W463 Common issues

[195910]

Hi Everyone,

New acquisition underway, which I hope will serve the Red Baron well. A late W463 V8 (not 463A !), the last of the 80-90s look and feel mercedes.

I would like to ask if any of our members here own/owned a post-2004 G500/G55 and can share with us the kind of issues he had to deal with.

Here are some of the issues I am aware of:

- HVAC outlet vents in the dashboard crack.
- Main Windows switches
- Headliner sags
- Rust issues till 2006 just like other M-B of the era, especially around the window frames, fenders, rear gate area.
- steering links and steering damper failures more common.
- suspension struts leak more common
- hood strut
- Rear SAM module
- Much more prone to mileage rollback than other M-Bs, as its does not have a digital service book.
- transfer box seal rings.

 

[gerryvz]

Talk to @8899. He has owned a G55 for many years and can talk to the later g-wagens

 

[ace10]

We owned a '13 G550 for about four and half years.
No suspension or drivetrain issues.
The electronics were a nightmare. The vehicle had a mind of its own. Remove the key, vehicle would sometimes continue running.
Many times I would find all the systems had turned themselves on despite the car being off and fully locked.
Radar cruise would get wonky and throw warning messages.
I don't know if any of those issues are "common," but they were certainly a hindrance to trouble-free motoring.

I think I've mentioned that it's like owning a boat: The first and last days of ownership are the best two days of ownership.

I never did get over the nightime headlight reflections in the glass. It always felt like I was about to be T-boned.

Cross winds were brutal. Turning radius was absurd. But it drove perfectly fine for what it was.
I have an '04 Disco 2 for winter beater duties currently. And an '04 100 Series Land Cruiser. The Disco drives similarly to the G, but at a tiny fraction of the cost. The Toyota is superior to both in virtually every respect, aside from it not feeling "special," if that makes sense?

EDIT: Wanted to add that we bought the G for my wife. After the first year, she never drove it. Ever. Like I had to remind her to take it on bad weather days. I began to resent owning it after a while. Insurance and property taxes were brutal. I would just use it for errands to the grocery store, which felt kinda stupid.

 

[195910]

We owned a 13 G550 for about four and half years.
No suspension or drivetrain issues.
The electronics were a nightmare. The vehicle had a mind of its own. Remove the key, vehicle would sometimes continue running.
Many times I would find all the systems had turned themselves on despite the car being off and fully locked.
Radar cruise would get wonky and throw warning messages.
I dont know if any of those issues are common, but they were certainly a hindrance to trouble-free motoring.

I think Ive mentioned that its like owning a boat: The first and last days of ownership are the best two days of ownership.

I never did get over the nightime headlight reflections in the glass. It always felt like I was about to be T-boned.

Cross winds were brutal. Turning radius was absurd. But it drove perfectly fine for what it was.
I have an 04 Disco 2 for winter beater duties currently. And an 04 100 Series Land Cruiser. The Disco drives similarly to the G, but at a tiny fraction of the cost. The Toyota is superior to both in virtually every respect, aside from it not feeling special, if that makes sense?

Thank you for sharing your experience.

Drivetrain and suspension as you mentioned don't have known issues.
That electronic issue is weird, never heard of this before.

 

[gsxr]

We owned a 13 G550 for about four and half years. ... Cross winds were brutal. Turning radius was absurd. But it drove perfectly fine for what it was.

Turning radius was absurdly bad? That's a bummer. Our Disco LR4 has a turning radius close to a W124. No real issues with crosswinds either, for a rolling box.

I have an 04 Disco 2 for winter beater duties currently. And an 04 100 Series Land Cruiser. The Disco drives similarly to the G, but at a tiny fraction of the cost. The Toyota is superior to both in virtually every respect, aside from it not feeling special, if that makes sense?

If you haven't driven an LR4, try one out sometime. I felt the LR3 was underpowered (assume the LR2 would be also) but the LR4 had some ponies under the hood, plus decent creature comforts.

