R Class

[bpsorrel]

How good (or bad) is the R Class to own?

Rode in one in Russia a few times and was very impressed. Wifey even thinks it would be a nice replacement for our S211...

Just getting armed with info!

 

[Gridlock]

Are they made in the US, like the ML?

Saw an R500 4Matic in the states, good to see stuff we never get over here. It's a bit of a Vel Satis though, I think they sold about 17?

 

[st4]

Depends what you want from the car.

I'd rather have a conventional estate or a conventional suv like an ML or GL.

Load lugging in the R will be ok, it wont be as dynamic or as frugal as an E but easier to get in and out of

 

[BTB 500]

In-laws have had a LWB R350 for some years and love it.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

The depreciation was savage when they first came out, which made them a relative bargain. Unfortunately this seems to have tailed off and prices have settled.

 

[BTB 500]

It's a bit of a Vel Satis though, I think they sold about 17?

Not a big seller, but there are 10 pages of R Classes on M-B Approved Used search.

 

[bpsorrel]

Personally, I fancy an S320 cdi next time around, but my wife really liked the R320 cdi we rode in. It was a nice place to be I must admit and I liked the raised driving position. I don't need four wheel drive over here so an ML would be a waste. CLS would be first choice, but we need the load carrying space.. (oddly, the S class would just about manage the stuff we carry around)...

 

[st4]

Personally, I fancy an S320 cdi next time around, but my wife really liked the R320 cdi we rode in. It was a nice place to be I must admit and I liked the raised driving position. I don't need four wheel drive over here so an ML would be a waste. CLS would be first choice, but we need the load carrying space.. (oddly, the S class would just about manage the stuff we carry around)...

Get the S class, she'll soon learn to love it

 

[timwood2000]

It's not often that anyone asks about the R Class!

I have owned mine for a couple of years now and love it, despite a few trips on the back of a recovery truck (more later).

The Good...
- enormous, luxury car with near S class levels of comfort
- it is a 4x4, it is a people carrier, it is an estate car - something for everyone!
- surprisingly quick (and I'm only talking about the 320CDI)
- surprisingly econiomical - I usually get 29mpg on my regular motorway and London drives with speeds well in excess of 70mph, so you could easily be getting 35+mpg with some sensible driving
- 6 full size seats with ample leg room in each row (hawk20 will be along in a minute disputing this!)
- road presence - I reguarly get admiring comments from people, it is afterall, a fairly unusual car, and there aren't many around
- value for money - there are lots to chose from and they are huge value if you buy used

The Bad...
- I bought mine when it was 11 months old and had 1800 miles on the clock. Since then I have had the following problems:
- 3 replacement rear quarterlight windows that come away from the (glued) fixing.
- Oil leak, which was diagnosed as a leaking turbo seal (no idea what this is)
- Alternator failure, first diagnosed as just the regulator and then when it went the second time, they replaced the alternator and put in a new battery
...and that's about it.

Whilst the R Class is not for everyone, it is a fantastic car that is supremely comfortable and luxurious. I don't quite understand why people buy a SWB version, and personally, I prefer the 6 seperate seat configuration on the earlier models vs. the 7 seat configuration on the later models.

When I bought mine, I had looked at a wide range of other cars incl. LR Discovery, Audi Q7, Volvo XC90, E class, GL and Ml, and for me at least, the R came out top and I have never regretted the choice I made.

 

[renault12ts]

17 for sale on Ebay, from £34000 to £19000. All 320 CDI.

 

[A-AvantGarde]

I'd be very tempted with an R500, although future depreciation would be savage. I've always hankered after an E55 Estate or an S Class as a replacement for the W203 at some point. The R Class seems to be a nice alternative. My wife really only uses the W203 and we barely cover 4k miles p/a so fuel isn't a major worry.

I also prefer the 6 seat configuration on the earlier models vs. the 7 seat configuration on the later models. I've come across a couple of nice high spec R500's with the AMG kit - that ticks the boxes for me. Good value versus a similar age S Class too...

 

[BTB 500]

My in-laws' R350 is a 6 seater and is very comfortable and spacious inside (I've been driven around in it a fair bit). Performance seems pretty good, and it even sounds nice when hustled along

I think diesel ones are less common in Germany (where they are) because they are taxed more heavily. So unless you are doing a LOT of miles petrol can make more sense.

 

[hawk20]

It is large car -as long as an S class. But to get in three rows of seats and luggage space -instead of the more usual two rows of seats and luggage space- inevitably something has to give. And what gives is legroom in the front (less than an A,B,C, or E class), legroom in the middle row (unless you get the long wheelbase) and bootspace.

The SWB 6 and seven seaters have tiny luggage space with all seats in use. The 6 seater is no longer made - nor the 5 seater.

The LWB has reasonable luggage space with all seats in use.

For those who only want 5 seats (no longer available on the R class) the E class estate offers more legroom front and rear and more luggage space.

But it does not offer 4wd in the UK, which the R class does. Nor the very appealing, to many, high driving position.

The R class drives and handles really well and feels about as luxurious as an S class. Ninety percent of people will find the legroom adequate. Depreciation is now pretty reasonable with 3 year residuals around the 40% level according to What Car.

The diesel engines are not the latest V6 found in the E class.

 

[bpsorrel]

Thanks for all the pointers on the R class!

Weird question this, but does anyone know if the S Class boot is large enough to insert two folding mountain bikes? (the S211 does this WITHOUT the need to fold the rear seats!)

 

[stumpy1]

A few R Classes are creeping into the private hire and chauffeur market. They make a lot of sense as an S Class cum Viano cross breed and certains sectors seem to like them a lot.

On the S Class boot issue - my main complaint about the car is that the boot could be larger, so I doubt they will go in as easily as the 211. Having the lwb is worse as the rear seats are electric.

 

[Will]

A colleague of mine was looking at the R-class when they were being offered with silly discounts from MB.

I think they struggled to sell them at first as they were very expensive and demand was lower than predicted. Possibly a bit like the GL - more suited to the US market perhaps?

If you can buy one that's taken a large depreciation hit then they could be a superb buy.

Perhaps there are some shortcomings as Hawk mentions (I'm with him on the luggage issue - if you were carrying 6 people, where's all the luggage going to go?), but other than that they're surely a very appealing vehicle - comfortable, spacious, luxurious, prestigious etc and 4x4 too.

Something different

Will

 

[HumberMart]

Enjoyed the 320 I had very much. Despite it being the SWB it was still a very large car to drive around, one reasond why I sold it as my wife wouldn't attempt to drive it (size plus column gear selector).

The comination of power, handling, ride, and 4WD security are its USP, and it ought to get more recognition for this than it does.

However the practicality level is quite poor for such a large (mpv type) vehicle, so it far from the best if you want legroom, or load space. Plus there is no segregation between the boot area and the seating area.

I'd certainly have another one though...........................

 

[ewans]

I like the R class if we ever have a 2nd kid I'd consider getting one

defo some good deals out there to be had : 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ R320 CDI 2987 cc SWB Sport

 

[SuffolkBenz]

I had an R320 for 2 weeks whilst my C class was in the shop. Big car, made me feel sick on longer journeys, was pleased to get back into a saloon. Hideous fuel consumption as well.

 

[ShinyF1]

Where are they built - US or Europe?