Driving the Oldest vs Newest G-Wagon

Thanks to Factor75 for sponsoring today's video. Use code DONUT50 to get 50% off your first Factor box at bit.ly/3YXZZhV !
The Mercedes G-Wagon went from the European standard in military vehicles to the icon of luxury and opulence, but how?
If you're interested, check out "The Mercedes-Benz G-Class: The Complete History of an Off-Road Classic" by Jörg Sand here -- a.co/d/hKC5Dmr
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[@8bitbonsai]

as an austrian myself i can say the austrian military is still rocking those old g-wagon. i drove one in my time and they are almost unkillable

[@kingplatano1592]

I feel the g-wagon is to Germany what the Land Cruiser is to Japan started as a military vehicle became a giant luxury suv

[@no1DdC]

The old version is still being produced, both for the military and the civilian market.

[@Countrysideboy247]

@@no1DdC for civilian market I don't think so

[@NoOneForNow1]

same thing for algeria we still produce them locally

[@altergreenhorn]

With a Puch sticker not Mercedes

[@someperson7]

I'm really appreciating the increased frequency of Donut Posts

[@nateg.6187]

piggy baacking... I appreciate they don't have 6 channels for each "show" they portray on the parent channel here.

[@KantslerOlaf]

SO MUCH

[@that.slow.e3660]

@@nateg.6187 eh now they have 3 channels

[@jonkeller9214]

honestly I'd trade a few episodes of B2B for the frequency :'(

[@jordanz7516]

Yeah but at the cost of abandoning some of our favorite shows?

[@stewartanderson6433]

Can't believe that Donut is officially big enough to work directly with Brabus. So proud of you guys.

[@Psych0technic]

They are in a freaking forza and crew, so no big surprise.

[@davideslava3526]

As a Spaniard, I was proud to see the Granada license plate on the old G 👏

[@OutOfBurgers]

Eso mismo pensé al ver el GR y la banda azul en la matrícula

[@PaganiGaming]

Day 389 of asking James to do and Up to speed on his Dad

[@zachmiller05]

The fact that I remember day one of this 😭 😭

[@JuicyFruits1611]

I agree with this message

[@rbehan]

Make it so number one!

[@BigJ_FPV]

Sign this petition for James to do an up to speed on his dad 📝

[@thecouchgamered2007]

based

[@chaseanderson4063]

Whistlin diesels durability tests on a G wagon was crazy to watch. Way tougher than I gave them credit for 😂

[@luissalazar2590]

For 400k it better be

[@Tyler106940]

Looooo😂

[@ethenjordan2010]

@@luissalazar2590they aren’t 400. This one is bc it’s brabus.

[@ilikeMemes853]

​@@luissalazar2590starts at 118k

[@MaticTheProto]

@@luissalazar2590dude, that’s the price for the brabus, not the actual Mercedes price

[@KingCronan]

I love how you guys have found a way to bring Up to Speed-like show back. This kind of educational content is what first brought me to Donut and I'm glad to see it back in a new wrapper!

[@milessamb]

You guys have become my top gear. I want to see a donut series like their old holiday specials.

[@danny_playswithcars]

Calling the W163 ML a GLE is a plot twist I've had yet to witness

[@w210black]

Thank you i own a w163 sport with 3 row leather satnav

[@MadZMax]

exactly! and another thing, wasn't the original G wagon specificly built for the king of iran's military? (I mean the Shah)

[@w210black]

The ml turned into the gle thats the sucsessor of the ml

[@deromegadrei]

I had to stop watching the video at that point....

[@Angry-Italian-garage]

Ml55 for the win

[@pekka75]

The insane thing is that the old G wagon is ten times cooler than the new G 🤩👊

[@nicksivert5431]

I see at a easier to fix perspective. But, it also looks pretty good, too.

[@PaulBlamey]

It may be cooler but my dad's friend had one and it's easily the worst car I've ever driven.

[@dewmontain123]

I disagree.

[@janeyarnold5483]

There very similar other then post 2019 g wagons which drive very differently

[@ZainPudding]

obviously its old plus it not for comfort

[@TTOS69]

Man I've wanted any series G wagon my whole life since I was a kid. Loved jeeps and just thought of it as the ultimate jeep.

[@prblackhawk]

Donut doing historical videos is one of my favourite things. Thats what got me hooked on them in 2017 with UpToSpeed and I still live for it now

[@sm42812]

I love that Nolan is always stuck driving the cheap cars

[@gorehammer1]

Some of us like the cheap cars😁

[@user-pt5dm2zd2w]

Have you already seen a hanomag tractor on the road at 140 km.h? There is a video from Germany

[@caleb2242]

The red vehicle is not cheap

[@caleb2242]

$50-$150k

[@gorehammer1]

@@caleb2242 that is still cheap relative to the white one.

