Any one else really disappointed the G Wagon will have IFS?

"Milky" (jordanmielke) 01/04/2018 at 11:32 • Filed to: G class, G wagon, Mercedes

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Why even have a ladder frame anymore than? Why have the upright windshield? Removing its most important mechanical difference really just makes it a clunky looking Range Rover.

The interior is way better, the subtle exterior tweaks are nice. But you are refining an icon. It endured 39 years without significant change because people paid you to keep making it.

Everyone knew it was only bought new for people who goto malls around LA. But everyone also knew it could go anywhere. In my opinion Mercedes removed the last redeeming part of the G class.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Milky 01/04/2018 at 11:51

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Not really. Because I haven’t ever cared about it.

Milky > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 01/04/2018 at 11:52

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Well, thats fair.

Mercedes Streeter > Milky 01/04/2018 at 11:58

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Independent Front Suspension? Will any actual G buyers even care? It’s just like when a new Wrangler comes out with a new “soft” feature. Everyone who wasn’t going to buy a new one in the first place criticizes it, but everyone else keeps buying them. lol

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Milky 01/04/2018 at 12:00

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For offload I prefer a live axle but IFS can be pretty decent still. Still would absolutely drive the last one because I think they are dumb.

Takuro Spirit > Milky 01/04/2018 at 12:07

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We can care all we want, but will never buy one. The people that DO buy them do it for the status, not what kind of axles are under it, as if they even know what a axle is or does and they probably spell it A X E L and think he’s the lead singer of that classic rock band Guns N Bon Jovi and the Beverly Hills Cop Blues.

Wacko > Milky 01/04/2018 at 12:07

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don’t think the going to the mall crowd will even notice that it’s a IFS.

don’t think anyone in north america even offroads a G wagon, unless you count the gravel driveway of the cottage or summer house.

Milky > Mercedes Streeter 01/04/2018 at 12:10

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They won’t, but its an image thing for me. Like making the 911 midengined, or making the wrangler IFS. Just not a fan.

Milky > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 01/04/2018 at 12:11

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I liked that it was a living legend. Now at some point I’ll have to start looking for “old” ones.

jimz > Milky 01/04/2018 at 12:11

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an IFS will practically never experience death wobble.

Milky > Wacko 01/04/2018 at 12:13

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They won’t notice and I’m not even mad ... just disappointed.

Wacko > Milky 01/04/2018 at 12:13

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were you planing to buy one?

fintail > Milky 01/04/2018 at 12:13

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I wonder how many G-Wagen buyers, especially those who buy new, know if they have IFS or not.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Milky 01/04/2018 at 12:13

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I like the very last generation before this one with the square headlights and taillights. The round headlights don’ t do it as much for me.

Milky > Takuro Spirit 01/04/2018 at 12:15

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This is also why I hate “real people, not actors”. Real people are dumb.

Textured Soy Protein > Milky 01/04/2018 at 12:16

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If it keeps its 3 locking differentials that will still be unique, at least if you ignore the Wrangler Rubicon.

As you said though, nobody who buys the things is going to know the difference.

Milky > jimz 01/04/2018 at 12:19

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I mean my 200,000+ mile XJ Cherokee never had death wobble. It doesn’t have to happen.

Mercedes Streeter > Milky 01/04/2018 at 12:19

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Or like if smart decided to remove the car’s trademark “tridion cell”. Yeah, that makes sense to me! :)

Milky > fintail 01/04/2018 at 12:24

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2% is my guess. I’ll be in the disappointed camp with them.

Milky > Wacko 01/04/2018 at 12:25

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Lol, no. Yes I know, consumer dollars count, internet comments don’t.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Milky 01/04/2018 at 12:25

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Seems to work fine for Taco’s so ¯\_()_/¯.

jimz > Milky 01/04/2018 at 12:28

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yabbut if a solid-axle vehicle does experience it, it can be incredibly hard to cure.

Wacko > Milky 01/04/2018 at 12:29

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did you sell your Mercedes with custom work done by Chrysler?

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Milky 01/04/2018 at 12:35

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And actors are even dumber.

