2002 G500 FS | 76K Miles | 3rd Owner - 6SpeedOnline - Porsche Forum and Luxury Car Resource

#1

10-22-2019, 01:57 PM

JoeyG

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Join Date: Dec 2005

Location: Philly Suburbs

Age: 36

Posts: 2,778

Rep Power: 141

2002 G500 FS | 76K Miles | 3rd Owner

Year: 2002
Make: Mercedes-Benz
Model: G-Class
Price: $38500
Mileage: 76700
Color: Black
Private or Dealer Listing: Private Listing
Location (State): PA
Transmission: Automatic
Drivetrain: 4WD & AWD

Hi 6Sp,

It's about that time - exploring a change from my MBUSA G500. I bought the car exactly one year ago today and it has been a flawless, fearless daily driver.

I am the third owner. The first owner was a DC entrepreneur who purchased from Euro Motors in Bethesday, MD. He barely drove the car, using it as a weekender, and owned it for the majority of it's life - servicing it exclusively at Euro. He traded it back to them and the GM purchased it for himself, continuing the dealer service pedigree. I bought it last year at 54K miles and have joyfully dailying it since, and had a Service A performed 5K miles ago at my dealer outside of Philadelphia. Currently sitting at 69,700 miles.

I'll start with the current issues.

The roof has scuffs from being a TALL drink of water
The front seat controls occasionally have a mind of their own (this is a common, and weird, issue that causes the seat to move forward when you try to adjust it rearward
Minor degradation of the windshield trim and the windshield has minor marring (it is flat, after all... however it is far from an issue for me, just citing it anyway)
The lower mouldings are warped a bit and the side steps are a bit marred
The black painted areas on the brush bar could use reconditioning
Driver's front wheel has curbing on one of the spokes

Overall, if you wanted to literally make the car PERFECT, addressing the above items would take this car a 1 foot looker to a 1 inch looker. It is in incredible shape. One contribution to the current condition was a light tap from the rear at a stop light in October (see picture below). The rear bumper was cracked, so the car went in to be fixed and ended up getting a fair amount of reconditioning. Quite a bit was covered by State Farm, although it was a function of having to be replaced during R&R and not due to inherent damage. This work was completed in November and included an assortment of cosmetic fixes.

New rear bumper and end plates (insurance)
New rear tire cap w/ OEM MB emblem (no idea how, but insurance covered - it was untouched)
New gas tank (insurance, same comment as above)
New rear fender flares (with 3M protection)
Full PDR

Underneath, it is in excellent shape with regard to rust. Some fasteners and elements show surface rust, but this car is top of the heap. For those who haven't driven a G, it's agricultural. You're either a G driver or you aren't, and if you are - nothing will satisfy you like one of these in this type of niche. The LCD display is flawless.The pre-2007 5-speed gearbox is preferred to the later 7-speed, and this one shifts smoothly with no issue. The brakes stop the car. If you're used to PCCB, you'll have to get used to stopping a mile or so earlier.

I wouldn't hesitate to hop in and drive cross country. But I'd be sure to bring glass cleaner for the windshield.

A note on the interior. Rear seats may have never been sat in in history. Flawless. Front seats look like the car has 20K miles. It's in tremendous shape. There is some marring on the lower sills and a few imperfections around the seat adjustments. That's all I can think of!

It's big, it's heavy, it doesn't like to turn, and it goes through gas like semi. But it's comfortable, smooth, quiet (thanks for G550 wheels and 20K mile Geolanders). I look forward to getting in it every day at 5:15 AM and going to the gym, a 20 mile round trip. Then I hop it in a go to work. Another 30 miles. And then errands, weekend trips, etc. The miles are easy and the car never becomes a burden. I truly love it and will be happy to keep driving it for the rest of time. However, I have a problem and I should see someone about it. I look at cars on the internet too damned much; unfortunately the G would have to move to another custodian in order for me satisfy wandering eyes.

The car also has a Pioneer unit with Carplay and backup camera. The original unit comes with the car.

Happy to answer questions and provide specific pictures. PPI is not an issue - happy to accommodate.

-Joe