Codenamed W460, the iconic Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen, with its boxy, square-edged no frills look, set out to be Stuttgart’s answer to the Range Rover. However, by going back to Gottlieb Daimler’s premise of ‘Nothing but the best’ it quickly took its place throughout the world as ‘The Best 4×4.’
This Essential Buyer’s Guide will navigate you through the various model changes, starting from the simple hand-built W460, through to the more luxurious market of the W463. You will find details of model changes, engine specifications, and issues that you may come across when looking to buying one of the best purpose-made vehicles around.
Nik Greene has written many feature articles and regular copy for popular classic car and club magazines in the UK and France, and his passion for Mercedes cars has steered him towards researching and writing for one of the elite motor manufacturers. Having restored many cars, his present stable of cars includes the Mercedes W126 S-Class 560SE and his beloved Mercedes G-Wagen, as well as several classic Citroëns and Renaults.

Author Biography

Nik Greene was born in St Albans, and grew up on a farm in Norfolk. He got into the classic car scene soon after buying his first Jaguar at the age of 20. Joining the Jaguar Drivers’ club led him to start writing, initially newsletter articles, and then monthly articles as a Jaguar S-Type model representative. Paul Skilleter, the eminent Jaguar historian, asked him to write a few articles for ‘Jaguar Quarterly,’ opening the door to work with other classic car magazines.
Nik Greene likes to delve deeply into the history and design of the vehicles he has owned and restored, leading to a good knowledge base. He says: “There is no better way of knowing your car than by taking it apart, whether physically or historically.“
Nik Greene’s car ownership includes a Mercedes G-Wagen which he still owns after 20 years, the 123 280TE, and the S-Class 126. He has also owned and restored many old Citroëns and Renaults since moving to France.

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