Driving an R-Class - First Month

[r280]

Since I have now had my R280 for almost one month I thought I'd share some feedback from living with the car.

Good Points

• I like the height of the car. Entry and exit is easy for all shapes and sizes. In previous 'real' SUV's some people had difficulties with the height.
• I like the looks of the car. It has grown on me over the past few weeks.
• To drive, it is very, very smooth. Initially, the gearbox was making some abrubt downshifts as it rolled towards a stop. However, it now seems to have stopped doing this.
• The engine is very quiet and civilised. Of course it is only a 3 litre engine in a large car and therefore, can occasionally feel underpowered. However, you soon learn to drive around this.
• The fuel consumption over the first 1000 miles is almost 28 mpg. Considering the overall average speed in that period is low 30's, I don't think that is too bad
• The car seems very practical and well thought out. Seats are easy to adjust and get comfortable. Steering wheel also. All controls are pretty intuitive and I have quickly got used to the gear change on the column (in fact, I wonder why all auto's are not like this...).
• Load bay is easy to use and I like the additional storage under the boot floor.

Weaknesses

• My main gripe is a stupid one. It does not seem possible to have the display set to show the outside temperature. Instead I am stuck with a daft digital km/h display. Since I am at least 200 miles from continental Europe, this seems a bit daft. I have read some threads about the legal requirements and also about the possibility of getting this modified, but I have not seen a definitive solution.
• The whole display / steering wheel controls seems a little complex and counter-intuitive at times. In order to see 'remaining range' you have to go through several button presses...
• The Ipod Integration works well, but again it is a little counter-intuitive - requiring presses of the phone answer/hang up switches. Also the song title display is limited to the drivers display and does not show up on the radio unit?????

Summary

A great car that is much maligned. I'm glad I got it!!!!!!!

 

[Seamster15]

I'm assuming that the R280 is petrol? or is it the new diesel?

 

[r280]

I'm assuming that the R280 is petrol? or is it the new diesel?

Sorry, I was not clear. In the UK market, Mercedes do not offer the R-class with the 280 petrol engine, so mine is the R280CDI diesel, which is effectively a detuned 3 Litre diesel (same basic engine as 320CDI). The R280CDI has 190HP and 440NM.

 

[Dieter]

Hi R280,

I had the same query about speedometer/temp settings etc. but UK Law states that both mph and kph must both be displayed. Like the R-class the ML-speedo is calibrated only in mph so kph must be displayed somewhere...thus outside temp display is not UK option

All it needs though is a dual (mph/kph) calibrated speedometer and then the temp option would become (legally) available.

You soon get used to menu changes and 'paging' up down (change menus) and 'arrowing' up/down (scroll through menus) becomes second nature...same for iPOD integration, which frankly, I switch on/off by CDC button...also iPOD sound is low so have to '+' sound to hear iPOD....switching back to radio though can 'blow your eardrums'

Cheers,

 

[Mactech]

I think you do get used to the menu system on the display and I don't give it a thought any more in either the E Class (same system) or the S.
I can confirm that if you feel the engine is a little underpowered at times, then a word with 'Superchips' will solve the problem. This unit is extermely responsive to their input. (no real suprise as it is mechanically the same as the 320)
Enjoy your comfort and space!

 

[davidjpowell]

Hi R280,

I had the same query about speedometer/temp settings etc. but UK Law states that both mph and kph must both be displayed. Like the R-class the ML-speedo is calibrated only in mph so kph must be displayed somewhere...thus outside temp display is not UK option

Close. Must be capeable of display. Our Espace is cleverer than MB in this respect and can switch between the two.

David

 

[r280]

also iPOD sound is low so have to '+' sound to hear iPOD....switching back to radio though can 'blow your eardrums'

Cheers,

It may be worth checking this article - to ensure your ipod interface is set to "+++". Volume on mine is fine (same as radio)...

http://www.mercupgrades.com/iPod+Volume+too+low+fixes-article-45.html

 

[richard]

Comand.co.uk (pm alfie) can also easily on the R class code the following: -
a) Removal of that horribile UK mode you describe, allowing you to chose that display to show temp, mph or kmh.
b) gallons left in the fuel remaining display
c) Tyre pressure loss warner if you dont have it
and a few other things

As to UK mode, I think MB just got it wrong, but the car was type approved like that so no point to change it as it will cost dosh to even consult the lawyers.

