Looking at an R class...

[mobeyone]

All, its been a while.

Well, I am looking at buying the R350 7 seater....... what says you? are they reliable? are they a good buy? well built?

The prices are tumbling nicely for me and 08s look set to drop around the £20k mark which would be in line with my budget.

So, any tips, advice etc?

I know they are not the best for fuel economy.....

 

[GP801]

Generally well thought of but not that popular in the uk but that means great value used. They are much more popular on the continent. Lots around in Italy/France. Need to be diesel to resell unless very cheap. In my opinion a good car that never captured the public in the uk.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

^Agreed.
I am looking for a bigger car and the R-Class fits the bill just nicely. Except it doesn't. I just can't get over the way it looks and the mpg figures, even the diesel, aren't good- low 20s round town.

 

[mobeyone]

^Agreed.
I am looking for a bigger car and the R-Class fits the bill just nicely. Except it doesn't. I just can't get over the way it looks and the mpg figures, even the diesel, aren't good- low 20s round town.

I have a 7 seater and with an family of 5 I cannot compromise on this having been used to the space that comes with said 7 seater..... the R class to me gives me similar size, space and comfort aswel as being behind a Benz again.

The falling prices are crazy! Low mileage 08 plates are common place and are clearly not selling so another year/reg will I would imagine push these down further as dealers look to offload.

Are they a reliable car though? moreso the electrics.

 

[BTB 500]

My German in-laws have got a mid-2006 R350 (LWB, 6 seat) that they bought as a 12 month old 1 owner car. The only issue I know of was that the power tailgate sometimes didn't latch fully shut ... it needed a bit of a push. But that was sorted and has been fine since. Theirs is fully loaded with COMAND etc. and very nice inside. I've been a passenger in it frequently both in Germany and over here (they drive over at least a couple of times a year).

It's quite sprightly for a big car, and the engine sounds pretty decent too

 

[timwood2000]

Ok, I am a fan, but providing they suit the purpose you want one for, they are great.

I use mine for central London half the time and motorways the rest - they are much better suited to motorways where I maintain that they provide near S class levels of quiet and ride comfort. Round town, they are fine, but they are big cars.

I have had mine for 3 years and the problems I have encountered have been an oil leak, an alternator failure and that's about it. I have heard about the elec boot lid problem, but mine has been fine - occasionally it 'thinks' about opening/closing, but always sorts itself out quickly - never left me stranded.

Fuel-wise - 28-35 on the motorway depending how fast you go and around town, low 20's. I had a Range Rover before, so I am always delighted with fuel economy and reliability.

For a big car, with luxury, individualistic status, presence, and a decent drive, the for me at least, there is nothing to compete.

My benchmark is that the next car I will own is a Bentley Continental Flying Spur, and until they fit into my price range, I am more than happy with my 'R'

 

[camerontyler]

Clarkson says the best 7 seater is the Volvo XC90, and he's had at least 2 (diesel).

I always take his word as gospel, except when he says the mondeo is better than my c-class and says it isn't very pretty, I turn a blind eye at that but the fact he (and importantly Frances his Mrs) own and drive one says it all to me. If i remember correctly, he slated the R class and more to the point it's not very economical.

 

[BTB 500]

Mrs BTB was given a lift in a friend's XC90 this week and said the interior was very poor quality. I was somewhat surprised at this, given that her car is a 14 year old Audi A4 with over 130k miles on the clock!

 

[bh13coupe]

Mrs BTB was given a lift in a friend's XC90 this week and said the interior was very poor quality. I was somewhat surprised at this, given that her car is a 14 year old Audi A4 with over 130k miles on the clock!

Volvo have released a low spec 2wheel drive no frills XC90 recently, not to be confused with the higher spec wagons. Could have been one of those.

I will be looking at either an R-Class used or a Eclass estate both V6 diesels next year, 7 seat would be great. need something to handle family holidays but can shift if necessary. I will be watching this thread with interest

 

[BobbyHowie]

Had my LWB R350 since new March 2004 and has now done 40,000 miles.
Just had it in the garage to replace front and rear pads and they discovered a leaking shock absorber which they're going to replace free even though my warranty has expired.
Only other problem I've had(got!) is the sunroof is playing up which they're going to look at when the shocker is being replaced next week. They're also going to try to get that fixed for free.

The car has been great and wouldn't consider another though fuel consumption is pretty poor - low to mid 20's at best. 2nd hand prices are tumbling so you should get a good deal. I don't like to think what I've lost since new!

 

[mobeyone]

Thanks all...

Reliability is key for me but fuel consumption is something I should be weary off.. whats the best engine? is the 280 any better? or which model represents best value for money?

Thanks!

 

[BTB 500]

Well ... a petrol one will probably be cheaper to buy, but you'll get lower MPG. So depends what mileage you do, and how long you plan to keep it. I doubt there'd be a huge difference in economy between the petrol engines TBH, that's certainly true with the SL.

 

[npuk]

Fuel economy was improved in the new facelift models launched this summer but there is now only two engine options.

MERCEDES-BENZ fuel consumption | MERCEDES-BENZ emissions shows MPG figures for the various models.

 

[krish]

R Class Models

Hello All,

I am a new member here looking for an R 320.
I am confused with LWB / SWB. Can anyone help me to understand the differences.?

Cheers,
Krish

 

[npuk]

LWB - Long Wheel Base
SWB - Short Wheel Base

Mercedes-Benz R-Class (06 on) - Facts & Figures - Parker's

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Hello All,

I am a new member here looking for an R 320.
I am confused with LWB / SWB. Can anyone help me to understand the differences.?

Cheers,
Krish

Welcome to the forum Krish.

If you intend to use the rear most row of seats regularly, and still need some storage space in the boot, it's best get the LWB.

 

[Gucci]

I quite like the R-Class for it's quirkiness - but the front lights I've never warmed to. Impressed when I sat in one at Brooklands.

 

[Smatt]

The styling is very similar to the B class, but larger.
I often have a job working out if a car is a B or an R when there is one in the rear view mirror.

 

[BTB 500]

Volvo have released a low spec 2wheel drive no frills XC90 recently, not to be confused with the higher spec wagons. Could have been one of those.

Got Mrs BTB to look today, and it's an 03 plate. So not exactly a new car, but half the age of her Audi!

 

[drocter]

I think the R Class is a seriously underrated car, especially a nicely specd R320 CDI LWB..but if I needed to haul about more than 5 people, I'd always choose a Discovery TD V6 HSE...I've hired a couple of these on occasion and they are exceptionally good. Just a tad thirsty