[@codyredfern88]

These Past to Present videos are awesome. Love seeing the older cars get love to show people what came before today's modern rides. Makes you appreciate what is here now more.

[@bergerniklas6647]

But would be cool to have one from the middle aswell, just to see the improvment over time...

[@mRkeLabR]

Yeah, but they should have gone for the recent G63 AMG instead of a car that has been heavily modified by a tuner - it doesn’t even wear the Mercedes badge. Also, it would have been super cool if they had included the G65 AMG - which was just crazy with its V12 😂

[@aaronbeaupre909]

Yet again, another episode that would be an AMAZING full-length video. Man I wish you guys could expand on stuff like this, really get into the hows and whys of the vehicles

[@zachworthington2801]

Awesome video! I loved the format of this, it felt like a great cross between TV show and talking with buds. Thanks Donut!

[@Madnessnunky]

I wish car companies would make simpler cars like that again. Something that you can rely on and just WORKS when you need it to. Simple maintenance, simple parts.

[@snesguy9176]

Yep. I've wanted a small simple truck since I was a kid, and dont want to pay a premium for a beat up s10 these days. I'd kill for something like those imported kei trucks, just with more leg room. I drive a Toyota FJ these days, bout as close as I can reasonably get I guess.

[@martintaylor984]

This is why I only drive OBS fords and my wife even will only drive first gen durangos….. we have 4 of each 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️😂😂😂

[@TheLZempir3]

You're actually mad at the EPA. But ya, car companies suck.

[@bghoody5665]

@@TheLZempir3 Glad someone mentioned this. Don't blame the car companies (not completely anyway). It's the EPA and safety councils who demand that cars have a hundred airbags and get a million MPG with no emissions that force your car to be anything but simple.

[@albertoacosta6788]

@@martintaylor984yup anything pre 97 ford all mostly the same once you had 1 or a couple they are easy af to work on why I’m buying as much as I can one from every generation and double if diesel or bronco versions

[@Steirabluatiskoahimbeersoft]

As someone who drove the old G Class ( Puch G) in the Austrian Military, I can confirm they are very mobile off-road

[@Pavlos_Charalambous]

As some who drove g wagons in the Greek army I 10000% agree with your statement 😉

[@rubenmireles5545]

As someone who witnessed 2 other comments that these are very mobile offroad. I can confirm this as well

[@neunzehnvierundachtzig]

as someone who drove toyota for some certain organisation in Afghanistan, I can confirm Toyota Would beat tf outta Gwagon.

[@wills9487]

As someone who drove an 80s porsche I can neither confirm nor deny those allegations

[@johnm1008]

MTV's Cribs was a huge part of the Gwagon becoming a household name so quickly

[@BAS3BALL_bat]

😠Brabus: "You drove it hard. Now give it back!" 😂👍

[@turbo_marc]

i feel like the g-wagons have changed a lot and barely changed at the same time

[@jacksmack6956]

“Evolution”

[@mercedes_nuts]

If it aint broke, don't fix it. And these are hard to break.

[@turbo_marc]

@@mercedes_nuts you're right about that

[@LoganSLRLockwood]

They completely changed the platform in 2019, which is the "changed a lot" part, but kept the exact same basic styling that everybody loved about, which is the "barely changed" part.

[@AdultsAreTalking]

You said so much and so little at the same time

[@TheGreatChrisB]

G Wagons are a prime example that people like simplicity. It's literally a box with wheels, but it's perfect. Rather than try all these weird designs and shapes, they said let's just make it good, who cares what it looks like.

[@bwofficial1776]

Until MB started putting computers and luxury bits inside, the G-Wagen was pretty much unkillable. A mechanical gas or diesel inline engine with a manual or hydraulic automatic transmission and crank windows is pretty much as basic as it gets. Word is that the panel gaps are so big because it was intended to be repaired in the field with basic tools.

[@timonxDlol]

@@bwofficial1776it‘s still awesome and better to live with than ever before. Before this gen driving comfort etc. Simply sucked.

[@MaticTheProto]

@@bwofficial1776i mean have you seen the door hinges and closing mechanism? Extremely basic and rugged

[@whiteouthamstra]

I can think of another vehicle, manual transfer case, manual transmission still, can get them with no power doors or windows. Shaped like a brick and has been in steady production for over 70 years.. any guesses? Everyone loves to hate them even though they are cheaper and more reliable than the g wagon

[@MaticTheProto]

@@whiteouthamstra you mean that shitty toyota?

