Hey guys.
I'm considering buying a used (obviously) 2002 g500 Brabus Edition.
The car has 120,000 miles. Tried to look up some info and see what type of model Brabus offered then for this. As far as i know it was bought from Mercedes and was not sent out to be "tricked" out by Brabus. If you got any info much apprecitated. Also how much should i offer for this car? (assuming that the car is in "excellent" condition as the seller is telling me)

Also...

Have been very much interested in this car for a long time now and after much research am curious why so many are passionate about AMG and Brabus? Why does one think one is better than the other?

P.S. this is 5 door G500...not a Cabriolet.

Thanks for all the info

Not sure where you're located, so it's hard to respond to your question. It's doubful, if you're in the USA, that any MBUSA dealer sold a Brabus modified G500. Also, Brabus modifications can be cosmetic only or include engine tuning; but that would all be done after market in the USA.

2002 had a lot of electrical problems ... and the ones with modes had more (harder to find the cause of the problem to fix it)

If the Brabus modes are cosmetic (not electronic or engine) ... then it is your personal taste on which is better (but, "tricked" out wheels ... are almost always a problem)

If the modes are electrical (e.g. headlights) ... makes sure everything works and no error messages on the console

If the modes are to the engine ... I would not buy it with that much mileage. The added stress, to entire system, makes them wear faster

In California here. Thanks.
I plan on seeing the car today and will know more about it then.

Thanks I have read before that the 2002 had some problems. When i said "tricked" out I really just meant "24 inch ICCE luxury wheels"
Gonna go check out the car today and see what its all about
The miles (120,000) make me a bit nervous as well but. I live in Los Angeles and the Brabus dealer is about 10 min away so I if it looks good I guess I will take it in and have them look at it

It is my understanding that the computer needs to be adjusted to the size of the tire ... to get an accurate odometer/speedometer reading ... make sure it was adjusted

A normal G drives like a truck ... I will expect with wheels like that ... it drives like a fast tractor

As nearly always the comments above are helpful. The dealer has to use the Star system to put in the wheel and tire dimensions. I went to a slightly larger (275/60x18) tire and I had to have the ESP recalibrated. Otherwise the thing is dangerous. I've driven tractors and if you learn how to drive the G it is not like a tractor. Who the heck make 24" tires - oh, Canadian Tire, eh, what the ??? Maybe it is a tractor.

I would be very leery of a G with 24" wheels but I'm a refined stock kind of guy. The wear on the stock braking system could be enormous. The G might be a Europa import that they sent to Brabus to be customized since I beleive there might have been an overlap in when MBUSA took over distribution and put that "wonderful" Comand system in. So many questions...send me 1st class ticket (R/T) and I'll check the thing out for you!

Just some thoughts - what are they asking for this paragon? If you want panache get a 2004+ G55. My g500 is good enough for me. There are plenty of Gs from MBUSA in California I would get one with lower mileage from a dealer or private seller 2004 and up.

What are you going to do with it? Will they give you any sort of warranty? I have no idea what a 2002 G500 with 120k on the clock is worth but I would deduct money for the mods if I were a dealer.

Thoughts from New England where Gs pass Range Rovers, Tourags and Cayennes in the worst and best of conditions!

I agree with most of the concerns that people have expressed. However, I have a G500 03' on 23" rims and I have never had a problem with it. The only thing you need to do is make sure you pay attention to tire pressure, check the balance frequently, and have the alignment checked periodically.