1980 Mercedes 280ge W460 g-wagon
1980 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Selling my daily driver. Purchased it sight unseen (on Ebay) approx. 3yrs ago from a dealer in Chicago. I was told it had spent its American life in Nevada and New Mexico prior to being sold to the dealer in Chicago. We have spent the lastfew yrs getting "Helga" in shape to be my wifes daily driver. Fair enough to say we probably bit of more than we expected but it has been a fun ride, she is readyto go back to heated seats andBluetooth! Real head turner and fires right up. For those curious about the off-road ability;my understanding is a bone stock w460 is awesome off road. We have done nothing to alter this ability, nor do we use her off road. Attached you will see a list of the work we have doneduring our ownership. We thought we had it inspected prior to purchase (inspector recommended through the seller), but obviously he or they missed some things.
The vehicle is not without its flaws. Maybe I am a more particular than others but there are still items I would fix or replace (overtime). For example I have new (old stock/original) fabric for the front seats. They could use a freshening up. The heater fan has a slight squeak when you first start using it. No a/c, means the fan doesn't get used much, so I don't know if that could be oiled/greased or what. I just took her ona 200 mile road trip down to Southern Oregon on the freeway. Something I noticed was the front end wandered a bit, liked to grab the ruts in the road, so I am guessing the front end would need some freshening up. I have zero uneven wear on the tires and in town it tracks great. We don't usually go on the highway. Rear shocks are ready to be replaced, I already did the front. I was just informed the right rear taillight does not light up with the headlights on, but it does with the brake light and the turn signal works? So I need to check out the driving light. There are a few odds and ends plastic/trim type items that could use some attention. Nothing that I listed interrupts the drivability of the vehicle, its more of a personal attention to detail that bugs me and a new owner could take their time to do whatever they wanted.
I would have no hesitation to drive this vehicle long distances, other than the gas mileage is not the best nor is the top speed, lol. I am more than willing to work with any potential buyers on coordinating inspections and will provide all receipts and prior service shop connections/numbers if someone wanted to call. I have no knowledge about registering this vehicle in California.Can it be done? Is it already approved? I don't know. Oh and there is NO a/c!
I recently had this vehicle listed on Bring a Trailer and unfortunately I was not able to make a deal with the high seller (my reserve was not met).From that listingI was able to be contacted by the original owner of Helga who had owned the vehicle for over 25 yrs. They saw the vehicle listed and reached out.They were the ones that actually had her imported from Europe. I am waiting for additional paperwork to be sent from them showing the process they went through to have the vehicle imported, apparently it was a ginormous hassle.
The market on these type of vehicles is all over the place. Its tough to compare one to the next especially depending on the work done or that needs to be done. This is basically a 40 yr old, rust free,280ge, inline 6 with barn doors....very very hard to find. I know it can be considered fodder, but we did have the vehicle independently appraised for insurance purposes and have a copy of the report stating the appraiser listed it at a $43,000 value.
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1980 280GE
Original purchase- 9/3/16- From NorthShore AutoSport in Chicago
Seller stated the vehicle was in "above average" condition for its age.Seller also stated they recently had replaced the Brake master cylinder and fuel filter and fuel lines.
Below is a running list of the more major repairs done since purchase, most with receipts and any applicable warranties.
October 2016
General vehicle inspection by SportsCarShop (Eugene, Oregon)
Fixed heater
Set timing/adjust distributor
Replaced front shocks
Replaced antenna
Rust proof coating underneath
November 2016
Replace front windshield and gasket (leaking)
Remove and replace passenger side floor pan (rusted out due to windshield)
-drivers side had been done previoulsy
December 2016
Replace two front speakers
Find, locate and purchase rear axle (few months after driving regularly, the existing axle imploded, damaging the interior components and housing)
January 2017
Install new (used) rear axle
-inspect, transfer and refurb all interior/exterior parts as needed
-fluid serviced
Inspect front differential
-fluid serviced
Inspect transfer case
-fluid serviced
Inspect cooling system
-radiator removed and repaired (leaking)
-fluids flushed and serviced
Install new fan clutch
Install new drive belts
February 2017
Install new shifter bushings
-lube assembly
Remove rear brake components
-replaced rear wheel cylinders
Remove and replace rear hydraulic locker actuator
-flush and bleed entire differential lock
Replace all brake flex lines
-flush and bleed entire brake system
Replace clutch master and slave cylinders
-flush and bleed entire clutch system
Replace right radius arm to axle housing mount bolt (frozen)
March 2017
Replace/Rebuild Starter (plus tools)
Replace turn signal lens w/clear
Replace side marker lens w/clear
Replace heater control cable
Install new fuel injectors
Install new spark plugs
April 2017
Replace fuel filter
Replace fuel accumulator
-fuel lines replaced, front to back
POR15 entire inside floor
Carpet entire interior
Replace shift boot
May 2017
Spare tire and modified tire holder
September 2017
Parts for rear door latch and fabrication
October 2017
Roof rack
Oil change
Replace Turn Signal lever/assembly (Multifunction Switch)
December 2017
Replace gas/clutch rubber pedal covers
Replace red/green/plastic covers (diff, turn signal)
January 2018
Replace front sway bar bushings
March 2018
Purchased right and left rear corners
Miscellaneous parts, nuts, bolts, pieces due to prepping for paint
April 2018
Paint and rust remediation
July 2018
Flush power steering system
Repair transmission leak at speedo drive
Replace shifter components (bushings and springs)
Complete replacement of fuel lines w/fuel filter
Replace ignition rotor
October 2018
Tire rotation and balance
February 2019
Replace water pump and housing
Coolant replacement
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- Condition: Used
- Make: Mercedes-Benz
- Model: G-Class
- Type: SUV
- Year: 1980
- Mileage: 54000
- VIN: eur46023217007319
- Color: Green
- Engine size: i6L
- Number of cylinders: 6
- Fuel: Gasoline
- Transmission: Manual
- Drive type: 4WD
- Drive side: Left-hand drive
- Options: 4-Wheel Drive
- Vehicle Title: Clear Want to buy? Contact seller!
