Opinion - you have to cross a large desert - which vehicle to use ?

Azbubu said:
Then surely the only correct answer is a 1996 Camry.
Click to expand...

In principle a 1990s Camry is the choice. However my own model (carried over into year 2000) shows a few potential flaws if not carefully maintained over 25 years, since the gauges give little warning:
- Plastic upper radiator housing can crack and leak coolant (I suppose you can carry extra water).
- Alternator can fail unexpectedly, leaving you with a dead battery (charge light never came on, the voltage regulator faiied).
- Timing belt can fail unexpectedly, leaving you stranded. It's not terminal (non-interference engine), but requires a workshop fix.
Other than that I can't think of anything that's a showstopper (fuel, ignition, transmission, suspension). Power steering failure was a non-event (only needed for parking, not driving). P.S. I regularly get asked if I want to sell mine, so their reputation is legendary.
 
Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen (W460 / W461)

230G/ 230GE​

  • Production years: 1979–1991 (W460 civilian); early 1990s G Wagons (W461/Puch 230GE military/civil)
  • Generation: W460 → W461
  • What it is: Early petrol gelandewagen which came in civilian and G Wagon military SWB/LWB/ Cabrio configurations. The military 230GE was Puch-badged, widely used by the Swiss military.
  • Engines: 2.3L inline-4 petrol ~109–125 hp, naturally aspirated.
  • Markets: Europe, Middle East, parts of Asia; Puch 230GE in Switzerland.
1785381573675.png

240GD​

  • Production years: 1979–1987
  • Generation: W460
  • What it is: Early diesel old G Wagon workhorse favored by utility and public-service fleets.
  • Engines: 2.4L OM616 diesel ~72 hp, naturally aspirated.
  • Markets: Europe, Middle East; gray-market units elsewhere.
1785381947949.png

280GE​

  • Production years: 1979–1991
  • Generation: W460
  • What it is: Higher-output petrol option in the first wave of civilian G-Wagens.
  • Engines: 2.8L inline-6 petrol ~156 hp, naturally aspirated.
  • Markets: Europe, Middle East, Australia.
1785382208330.png

300GD​

  • Production years: 1980–1991
  • Generation: W460
  • What it is: Diesel inline-5 variant known for longevity in fleet and expedition use.
  • Engines: 3.0L OM617 diesel ~88–94 hp, naturally aspirated.
  • Markets: Europe, Middle East, Africa.
1785381972577.png

250GD “Wolf”​

  • Production years: late 1990–1993
  • Generation: W461 (military)
  • What it is: Military-spec 250GD used by Nato militaries across the globe. Extremely capable off-road, field-serviceable, spartan interior.
  • Engines: 2.5L OM602 diesel ~93 hp, naturally aspirated; manual transmission.
  • Markets: Nato militaries.
1785382007392.png

290GD/ 290GDT​

  • Production years: mid–late 1990s
  • Generation: W461
  • What it is: Utility upgrades to the SWB military concept with more torque; “Professional” use.
  • Engines: 2.9L inline-5 diesel ~95 hp (NA) / ~120–125 hp (turbo).
  • Markets: Government, emergency services, military in Europe/ME.
1785382037511.png

The Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen (W460) is a rugged, utilitarian off-road vehicle defined by 240GD, 300GD, and 280GE engine choices. It featured a simple four-speed manual transmission, part-time four-wheel drive, and flat panel bodywork built for durability.

Core Specifications
Chassis Code: W460 (production began late 1979/1980)
Engines: 2.4L diesel (240GD), 3.0L diesel (300GD, ~88 hp), and 2.8L gas (280GE)
Transmission: 4-speed manual or 5-speed manual options
Drivetrain: Selectable four-wheel drive with manual locking differentials

Design and Interior
Body Styles: Short-wheelbase convertible/soft-top, short station wagon, and long station wagon
Interior: Spartan steel dashboards, vinyl or basic cloth seats, and rubber floor mats
Purpose: Designed primarily for military, industrial, and agricultural use before transitioning to luxury

www.expeditionmotorcompany.com

The Mercedes G Class Gelandewagen: Model-by-Model Reference - Expedition Motor Company

Enjoy a model-by-model overview (oldest to newest) of the Mercedes-Benz G Class Gelandewagen.
www.expeditionmotorcompany.com www.expeditionmotorcompany.com
 
HAL 9000 said:
Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen (W460 / W461)

