagons for the Army (2010)

ADF G-Wagons - Test Drive

Met some servicemen just last year testing some 6x6 Toyotas in the desert. Won't say where . . .

They preferred the Toyotas over the G wagons but what can you tell Canberra ZIP.

Been there.

Phil

PS: Ron N, Don't know about a bottomless pit mate. It was pure s*&t each year even to get what we wanted for admin services. Just for office space, stationary and admin staff!!!! Way out of line mate. I first started working on a new 6x6 back in the mid 80's and it's taken how many years to get them. I hope that you can add up.

Tour company Outback Spirit have many G wagons including 6 x 6 and they love them. They get the military spec models not domestic variety - not sure of the differences but obviously heaps more expensive. http://www.outbackspirittours.com.au/travelling-with-us/coaches

Yep big $$$ eh. But 16 trips, with 18 clients at roughly $10,000 per customer - that's big $$$ (approx $3m) as well and that's only the CSR travel.

It must be working for them because OST seem to be going from strength to strength.

That AMG gear is never short of "neddies", Doug.

With 400kw available in the 6x6, can just see it flying over the surface of Lake Disappointment, to regrettably run out of power(unlikely!), or traction, sink into the salty surface, and remain there as a steely outcrop, or an artificial reef, depending on the seasons.

However, wouldn't mind cleaning out my shed a little, to fit one in there. Make mine a Highway Yellow, please?

Bob

Oh course the G wagen is not really a Mercedes Benz but is a Puch G Wagen designed and built in Austria by Magna Steyr - formally Steyr Puch. It is still sold as the Puch G and in some markets and sold as a Mercedes Benz in other markets.

The Puch G wagen was a replacement for Haflinger and was also sold as a Peugeot in France with a different engine.

The vehicle is not made by MB but is badge engineered and with the MB badge is the most popular.

If you want to know there is a Mercedes G63 6x6 in U.S for $975,000