chantz

Hey guys,

First post on here but I've been diving deep, taking in all the great info shared on here.

I need some advice on buying an '05 G500 with 175k miles on it.

This would be my first MB, and have always dreamed of owning one of these.

In 2020, I almost bought a somehow pristine white '02 G500 with 280k miles from an exotics dealer in Springfield, MO. Car was owned by the wife of the GM at a MB dealer in Georgia so it had complete records since purchase, no rust and was in incredible condition. I still think about this car to this day and regret not just going ahead with the purchase (my final offer was about 1.5k off which was a lot of $ for me back then).

Now I have stumbled upon one a little closer to home in Ohio about 2 hours away that seems to be in solid condition, minus some rust spots.

Details on the vehicle:

• '05 G500 - 175k miles | Current asking: $24.5k USD
• current owner has had it for 7 years, all while located in Ohio (not sure before that)

Some info I can find on the owner (I believe when buying used, especially from private sellers "you are buying the owner")

• really likes MB and G's and has had a few to date including:
  • '85 G300 he sold in 2023 on Facebook Marketplace
  • '94 290GD that was fully restored and sold on BaT in 2023
  • still has a new 2019- W463A
  • '05 E500 Wagon currently for sale
  • '85 380 SL he sold
• seems like a guy that appreciate MB and hopefully takes good care of them

The good:

• All maintenance is up to date including a recent service B and all performed at local MB dealer during ownership
• AC/heat work great along with heated front and rear seats
• Air lockers work
• Tires changed recently

The bad: (so far)

• a few rust spots on the body in expected places and a little surface rust underneath (based on what I can see from pics)
• needs new control arm bushings (not exactly sure what this would cost... guessing $1-2k?)

Info on myself:

• I'm relatively young (24yo) but have always had a passion for cars
• Early in my career so not making a ton of $ but doing pretty well for myself
• I can do basic mechanical work on most cars... changing oil, brakes, anything that I can reach and Youtube
• Plan on driving this on-road 95% of the time but do enjoy going off-road driving occasionally
• I really enjoy these older G's for their simplicity, reliability, and lack of technology
• I currently do not do a lot of driving (I work from home)

What I would do with it:

• I plan on getting an inspection before purchasing from a dealer
• I would like to fix the rust spots if it's not stupid expensive

Questions I have:

• Is this thing going to be a money pit? (I had a mid-2000s BMW a few years ago that was a lot of fun but just cost to much to maintain in the end)
• Is this a no go because of the rust?
• What would you guys think this is worth?
• Is there anything I should look out for before purchasing or things to have inspected?
• Any alarms or red flags based on the description or pictures?
• Anyone have any idea of what it would cost to fix the rust spots/paint?

Any help is much appreciated! Thanks in advance!Thanks!

-Chantz

JD101b

Thousands and thousands of dollars. The rust around the window frames front and side will likely need to be plasma cut out and replaced with fresh metal.

streborx

Blistering rust like this starts underneath and from the backside, and will never go away. What you can't see is 10x what you can see. I grew up in PA and remember well how winter road salt dissolved cars in only a few years. Shop for a vehicle that has spent its life in the sunbelt (not a coastal location) and don't drive it during eastern winters.

Texas E63

Nice price perhaps but you're going to be chasing rust forever...... and it'll be $$$ to repair correctly.... far better to spend that 5k on a cleaner G. I looked at at least a dozen 55's that all had rust in some form. I bought the cleanest I found, and even so just noted my first rust on a rear seam.

There are some clean ones out there.... happy to put eyes on anything in the VA area ...

good luck on the search.

JD101b

True. I wouldn’t want this unless it came with a full paint job, which would undoubtedly uncover more rust.

almostordinary

Buy mine price dropped for quick sale.

I wouldn't buy a car in Ohio or the rust belt for that matter. Mine spent its first life in Florida, and with me the second owner in Los Angeles.


Happy Hunting!

JD101b

How many miles? Rust? Paint thickness?

almostordinary

2008 G55 AMG. Just under 95k

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/la...747557937.html

I've got a full build thread here:
https://mbworld.org/forums/g-class-w...so-begins.html