 

[ace10]

Turning radius was absurdly bad? Thats a bummer. Our Disco LR4 has a turning radius close to a W124. No real issues with crosswinds either, for a rolling box.

If you havent driven an LR4, try one out sometime. I felt the LR3 was underpowered (assume the LR2 would be also) but the LR4 had some ponies under the hood, plus decent creature comforts.

Solid front axle giveth and solid front axle taketh away.
Great for durability, not so great for turnability.
The 100 Series LC went to IFS (like the LR3 onward) and it's much more forgiving than the G, Disco2 or earlier LC's.

The Disco 2 has enough forward motivation for me. I like how it drives, reminds me a lot of my 80 Series LCs. But with way more leaks and brakes that need some sorting, as she's not totally stable under heavy braking.

 

[195910]

Interesting observation: I haven't seen an overturned G-class, although I personally had an encounter test driving a 2014 G500, when a split second change in direction on the roundabout made me feel it was on two wheels. The AMG variants are more stable but much firmer.

 

[gsxr]

The Disco 2 has enough forward motivation for me. I like how it drives, reminds me a lot of my 80 Series LCs. But with way more leaks and brakes that need some sorting, as shes not totally stable under heavy braking.

The LR4 has been mostly dry, at least no fluid drips when parked over clean concrete. And the LR4 has some pretty huge brakes, which is nice when towing an unbraked trailer. That also means you can't fit wheels smaller than 18", which didn't matter to me. Of course the 4 probably costs at least 2x if not more vs the 2!

 

[195910]

Out of all countries:

 

[ace10]

Turning radius:

500E / W124 19.2' / 18.0'
W463/W464 22.3'

80 Series LC 20.2'
100 Series LC 19.9' (IFS)
Disco 2 19.5'
LR3/4 18.8' (IFS)

2022 Chevy Suburban 21.7' (4WD)

 

[ace10]

Out of all countries:

70 Series Land Cruisers FTW!

And then there's this FJ Cruiser. It defies explanation.

 

[8899]

My 2008 G55 splits daily driving duty with my 2011 L322 Autobiography. I bought the G in 2017 and it is now at 140k miles and is hands-down the most reliable car I've ever owned.

The stock suspension is very tough to endure...I eventually replaced the shocks and springs to get the truck to a somewhat comfortable level.....but no where near close to the ride in my L322.

I have rarely, if ever, had any trouble with electronics but did have a "hot" start issue which simply required the replacement of the crank position sensor.

The front seats got a huge upgrade for the 2009 model year, so I missed the boat on that one. I have ordered a set of Recaro Expert M seats which will installed in a month or so.

Yes, the turning radius is awful.

I've had difficulty with the door latch mechanisms. They either need replacement or servicing which requires the removal of the door cards. I've also had to replace a window regulator or two.

Yes, on the hood struts...they don't last long.

Headliner - yes I had to replace mine.

No rust issues for me, but there are plenty of owners out there that have had to deal with it.

If I were in the market I would definitely look only at G55s since it carried the m113k + 722.6 drivetrain into the 2011 model year (I think).

 

[195910]

Thank you for the valuable input Greg @8899 .

Crank position sensors are common on the M113.

What would be important to know are issue that require a lot of labor hours to complete. I am not familiar with these issues on the G-Class, but for example on the M157 engine (G63 AMG) there are a few that would require dropping the engine!

Anything like that on the G55 and G500 ?

 

[8899]

What would be important to know are issue that require a lot of labor hours to complete. I am not familiar with these issues on the G-Class, but for example on the M157 engine (G63 AMG) there are a few that would require dropping the engine!

Anything like that on the G55 and G500 ?

Nothing that I am aware of except for maybe rust mitigation. Replacing all four shocks and springs is a big job (at least a full day of labor) ...but a job most G55 owners have either done, plan to do, or hope to do.

