Clarkson's S. Times review
Well I'll get it in before someone else starts on him.. or is it a do not feed the wildlife moment?
Clarkson did a Sunday Times review of G320 (will be along in the Sun some day soon...). Not positive beyond saying visually they look good but that was more of a dig at RR gangsta looks (and reliability). Why they sent along a G320 to a confirmed diesel phobic I do not know.. so as it was not the AMG (that got a mention) and as he is getting on so likes comfy seats now to go with power.. well he trashed it. Have to say I would agree with the reasons.. live axles and dated suspension are never going to beat good modern independant setup on tarmac, interior space is 30 years old so cramped and not car like, slow .. well it is over 2 tons and do you really want a tall real 4x4 to be quick.. I would add that 25 mpg average is poor for a new car given the old really slow 300GD does 21 mpg.
Maybe you had a different read of it?
Well, in my view there are two obvious points: a) Jeremy reaches the age where he leaves his armchair only hesitantly and b) the 3l diesel is a bit tame for a £85k car. Otherwise I tend to disagree (the boot is small?) or I see it as part of the charm of owning a G except for Jeremy’s point regarding the ride:
I just returned from Germany having driven a G350 for two weeks (you can rent them from Europcar) and subsequently bought a two months old G350 in the UK. There is a significant difference in the quality of the ride: the German car on 16-inch wheels was comfortable, whilst cruising at 90 mph my wife had what she called the best nap ever in a car. The UK car on 18-inch wheels feels spartanic. As a preliminary measure I lowered the tyre pressure. I will investigate whether the UK-cars have different shock-absorbers and if not, will fit 16-inch wheels.
it would help if jeremy took his head out of his a@se and really appreciated the most iconic vehicle mercedes has every made.
jeremy is right and the whole world is thick......????
Like Bristol cars refuse Clarkson to test drive thier vehicles', I am in agreement, that M/Benz adopt the same policy.
He is just too big for his boots!
16" rims will make a lot of difference, the deeper side Walls, and compound of Tyres Of this size are more flexible,but 18" gives you better road holding, found this out when I put 18" on my 300gel,
Why do people take clarkson so seriously, there are other journalists that have said the same, clarkson influence will not change the already poor sale of the new g, anyway it's still a 30 year old design for heaven sake! .Clarkson is a Mercedes fan, he even has one, but you can't say it's total bull what he says, comparing other 4x4 of similar pricing, and what they will actually do in today's society. Anyone driven a gl for comparison?
I thought Clarkson was a Merc fan (SLK, SL and E 55/63 Owner) and the way in which he is always photo'ed in his Range Rover suggestes that maybe he has done a deal with LR? Who knows? (who cares). One of the G's claim to fame, is that compared to the other 4x4's t has changed very little. Looking at what most peopel compare the G with the RR of course the drive will be different and if thats what people want then they have a choice?
Sadly if Clarkson likes a car it will sell - the Clarkson effect, a bit like the 'linx' effect but for car's
I bet even if he had a G55 AMG he would have slated it, however when his air suspension goes, and while he fiddles around with the complicated road/track setting and the feeble build quality, you know driving a G you should at least get there in one piece!
Spider1V
The GL has air-suspension, therefore it glides over uneven roads and does not “lean” into the corner. The car allows tightening the line in a curve whilst the G runs wide when you do this. The downside of the GL is that it is a huge car which needs space. On narrow roads or in town it is more relaxing to drive the nimbler G.
One point about the G which is getting lost is that it is a practical car: it is narrow, therefore it fits into parking spaces; due to its height is has short doors which can be easily opened in parking lots; its boot is significantly bigger than the boot of the Mercedes E-class estate; and (for people with three children) it is possible to fit three child-seats into the back and the children are able to close the seat-belts themselves (most cars are now configured as four-seaters with a symbolic third seat in the middle, Mercedes E-class for example, not sure about the Range Rover).
The G might be more than thirty years old but in many ways it has more appeal than any modern car. [Shame that Mercedes decided to sell the G350 and not the G500]
I am sure Clarkson is quite correct in his opinion regarding the G Wagon compared with many of the latest 4x4s. To disagree with him or to argue the validity of his case is to miss the point completely.
The G Wagon is an outdated design that will never compete in todays market as an alternative driving machine. What the G Wagon is and has is the ability to be timeless, as an example I have and have had all of the latest and "best?" 4x4s, BUT still wanted a G Wagon.
