verytalldave
MB Enthusiast
Perhaps this has already been mentioned in previous posts, but is the R class essentially an S class estate? Looking at your sideways photo I certainly feel that.
R Class versus Q7
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I don't think so, maybe a stretched ML floorpan? Remember the R Class is 4WD.
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It's difficult to pigeon hole it as it's very much a hybrid of requirements - trying to be all things to all people.
It's shares it's platform and components with the ML and GL, but is pitched as a luxury car (like an S-Class) rather than and SUV (like an ML- or GL-Class).
I think MB have avoided the MPV term because it doesn't fit with the luxury image and hence the GST (Grand Sports Tourer) tag they've given the R-Class.
hawk20
MB Enthusiast
Sadly no. If it had been it might have sold better. It has 3 rows of two seats. Less legroom in the SWB in the front than an A class. And less in the back. And a tiny useless boot. Mercedes wanted to think it was revolutionary but frankly it is just daft. A six seater MPV with a 4wd option. Six people couldn't Grand Tour in it from Lymington to Brighton as there is no room for their luggage. And they need short legs.
In September, almost unheralded they brought out an almost-an-estate-car version, which may sell better. There is a tiny third seat between the two middle row of seats that almost makes it a bench seat like an estate. And a really big boot. A 5 seater like a big E class estate -well almost. I have'nt tried if they have improved front legroom or not.
glojo
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
As someone that would buy an S-Class estate in a heartbeat (have I said that before?
) I can honestly say, "No way!" To me both this and the GL is really targetted at perhaps the US market? The design of the R-class leaves me cold, the interior is not a patch on the S-class and little things like the COMAND are not even as good as the E-class. I do like the GL, but is it a Mercedes-Benz or a large upmarket American 4x4?
Noi pointe for the R-class
Regards
John
hawk20
MB Enthusiast
My taste would be for the ML in the UK but I still think the Gl is very much a genuine Mercedes take on what the large 4x4 should be. A pretty magnificent vehicle.
On size, as someone who has tested the extremes with an S class till recently and an A class now:-
For those who drive to a nominated space at work and home to park on the drive -as I used to- size is no problem. But for shopping and normal life it really matters.
WIDTH: - Parking bays are getting narrower and are often the legal minimum width, which means they are filled by an ML, a GL an R class and even an S class. Makes getting doors open without crunching the next car very difficult.
LENGTH: - Most of the parking bays round here and in nearby towns are no longer than a C class. The E overhangs one end or t'other, the S overhangs a lot and the LWB R class by far too much for comfort. You either stick out in the gangway or intrude into the space behind which is not popular. In some car parks it is very difficult to get enough space to turn when backing out into the gangways.
ROAD PARKING: - Drive to any High Street and the vast majority of cars parked there will be Focus/Golf length or less. So when one pulls out, if you have an A class you can slip in easily, whereas with the S class I had no chance. The change of car has been a real eye opener.
Of course, a big car or even a van is fine if you have a second car for those trips where parking is at a premium.
On size, as someone who has tested the extremes with an S class till recently and an A class now:-
For those who drive to a nominated space at work and home to park on the drive -as I used to- size is no problem. But for shopping and normal life it really matters.
WIDTH: - Parking bays are getting narrower and are often the legal minimum width, which means they are filled by an ML, a GL an R class and even an S class. Makes getting doors open without crunching the next car very difficult.
LENGTH: - Most of the parking bays round here and in nearby towns are no longer than a C class. The E overhangs one end or t'other, the S overhangs a lot and the LWB R class by far too much for comfort. You either stick out in the gangway or intrude into the space behind which is not popular. In some car parks it is very difficult to get enough space to turn when backing out into the gangways.
ROAD PARKING: - Drive to any High Street and the vast majority of cars parked there will be Focus/Golf length or less. So when one pulls out, if you have an A class you can slip in easily, whereas with the S class I had no chance. The change of car has been a real eye opener.
Of course, a big car or even a van is fine if you have a second car for those trips where parking is at a premium.
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Slightly off topic, but I'm amazed at how many CLS's are driven by "yummy mummies" - they must be a nightmare to park in Sainsbury's!
I asked the husband of one owner how she managed and he didn't seem to understand the question - perhaps they have their groceries delivered.
Not sure where you guys park,
I have no problems in the bus you just gave to be selective. Most of these will be speced with parking sensors and you get use to the size of your car.
Ive found it harder in my old bmw convertble if somone parks close in a bay, due to the big doors it can be hard to get in, must be same with sl ?
I like the R class and good for me not many people seem to, so in a few years some great buys...
I have no problems in the bus you just gave to be selective. Most of these will be speced with parking sensors and you get use to the size of your car.
Ive found it harder in my old bmw convertble if somone parks close in a bay, due to the big doors it can be hard to get in, must be same with sl ?
I like the R class and good for me not many people seem to, so in a few years some great buys...
hawk20
MB Enthusiast
You may not realise that the ML you have is shorter than an E class and nowhere near the length of an S class or LWB R class. I had an ML 270cdi and agree it is quite a parkable beast especially with parktronic which I now rate as a must have extra.
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I'm one of the few R-Class likers too. Did I mention that before? 
I reckon John will finally come out and announce he'd like an S-Class estate too.
I reckon John will finally come out and announce he'd like an S-Class estate too.
Hello,
Has someone got the figures for length on a E class, R. class, M Class, GL class.
