Nearly three years since the Ford Bronco rose from the ashes, it’s still one of the hottest things in Ford’s portfolio. From an explosion of aftermarket support to incredible demand, Dearborn’s proper off-roader is both a head-turner and a relatively scarce sight on dealer lots.
However, it’s not the only incredibly desirable off-roader you can get for average new vehicle money. If you can’t find a Bronco and have just over $40,000 sitting in your checking account, you could be driving a used G-Wagen.
It’s funny, when the new Bronco launched, there was some moaning in online comments sections about the lack of a V8 engine. Cut to 2024, and you can buy a properly off-road capable SUV for Bronco money with not just a V8, but a supercharged one at that.
So, what sort of G55 AMG can you get for Bronco money, and would it be worth rolling the dice on? Well, let’s find out.
What Are We Looking At?
At this point, thanks to a superstar client list, pretty much everyone and their mother know what a G-Wagen is. It’s a former military vehicle built in Austria, refined just enough to attract the attention of jet-setters from Malibu to Montauk. Featuring low range, a solid front axle, triple locking differentials, and a proper ladder frame, the G-Wagen as we know it in America is Bear Grylls in Dior. It’s ready for anything, even if it’ll be primarily used for mall crawling.
The G55, sold from model years 2005 to 2012, is a bit special because it’s the first AMG G-Class officially sold in America. Featuring the mighty supercharged 5.4-liter M113K V8 engine from the E55 AMG, this 469-horsepower telephone booth was once the most powerful SUV in the world, and it’s still reasonably quick today. A manufacturer-claimed zero-to-62 mph time of 5.6 seconds should still dust most Wrangler and Broncos, all while making an amusing array of intoxicating noises.
Throwing the engine from a premier supersedan into an ex-military off-road produces amusing results, and Auto Express magazine seemed to like it, writing that “The G55 AMG has bags of character and, crucially, feels built to last for a million miles.” Bingo. You buy a G-Class because even though it’s expensive, it feels worth it, can go just about anywhere you please, and is a proper laugh.
How Much Are We Talking?
Well, since Ford nixed the base Bronco for 2024, the cheapest Big Bend two-door model stickers for $41,025 with zero options. Anything under that is fair game, and believe me, there are a ton of G55 AMGs under that price cap. This 2008 G55 AMG sold on Bring A Trailer literally yesterday for $32,777, although you will have to put up with a few flaws for that sort of price.
This thing may have 92,000 miles on the clock and one hit on the Carfax, but neither of those things are a big worry. The larger concern is that the listing description notes that “rust is shown on the left A-pillar, on the left front door sill, and around the rear wiper fluid nozzle.” Still, I bet you could clean that up for the price difference between this and a new Bronco, and you’ll have an awesome Austrian off-road bruiser once you’re done.
If that report of rust scares you, here’s a 2005 G55 AMG that’s been updated to look like a newer G63 AMG, and it recently sold on Cars & Bids for $36,002. Sure, the modifications aren’t to everyone’s tastes, but this G55 has a squeaky-clean Carfax, a pretty nice set of Falken all-terrain tires, history of routine maintenance, and wicked diamond-stitched butterscotch seat inserts. With 95,500 miles on the clock, it’s not exactly new, but it could still be an exceptionally fun rig.
If you want a weird piece of G-Wagen history, this 2005 G55 Grand Edition sold on Bring A Trailer in December for $37,500. Sure, it has 151,000 miles on the clock, a hit on the Carfax, and proof of extensive paintwork, but these Grand Edition models were supposed to be last-call runout specials because Mercedes-Benz was planning on discontinuing the G-Class in America. Well, that move backfired, partly because these SUVs printed money and had seriously famous fans, and Mercedes-Benz extended the life of the G-Wagen to the present day.
What Goes Wrong?
The big common issue on these cars is the rear signal acquisition module. If you get lots of error messages for bulbs being out and miscellaneous body malarky, this is almost guaranteed to be the culprit. Replacement at a Mercedes-Benz dealer will run you around $2,000 including programming, although an independent specialist should be able to do the job for less, provided they have Mercedes-Benz’s STAR diagnostics and coding system.
It’s generally a good idea to replace the crank position sensor proactively every 80,000 miles, but with a mounting location on the bellhousing, plenty of ground clearance to get underneath, decent access, and a parts cost of around $175, this is an incredibly easy DIY. Likewise, door lock actuators do have a habit of going out, and they cost about $123 each from FCP Euro. The Mercedes-Benz conductor plate specter also looms over these rigs, but seeing as all G55s used the five-speed automatic transmission, conductor plate replacement isn’t a huge deal.
