Specs, fluids & service · 1990s–2001
Mercedes-Benz Europa International Gs specs, fluids and service intervals
The numbers you need in the garage, on one page: spec sheet, capacities and service intervals, wheels and tires, and the parts to order. Sourced from owners, specialists and the factory; tags marked confirm in manual haven't been checked against a factory source yet.
Spec sheet
| IMPORTER | Europa International, Santa Fe NM |
|---|---|
| US YEARS | 1993–2001 |
| CHASSIS | W463 |
| MODELS | 300 GE · G 320 · G 500 |
| ENGINES | 3.0 I6 · 3.2 I6 · 3.2 V6 · 5.0 V8 |
| DRIVE | Permanent 4WD, low range |
| LOCKERS | Centre, rear, front |
| STATUS | US VIN, 50-state legal |
| CERTIFIED | October 1993 |
| PRICE NEW | Up to $135,000 |
| SUCCEEDED BY | MBUSA G 500 (MY2002) |
By year
| YEARS | PLATFORM | ENGINE | OUTPUT | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993–1994 | W463 300 GE | M103 3.0 L I6 | 170 PS · 190 Nm | Europa started selling in 1993 after finishing certification |
| 1994–1998 | W463 G 320 | M104 3.2 L I6 | 211 PS · 300 Nm | Four-speed automatic; head-gasket seep is the known weakness |
| 1998–2001 | W463 G 320 | M112 3.2 L V6 | 218 PS · 300 Nm | 1998 was the changeover year, so both engines exist |
| 1998–2001 | W463 G 500 | M113 5.0 L V8 | 296 PS · 456 Nm | 722.6 five-speed; arrived with Europa's Small Volume Manufacturer status |
| 1990s | W463 SWB Cabriolet | I6 or V8 | — | Fewer than ten certified as US models, per Ferraris Online |
| 2002 on | MBUSA G 500 / G 55 AMG | M113 V8 | 292 hp / 349 hp | Mercedes takes over US distribution |
Fluids, capacities & service intervals
Start by confirming exactly what you bought: a Europa truck can have the M103, M104 or M112 six or the M113 V8, a 4- or 5-speed automatic, and drivetrain fluids that changed through the 1990s. Then reset everything — these are trucks more than 25 years old, and service records rarely made the trip.
| ITEM | SPEC / CAPACITY | INTERVAL | NOTES & PARTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | MB 229.5 synthetic on M112/M113 · G 500 (M113) ≈8.0 L (8.5 qt) with filter · M103/M104 confirm in manual | Now, then yearly | M112/M113 use a top-mounted cartridge filter (74 mm, 14-flute cap wrench). The listed filter fits the 1998-on V6 and V8 only.Mann oil filter kit HU 718/5 x (000 180 26 09) · FCP Euro ↗ |
| Air filter | M112/M113: paired elements · M103/M104 confirm in manual | Now | Hengst air filter set 273 094 04 04 (M112/M113) · FCP Euro ↗ |
| Spark plugs & wires | M112/M113: twin-plug heads (12 or 16 plugs), Bosch FR8DPP33 · M103/M104: 6 plugs confirm in manual | Now if no record | Oil in the plug wells points to valve-cover or (on the M104) head-gasket leaks.Bosch FR8DPP33 spark plug (M112/M113, single) · FCP Euro ↗ |
| Coolant & thermostat | MB 325.0-approved coolant, 50/50 with distilled water | Now | On an M104 G 320, watch for oil–coolant cross-contamination and the right-rear head seep.M112/M113 thermostat kit (Borg Warner) · FCP Euro ↗ |
| Automatic transmission | G 500: 722.6 5-speed, MB 236.14 ATF, ≈9 qt total · 4-speed (I6): ATF per its MB 236.x sheet confirm in manual | Now, then every 40,000–60,000 mi | On the 722.6, replace the 13-pin connector sleeve and set the level hot with the dipstick tool.FUCHS 722.6 ATF service kit (fluid, filter, gasket) · FCP Euro ↗FUCHS 722.6 13-pin connector service kit · FCP Euro ↗ |
| Transfer case | GL-4 gear oil · ≈3 qt (1997 G 320) — later cases may differ; check the tag confirm in manual | Now, then every 60,000 mi (MB interval quoted by owners) | Owners find these filled with diff oil by mistake. Fill on the front right, drain underneath, 14 mm hex. |
| Front & rear differentials | GL-5 hypoid gear oil (a 1997 G 320 owner used Red Line 75W-90) · front ≈1.4 L, rear ≈1.8 L (owner and AMSOIL figures) confirm in manual | Now | Loosen the fill plug before draining; drain plug to ≈60 Nm (owner figure). Test each lock afterwards.Red Line 75W-90 GL-5 gear oil (1 qt) · FCP Euro ↗ |
| Front knuckles, swivels & wheel bearings | Repack knuckles and bearings; grease the swivels; CV boots | Europa's interval: every 40,000 mi | One owner found local dealers didn't know the job — use a G specialist or the factory procedure with a dial indicator.Genuine Mercedes front wheel bearing, outer 009 981 48 05 — listed for 2002+ W463; confirm fit by VIN · FCP Euro ↗Genuine Mercedes front wheel seal 463 334 01 59 — listed for 2002+ W463; confirm fit by VIN · FCP Euro ↗ |
| Power steering fluid | MB power-steering fluid | Now | Febi power steering fluid (MB 000 989 88 03) · FCP Euro ↗ |
| Brake fluid & lock hydraulics | DOT 4 Plus (MB sheet 331.0) | Now, then every 2 years | The 1997 G 320 owner notes the locker circuit uses brake fluid — bleed it with the brakes.Genuine Mercedes DOT 4 Plus brake fluid, 1 L · FCP Euro ↗ |
| Drive belt, hoses & harmonic balancer check | Poly-V belt and tensioner; crank pulley | Replace belt now if age unknown | On the M112/M113, a wobbling or cracked balancer is a replace-now item.Corteco harmonic balancer / crank pulley 112 035 14 00 (M112/M113) · FCP Euro ↗ |
| Fuel filter | M112/M113: 002 477 30 01 · others confirm in manual | Now if no record | Mann fuel filter 002 477 30 01 (M112/M113) · FCP Euro ↗ |
| Vacuum system & lock test | Reservoir, hoses, switchover valves | Now | Tee in a gauge on each section; replace split connectors and perished rubber with vacuum-rated hose.Lisle 20300 vacuum gauge / pump tester · FCP Euro ↗ |
Wheels & tires
| Factory tire | 265/70R16 (16-inch wheels) · 265/60R18 (18-inch wheels) |
|---|---|
| Bolt pattern | 5x130 |
| Center bore | 84.1 mm |
| Lug thread | M14x1.5 bolts |
| Biggest tire · Stock | 275/70R18 (≈33 in) |
| Biggest tire · 2.5 in (60 mm) | 33 in |
| Biggest tire · 4 in (100 mm) | 35 in |
Common Europa International Gs repairs
- Front axle repack (knuckles & wheel bearings)DIFFICULTY 4 / 5
- M104 head-gasket seep (I6 G 320)DIFFICULTY 4 / 5
- Harmonic balancer (V6 & V8)DIFFICULTY 3 / 5
- Front axle seal leakDIFFICULTY 3 / 5
- Diff locks won't engageDIFFICULTY 2 / 5
- Steering damper & front-end wanderDIFFICULTY 1 / 5
- Rust on the frame and bodyDIFFICULTY 2–5 / 5
Always confirm torque figures, fluids and capacities against the factory service manual for your VIN. See the disclaimer; some parts links are affiliate links.