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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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#20 of 27 off my list by ctsang Oct 10, 2005 (9:32 am)
I just testdrove a R. Honestly, my wife's Sienna AWD XLE LTD with navigation, DVD entertainment system, laser cruise, rear camera, and sonic parking assist, etc. beats R class by miles and miles. Remember, people who buys R class do not race in it. This R class is no match in reliability vs Sienna either. The worst part for R is my wife's minivan costs only $43K. So there you have it, Sienna costs a lot less and a lot better.
#21 of 27 A quick take on the R by albell Oct 25, 2005 (2:12 pm)
I spent some time at a local NY dealer today with an R350. Given the torrential rain, we didn't do an extensive drive, but I did get to crawl around it and take it out for 20 minutes or so on local roads. The R was black on black, with premium, panorama roof, 3 row climate control and trim packages. It looked like a hearse. Black is not this babe's best outfit. The salesman agreed, saying no one likes the black.   The inside of this vehicle is huge...monsterous. The outside does not convey how roomy it is inside, especially in the second row. I found the second row space and seats to be a much more comfortable environment than any SUV or minivan I have been in. The cabin is done pretty well -- not E or S class standards, but certainly better than the old M-Class, and perhaps a slight step up from the new ML. Fit and finish was good; some of the buttons and control felt a little sub-par. The visors are an abomination. the big roof made the black interior seem less foreboding.   The third row is more comfortable usable than anything I have seen in a mid or full size SUV or minivan, though I didn't spend an inordinate amount of time back there, Access was easy. Better than some coach class seating on airlines.   The vehicle was very well isolated on the road, from a noise standpoint. Even with the panoramic sunroof and buckets of rain coming down, the outside world was kept out.   The car feels big...but not unwieldy. The driving position is high and visibility is generally good. It handles very well, with a decent turning radius. Ride quality is also good. Brakes (no Sensotronic, hurray!) were quite good. Couldn't really get a sense of how tipsy it would be on high speed curves, but there was no sense of bobbing or weaving on quick turns or lane changes. I thought that it "drove like a Mercedes." It does not drive like a car, though.   While I think some of the decisions MB made on reducing content that is standard on other $50k+ vehicles -- no standard fog lamps, not to mention no standard xenon -- is a mistake, I also think that the R is a pretty good package compared with other Benzes if optioned moderately -- with lighting, comfort, heating, panoramic sunroof, say. That takes it to E-Class wagon pricing. The tradeoff is in size/versatility vs. and upgraded level of finish. Whether it is compelling versus other options is obviously the big question.   Would I buy it? Dunno. Would need to do a more extensive drive. I love my wagon, but it does present logistical challenges in fitting more people and stuff that occurs more than occasionally on our weekend jaunts to the country -- and the rear facing back seat should be equipped with a barf bag as standard equipment.   At a lower price (read, discount) I could see myself going for it. Speaking of which, while we didn't talk specifics, the salesman did strongly hint that they were willing to work to make a deal. Since they didn't have any models equipped the way I would like, there wasn't any reason to probe further (plus I would be risking spousal wrath.)   I cant see this taking off the way the original M class did in 97, at least without some tinkering in content and pricing, but I do think it is completely unique vehicle.
#22 of 27 350 or 500 by scottphillip Nov 14, 2005 (11:35 am)
I drove the R350 over the weekend, and found it to be lacking power. However, the power is there if you push it.
#23 of 27 R by rockypaul Nov 26, 2005 (10:59 am)
Finally drove an R-350. Very nice. Great drive and handling. Not for us fo a couple of reasons: too big; load floor has too many voids when flat; do not need 3rd row seat; took the salesman, an engineer from car related business and me far too long to fold the seats. My wife would never appreciate. far too cumbersome. too big, again; took the survey and obviously M-B is listening to these comments.   Will probably buy another ML.
