kimf70

I was in a market for an SUV for my wife and saw a granite gray metallic G500 2007 sitting on a local dealer lot. My wife wanted it and we bought it.

The doors take a convincing slam to close. I am not sure how long it will take my wife to get tired of the baby waking up whenever the door is being shut.
She has a standing offer of a Honda Odyssey when she wants to step out of the G. I don't think its gonna happen.

License plate light bulb burnt out and it was replaced at the dealer. Fog light on the driver side does not illuminate when the light is switched to "auto mode" but works when its in the "manual" mode. Will get this evaluated today.

7speed tranny works seamlessly and feels nice. However the 07 Gs lack the teleaid option and keyless go option.

Anyother 07 owners out there? would like to know their experience.

Overall, wanted to get a sturdy and safe vehicle with style. We looked at the escalade, denali, range rover and the QX. Nothing made my heart beat like the G. It has a classy look with a hint of bling. Other than the minor electrical nuissance noted above, experience has been great. My wife loves it. She hasn't had this much fun driving since we traded in her '02 911 cab after getting pregnant.

tmckaskle

I didn't realize that Tele-Aid was not available. :/ I just got mine a few days ago and just figured out that getting handsfree telephone service installed is also troublesome. I bought mine in Orange County (CA) at a huge dealer there and they are still scratching their heads over how to get the phone service working. Apparently all of the standard electrical pigtails are absent, and no MB options exist yet. It did come with satellite radio though, which is a bonus. I never realized just how awful Sirius sounds, like a low bitrate MP3...

The phone thing is a safety issue, as I need to be able to be hands-free when I call my dad for approach advice when I'm crossing the Rubicon, or when I'm stuck in morning commuter traffic and bored on the 880 South.

I notice that there is an Aux input on the COMAND system (assuming for an iPod), but I can't find the input anywhere. Is it on the back of the COMAND unit?

I'm planning on driving mine from Northern California to La Paz, BCS next month and am looking forward to getting some sand between the toes, so to speak. Should be interesting with the wife and 2 slobbering dogs in tow. After some cursory calls around in the area, I'm having a hard time finding someone that can install a tow hitch (for carrying bicycles), as well.

kimf70

I been looking for the Aux input as well without success. My dealer didn't have the answer. Did you get yours from Fletcher?? I am in Missouri and looking forward to driving it on snow.
My dealer informed me that the tow hitch is avail through the dealer. Boating is big in Missouri and every truck needs a hitch. They told me that the G has the electrics already wired for hitch.

Can you access the seat controls and turn on the radio when the key is out of the ignition?

How do your doors close? Going from my "soft close" Lexus LS to G "slam close" is a world of difference.

Yes Sirius sound quality is poor. I don't have reception when the car is parked in the garage.

vraa

The G doors are rocks.
I too find them hilarious when going from the LS.

tmckaskle

vraa:

Every time I close my doors someone in my head says "Hell Yes". I like that solid "ka-chunk" when they close.

kimf70:

I did buy mine from FJ, and am a repeat customer. Their service is over the top; amazing. They sell an amazing amount of MBs, too; something like 600 - 800 a month, depending on who you ask.

The radio and COMAND systems do not work when the key is removed from the ignition, but some other electricals do, such as the interior lights, but this is by design. They stay on for up to 1/2 hour before cutting off - according to the owners manual. The seat controls don't seem to work, either w/o the key.

Germancar1

This design is just so old when it comes to all the electrical things you all are talking about, Mercedes really should update it fully in the near future. The G has been a bit of a mess, some 07's having this and some having that. Still though it is selling again and just as classic looking as ever.

M

kimf70

RE: Radio, command center control with key out of ignition.


I spoke to our local MB service manager who states that the radio can be turned on even with the ignition off and key out of ignition. On a 2002 S500 (L.A.) and 02 ML 320 (sold long ago), I don't recall being able to turn on the radio with the key out of ignition. I am in Missouri and can't test the S500 for this. Anyone with a recent model MB have any comments?

> TM
I bought my ML from FJ in Newport Beach in 2002. Service is great and selection is great. I think there is a Fletcher Jones in Joplin, MO. Buying the G wagon is making me home sick for some reason. I am missing L.A. and Orange County.

Germancar1

I'm able to turn on the radio without the key in the ignition. Mercedes have always been like that as long as I can remember.