 

[195910]

One of our members had a G400 CDI (V8 Diesel) and the alternator needed replacement, the V8 diesel had a water cooled 180A alternator which was a pain to source and replace.

 

[Rouven036]

Definitely a issue are the rear window regulators where the plastic guide wheels break.
Common electronic issues not really
Cars with Hymaa steering gears tended to pull to the right
Bad Engine mounts on the g63 tend to overstress piping on the ac condenser causing it to leak
Generally the rear spare wheel carrier needs to be retightened when alot driven on rough roads
I would see the late G500 with m176 (4l tt v8) as the best one

 

[195910]

Definitely a issue are the rear window regulators where the plastic guide wheels break.
Common electronic issues not really
Cars with Hymaa steering gears tended to pull to the right
Bad Engine mounts on the g63 tend to overstress piping on the ac condenser causing it to leak
Generally the rear spare wheel carrier needs to be retightened when alot driven on rough roads
I would see the late G500 with m176 (4l tt v8) as the best one

Thank you for sharing these points Rouven.
For long term ownership, I am avoiding the M176/M157 cars. They both offer better Fuel consumption and power, but the associated complexity and parts availability is concerning.

 

[Trae]

Our 2003 G500 has been fairly reliable.
At 275k, I have replaced both front seat control modules, window regulators, and a door lock mechanism.

We bought it with 250k on the clock.

Went to Hilton Head twice and most people were more impressed with my wife's G500 than they were with my 1991 modified 560sec I had entered.

Agreed that the M113 and 722.6 tranny are the way to go.

 

[195910]

Our 2003 G500 has been fairly reliable.
At 275k, I have replaced both front seat control modules, window regulators, and a door lock mechanism.

We bought it with 250k on the clock.

Went to Hilton Head twice and most people were more impressed with my wifes G500 than they were with my 1991 modified 560sec I had entered.

Agreed that the M113 and 722.6 tranny are the way to go.

275K miles = 440k Kilometers!

@Trae these are things people are replacing at 60k miles in other cars.. at 275k is impressive.
I do think the door mechanisms if maintained could have a longer service life.

 

[Trae]

To clarify, it was the electric locking actuators.

She does burn one quart of oil every 2500 miles. . .but she looks brand new.

 

[8899]

Yes, the problems with doors are twofold: 1) the mechanical latches themselves require maintenance, and 2) yes the electric actuators are known to fail.

 

[195910]

Updating this thread as the work in progress goes on.

With all the G-classes in the Gulf, very very few cars are in decent condition. These things were abused (deliberate and non-deliberate) and changed hand so many times its impossible to track down what happened to the car all these years. Everyone just wanted the status, and didn't care about the condition and how the car drives. The worst part was the "G63 facelift look" trend which mutilated nearly all the older W463s.

All these G-class owners driving around looking posh don't bother doing any repairs and maintenance! because there are barely any G parts available in the local market!

 

[Rouven036]

I agree on that. Sad everyone facelifted their cars to g63's

 

[Gruppe500]

The days of seeing G 55/G 55 K with factory front bumpers are rare.

The same is happening to G 63 models with everyone trying to make them look like 463A's...

 

[195910]

Good evening Gentlemen,

An update on the W463, we have the keys of a FEB 2012 production G55 AMG!
One of the last cars produced with all the updates (507PS, bigger seats 80mm throttle valve,..), and its never facelifted!

My driving impression was "this is fun!". The Brabus ride control is impressive, comfort level over rough roads is similar to the C36. With exception to the heavier steering wheel this thing is easier to park than an E-class. Please don't mention the fuel consumption

I started a series of preventative maintenance and detailing. The core W463 parts are robust and very W124/W126 like, but some of the update parts are not. These parts include the HVAC vents in the dashboard, the window switches and the front grill.

I would like to replace the front grill with something higher quality than this, the stock grill is disgraceful and not fit for the W463 status. Appreciate any suggestions.