2002 W463 G500 | 70K | 3 owner | Maint.
 

Hi RL,

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. https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif 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

Behold, the damaged goods!

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...5bc5cdfad1.jpg

Wow. Your's is in nice shape. My parent's have an 04 with about 220K miles on it and it's still going strong. GLWS!

Good luck with the sale...I am looking at a 2019 for my wife now (shhh). It is really something that all in all they have not changed that much over the years looks-wise.

Thank you! I would say it presents as one of the nicest G's I've seen. It really is one of the best!

Thanks... a '19 is my ultimate goal. Not quite there yet, though. :)

70,800 miles! :)

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...ign=2019-09-30

I might have to raise the price!

She's going in for an oil change next week, then extensive photos and will likely land on eBay thereafter. 75,500 miles as of this AM!

Still no idea what to replace it with...

-Joe

Bump! Have a great weekend! :)

Joe - just a couple questions:

1). To confirm, the rear bumper has been repaired correct after the picture you posted?
2). Any pics of the undercarriage and noticeable rust beyond expected for great looking truck!

Live in Northern VA and know Euro Motorcars Bethesda well. Thx!

Boochook - of vintage 6Speed stardom? It’s an honor!

1) Correct, rear was repaired subsequent to the photo. I took the photo after I’d been tapped. Several of the other Iphone pictures I posted were taken after.

2) My intention was to get pro shots of the car today, but (as you know) the weather didn’t cooperate. Hoping to get it done this week, however, so I’ll be posting those up shortly. That said, the car was recently at Main Line Overland for a once-over, and we confirmed only superficial rust present with no action necessary. Pictures to confirm incoming.

Like I mentioned in my initial post, PPI is encouraged. This is one of the most solid G’s I’ve seen!

PSA: I believe I’ve replied to all PMs, if for some reason I missed one please ping me again! Been working much of this via iPhone.

-Joe

Update: scheduled for pictures Friday. :)

Hi All,

Detailed photos on eBay as well as a link to a Dropbox as eBay has a 24 photo limit.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F283656019554

-Joe

Bump! Happy Halloween! :)

https://seconddaily.com/2002-mercede...ked-76k-miles/

Spoiler alert, hasn't hit reserve yet.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...73b6b72e69.jpg