[@rrrandommman]

You say you can take it off road but for that price, with the removal of the front solid axle, adding so much power that you'd be hard pressed to crawl over rocky terrain or anything you need a gentle application of torque for. Reduction of payload capacity, tires that are too wide and so low profile they'd likely burst on first contact with anything sharp let alone be capable of airing down. For years the G-wagon has been ruined by it's AMG spec and useless set up. They made one adventure vehicle and now it's gone. Sad.

[@grimygaming1863]

The growth of this channel is crazy I’ve been watching from 200k keep up the good work love from Jamaica 🇯🇲

[@ariafarahani1126]

4:55 the Mercedes ML, not GLE. The GLE was a change in the nameplate to better reflect the new naming nomenclature they were going for. But technically it debuted as the ML

[@w210black]

Thank you i hsve a 02 ml320

[@nirfz]

Exactely and the change happened rather "recently". 2016 or so. The current gen GLE is the only one that has used the Name GLE from it's beginning and it's the 4th ML/GLE series. The change happened mid term in the 3rd gen.

[@alexander.chodkowski]

It didn’t just debut as the ML, it kept the name up until 2016.

[@cartilagehead6326]

ML is also a surprisingly capable 4x4 underneath all of the mall-crawler tat

[@quackman]

yeah. My dad had a ~2000 ML55 AMG.

[@mikehipwell2589]

This episode is very much an updated version of Up To Speed. Very nice! Keep up the great work boys. Loving all the content.

[@baitdaddyflave]

i still miss up to speed 😢

[@GardevoirTrainer1]

I miss U2S, too

[@evandaymon8303]

Yea but i rather just have actual format

[@borishernanfigueredoangari4671]

I loved the drone part with the radio audio, I think it increases the quality and the entreteinment of the videos, it almost feels like Donut Media has it's own channel and is as entretaining as Discovery turbo! Keep it up!!!

[@jerrogs]

You guys should do more of these vids. Driving the first version and current version of a model. Comparing them is so fun to watch. It's like up to speed with some past gas and bumper2bumper in one show

[@Trigger_5508]

I miss the up to speed series, seeing James teach automotive history in a fun way was good, i hope one day they will bring back the series

[@HirokaAkita]

I think that UTS has indeed finished its cycle. But if this format the new UTS, i'll be fine.

[@iangeracidrums6212]

This is pretty much an up to speed though but they actually get to drive the cars they’re talking about.

[@zett5355]

The sound on the new one is incredible.

[@cameronmcgroarty5657]

its because of the brabus aftermarket modifications

[@faheemabbas3965]

It’s a Brabus, a modded G-wagon. That’s why.

[@jfsharpie9975]

Been absolutely loving the consistency of uploads, keep up the great work

[@macedindu829]

I got here relatively recently, but you obviously deserve all the success. Great job brining a fun and new perspective to automotive youtube. Really looking forward to seeing what you can do with even more resources.

[@oliverxvi4373]

Just proves HOW RIGHT the design of the car was from the beginning! An old model in good condition is a good thing.

[@the_og_rubenmartin]

As a Spaniard, seeing a spanish plate on that old G-Wagen made me smile a bit😁😁. Great video as always guys, keep it up

[@Cambronidas]

He leido la matrícula y lo primero que he pensado es "que cojones hacen con un coche de Granada"

[@the_og_rubenmartin]

@@Cambronidas Me ha pasado lo mismo, pensaba que la imagen de la portada era Photoshop o algo pero resulta que no

[@nvco]

yo igual JAJAJAJ

[@acv243]

Not the original plate. GR-AN belongs to 1997. Very likely a German import.

[@nachoizuel779]

Tal cual, esa matricula es del 97 que cojones 🤨🤨🤨

[@jasongray6437]

The original one is always going to be the best for me!

[@cadenwhinnery4045]

this would be a great series

[@domsmith3978]

If only most of the rich snobby owners I see who drive this car, only knew what they really had. This video definitely changed my perspective on the G-Wagons

[@bwofficial1776]

It's a shame that one of the best factory off-roaders comes with massive rims with rubber-band tires and will never see anything more than an accidental curb in Beverly Hills. You can find several videos from the Mercedes-Benz Unimog and G-Wagen test track where these climb stairs and ford water up to the hood.

[@codemy666]

They still build simple utility versions of the G wagen. the 6x6 version you see people flexing with also came from a military version that's now in service with multiple militaries in the world. If you look at the basic utility military version of the current G wagen you wouldn't probably even understand that it's built on the newer platform

[@TheCrapman50]

I'd take the old G anytime, Raw and pure. ♥️

[@leotruuut245]

Same

[@GoldenxAlex1770]

This episode really had old top gear/ the grand tour vibes. Loved it!!