My H reg G is acceptable in any company, it is unlike an old RR or ML Merc or an old Land Cruiser or any other old 4x4, not seen as a car you would like new but can't afford, but as the choice of a discerning enthusiast who appreciates enginering at its finest and is prepared to value that above some of the latest tech-no that will be outdated before the paint is dry.
So to those who get over excited at any attack on their chosen love, calm down and keep your heads held high, you are driving a unique and wonderfull example of engineering excellence, that will hold its value and be sort after by discerning drivers who appreciate these qualities.
The greatest danger is that it is made to please the Clarkson readers of this world and becomes just another run of the mill 4x4.
Perfect response!
Nicely put Les
Spider1V
I agree, a good response but one is still allowed to disagree with Jeremy Clarkson. Top Gear did what I regard as a reasonable comparison of the G and the Range Rover [http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/test-merc-rangie-2011 ]. They had no problems with the seating position and were able to close the doors/ open the boot without assistance. I stick to my observation, Jeremy is getting old.
Related, a recent conversation with my wife:
Question: what is a Porsche Cayenne?
Answer: the car we drove for a week over Easter .
Response: really, I thought that was one of those Korean cars.
One might conclude that perfection without character is pointless.
clarkson is getting on now....i think he should retire somewhere in the far east and drive a hyundai !
hammond stated that the G55 WAS THE COOLEST CAR ON THE PLANET !
actually all G's are cool. from twodogs ultra cool 240 GDL wolf to the top of the range G55 that most of us dream of.
one thing for sure is that people that drive G's are selcet, and not the run of the mill cayenne and Q7 drivers. in the early 80's not everyone drove a mercedes. select people drove them. today EVERYONE drives a mercedes !!
not everyone can own and drive G.......!
let the critics write waht they want , they have to earn a living too i guess.\
happy motoring guys!
hus
Having read the article, and at the risk of getting flamed from other members he does draw to the surface some of the G's short comings, and he is careful to state the positives against the negatives. Yes the ride in a G, when you compare it to a RR will be jarring because the G does not have air suspension.
Though his comment about the driving position and the steering wheel was a tad unfair, as he probably could not find the steering adjustment - muppet. I have had many 6 footer compliment the seating positions and reach in the G.
I also think that MB lost out here, as they gave him a 350, when they should have given him a 55 or the 500 RHD rumored to be in the UK somewhere, though I will state its only a rumor. (would be nice if it were so). I am not having a go at the 350, but one would have thought MB would have thought this one out a bit more.
As for Hamster............ I like 'cos he likes the G and the Bowler WildCat, though the fact he is almost every station does wear thin.
As for Capt Slow......... jury still out
Spider1V
I did a search to see if someone had posted a link to this before, but if they have, I couldn't find it....
Chris Harris, now back at Evo, did a review of the G350 in May this year and imho he seems to 'get it': -
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/267637/mercedesbenz_gwagen...
Make sure to watch the video at the bottom.
I agree, he gets it: objectively it can not be justified but one wants one.
Hi Aero94, I posted this review back on 11th May under title 'Review of G350 by Evo'; it's an interesting review - as you say, Chris Harris certainly seems to understand the G better than Clarkson!!
"Hi Aero94, I posted this review back on 11th May under title 'Review of G350 by Evo'; it's an interesting review - as you say, Chris Harris certainly seems to understand the G better than Clarkson!!"
Strange. My search for Evo only returned 3 posts and none were the G review. I couldn't see a time limit on the search but perhaps there is.
I've spent time with Chris Harris on a few occasions, whilst he reviewed cars, and whilst he is very opinionated, he is open to cars that deviate from the mainstream. He is able to be charmed by unique vehicles and judge them on their merits, whilst not feeling the need to do a direct comparison to another vehicle deemed to be similar.
His review, unlike the children's entertainer Clarkson, is a fair take on the G IMHO.
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"clarkson is getting on now....i think he should retire somewhere in the far east and drive a hyundai !
hammond stated that the G55 WAS THE COOLEST CAR ON THE PLANET ! "
Yes Clarkson is getting old.. needs his comfy slipper's power wagon now! I must admit to not un-recommending a Diso Td5 from his review which seemed to be based on the fact that it actually moved (unlike a 300GD!! and previous LR products)
As for that Hamster ... does he actually know anything beyond where to find a hairdrier? Seems to pop up on any program as the rental grinning autocue reader. The fairer sex seem to find him cute .. he has no other function?