500GE

[Mish_Mish]

Based on the result of another lucky auction grab, a '93 500ge seems to be in my near future.
I can't wait to compare its performance to the G36 and G320.

 

[dionphaneuf]

Woah! Awesome! What auction/where is it? Is it Bornite?

 

[gsxr]

You're going long on the G-wag investing!

That's an M117, correct?

 

[Mish_Mish]

Woah! Awesome! What auction/where is it? Is it Bornite?

They were all 442 in the same color, 5338, similar but not bornite.

 

[Mish_Mish]

You're going long on the G-wag investing!

That's an M117, correct?

4 units is not yet investing, just hoarding for now. It is a 117 lump.

 

[gerryvz]

Yes, there were only 500 made with the M117, I believe 1993 models. And all the one special purple-ish color. I've only ever seen two of them in person, never officialy imported into the US.

 

[Mish_Mish]

Yes, there were only 500 made with the M117, I believe 1993 models. And all the one special purple-ish color. I've only ever seen two of them in person, never officialy imported into the US.

I think they only sold and made 442, 93 and 94 models. Only a few units were branded Puch but all were purple.

 

[gerryvz]

According to Mercedes-Benz official / confirmed numbers, 446 500GEs were made. Yes, there were Puchs (as there were with all of the old G-wagens) -- only three made with the M117. Again, official MB data. And also, only for the 1993 and 1994 model years for the M117 production.

Seven 500GEs were painted silver by the factory.

 

[Mish_Mish]

According to Mercedes-Benz official / confirmed numbers, 446 500GEs were made. Yes, there were Puchs (as there were with all of the old G-wagens) -- only three made with the M117. Again, official MB data. And also, only for the 1993 and 1994 model years for the M117 production.

Seven 500GEs were painted silver by the factory.

Getting a silver one or Puch would be cool, however Puch radiator grill emblem is only 50 Euro...

 

[AMGTesTDriverNJ]

Friend of mine has one of the 7 silver. Seen/been in the Puch 500GE. Plenty more badging than just the radiator grill. Cool to see but otherwise the same.

 

[Mish_Mish]

Purple is fine, no need for me to go any further into pseudo collectability.
I just hope it moves comparably to G36, which is truly impressive for M104 engine.
Is that silver unit in US?

 

[gerryvz]

The 500GE is in completely another league than any 104-powered (AMG or no) G-wagen. The M113 kicks it up another notch above the M117.

Unfortunately the inline-six (AMG or not) has a lack of low-end torque off the line, that a V-8 of M117 or M113 is going to provide plenty of. Not saying the M104 trucks are slow -- you just have to really wind them up to get the power. Above 2,500 RPM to about 6,500 RPM, the 104s come alive. Noisy & busy, but they come alive all the way to red-line.

The AWD just exacerbates the problem. You need torque to overcome the inertia and get moving.

In all honesty, having driven both, I would much rather have an M103-powered G-wagen with the 5-speed manual transmission than the M104 with the standard 722.3 four-speed. It has always felt to me that the gears are mis-matched to the M104, even when you shift it manually. This isn't a problem with the five-speed, and it allows you to use the slightly better low-end torque of the M103 anyway.

Yes, I've driven five-speed M103-based G-wagens, in Germany (300GEs).

 

[Mish_Mish]

I agree, G320 that I imported earlier is a bit lethargic off the line. I even installed a higher compression m104.991 long block in it, which helped a little, but mostly on the middle and top rpm side. G36 on the other side is much more pleasant off the line, it is very comparable to M113 G that my friend has. those diesel internals work amazingly in M104. One thing about G36 I don't like is that it is still geared a bit low (same as G320) and there is no longer a reason to spin it so fast on the freeway with the power it has.

 

[AMGTesTDriverNJ]

Purple is fine, no need for me to go any further into pseudo collectability.
I just hope it moves comparably to G36, which is truly impressive for M104 engine.
Is that silver unit in US?

Yes it is.

 

[AMGTesTDriverNJ]

I agree, G320 that I imported earlier is a bit lethargic off the line. I even installed a higher compression m104.991 long block in it, which helped a little, but mostly on the middle and top rpm side. G36 on the other side is much more pleasant off the line, it is very comparable to M113 G that my friend has. those diesel internals work amazingly in M104. One thing about G36 I don't like is that it is still geared a bit low (same as G320) and there is no longer a reason to spin it so fast on the freeway with the power it has.

Pretty much sums it up for the 36. Everyone asks when I pull up, “ diesel, right?” Nope

 

[Mish_Mish]

Pretty much sums it up for the 36. Everyone asks when I pull up, “ diesel, right?” Nope

If yours a M103 G36 or M104? I have 2 G36's, 96 Bornite and 97 GreenBlack.

 

[AMGTesTDriverNJ]

If yours a M103 G36 or M104? I have 2 G36's, 96 Bornite and 97 GreenBlack.

104, the 103 amg built motors in the 463 seem to be something of a unicorn as I understand it. I have green / black trimmed “sport” cloth

 

[Mish_Mish]

If yours a M103 G36 or M104? I have 2 G36's, 96 Bornite and 97 GreenBlack.

Is Green/Black mostly black? I haven't seen mine in person yet (still on the boat). Here is my 481 still being gone through.

 

[gsxr]

What's the paint code for "GreenBlack"?

 

[Mish_Mish]

What's the paint code for "GreenBlack"?

9189

 

[gsxr]

Paint #189 is known as "Black Opal" in North America. I have a W210 that color. It's black metallic with a hint of green. Probably looks different at night vs clouds vs direct sunlight.