[@mendo707savmrb8]

Donut has grown so much. Can tell when they're getting loaned expensive cars

[@kentonyc]

This video has got that Up To Speed history learning vibe while keeping within sponsorship requirements, Donut really threaded that needle real nicely!

[@mas13ish1]

8 million is huge! Great job. Keep putting out cool content. Love the whole team.

[@najjimohammad9124]

One of the best car channels on KZbin I swear

[@noahfaino8573]

2 birds with one stone. Got an Up To Speed episode inside the VS episode ❤

[@bombaya85]

@2:09 @whistlindiesel has entered the chat

[@M.H_IR]

The G-class was developed as a military vehicle from a suggestion by the King of Iran Mohammad Reza Shah (at the time a significant Mercedes shareholder) to Mercedes[6] and was later offered as a civilian vehicle in 1979. In this military role the vehicle was sometimes referred to as the "Wolf". The Peugeot P4 was a variant made under licence in France with a Peugeot engine. The first military in the world to use it was the Argentine Army (Ejército Argentino) beginning in 1981 with the military model 461, at least one of these was captured in the Falklands and subsequently served with the Royal Air Force.

[@nf1369]

Correct!

[@Pavlos_Charalambous]

The Greek company ELVO also produce two miliary variants and rebuilds - refits older ones 😉 Btw they also make spare parts for military steyr trucks and rebuild them, as well as older " REO" trucks using the same steyr parts 😏 That's why you see steyr marathons still running after the first panch coming to Greece in... 1967!!

[@Zuflux]

Man I have such fond memories of the Original G-Wagon. It was the field car I was assigned to as a driver when I was doing my year-long basic training and military service. G240, could go anywhere. Locking diffs front and rear, had no power but somehow it could crawl its way through just about anything. It was such a fun year.

[@onandilewis3290]

That legendary grab handle🙌🏾

[@fairlylocal7961]

Please do one of these with the wrangler! A CJ6 and a 392 wrangler would be siiick 💪🏻

[@somepos69420]

Cj7*

[@raulllopisverdu8462]

So awesome to see the oldie goldie with a plate from Spain, my country! So cool you guys can keep the plate from the country of origin when you import a vehicle, here in Europe car modification rules, plates, registration obligations, etc. Everything is super controlled and overthought.

[@Adriander]

Con matrícula de Granada, con un par de….. 😂

[@taunuslunatic404]

Yo también soy español y me ha sorprendido ver esa matrícula.

[@Cooe.]

That's Europestan for you... 🤷‍♂

[@krazy1455]

Love you guys, been around since the early days of Donut. Congrats on 8M subs!

[@tislota_f]

the edits in this vid were fire!

[@jorgearagoncillorodriguez5221]

The old G wagon is a Spanish reg one! 🇪🇦🇪🇦That's cool I never thought I will see that on this channel. Saludos desde España!😁

[@kkshnb2553]

Feels like a spiritual successor to Up to Speed, more videos like these!

[@mq1405]

The old G wagon is sick, I’d love to build one

[@Fuck9oogleAskMe]

Comgratz on 8 Mil @Donut 🎉

[@Slicky__]

This channel is giving me the push I needed to start a project car. You all look like you are having the best time, all the time!

[@Partyczka]

Well, it's because you see only the good parts. They won't show you how another thing won't fit, another bolt or other thing broke. A project is a nightmare to be honest. My project took me over 200hr's, and a lot of money. At the end it landed in the crusher - almost nothing worked out as i planned. Was it worth it? Yea, i learned A LOT of things, had some fun, some happy moments, some sad moments. If you know what you are doing - go for it. Just be prepared that alot of unexpected things can go wrong, and be prepared to fail. A project is a walk through hell, but it's worth it if you enjoy working on things with engines. And remember: "The further you get from stock, the closer you stay to home"

[@randomstuff5541]

Love you guys you inspired me to start modifying my 2001 Toyota celica gt keep up the hard work

[@janzendavi]

This was liking getting up to speed on the history of the G-Wagen, what a novel concept

[@petersenjessem]

I literally just asked myself this question two weeks ago. Thanks for answering it!

[@microchrist6122]

The first gen ML trucks in the early 2000s had alot of this tech in it as well. Overbuilt and underrated 💪

[@servissop151]

It was basically a W210 on a lift kit

[@nirfz]

Funnily enough some of them were build in the same factory as the G. (But only the first ML series, the later ones are built only in the US)

[@capybara5522]

WE NEED TO CROWDFUND NOLAN GETTING THAT EARLY G WAGEN

[@MrPrajitura]

I’d argue he does pretty well on his own

[@mullingreen8370]

Love the drone footage!

