I currently have a LX470 that I've mildly built for offroad. I live on the east coast so the DBBB in KY is about as crazy as we get here. I love the truck, but the G class bug has always had me, it's just time for me to accept it.

My last Mercedes was a '90 (I believe) 300SE which I loved!!! I also love the simplicity of the late 90's early '00s trucks. I don't need big screens and fancy stuff, but I do need to warm my *** when I'm in the woods, so I have to have heated seats. I'll be doing a mild build, probably 2" lift, sliders and eventually bumpers with a RTT. Is a G320 going to be a total dog? Should I not even consider it and just look for G500s? I need to be able to comfortably do interstate driving at 75-80mph.

Slow, loud, and thirsty. Feels like a tank solid and unstoppable off-road, but clumsy and tiring on pavement. Every drive is an event, not an errand. You buy it for presence and ruggedness, not for commute comfort.

As someone driving a mint condition 06 LX, only a newer G would ever be a consideration meaning something from 2003 to 2015. Likely a 500 or 55 with the m113/k. I’d also say that this would sit next to the LX because the 100 series are unstoppable and if you have a good one with zero rust, I don’t think it’s worth getting rid of it but supplementing it. And since you’ve been watching G wagon prices over the years, I’m sure, I look at these older G wagons as $20,000 vehicles, not the insane prices that people think they’re worth today post covid because I have no need to keep up with the tech bras and insta models with plastic personalities. Lots of g’s where I live, see them every day and you mostly see them driven by middle age skinny blondes 90% of the time.

I used to have 00 LX470, 97 Landcruiser, 97 Land Rover Discovery, 16 GX 460, 21 Chevy Tahoe RST, Hummer H2 (Red, Black, White), 99 Ford Expedition, etc. All good pavement and offroad, which I must admit that i am not a off road guy, but it was all good for daily driving.
When I bought my 2002 G500, I always wanted G-Wagen, not the new, but classic with simple naturally aspirated V8 motor. I got my 02 G500 with 139,000 mi. Simple enough for me to tinkle with it (I do most DIY work on my cars), built quality is insane (material and craftmanship), and yes, it is thirsty, but the power and presence of the G-Wagen is something that cannot compare to what I have previously owned, as I would consider previous cars as a "Normal Commute" vehicles. No regret getting G500, and will be keeping it until it deteriorates on me.

I've added so much weight to the LX that I'm lucky to hit 12mpg going down the mountain. Usually averaging 10-11. But, it's a trail/camping vehicle. I really think I'll end up with a G500, but really would like to know if the V6 in a G320 would be fairly decent. I mean, it's not much less horsepower than the LX.