1991 Mercedes-Benz 300 GE

If your idea of G-Class ownership doesn’t involve oversized wheels, aftermarket body kits, or even a 5.5-litre fire-breather of an engine, but rather the original styling and everyday usability, this 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300GE must be considered. It has eight previous keepers, a little over 100,000 miles on the clock, and custom registration ‘G20 WAG’. Its blue bodywork further cements the understated styling and the grey interior is similar to what you’d find in a standard Mercedes-Benz saloon from that era.

You’ll be able to find more details about the vehicle’s condition in the sections below and the adjoining photo gallery. On the whole, its condition is remarkably good, not just considering its age, but also keeping in mind that it hasn’t been pushed down the resto-mod route for a ‘conversion’ to a new-look W463. The three-door, short-wheelbase style also helps in giving the SUV a stance that isn’t just one of its kind but also useful when it comes to steering it away from the tarmac.

The example here is powered by a 3-litre straight-six mated to an automatic gearbox, so despite the utilitarian looks, living with the 300GE is unlikely to be an issue. Some bits which caught our attention include the standard toolbox and also the G-Wagon’s three differential lock switches. The latter, also available on the new G-Class models, can help unstick the 300 GE out of difficult off-road situations, and make it worthy of its name.

With the W463, Mercedes-Benz moved the G away from the utilitarian styling of the original and brought the SUV closer to other Mercedes saloons. Updated and restyled, the W463 stayed around in various sizes until about two years ago when the more modern version was brought out. The early examples like this one did leave the classic G-Wagon styling (seen on the W460 and W461) for a more rounded appearance. The bumpers look more civilised but the flared wheel arches are more pronounced than the original. The boxy body, high-profile tyres, and other ‘trademark’ visual elements of the G-Class proclaim that this one isn’t too different in its intent, either.

The dark blue colour seems to be a great choice, as it adds flair to the car’s styling. It doesn’t scream for attention and at the same time, it doesn’t look so dull that it gets ignored. The paintwork is shiny but a closer look does make some marks more apparent. Some of the rubber and plastic parts have understandably lost freshness and tidying up will make a huge difference to the car’s overall appearance. No colour change is reported on the car’s papers.

The G-Wagon was originally a vehicle made keeping military use in mind, and from 1979, it was offered as a civilian model. This resulted in Merc making changes to up the car’s luxury; given that the earliest models didn’t get aircon, automatic gearbox, or even a cabin that looked luxurious. Frequent updates made to the W460 did improve things, but it was the W463’s interior that felt totally worthy of the three-pointed star. With wood trim and good quality dashboard, the G-Wagon was now pretty much in a class of its own.

That’s going to be a huge benefit when choosing this 300GE over an earlier model. It’s not just in the way the interior is designed or packaged but also in the way it’s been maintained that might make it easier for you to choose this. Grey isn’t going to be the colour of choice for a modern G-Class interior but on this 1991 example, it works flawlessly. Update: We have now uploaded photos to the gallery of invoice's totalling circa £14,000 for interior retrimming & overhaul.

The remarkable thing about the G-Wagon is that while the world has moved towards crossovers and soft-roaders, neither did Mercedes-Benz’s approach change nor did the philosophy behind the G-Wagon (or G-Class, as it is called now). For the W463, the boxy body sat on a ladder frame; this has its advantages for a ‘gelandewagen’. The engine on the 300GE was a fuel-injected, naturally aspirated 3-litre petrol unit which made nearly 170 bhp and 190 Nm. The four-speed automatic gearbox was optional.

The G20 WAG has done a little over a hundred thousand miles, and through the MoT records and its visual condition, it is clear that the underside bits have stood the tests of time and use. There’s some surface rust present underneath, which is not unexpected. The engine bay looks busy since the M103 straight-six unit takes up most of the space, although there are no unusual repairs or signs of botched-up work.

The 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300GE was first registered in April 1991 — three decades ago. Mercedes-Benz had just shifted to the new-generation W463, so this could’ve been one of the early cars if not the earliest. It's currently with its ninth owner, and according to the odometer reading and MoT/DVLA records, the car has done 102,000+ miles. Since 2006, it’s done about 25,000 miles, which means, on average, about a thousand miles a year.

Its MoT history has been a mix of clear passes, some frequent advisories, and a few failures. The latest test was cleared without any advisory and the certificate is valid till June next year. Among the recent failures, there was none due to corrosion.

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is a genuinely capable car and a short-wheelbase model like this looks quite cool, too. The W463 brought the G-Wagon closer to it being a Mercedes-Benz thanks to its better cabin, which is bound to be more appealing when viewed as a usable classic. This 300GE also presents an unmissable chance to own a semi-modern version of the vehicle without being judged. Fellow car enthusiasts will surely appreciate the rare sight of a short wheelbase G that’s not a Brabus or AMG. It’s not a car that shouts for attention or Instagram selfies, which in this day and age can be pretty rare.

At an estimated £20,000 - £25,000, the 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300GE is only a few thousand more than a brand new Suzuki Jimny (Commercial) or just about twice of what a new G-Class (Diesel) would cost you as an initial payment on a lease. And honestly speaking, neither of those two fairly cool cars look as charming as a thirty-year-old G-Wagon. And the 300GE hasn’t even shown these young ones its off-road tricks yet…

Viewing is always encouraged and as stated, this car is located with the vendor in Alyth, Blairgowrie. To arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.