How Much Does a Restored G-Wagon Cost?
The answer depends primarily on two things: which engine you choose and whether you want the short or long wheelbase configuration. There are some other exterior options for purchase, but almost everything else such as interior colors, wheels, and standard features, is included at base.
Engine Selection
Engine choice is the most significant pricing variable in the EMC program. The differences between options reflect genuine variation in build complexity and driving character.
Short Wheelbase base pricing:
- OM602 diesel — $185,000
- OM605a turbodiesel — $210,000
- OM606a turbodiesel — $220,000
- LS3 V8 — $252,500
The OM602 is where the program starts. The original naturally aspirated 2.5L five-cylinder fitted to the 250GD Wolf, widely known as the million-mile engine, is the most authentic configuration for the EMC Wolf. For clients who want the truck as it was in the field, this is the right choice.
The OM605a and OM606a turbodiesels step up meaningfully in power and speed capabilities. Our OM605a produces 225 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque; the OM606a, a 3.0L six-cylinder, delivers 275 horsepower and 350 lb-ft. Both retain genuine Mercedes lineage while making the platform more capable at 70-80mph highway speeds as well as in mixed driving conditions. Integrating these engines correctly requires engineering work that goes well beyond a standard swap — cooling capacity, driveline spec, and supporting systems have all been internally developed to handle the increased output.
A LS3 V8 Wolf is the most involved build we produce. A brand-new 6.2L GM crate engine producing 430 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic, it represents the furthest expression of what the EMC 250GD platform is capable of. The surrounding systems, a proprietary cooling package engineered specifically for the 250GD chassis, a fully re-engineered driveline built to handle the output over time, and custom-fabricated supporting components are all developed in-house. The result is a build that feels cohesive and factory.
Body Configuration
The Long Wheelbase adds $15,000 across whichever engine it is paired with.
Long Wheelbase base pricing:
- OM606a turbodiesel — $235,000
- LS3 V8 — $267,500
The LWB maintains the same open-top, analog character as the short wheelbase Wolf while adding interior volume and seating capacity, great for clients who need more space without giving up what makes the platform special.
What's Included at Base
A number of things that might appear to be options are standard within the EMC program.
Interior color is one of them. Our weatherproof upholstery spans 35 colors, made for durability and designed to hold up to genuine use: sun, salt, sand, and everything else that comes with driving a convertible G-Wagon as it was meant to be driven. No color carries an additional cost. The same applies to wheels: three options are available through the custom G-Wagon builder, all included in the base price.
Every current generation "V6" build also comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay, air conditioning, heated seats, a backup camera, a Harman sound system, and phone chargers front and rear, integrated discreetly so that the interior still reads as a purpose-built, period-correct environment.
Additional Options
Beyond the base build, a range of additions can be specified:
- EMC Bull Bar
- Winch Bumper with Warn Winch
- Indicator Guards
- Indicator Color
- Headlamp Guards
- Baja Design Pod Lights
- Fox Reservoir Suspension
- Running Board Side Step
- 3rd Row Jump Seats
- 2nd Row Bench Seat
Each is priced individually within our custom G-Wagon builder.
What the 2,500 Hours Actually Covers
Every sixth generation (V6) EMC Wolf , regardless of engine or configuration, is a ground-up restoration requiring over 2,500 man-hours of in-house work. That figure covers the full scope of what it takes to bring a 30-year-old ex-military vehicle to the standard these trucks leave our shop at.
The process begins with complete disassembly. Every body panel is taken to bare metal and hand-restored by our team, not replaced from a catalog as brand-new replacement body parts do not exist for the Wolf. Every panel on a finished EMC build is original to the vehicle, brought back from bare metal by hand. It is time-consuming work and preserves the storied history of each individual truck in a way that sourced replacements never could.
From there: frame restoration, complete rewiring of the entire vehicle, driveline restoration, full drivetrain rebuild on diesel configurations, and sound deadening throughout the cabin. Interior components, some designed in-house and 3D printed by our team, are engineered specifically to allow modern hardware to integrate cleanly into the original architecture. The central dash, for example, was not designed to house wireless CarPlay or a modern HVAC unit. Our components are built to accommodate both while following the original design language, so the finished cabin feels considered rather than retrofitted. Assembly, quality control, and road testing complete the process before any truck leaves the shop.
Nearly a Decade of Development
Since 2017, every build has informed the next. The engineering solutions developed for one generation, cooling systems, driveline calibration, interior integration, carry forward and compound across the program. The current V6 generation is the product of that accumulated learning applied across more than 175 builds. For a full breakdown of how the program has evolved, the V1 to V6 blog covers each generation in detail.
Starting the Process
The custom G-Wagon builder is the most direct way to work through a spec and understand where a fully optioned build lands. You can also view our Mercedes-Benz 250GDs for sale on our inventory page.
For questions about specific options, current availability, or build timelines, the team is reachable directly through our contact form at the top of the page.
