We now live in France for nine-ten months of each year, so have decided to not pretend we will use our G when in the States for only a couple of months. Our last major trip was 2024.  We then finalized getting ready to travel to Prudhoe AK, when we had the opportunity to relocate to the Southern French Mountains. We would ship it over, but France just won’t allow this model or year. They also frown on modifications. France has similar rules like the 25 year, US rule.

We have spared no expense keeping it fully serviced and making sure we did not depreciate the interior by using it as we did. We are very careful. As an example, the interior platform is built inboard of and does not contact or rub on the interior. We removed the rear seat and it is stored as new. I can replace the rear seat and remove the drawer system if requested. We also have the OEM stock running boards, rear glitzy black and Stainless Steel spare tire cover, side steps and chrome bull bar.

Three sets of tires on two sets of wheels:  All sets have a matching spare tire and fifth spare wheel.

1. Rotoform Black with Blizzak Winter tires. Used for < 1000 miles. 275/65/18.

2. Stock Silver MB Wheels currently with Yokohama Tires at around 5,000 miles used on paved roads. 265/60/18.

3. Falken Wildpeak 275/65/18 used for 15,000 miles, generally on unpaved roads. We switch these with the Yokohama as needed.

The interior has a long drawer, which is also used as a table. 4000 watts of battery storage, charged while driving. Although never used, we have a large folded array of Jackery solar panels as well, that stores behind the refrigerator.

The drawer system is made of furniture grade Walnut and Maple with 300 lb full extension glides. I was a involved in furniture manufacturing for 40 years. We built a full plastic mock-up before building the drawer. I can remove the drawer system if required.

Vitrifrigo, Italian refer. We have had these in two trucks and they work very well. It is powered from the Jackery Battery at 120 volts.

The 120  volt to 12 volt convertor powers our Espar winter heater, which has an electronic thermostat that resides in the tent, is diesel fuel powered with a strong supply and return tube at each end of the tent. We generally travel in fall and winter, so use the heater quite a bit. It resides inside its case in the truck, when not in use, does not smell and plugs into the rear 2” hitch at night. At 15 degrees the tent stays at about 50. It is built into a yellow Pelican case attached to an aluminum 2” square tube that fits within the rear receiver hitch.

The 23Zero Tent is approx. a king size mattress in size. It is very high quality. Easy to set up and return to its hinged cover in about five minutes. Quite tall and very dark inside. We would buy it again.

The platform has an engineered area for a mountain bike, 2--5 gallon Wavian water bottles, the heater, Jackery Battery, Vitrifrigo refrigerator and a small aluminum ladder that stores behind the two front seats. All fits and packs with ease as long as you pack the same way each day. Luggage goes in front of the water bottles. Dry food in plastic containers between the refer and Jackery. All strapped down using the continuous rail system. We can do a WhatsApp or Facetime video to get a better idea. Directly behind the front seats is a hinged portion of the platform that opens to reveal a large storage area with two additional long areas adjacent to the sides of the long drawer.

The Audio system uses an iPad (included-with internet capability) and an interface for Pandora music and G-Map running through the stock radio. I know an aftermarket radio fits, but I prefer keeping this stock. Plus it elevates the screen where one needs to look. It also has a digital GPS speedo.

The light controller has five functions currently being used out of eight available. 1. Yellow LED within the round lights-like a parking/running light, 2. The round light on full, 3. The light bar, 4. License plate on/off, 5. Rear backup light. All lights can be strobed in emergencies. The controller was installed without drilling any holes. My rule is no holes. If MB didn’t provide one, I look for an alternative. The Triple R lights are made in the UK and quite high quality. I’d use them again. The rear light is Black Oak brand.

The rear rack (Rigid.com) is a great carrier. No sag, perfect alignment. Built in expanding work table. Extra bottle and fuel carrier. And you can still tow with it installed. I’ve not towed, but do use the 2” receiver for the heater. Trailer wiring is via a stock interface from MB. There is nine gallons of fuel storage on the rack. (5 + 4)

We used JackWagenOverlanding.com for the Koni shocks, 2” suspension spring upgrade, aluminum side rails and side protection in place of the OEM side steps. Steering damper was replaced with a FOX unit. All great materials. Never impacted. We are not rock crawlers. An ARB compressor shown in the grey plastic ARB case under the lift up floor is included for airing down and up.

Maintenance:

100,600---Bleed diff. locks, replace drive belt bearings with field replaceable heavy duty type, replace drive belt tensioner, new drive belt, replace both pressure intensifier units for the locking diffs., replace radius arm bushings, replace radius arms, fuel filter, replace all brake hoses with longer version, spark plugs, ignition wires and drive belt. Oil filter and gear oils. Install new suspension. Alignment completed.

104,800---Oil and filter

107,000 replaced swivel ball grease

108,500---Oil and filter

114,000---replaced sway bar end bushings and brackets. Oil and filter

117,000—replaced engine mounts, rear mount and both side engine dampers (little shocks)

119,000---Remove and replace oil filter housing gaskets, oil cooler complete, coolant, Oil and filter, new drive belt.

Feel free to text 7082058348 and ask me to return your call, which I will do promptly. We will be in the U.S. until September. I will deliver anywhere in the US for a return flight.

All in, we are at about $86,000 with all turnkey equipment  including the truck and have used it for 23,000 miles. No breaks or trouble. Always perfect starting. Great AC and Heat. We have been from 13,000 feet and run along the Mexican / U.S. fence twice with BP permission.

The G 500 for 2008 was one of the best years with one of the most reliable engines. All of our travels have been in the dry Western U.S. We used to live in CO.

VIN = WDCYR49E38X175161         $62,000 seems quite fair.

Carfax will show western owned and my purchase from the previous owner who relocated to the Chicago area, I believe from AZ.

Title in-hand.

We rebranded the truck as a PUCH with an official PUCH kit we bought in Graz, Austria. I have the OEM pieces. As you may know they were branded both as Mercedes and Puch depending on sales location. The colored areas are a vinyl wrap. I’m not a fan of all black vehicles and felt it needed more visibility. And I think it looks great. It is of course removable if required, but I do get at least one compliment per day.