M

Crazy MB Rob

I have an ML which I think is great for the money, but agreed. Nothing says "Big Man on Campus" like the G-Wagen! Good luck with it

Crazy MB Rob

Originally I believe the G was scheduled for termination in 2006. The Grand Edition being the final push. But there was too much demand still out there for them...so they prolonged production. I wouldn't expect too many future updates with them. But...never say never.

jimmyg

This year they added 7G gearbox to the G320, 420CDI, and G500. The G55 got a more powerful 500HP engine from the SL55. All models got bi-xenon headlamps with cornering fog lights. A new interior with more comfortable seats, DVD Nav, new gauges, etc. New options include tire pressure monitoring system, reversing camera, etc.

Production will continue through 2010, so I expect a few more updates before it finally stops or the G-Class is replaced with a worthy successor.

Germancar1

I wonder what that successor will be like? It has better not be a glossed up GL or ML either. I suspect they'll keep updating the G until it just can't comply with all regulations/standards without being totall re-engineered, they'll they pull the plug IMO.

M

AMG_Power

did u ever consider the Range Rover Sport Supercharged instead of the G500?

kimf70

I did not consider the RR sport supercharged. My wife and I felt the sport is too small. We did consider the RR "full-size" superchaged but it just didn't excite me like the G-wagon did. I test drove the Supercharger and was not impressed. I also drove the new escalade with disappointment. I owned a '96 RR in the past and had a bad experience. After test driving everything from Lexus LX, Escalade, RR, Infiniti, I stepped into a G. G wagon is in a different league. It drives like a German car should drive. Eventhough it has a high center of gravity and doesn't corner well, I still get the enjoyment of driving. I love the response of the acceleration, feedback to the steering whell, engine note. If you haven't driven one, you should. To my surprise, even my wife loves it and would not part with it. Our '07 G500 has become her (and our 2 year old daughter) daily driver. I have been looking for a black G55 for myself. G-wagon has its own quirks. The doors don't close easily. It doesn't have the latest technological gadgets. It falls short to its competitors when it comes down to latest gizmos and convenience features. However, these short comings don't bother us.

Frank

AMG_Power

i was also considering buying the G500 for my wife..we went to the dealership and the salesman even gave us the truck to keep for two days to get the hang of it even though believe it or not he did not recomend it because its rough not the usual SUV like the ML, X5 etc.... The car looked nice and unique but it felt tiring to drive, lots of things shaking in the back, the doors felt like vaults to close, even keeping your foot on the throttle felt like working out in the gym lol...anyways congratulations on your purchase and hope you enjoy it in good health

kimf70

amg power...

What did you end up getting for your wife?

Frank

AMG_Power

i got the range sport supercharged, i love it

AdP

Just got a 07 G500, black/black. It's great. Only issue is the rear-view camera, which doesn't seem to work.
Have ordered Brabus springs and am thinking of removing the spare wheel.

kimf70

You have a rear view camera??
I don't think this is an option on the 07. I could be wrong.
My 07 doesn't have this. Why remove the spare?

Frank

GL Driver

ADP,
Does your MY'07 really have a rear-view camera?

kimf70

My wife brought the G500 for a 2000 mile service to a local dealer.
They have installed a DVD as an after market accessory when i made the purchase of the G. After taking delivery, I noticed the cigarette lighter in the second row to not work. (i use it for cell phone charge). When my wife dropped off the truck to have the cigarette lighter fixed, she was informed by the service manager that the installation of the DVD has effectively disabled the cigarette lighter in the second row. Its disappointing. I need to talk to the service manage next week. I moved to the midwest from L.A. one year ago. I am used to FJ (Newport Beach) level of service, which was more than excellent. This experience has been disppointing.

AdP

A rear-vew back up camera is an option on the 2007 G500.

Removal of spare wheel: I like the cleaner look...

kimf70

How are you liking the ride of the G? I initially purchased the truck for my wife who is now 20 weeks pregnant. She handed me the keys on Sunday. Its too uncomfortable for her to drive at her current pregnant state. She will drive it after the delivery of our baby. G500 feels very much like a truck.

jimmyg

G-wagens currently being delivered outside the US have some newer features which did not make it into the US version of the 2007 model. These include updated dash including speedos, new steering wheel, new rear brake light design, improved seats, reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system.

kimf70: The G-Class is military vehicle that has been modified to also be suitable for on-road use. It is a truck based on a 25 year old design that is still remarkably comfortable and capable. It should come as no surprise that it does not drive like other "modern" SUVs which are primarily designed for the typical US-consumer who never goes off-road. My G55 has a harsher ride than my Aston.

AdP

Actually, I find the ride on standard srings/dampers a bit too soft and have ordered a Brabus suspension kit...