Even if the R is two feet longer It wouldn't put me off buying it, think of all the stuff I can fit in it
Like you say with parking sensors it makes life a lot easier. The GL maybe easier to judge as like the ML the back is the back.
I agree the GL is huge compared to my ML parked next to one at the stealers, the R class doesn't look that much bigger? My dad has an E class estate and that doesn't feel bigger? maybe as its lower it doesn't look as long.....
Has someone got the figures for length on a E class, R. class, M Class, GL class.
Even if the R is two feet longer It wouldn't put me off buying it, think of all the stuff I can fit in it
Like you say with parking sensors it makes life a lot easier. The GL maybe easier to judge as like the ML the back is the back.
I agree the GL is huge compared to my ML parked next to one at the stealers, the R class doesn't look that much bigger? My dad has an E class estate and that doesn't feel bigger? maybe as its lower it doesn't look as long.....
They're all on the M-B website (3-views, with the dimensions).
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I was sat next to a GL stuck in traffic this evening in my C (which I think feels low down) and surprisingly I didn't get the same sense of size as I have when I've stood next to one.
The R probably looks longer because it's relatively low - making it look wider and longer than it really is. You can't get away from the fact that it's a big car though.
Tonight we went out for dinner in the ML, and the car was literally as big as the parking space, and I though to myself "maybe they have a point about SUVs being too big for UK roads"...
...it didn't last though as even my Dad's Honda Jazz filled most of the space next door with surprisingly little margin. I concluded cars may be getting bigger, but spaces are getting smaller!!
The R probably looks longer because it's relatively low - making it look wider and longer than it really is. You can't get away from the fact that it's a big car though.
Tonight we went out for dinner in the ML, and the car was literally as big as the parking space, and I though to myself "maybe they have a point about SUVs being too big for UK roads"...
...it didn't last though as even my Dad's Honda Jazz filled most of the space next door with surprisingly little margin. I concluded cars may be getting bigger, but spaces are getting smaller!!
Bobby,
Think your right, I agree cars are getting bigger but the spaces seem to be getting smaller. I'm sure any new builds the carpark spaces have to be a set size, however a few cm saved on each one probably means more bays.
I either park miles away from any other cars anyway (wife loves this..)
Or chose a smart clean looking car to park next to if if going to the supermarket etc.
Luckily at the moment with the little un we can use the child bays
So if you have a GL or R class, fit a baby seat and there you go......
Only joking, it really annoys me people parking in these bays just too lasy to park anywhere else, no sign of kids anywhere....
Think your right, I agree cars are getting bigger but the spaces seem to be getting smaller. I'm sure any new builds the carpark spaces have to be a set size, however a few cm saved on each one probably means more bays.
I either park miles away from any other cars anyway (wife loves this..)
Or chose a smart clean looking car to park next to if if going to the supermarket etc.
Luckily at the moment with the little un we can use the child bays
So if you have a GL or R class, fit a baby seat and there you go......
Only joking, it really annoys me people parking in these bays just too lasy to park anywhere else, no sign of kids anywhere....
Ade B
MB Enthusiast
From my Neufert, min car parking space 2.4x4.8m
can't remember what disabled spaces should be, a fair bit bigger...
You can't make them smaller and get planning consent.
the standard was set many years ago.
Ade
can't remember what disabled spaces should be, a fair bit bigger...
You can't make them smaller and get planning consent.
the standard was set many years ago.
Ade
hawk20
MB Enthusiast
Yes but what has happened is that in the past they made them bigger than the minimum (which BTW is C class sized). Nowadays more and more councils -and others- are making them the bare minimum.
robert.saunders
MB Enthusiast
Peterborough city council parking spaces haven't altered in the last 10 years at least. Sure they've been relined but only painted over what is/was already there, and when resurfaced same number of spaces put back.
Cars have of course got bigger - it's very noticeable in our 'old' MSCP, which is ~30 years old. Modern cars struggle to manoeuvre and park, especially near to pillars etc
Cars have of course got bigger - it's very noticeable in our 'old' MSCP, which is ~30 years old. Modern cars struggle to manoeuvre and park, especially near to pillars etc
hawk20
MB Enthusiast
The problem becomes clear when you look at the dimensions of an E class at 2063 wide and 4856 long. Note that it is longer just than the min legal parking bay and could be fined for parking in one!
The min width is about 1 ft more than the width of the E class (with mirrors) and leaves precious little space for opening doors etc.
The S class- as I found often- is longer than the legal min bay at 5079 for the SWB and 5209 for the LWB. Overhangs one end or t'other by about a foot. Cannot legally park in the minimum parking bay!
The min width is about 1 ft more than the width of the E class (with mirrors) and leaves precious little space for opening doors etc.
The S class- as I found often- is longer than the legal min bay at 5079 for the SWB and 5209 for the LWB. Overhangs one end or t'other by about a foot. Cannot legally park in the minimum parking bay!
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robert.saunders
MB Enthusiast
I will email DfT tomorrow and advise that their regulations need updating - will be interesting to see their response. The current manual dates back to 2003 relating to a statutory instrument from 2002
hawk20
MB Enthusiast
Interesting question is should the govt make the minimum bay fit the largest cars (otherwise they cannot legally park) or should the carmakers make all cars fit the minimum bay. I presume the regs will be different in different countries all over Europe. Harmonisation did I hear?