Whenever you’re looking at a G55 AMG, keep a close eye on any rust bubbling up from seams and edges of panels. These SUVs certainly aren’t immune to corrosion, and fixing rust is incredibly expensive, if you can find anyone willing to do it at all. Otherwise, these W463s primarily suffer from just general used car wear-and-tear. Brakes wear out, bushings wear out, CV joints wear out, lather, rinse repeat. These are just downsides to buying any used car over a new car
Should You Buy One?
Normally, buying a heavily depreciated German luxury car over any new vehicle is a terrible idea filled with maintenance pitfalls and continued depreciation. However, given the relative solidity of the G55 AMG and the problems Ford’s been having with the Bronco, I’d say a second-hand G55 AMG is worth a look, provided you can find one in a condition you deem acceptable. Sure, you don’t get the open-top experience or the highway sophistication of independent front suspension, but as far as extremely capable off-road icons go, the G-Wagen is right up there.
(Photo credits: Bring A Trailer, Cars & Bids)
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Got Jimmy Two Times from Goodfellas doing the editing today?
I’ve been a long time fan of the G-Wagens, even though they get horrible fuel mileage (and this coming from an owner of many lifted Jeeps), and aren’t particularly great on the road. Get inside one though, and the thump of the doors is just so solid.
My biggest gripe with the AMG models is the exhaust dump under the running boards, in front of the wheels. Anyone know if this is easily rerouted?
The TCO here is an unjustifiable.
At least for reasonable people, which enthusiasts are not (usually).
See, if this will be the second or third family car, you have a reasonable wrenching knowledge, get a MB Star scanner, will drive a couple thousand miles per year and have a strong and close relationship with God, this may work without leaving several paychecks in the specialist.
For most people, buying a ~15 year old G wagen for ~40K is a truly terrible idea. There’s a huge list of new/newish cars in the same price range with far more advanced features and a warranty.
I just call them D-Wagens.
I have beef with the AMG G-Wagen. Every morning when I escort my son to Kindergarden, we have to cross a small dead-end street. It’s a quiet street, except around that time in the morning when a horde of SUVs shows up. There’s an international school at the end of the street. These people all seem to be in a terrible hurry, because hardly anybody stops to let us cross the street. There was this mom that decided to start parking her AMG G-Wagen on the green (city-owned) next to the street on a regular basis. After a couple days, you could start seeing the tire tracks on the lawn. I tried talking to her in a polite non-confrontational kind of way. Her excuse was that she was in a hurry and that there is no empty spot and that this is an exception bla bla. See, there’s a large parking lot at a grocery store nearby. This would require to actually walk for like 3 minutes, though. So I had to go all snitch on her and got her reported to the city. After a couple of weeks she started to park in the turning area at the end of the street. Needless to say that that’s a no stopping zone. Sorry to bore you with all that. But this story is the reason why I’m in team hater on the AMG G-Wagen. I wouldn’t mind a W460 with the 5-cylinder, though.
Stereotypes, too bad that some people justify them. Idiots are idiots no matter the car, but I can relate. But with SUVs in general, not only one specific.
While I do agree, at the same time, I do think there is a correlation between douchebagery moves and vehicles like this.
And I remember reading one study (granted, it’s just one but I would not be surprised if the results were consistent if other studies were conducted) that the pricier the car, the less likely the driver was to wait for someone to cross at a cross-walk vs. just plowing through and ignoring the pedestrian’s right of way to cross.
“When someone tells you who they are, believe them.”
Actually, I have the perception that for some drivers it is not a matter of their cars but yours.
At least where I live (not US), you have more chances of people wait the nicer your car is. My wife has a cheap econobox, when I drive it, very few people will wait, the opposite happens when I drive my car which may seen “nicer”, people are way more inclined to wait.
And it doesn’t really matter the other car, from a cheap Chevy to Porsches, I see this behaviour.
Maybe a cultural thing? I can say that every time I’ve driven in Europe drivers are generally much more courteous. Even people who are flying down the highway in a nice car will have patience when they realize you’re not in a good spot to move to a slower lane and let them pass. In America, the driver would get right up as close as they can to you.
Probably. I found texans drivers more polite than new yorkers. Didn’t spend that much driving around so it may be just an impression.
Ha, not really.
For a few years, living on Manhattan’s upper east side I drove a Ford F100 farm truck that I resurrected and painted about 200 different colors ( a John Deere had hit a few times, so it beaded something) with a fluorescent pink bumper and grill with flying tiger shark teeth painted down the sides. Bentleys, Mercedes, and the odd Rolls-Royce, not once ever contested the right of way with me. Taxi cabs wouldn’t get within 20 feet of me. I even got the attention and respect of cars with diplomatic plates on them, which is pretty fucking unheard of on the upper east side.