However, I beleive having an outside temperature guage permanenly displayed in the winter is a safety requirement - you *need* to know when the temperature drops below about 1.5degress because of black ice.

Richard

 

[A210AMG]

Hello


I like the R-class, lucky for me not many people seem to so some great buys...

For now though I will stick with the ML

 

[mw_C32]

Weaknesses
My main gripe is a stupid one. It does not seem possible to have the display set to show the outside temperature. Instead I am stuck with a daft digital km/h display. Since I am at least 200 miles from continental Europe, this seems a bit daft. I have read some threads about the legal requirements and also about the possibility of getting this modified, but I have not seen a definitive solution.
The whole display / steering wheel controls seems a little complex and counter-intuitive at times. In order to see 'remaining range' you have to go through several button presses...

With you on that one, these small niggles really grind don't they.

Glad your enjoying the car, lovley motor.

Mark.

 

[Dieselman]

Is the fitment of the inboard light unit/grille meant to be that bad or did they crash this car on the way into the arena.?

 

[raymont]

Don't know if the R command is the same as the GL, but if it is select the standard menu ( the one with mileage displayed) and then page down until you see outside temp displayed where the mileage was previously shown. This leaves the speed in kph on the bottom small screen.

Command user interface is, in my opinion, dreadful and sat nav is at best adequate.

 

[glojo]

I think you do get used to the menu system on the display and I don't give it a thought any more in either the E Class (same system) or the S.
I can confirm that if you feel the engine is a little underpowered at times, then a word with 'Superchips' will solve the problem. This unit is extermely responsive to their input. (no real suprise as it is mechanically the same as the 320)
Enjoy your comfort and space!

Cost wise I note there is all but a £3000 price difference between the 280 and 320. Is this all down to upgrading the 3ltr engine? If so is it more cost effective to chip the 280? I suppose a big worry would be the insurance??? (big worry or just a smallish concern?)

Regards
John

 

[Dieter]

Hi,

I have always been interested in exactly what the difference(s) between the 280 and 320 CDi engines is/are.

Surely it can't be just the ecu....else @ £3K it 'b....y' expensive.

I assume that there is a real difference...turbo size/inlet manifold etc i.e. actually 3£K worth of mechnical parts......but does anyone know?

Cheers,

 

[nick mercedes]

Hi,

I have always been interested in exactly what the difference(s) between the 280 and 320 CDi engines is/are.

Surely it can't be just the ecu....else @ £3K it 'b....y' expensive.

I assume that there is a real difference...turbo size/inlet manifold etc i.e. actually 3£K worth of mechnical parts......but does anyone know?

Cheers,

The intercoolers are all the same as far as I know, so it must be software related?

I've got a Daf box van, they've all got the same 5.9ltr engine, but some are 130, 150, 180, 210bhp etc so it's not just a 211 thing.

 

[raymont]

There isn't a linear relationship between cost to make and the selling price.

The selling price is determined by the market position of the product and what the market will bear / how much buyers are willing to pay.

 

[glojo]

The intercoolers are all the same as far as I know, so it must be software related?

I've got a Daf box van, they've all got the same 5.9ltr engine, but some are 130, 150, 180, 210bhp etc so it's not just a 211 thing.

You don't even need to look that far. The Sprinter range has numerous power outputs for the four cylinder diesel.

John

 

[nick mercedes]

You don't even need to look that far. The Sprinter range has numerous power outputs for the four cylinder diesel.

John

True, same with Vitos, but that's down to intercoolers.

 

[nick mercedes]

There isn't a linear relationship between cost to make and the selling price.

The selling price is determined by the market position of the product and what the market will bear / how much buyers are willing to pay.

It could be a tax thing as well.