1991 W463 M104 with manual gearbox?
01-15-2023, 03:01 AM
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1991 W463 M104 with manual gearbox?
I am on the hunt for a G as an occasional driver and trailer towing vehicle for my place in Europe.
I recently came across a clean 1991 W463 with the 3.2 inline 6 and, weirdly, a manual box. Low-ish mileage (140,000 km), no rust. Price is reasonable.
It does not need to be fast, but the ability to tow a trailer with a car on it is key. The fact that it is 31 years means I can register it as a historical car in Italy and pay low road tax.
I have never come across this combination of a M104 and a manual box in a LWB G class.
Is the M104, with only 200+hp up to the task of towing? Is a manual box so rare that getting parts will not be possible? Finally, should I just stop looking at oddball versions and just buy a G500 or G55? I cannot imagine the fuel economy is that much better on the 3.2 straight 6 and the V8 would notice the trailer less.
I do most of the service work on my other cars, so expect I will do the same on a G.
I recently came across a clean 1991 W463 with the 3.2 inline 6 and, weirdly, a manual box. Low-ish mileage (140,000 km), no rust. Price is reasonable.
It does not need to be fast, but the ability to tow a trailer with a car on it is key. The fact that it is 31 years means I can register it as a historical car in Italy and pay low road tax.
I have never come across this combination of a M104 and a manual box in a LWB G class.
Is the M104, with only 200+hp up to the task of towing? Is a manual box so rare that getting parts will not be possible? Finally, should I just stop looking at oddball versions and just buy a G500 or G55? I cannot imagine the fuel economy is that much better on the 3.2 straight 6 and the V8 would notice the trailer less.
I do most of the service work on my other cars, so expect I will do the same on a G.