Milky > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 01/04/2018 at 12:36

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But the taco hasn’t been the same for the last 39 years.

Milky > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 01/04/2018 at 12:42

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Which is why experienced reviewers are best.

Milky > Wacko 01/04/2018 at 12:43

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Not yet, turns out not a big market for a 200k mile car, everyone forgot about.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Milky 01/04/2018 at 12:47

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The Humvee has independent suspension and does OK off-road. I’m fine with the change. Whether true or not, the G still seems like best factory off-roader.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Milky 01/04/2018 at 12:59

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Yeah but manufactures don’t build on what experienced reviewers like. They build what they people who are shelling out 60k dollars plus on an SUV like

Mercedes Streeter > Milky 01/04/2018 at 13:01

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Mercedes will still sell the “Professional” variant, which has a very bare-bones interior (I think the exact interior from the 1980s G) and more offroady bits. Hopefully they dump the IFS for the new generation?

Yes, that is the interior of a new Mercedes you can buy somewhere in the world today.

And of course you cannot get the Professional ones in America.

Milky > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero 01/04/2018 at 13:06

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Except the Miata! It really is always the answer.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Milky 01/04/2018 at 13:14

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I must be missing something because the Toyota Tacoma came out in the US in ‘95 and the Hilux went to IFS in ‘86.

Milky > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 01/04/2018 at 13:20

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I’m sure someone will test it against the Rubicon so we can find out.

Milky > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 01/04/2018 at 13:28

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I get your point about IFS not being bad off road. Though I do still think a solid axle is better.

In my mind the thing is an icon because it hasn’t changed in 4 decades, but now its losing its last real difference to other SUVs. Making it more Land Cruiser than luxo-Wrangler. We already lost the defender ... I’m just sad to see another front axle go.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Milky 01/04/2018 at 13:39

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I hope so!

fintail > Milky 01/04/2018 at 13:39

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Even that’s generous.

More reason to do a private import I guess.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Milky 01/04/2018 at 16:15

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The Defender died because it was never truly updated and nobody was buying new ones. I mean why buy a new one when you can buy a used one that is basically the same thing, or buy a cheaper Hilux that does all the same things?

Nauraushaun > Milky 01/07/2018 at 01:49

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Not convinced. I’m no suspension expert, but what you’re telling me is that the portal hubs and the 3 transfer cases and all the other mechanical crap it’s got is meaningless, because the suspension is a bit less durable off road.

We’re not talking about a 4-cylinder Viper where you’ve taken away its only party piece. The G-wagen is more than that.

I mean how many other road cars have portals? Surely they’re more important

Milky > Nauraushaun 01/07/2018 at 16:59

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From Mercedes own website - “...offers numerous advantages over road-biased independent suspension.”

I used that top picture above to show the front wheel hanging in the air. I know that a front diff lock will make the other wheel spin, but 4 contact patches is always better than 3. Use the picture below for example:

Portal hubs are only on the extreme G wagons, 4x4^2, 6x6, maybach. The ones with huge ground clearance. Don’t know yet if/or how long it’ll take for the new G wagon to get them. The 3 diff locks (front and rear differential and the center transfer case) certainly do make the G wagon unique. And it will be good off road.

Just for example, the Raptor has the most suspension flex for an IFS truck. Probably by far, yet the power wagon keeps all 4 tires touching something longer in this test. 88 inches up the ramp vs 80 inches.

Its all a moot point because no one buying a G wagon takes it off road but I am a bit disappointed.

Nauraushaun > Milky 01/07/2018 at 21:08

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From what I’ve read there are numerous advantages, things like cost and complexity and handling (on the road). I guess they decided these things are more important. It’s hard to argue they’re wrong on what is a Mercedes luxury SUV.

But I see your point. Bit of a shame in terms of pure ability.

Milky > Nauraushaun 01/08/2018 at 09:48

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Yea, “Bit of a shame” is where I’m at. Now were left with only the Super Duty, Ram HD and Wrangler for front solid axles. Long live the Wrangler.

Nauraushaun > Milky 01/08/2018 at 16:11

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Outside of the US that choice comes down to just 1.