Mercedes-Benz · 1979–present
G-Class
“A military box that became the world’s most expensive school-run accessory. Still devastating off-road — which most owners will never find out.”
The family
The Geländewagen began as a military truck, commissioned in the early 1970s after the Shah of Iran — then one of Mercedes-Benz’s largest shareholders — pre-ordered some 20,000 of them. Mercedes engineered it; Steyr-Daimler-Puch built it in Graz, Austria, and production began in 1979.
The utilitarian W460 and later W461 served armies, border police and farmers. In 1990 the civilian W463 moved upmarket with full-time four-wheel drive and three locking differentials — and slowly turned into a luxury icon without ever losing its ladder frame.
For off-roaders, the sweet spot is the solid-axle W463 era, from the Europa International imports of the 1990s through the G 500 and G 550. The second-generation truck of 2018 is better on the road, with independent front suspension, and still carries three lockers.
Every generation
1979–1991
W460
FULL GUIDE
The original military-derived G, in short and long wheelbase, petrol and diesel.
W460230 GE280 GE300 GD
1992–2022
W461
FULL GUIDE
The no-frills working G for militaries and professionals, kept alongside the luxury W463.
W461G 290 GDG 300 CDI Professional
1990–2018
FULL GUIDE
1993–1994
500 GE
FULL GUIDE
The limited-run first V8 G: 446 built, almost all in Amethyst Blue, with no front locker.
W463M117 5.0 V8
1990s–2001
Europa International Gs
FULL GUIDE
Federalized, US-VIN trucks imported by Europa of Santa Fe before Mercedes sold the G in America.
300 GEG 320G 500
1998–2008
FULL GUIDE
1999–2012
G 55 AMG
FULL GUIDE
The hand-built AMG V8 version — the G that taught the world Gs could be fast.
W463AMG 5.4 V8
2009–2018 (US)
G 550
FULL GUIDE
The G 500 renamed for the US, with a 5.5-litre V8 and seven-speed automatic.
W463M273 5.5 V8M176 4.0 TT V8
2012–2018 (US 2013–2018)
G 63 AMG
FULL GUIDE
The biturbo AMG W463: 544–571 PS, seven speeds, and still three lockers on solid axles.
W463M157 5.5 biturbo V87G-TRONIC
2013–2015
G 63 AMG 6×6
FULL GUIDE
An Australian Army six-wheeler with the AMG V8, five lockers and tyre inflation from the cab; about 100 built.
W4636×6 portal axles5 locking diffs
2015–2018
FULL GUIDE
2018–present
Second generation
FULL GUIDE
Independent front suspension, a modern cabin and still three locking differentials.
“W463A”G 550G 580
Resources
YouTube channels
YT@GluxetravelG-Class travelYT@LittlehandeganG-ClassYT@Nothing-but-GsAll things G-ClassYTAlliance MotorworksBuying guides, ownership costs, lift and tire guides, off-road tests (Loveland, CO)YTJack Wagon OverlandingG-Wagen overland builds, lift and spacer explainers, lighting and exhaust installsYTExpedition Motor CompanyRestored ex-military 250 GD Wolf and LWB W461 buildsYTExpedImportsExpedition Imports' channel: G-Wagen, Unimog and Pinzgauer parts tech, 230 GE/Puch clipsYTEkscentryczni złomiarzePolish classic-car channel whose main project is a step-by-step Mercedes W460 G-Class restoration.YTExpedition Motor CompanyVintage g restorationsYTEurowise Inc.G-class parts & upgrades
Instagram accounts
IG@gzilla500G 500 buildIG@gwagonrallyG-Wagen rallyIG@leon_koningAdventures in a yellow classic G with a roof tentIG@gclub_usG-Club US: documenting military and classic GeländewagensIG@gelandewagenoffroadOverland G-Wagen builds and kitIG@gluxetravel_g500W463 G 500 travel and DIY (G-luxe Travel)IG@nothingbutgsG-Wagen builds and restorationsIG@alliancemotorworksG-Wagen sales, service and expedition buildsIG@jackwagonoverlandingOverland parts and builds for G-WagensIG@expeditionmotorcompanyRestored 250 GD Wolf convertiblesIG@handsomemotorsG-Wagen specialist dealer inventory and know-howIG@eurowise_performanceG-Wagen lift kits, suspension and armour (also other platforms)
Forums & message boards
Club G-Wagen ↗Long-running G-Class owners' community: rallies and classifieds (the forum sits behind a captcha page)MBWorld — G-Class (W460 / W461 / W463) ↗Deepest technical archive: locker, axle and transfer-case DIYBenzWorld — G-Class ↗General ownership and maintenanceExpedition Portal ↗G-Wagens as overland rigs: tires, springs, racksr/gwagon ↗Quick answers and photosBenzWorld — G-Class ↗General ownership and maintenanceMBWorld — 550 vs 55 thread ↗Owner comparison of G 550 and G 55 KompressorIH8MUD — Diesel G-Wagen thread ↗Land Cruiser forum, but a useful W460 300 GD ownership thread
Clubs, registries & references
Expedition Imports ↗W460/W463 parts: front axle service kits, locker hydraulics, steering, cooling, 24 V partsFour By Four Club ↗Long-running G-Class parts, accessories and manuals sourceEurowise ↗G-Wagen lift springs (JWO, OME), King kits, Panhard bars, bushings, portal conversionsHandsome Motors — G-Wagon buyer's guide ↗Model-by-model W463 trouble spots and rust map from a dealer who has owned 200+ GsSwiss G Club ↗Owners' club for Mercedes and Puch Geländewagen; events and tripsMercedes-Benz G-Class — Milestones of development ↗Official dated history of the W460, W461 and military contracts