#24 of 27 R500 by sballardjr Dec 24, 2005 (6:42 am)
Working for a company that delivered the "drive the R" cars to potential customers, I was able to put alot of my own "drive time" behind the wheel. I can say that I was overly impressed with the fit and feel of this particular MB.   Only a few quirks that made it into the vehicle that I could tell. One being the turn signal stalk hiding behind the steering wheel spoke, thus everytime I was trying to turn, I was setting the cruise control due to it being the one you see. The other being a slight, (and typical) hesitation in the DBW from initial push on the accelerator.   I was very, very pleased with the aggressiveness from the -sport- setting. WOW! What a great feeling of confidence from a "station wagon."
#25 of 27 Re: Just Drove an R 350 today and...... [markc5] by vtraudt Mar 05, 2007 (1:14 pm)
Replying to: markc5 (Oct 05, 2005 5:24 am) Well, the R500 is certainly no R350. When you decided on the R500, did you drive and compare to the R350?   I drove the R320CDI in Germany (what an impressive torque; perfect with the 7 speed auto; stable as a rock at 140 mph even in highway turns and full braking), but my MB dealer here told my that they lease for $800 while the R350 is offered for $450!   The torque of the CDI is right on par with 500, but I don't even want to know what the lease is for a 500.   So, is the 350 enough to move the 5000 lbs?   Volker
#26 of 27 R350, XC90, LR3, Odyssey by mmeader Feb 14, 2008 (9:28 am)
I'm getting quoted $6,000 off MSRP without even starting the negotiation. If buying is an option for you, Mercedez has 1.9% financing. We have 3 1/2 year old twins and a dog. We're looking at the R350, Volvo XC90, LR3, and the Honda Odyssey Mini Van. R350 - I love this car! Rides nice, well equiped with the P2. Some better wheels and a roof rack and this car turns sporty! Negatives: The 2nd row doors are too big. Not easy open the doors and take kids out of car seats in a parking lot. Also, the wife likes to sit up higher. XC90 - Wife has loved this car since its debut. Negatives: 3rd row seat is almost imposible to get to. The V8 is the only way to go. The V6 is way under powered for that heavy vehicle. We looked at a couple used ones and I didn't feel like they aged well. Read the edmunds blogs.. This car is having issues. LR3 - Love this car! It is fun to drive! Features are very practical. Love the front end look, don't like the plain square back. Negatives: Gas mileage is beyond terrible! Odyssey - Wow, it's amazing how well equiped this car is for $36,000 MSRP! The features, flexibility, space, etc... Negative: Did I mention it's a mini van? No AWD option. Maybe I'll get the family this car now and I'll get a toy car next year.
#27 of 27 Pacifica vs R-Class? I've owned both. by paxnrth Feb 17, 2008 (6:07 pm)
As a former owner of a Chrysler Pacifica for 4 years and now a Mercedes R-350 for 1 year I'd like to clarify some of the comments I've read regarding a comparison: In short the R-class is everything the Pacifica wanted to be but wasn't!   The Pacifica had its charms (that's why I had one before the R-class came out!) It was very comfortable for 4 adults and 2 midgets. But anyone who doesn't realize how comfortable the R class 3ed row is for 6 foot plus adults, hasn't taken the time to lift up the back seat head rests, tilt back the seats, and sit down in the 3ed row under the panoramic roof for an hour or two relaxing test drive. There is more room in the 3ed row of a R-class than in many other vehicles in their 2nd row! My married adult children fight to get the back row! Honestly nothing in the Suburban/ Sequoya/ Honda Pilot/ Lexus/ GMSaturn Clones / Big Audis/ Navigator Boats/ nothing really comes close to this level of comfort for 6 genuine American Sized (or German sized) Adults. If you want to travel by road with 6 adult friends in an All Wheel Drive that is not an airport van, the list is down to one line of vehicle. The R-Class. Choose the model by your wallet, and need for speed, but the R-350 can get you speeding tickets in all 50 states and gets me 24 mpg versus the 17 mpg my Pacifica did. And of course don't even consider getting it without the Panorama roof. I bought mine 1 year old with 8,000 miles on it for $39,000, (the same as I paid for a Pacifica that was by far its inferior wannabee four years before).

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