R Class opinions

[gramey]

Ok for my two penneth worth I've never owned an R class but a friend of mine has recently sold his which he had for several years and did an awful lot of miles in. He's in the fortunate position of working when it suits him rather than having to and has lots of friends and family abroad. He thinks nothing of driving down to Italy to see his daughter and then onto Croatia, Germany, Sweden and Finland. Between visiting the aforementioned friends and family he regularly clocks up 2000 - 3000 miles per trip. It was far better built than the ML, which he also looked at, and the only thing that ever went on it was the main positive lead to the battery decided to have a melt down. Other than that it racked up mile after trouble free mile and because he was away for weeks at a time it was often pretty well fully loaded, he had the R320 CDi.

 

[gramey]

06-07 cars with have the earlier 7G box so that's something to consider, if you can eek out to a slightly later model you 'll get the 7g+ which as you know is much smoother.
Apart from that then R's are a pleasant place to be, should be enough room for what you need and the engine (once mapped) will keep you going for quite a while. On,y other thing to note is spec on these, most are pretty basic

My friend was fortunate, he bought his from a well heeled chap in London and it had pretty much every available option on it, it was certainly snapped up pretty quickly when he sold it recently.

 

[John Laidlaw]

John, it's 4 + cat + 1.

Get it decatted

 

[EmilysDad]

..... and the only thing that ever went on it was the main positive lead to the battery decided to have a melt down......

I wish I could say the same. In the last couple of years I've replaced 3 of the 4 air bags (there's a long tale some where here where MB made a saga out of the front one) both rear shockers and in the last couple of months replaced 2 sticky brake calipers

 

[Craiglxviii]

Get it decatted

Ha! No, this one is mega.

 

[gramey]

I wish I could say the same. In the last couple of years I've replaced 3 of the 4 air bags (there's a long tale some where here where MB made a saga out of the front one) both rear shockers and in the last couple of months replaced 2 sticky brake calipers

That's not so good, there do seem to be some inconsistencies in MB build quality at times.

 

[the director]

Been my wife’s car for the past six years (2010 R350 grand edition). Had to replace wheel speed sensors and the ignition switch. Other than that, can’t think of anything else’s that’s needed doing (other than consumables). Probably only get about 35mpg on the motorway. Even fully loaded (wife, me and three kids) heading acros Europe, you wouldn’t know it as it drives like a dream. The only thing better is the s class that I drive!

 

[Wighty]

Get it decatted

Very clever buddy , and it wouldn't fail an mot either with that version of decat .

 

[Craiglxviii]

Very clever buddy , and it wouldn't fail an mot either with that version of decat .

Can’t decat this... as you can see, he’s very excited at being in the caravan.

 

[M80]

Mercedes think of everything,
this R class even has a cat flap

R class

Sorry couldn't resist

 

[JBell]

I keep looking at the last of the R Class to replace my C with, they seem amazing cars and some are very well specced, I have been looking at 2011 on cars so he last of them

Earlier cars have many different variations:

5 seats SWB
6 seats LWB
7 seats LWB
2WD and 4WD

Many seem to be over 100k so they will eat miles.

I spoke to my indy about the R / GL thing and he said R as they are cheaper to run

 

[Craiglxviii]

Mercedes think of everything,
this R class even has a cat flap

R class

Sorry couldn't resist

We did have a concern that he might try to escape via the caravan’s skylight... it turns out he just couldn’t be bothered!

 

[Craiglxviii]

I keep looking at the last of the R Class to replace my C with, they seem amazing cars and some are very well specced, I have been looking at 2011 on cars so he last of them

Earlier cars have many different variations:

5 seats SWB
6 seats LWB
7 seats LWB
2WD and 4WD

Many seem to be over 100k so they will eat miles.

I spoke to my indy about the R / GL thing and he said R as they are cheaper to run

I’ve been looking at 6 seat LWB, only 190mm difference in length but that directly translates into boot space. All are 320 CDI 221bhp 4MATIC.

My research shows that the LWB rides better...

 

[M80]

I read that the long gives more space for the very rear seats, the report stated it wws then useful for adults not just children.
It seems the long makes more sense wherever the space is used.

You might have guessed that you've got me thinking.

 

[Craiglxviii]

I read that the long gives more space for the very rear seats, the report stated it wws then useful for adults not just children.
It seems the long makes more sense wherever the space is used.

You might have guessed that you've got me thinking.

oh goody!

I read the same plus that it handles better, I suspect the extra wheelbase is just enough to allow for a bit more float between bumps.

Comparing to a Q7 lookswise, the R’s proportions aren’t far off. It’s much more in the mould of say a Cadillac SRX or Chevy Escalade than an Espace or Sedona.

 

[M80]

Certainly a lot of motor for the money some are asking, a fair bit cheaper than I anticipated.
Can I justify another heavy guzzler for Larisa who only commutes 2x 7miles each day?

 

[Wighty]

Certainly a lot of motor for the money some are asking, a fair bit cheaper than I anticipated.
Can I justify another heavy guzzler for Larisa who only commutes 2x 7miles each day?

No !

 

[Blobcat]

Certainly a lot of motor for the money some are asking, a fair bit cheaper than I anticipated.
Can I justify another heavy guzzler for Larisa who only commutes 2x 7miles each day?

You know it makes sense

 

[Craiglxviii]

Certainly a lot of motor for the money some are asking, a fair bit cheaper than I anticipated.
Can I justify another heavy guzzler for Larisa who only commutes 2x 7miles each day?

At 14 miles per day you can justify an R63...

 

[M80]

No !

I'll tell her you're using her bad language back at her.

You know it makes sense

A iiddle ole petrol Corsa could make more sense, please don't tell her about my bad language though.

At 14 miles per day you can justify an R63...

For me yes, but then it and I would deserve more than 14 miles per day, Larisa couldn't afford the fuel for that with my wallet