[@tomlobos2871]

thank you donut, jut hit my mood while browsing military G models online.

[@CasualQuasar]

Please for the love of God don't call cars status symbols, you're only hurting the value by making people think it's worth the price tag 💀

[@aks10008]

They are. They are modern machines, it takes a lot of R&D lots and lots of hour man work, science, money to build machines like this.

[@legostop-motions4060]

As german I always like it when english people try to spell german words😂

[@omikron6218]

try? they weren't even trying here...

[@Pavlos_Charalambous]

As a Greek I always enjoy when everyone else is trying to spell Greek words 😂😂

[@alibabashits]

his pronunciation of Puch was abysmal

[@looooooonger]

Damn, some of these edits/shots are so smooth. Big up to the post team on this one.

[@RafaelDoSantos01]

That old top gear vibes! Love it ❤

[@Smennyboy]

As a w460 owner myself I really felt this episode. Amazing cars/trucks/tractors. Nolan should try a 300GD with a turbo!

[@dlerman66]

Getting top gear vibes. Kudos for the progress you've made with this channel guys! Keep it going 🎉

[@DJordanMedia]

Pleasure meeting you guys! BRABUS is top tier 🔥

[@otmgi3865]

Love this kind of video... comparing the first generation v current gen... civic, jeep, I'm sure there's more

[@oler777]

1:05 stop saying later in the video, you mean eight minutes from now

[@GetNinged]

give that man another shot at a Z06!!!!!!!

[@someperson7]

💯

[@samsonsunmola8147]

Finally! I love this new concept!!

[@mariesanchez]

We need a part two driving in snow! ❤

[@epi2045]

One thing not emphasized was the SUV factor. A SUV of this kind was rare and definitely Mercedes was in the SUV market early.

[@MrStealthy007]

Fun fact: the original g wagon is still being sold in india as the force gurkha

[@Countrysideboy247]

Except it lacks rear coilovers, solid front axle and full time 4x4 system of the original Gelandewagen. The xtreme version of the gurkha which came with solid front axle and rear coilovers was great though

[@MrStealthy007]

@@Countrysideboy247 well, didn't know that. Always Good to know more!

[@Alexanderaguilar]

Epic episode, so much top gear vibes... Love it! 🥰

[@nevea.4621]

I'm totally in love with my GW . It's rough and loud but definitely makes you feel safe . I drove through deep waters during hurricane season without problems. GW isn't for everyone ...if you like luxury smooth ride than should shop elsewhere. This is the beast 💪 🙌

[@GrandmaKaren803]

Congrats on 8 million guys! You deserve it.

[@wal]

You guys are the best, keep up the excellent videos 👍

[@joehans8645]

It’s crazy how far dount has come

[@user-di2gt1hr7d]

Love the classic top Gear feel of this video

[@tomparsons8991]

This video kinda felt like a "up to speed" from back in the old donut days.... And I bloody love it

[@fezy_sg1663]

Congrats on 8m boys! You deserve it ♥️

[@GlizzyGlockzJoee]

This was like a mini up to speed episode . BRING IT BACKKKKKKK

[@tiltaudwaynek5278]

NGL this video felt very Top Geary... and I LOVE it!!!

[@leequesada439]

We love you too James, and the rest of the crew too! Thank you for all your hard work and lets gets you boys to 9Million! LETS GOOOOOOOO!!!!

[@RafaelGarlan]

that last segment was the epitome of donut quality

[@t_rent247]

congrats on 8 milion! Ill be here waiting with a smile when you hit 9 million!

[@jacobjohns6047]

Growing up before the gwagon luxury craze i was around alot of military gwagons and always associated them with offroad military use it blew my mind as a teen learning that they made them into luxury vehicles

[@Ancient_Souls]

i like how after almost getting a heart attack, James got into healthy food. Respect bro

[@pedrozaya1407]

Really love this à la Top Gear vibe in this video, please do more videos like this one

[@tcayzer]

Please keep up this "Old vs. New" show with any & all vehicles!!! Please!!

[@rakeshiyer5637]

These G wagons have doors that make a peculiar clicky sound when opening and a slam sound when shut is really nice to listen to.

[@theorangedengarage]

Congrats on 8 Mil guys!!!!

[@KyleSmith-yy4mr]

More old vs new vids like this👌

[@noze02]

Nice video, G wagons are great!! Fun to have a car with a Spanish plate from Granada in Donut!!

[@bghoody5665]

Congrats on 8M subs, Donut.