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Wagons Mercedes-Benz R-Class Mercedes-Benz R-Class Test Drive: What Did You Think?
27 messages, Last post on Feb 17, 2008 at 6:07 PM
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Last night, I got to have a short test drive in a production R500. I have been holding off on a new family hauler for this car to be released. Aesthetics The car is breathtakingly gorgeous. Fit and finish are perfect. The car is MB solid. Shifter is now on a stalk to the right of the wheel, and is very simple and intuitive. Dash is well designed, and AC controls are intuitive. Didn't get into fiddling with the stereo much. HUGE sunroof, occupies almost the whole length-- very impressive and adds a very light, airy feel to the car, and has a power shade. I don't think it actually opens, but does tilt up where it is split transversely for venting. Second row seating is simply capacious, even with front seat adjusted for 6ft+ driver. LCD screens in back of each front headrest. Third seat is also very comfortable, with plenty of legroom even for adults: the floor is a little higher in this row, so an adult's legs are above horizontal: probably uncomfortable for long car trips unless you are a kid. The third seat is very easy to get into, even for adults. There is a small space behind the third row seats, more than enough for a sizeable grocery store run, or a couple of large duffel bags. Driving. Acceleration is butter smooth, and effortless. Handling is secure but not particularly nimble. The seating position doesn't look that high, but I felt about as far off the ground as in an new M class: perhaps the long hood adds to this sensation. Brakes: linear and stupendous, easy to modulate. Air suspension keeps the car dead flat in long sweepers, but takes a fraction of a second to react: so, abrupt steering inputs are met with a sort of "bounce" feeling, as the car straightens back up. Summary: awesome family hauler. Beautiful proportions and finishes. Infallible and safe handling dynamics, but not nimble. Best third row seating of any wagon or SUV, at least as good as most minivans. I cannot imagine anyone having a significant complaint about any aspect of this car. |
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Replying to: msc (Jun 15, 2005 8:41 am) How did you manage that? Any word on price? I know they said under 50K for the R350, which usually means 49.9K. M
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Replying to: merc1 (Jun 15, 2005 8:38 pm)
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Replying to: stroudman (Jun 16, 2005 1:07 pm) M
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Replying to: msc (Jun 15, 2005 8:41 am) http://www.germancarfans.com/photos.cfm/photoid/3050323.004/mercedes/1.html
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Replying to: merc1 (Jun 15, 2005 8:38 pm) i have a friend who is an executive at MB in Tuscaloosa. The car I drove had essentially every option: panoramic sunroof, keyless entry/start, entertainment, navi, air suspension (?standard on r500?), parking distance thingy, active cruise. We didn't discuss price specifics, but the car I drove would be more than $60K. My understanding that a "typical" r350 will be mid $50K, so i would guess that $49.9K sounds about right for the base sticker.
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Replying to: gagrice (Jun 17, 2005 6:25 am) You can't get an M class european delivery. Now, i believe you can take factory delivery of a mercedes here in Tuscaloosa, and you can drive it around their off-road proving ground a little. I don't know if they will make these new M's and R's in Europe still, but I do know that there were diesel M classes made here that were only for European use-- we would see them driving around on the highway every now and then. So, I would bet that even the designed-for-europe diesel models will be made in Tuscaloosa.
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Replying to: msc (Jun 19, 2005 6:58 am) I showed the R class pictures to my wife and she was less than impressed. She likes the E320 CDI so that is probably the one we will pick up in Germany. I think the R is cool looking. I will go take a test drive when they get to the dealers. |
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Replying to: msc (Jun 19, 2005 6:54 am) I suspect that any acceleration concerns in the R500 and ML500 for that matter, will be addressed and eliminated for 2007 when the new 5.5L DOHC 32v V8 arrives with anywhere from 380-400hp, depending on who you believe. M |
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