They know that you should not get into a fight you can’t win lol
Is this school in Utah? Does there happen to be a Veterinarian 1/2 block from the school?
Germany
Wow, that’s a big Fiat Panda 4×4 !!
I bet the Bronco gets better MPG’s, and less rust.
I don’t understand the hate- If it didn’t present like it does (you know what I mean), I would give up my Gladiator for one of these.
Any running car is an upgrade over a gladiator
Seriously?! So go buy a rusted 75K-125K mile vehicle with a single part that’s 2K and a common failure, over a brand new Bronco with a warranty? I mean, come on, I get loving something but this is a V8 too far.
They have been so stupidly priced used for so long because of the status, crazy to see one go for 30 some odd grand. Enticing even.
Other than a Hellcat I’m not sure if there’s a single vehicle I could own here in DC that would scream PLEASE STEAL ME louder than an AMG G Class. The streets know what these are…so no thanks!
Not to be that guy, but don’t you own a Hyundai/Kia product?
Touché!
I’d rather catch anthrax than being seen in a G-Wagen.
That’s why you get the limo tint, so the haters can’t make eye contact.
I’d rather have a W460 series G than one of these fancy ones.
I have wanted one of the right hand drive SWB 2 door for a long time, ever since I knew they existed. I just don’t want to go through the parts hassle even knowing I would be doing all the work myself. I’ve already got a Montero that fills the exact role.
You’re not wrong, the SWB Montero is the Japanese G-Wagon.
With how much they started going for I’m probably going to get the bits of body work cleaned up and get the engine properly overhauled since it rolled 300k when I retired it from daily use several years ago. It is literally the truck I learned to wrench on and has been the most trustworthy and fun vehicle I’ve ever owned. Auto locking hubs? Come on.
I contemplated a Raider in ’95 when looking for a replacement to the MR2, combo family car and transport to Arizona, should have done it, it was a much better choice than what my wife decided on, a Mercury Topaz. The marrage lasted slightly longer than the Topaz.
After passing a G this morning:
Carpool buddy: that exhaust is in a stupid place
Me: why? Off road ground clearance?
CPB: yeah
Me: think about what you just said…
After that I mused “what happened to all the old school ones?” Like the diesels?
Did we just not get many in the US? All I ever see are the AMG or AMG lookalikes with street tires.
The USA did not get the G Class until the W463, the third, much plusher generation. And officially not until 2002, over a decade after it was introduced. although there was a company called Europa International that started federalized imports in 1993.
There’s a church down the street from my house that has 4 G-wagons parked out front every Sunday, typically all in a row. White, Silver, Gray, and Black.
Can I just buy an E55 instead?
I feel like E55s hit this price range many years ago.
Not gonna lie, I’ve always found the early Gs attractive and it’s one of the dream garage cars for me.
https://youtu.be/8AF5issTBGM?si=qBmE-Rlt2c8cmmdz&t=110
Can y’all just create a weekly segment where you recommended a former $100k 10-20yr old amazing German car deal when in actuality it’s a horrible decision, kinda like a weekly April fools segment, I think your up to about 5 in a row now. We can place bets on how many years until service and repairs exceed purchase price, guarantee no one ever says over 3yrs.
And could you also change your name?? To say… I dunno, Tavarish??
Lmao i was reading it and going ok tavarish, perfect.
I love that it requires a $2000 module to talk to the brake lights.
and it breaks on the regular
It was designed by Jason’s arch nemesis
I have been under the impression that these are basketcases with too many problems to count, but I’m not seeing that here.
Growing up with an appreciation for the utilitarian nature of the Geländawagen, I still like the G-class and just wish they sold a more base model in the US than the uber-luxury versions we can get here. I love the basic look, all boxy and designed for a purpose, but dislike all the blingy crap the luxury versions have. I occasionally keep an eye out for a G350/500/55 AMG, but nearly all are asking $50k or more regardless of mileage, which immediately stops any further interest I may have.
I’d rather drive a Suzuki Jimny.
11/13/12MPG? Mall crawling is what’s best for it!
Ah… These things… Several of my neighbors drive them and park them in the most obnoxious places ever. None has ever seen the outside of a mall parking lot.
I personally know of one on portal axles with 38″ tires that goes off-road frequently.
https://www.youtube.com/@crashingsux
The tacky chrome brush/cattle/moose/roo bars and light covers, the chrome spare tire rings, chrome rock sliders/steps, and are those chrome inserts in the rub strips? All that crap ought to be good for a couple thousand more off the prices.