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patpat
New user
Date registered: Aug 2006
Location:
Vehicle(s):
Posts: 4
| GD 300 / GD 240 purchase decision help
Hi guys
Even when I have experience with Land Rover (Defender Tdi/ Discovery Tdi) I'm a newbie with the Gs. I'm considering buying a GD 240 '79 with 90.000 Km (56 K miles) or a GD 300 '80 with 170.000 Km (107K miles) both well maintained short wheel base hard top.
I'd like to know based on your experience:
1)which one would be the best option,
2)Things I should check/know before buying either one,
3)Where can I read the specs of both models?
4)Is there any place for downloading manuals on these models?
5)Any other thing you guys consider important at this point.
Thanks a lot
Pat |
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dai
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Oregon USA
Vehicle(s): 300GD 300TD BMW R100RS Landini 80F
Posts: 2110
| Re: GD 300 / GD 240 purchase decision help
The diesel G's are underpowered for the weight of the truck. Between the choices you list the 240D is really underpowered. I have a SWB 300GD Hard top and I like it a lot.
The 300's have power steering the 240D usually does not.
Both motors are excellent, I would choose the 300 617 motor without question over the 2.4 four cylinder.
Harald at 4X4abc.com has excellent manuals that cover these machines. He has some specs on G's on that website.
Milage is not an issue with either of these trucks. Check for rust with both of them as this can be a major problem with the 460 series. This is found under the rubber strip on the rockers and in the taillight area.
Contact me through the PM system and I'll give you my contact info if you would like to talk about them. Great trucks.
-Dai
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Fenalaar
Elite Veteran
Date registered: May 2006
Location: Narvik, Norway
Vehicle(s): 2001 ML270CDI, Polaris 400L Big Boss
Posts: 826
| Re: GD 300 / GD 240 purchase decision help
The 240 is seriously underpowered, but less so with a manual trans.
The 300 is okay, but still a bit of a slowpoke. If you have a manual 5-speed trans it'll be better, but the auto is better if you want to do a turbo conversion, since the 5-speed gearbox cannot cope with the added torque over time.
Note that you're getting what amounts to a 26 year "gearman squaddie carrier" (to quote Richard Hammond on Top Gear). Like all older 4x4s, there will be limits on the creature comforts it offers and ride comfort.
I have an '86 model 300GD with an add-on turbo, and I feel it to be quite okay for my use, even for city driving.
Mileage is no so much of an issue with the 300 engine, since that engine will last just about forever. Age and rust may be an issue. Depending on how the PO has treated it, you may have to do some maintenance and rust repair. If you're a halfway decent mechanic, you can do most of the repairs on this car yourself.
Johan-Kr |
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TWODOGS
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: UK
Vehicle(s): Norwegian Army 240GD
Posts: 584
| Re: GD 300 / GD 240 purchase decision help
Hello Pat ,
after a TDi landrover you with find a 300GD very slow on road , but on saying that offroad the 300GD is fantastic very solid and reliable .
Twodogs
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Kermit
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| Re: GD 300 / GD 240 purchase decision help
Definitely get the 300GD, and get a turbo if you can
You can find some manuals here, German and English:
http://www.foro.pieldetoro.net/web/MERCEDES/default.php |
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patpat
New user
Date registered: Aug 2006
Location:
Vehicle(s):
Posts: 4
| Re: GD 300 / GD 240 purchase decision help
The GD 300 ended up being a GD 240 with a 300 GD engine + 5 speed gearbox.
Is there any other consideration to make considering this new scenario?
Thanks all of you guys
PAt |
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dai
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Oregon USA
Vehicle(s): 300GD 300TD BMW R100RS Landini 80F
Posts: 2110
| Re: GD 300 / GD 240 purchase decision help
5 speeds have an input bearing issue. It is possible to fix this when the thing gets a little loose. I fixed mine and it runs great. The five speed is an excellent gearbox combo with the diesel G. It gives the 4 speed an overdrive gear. The 300GD is not slow going down the road except on steep uphills. The 5 speed allows 65-70 mph without extreme RPMs. Some will say the 5 speed is a bad choice. Mine had over 100,000 miles on it before it needed attention. It is a rare transmission that can be rebuilt to last and even withstand a highter output motor with a different bearing setup. It is beautifully designed except for the input bearing. Actually the problem is not the bearing itself but the way the two piece inner race is held together. It is possible to use a one piece inner race bearing and strengthen the transmission. Mine and another are running successfully with this change.
The 240GD with a 300 motor should be better than a 240 GD with a stock motor. A 240 GD will soon want to have the 300 motor. Or a 617A turbo. Where are you located?
-Dai
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mortinson
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Madrid, España
Vehicle(s): '98 G300TD LWB, '98 E300TD Saloon
Posts: 1355
| RE: GD 300 / GD 240 purchase decision help
patpat - 8/7/2006 7:13 PM
I'm considering buying a GD 240 '79 with 90.000 Km (56 K miles) or a GD 300 '80 with 170.000 Km (107K miles) both well maintained short wheel base hard top.
Chances of finding a 1979 240 GD with just 90,000 Km are about the same as finding a honest horse trader.
Whereabouts are you based? Buying advice depends very much on this. Please fill in your profile |
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patpat
New user
Date registered: Aug 2006
Location:
Vehicle(s):
Posts: 4
| Re: GD 300 / GD 240 purchase decision help
Mortinson
you're definitely right, I saw the 240 and that thing, they say, has 90.000 km after it was re-done... liars!!
Dai
I've sent you a PM
Pat
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Fenalaar
Elite Veteran
Date registered: May 2006
Location: Narvik, Norway
Vehicle(s): 2001 ML270CDI, Polaris 400L Big Boss
Posts: 826
| Re: GD 300 / GD 240 purchase decision help
Probably is more like 190.000 or 290.000 km, since the G only have a 5 digit counter...
Johan-Kr |
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