230G/ 230GE​

  • Production years: 1979–1991 (W460 civilian); early 1990s G Wagons (W461/Puch 230GE military/civil)
  • Generation: W460 → W461
  • What it is: Early petrol gelandewagen which came in civilian and G Wagon military SWB/LWB/ Cabrio configurations. The military 230GE was Puch-badged, widely used by the Swiss military.
  • Engines: 2.3L inline-4 petrol ~109–125 hp, naturally aspirated.
  • Markets: Europe, Middle East, parts of Asia; Puch 230GE in Switzerland.
View attachment 1925689

240GD​

  • Production years: 1979–1987
  • Generation: W460
  • What it is: Early diesel old G Wagon workhorse favored by utility and public-service fleets.
  • Engines: 2.4L OM616 diesel ~72 hp, naturally aspirated.
  • Markets: Europe, Middle East; gray-market units elsewhere.
View attachment 1925690

280GE​

  • Production years: 1979–1991
  • Generation: W460
  • What it is: Higher-output petrol option in the first wave of civilian G-Wagens.
  • Engines: 2.8L inline-6 petrol ~156 hp, naturally aspirated.
  • Markets: Europe, Middle East, Australia.
View attachment 1925694

300GD​

  • Production years: 1980–1991
  • Generation: W460
  • What it is: Diesel inline-5 variant known for longevity in fleet and expedition use.
  • Engines: 3.0L OM617 diesel ~88–94 hp, naturally aspirated.
  • Markets: Europe, Middle East, Africa.
View attachment 1925691

250GD “Wolf”​

  • Production years: late 1990–1993
  • Generation: W461 (military)
  • What it is: Military-spec 250GD used by Nato militaries across the globe. Extremely capable off-road, field-serviceable, spartan interior.
  • Engines: 2.5L OM602 diesel ~93 hp, naturally aspirated; manual transmission.
  • Markets: Nato militaries.
View attachment 1925692

290GD/ 290GDT​

  • Production years: mid–late 1990s
  • Generation: W461
  • What it is: Utility upgrades to the SWB military concept with more torque; “Professional” use.
  • Engines: 2.9L inline-5 diesel ~95 hp (NA) / ~120–125 hp (turbo).
  • Markets: Government, emergency services, military in Europe/ME.
View attachment 1925693

The Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen (W460) is a rugged, utilitarian off-road vehicle defined by 240GD, 300GD, and 280GE engine choices. It featured a simple four-speed manual transmission, part-time four-wheel drive, and flat panel bodywork built for durability.

Core Specifications
Chassis Code: W460 (production began late 1979/1980)
Engines: 2.4L diesel (240GD), 3.0L diesel (300GD, ~88 hp), and 2.8L gas (280GE)
Transmission: 4-speed manual or 5-speed manual options
Drivetrain: Selectable four-wheel drive with manual locking differentials

Design and Interior
Body Styles: Short-wheelbase convertible/soft-top, short station wagon, and long station wagon
Interior: Spartan steel dashboards, vinyl or basic cloth seats, and rubber floor mats
Purpose: Designed primarily for military, industrial, and agricultural use before transitioning to luxury

www.expeditionmotorcompany.com

The Mercedes G Class Gelandewagen: Model-by-Model Reference - Expedition Motor Company

Enjoy a model-by-model overview (oldest to newest) of the Mercedes-Benz G Class Gelandewagen.
www.expeditionmotorcompany.com www.expeditionmotorcompany.com
Click to expand...
Fantastic vehicles, I went with LC due to ownership bias.
 
Grant said:
a simple opinion exersize.
from a dinner conversation with too many drinks:

assume you have to cross a desert.
from beginning to end, there is no human (or any other) form of help or assistance if you break down - you will die !
the desert has a good condition tar road from beginning to end - so no big obstacles for regular cars.
your life will depend on the vehicle you choose.

the vehicle could be a motorbike, a regular sedan car, a suv - any passenger type vehicle.
what would you choose - you have a 1st and 2nd choice ?
Click to expand...
Driving on a perfect tar road through a desert is not the same as crossing a desert, now is it?

Also how big is this desert?

Nevermind...this is a stupid exercise.
 
Any vehicle that came equipped with the 3L D-4D engine. As for a motorbike it would have to be a Kawasaki KLR. I still regret letting go of my gen 1. :crying:
 
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1932ford3.jpg
 
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