psmart
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Spent some serious time at Mercedes Niederlassung Dusseldorf today, trying to satisfy my urge to buy a new car. I definitely want a GL, but price for the engine and options I want is a little foreboding. The ML is very good and just within my price bracket for the V8 diesel, but the other contender was the Sports Tourer R-Class. I've attached the links below for interested parties to browse for themselves.
Basically, I'm 6' 4", and find problems with most sedans, both in legroom and head height, also I need a vehicle which can carry a lot of equipment around yet get down and dirty in snow and ice and cruise on un-restriced roads at a decent pace. Its also got to carry several people (not school run!!!!!), generally works colleagues, but more importantly, ski-bums, like myself. This negates me buying anything in the sedan range (C, E, S, SL, CLK, CLS etc) and its got to be Merc. Thus, the only cars Merc do that can satisfy this dilemma are: GL, ML, G & R class cars. The G wagon is a little too brazen for my liking, and at high speed, can see the mpg go rocketing up. The ML, having owned one for 5+ years is a definite contender, I like the new one, not much (from the feel of it) different from the old, but in saying that, Im very much attached to the old ML. The GL, it isnt going to be in the showroom for sometime yet, so until Ive seen and driven it in the flesh, wont be jumping to place the order, so I started to look at the R class.
The R Class, in blunt honesty, is Mercs attempt at an MPV, for the 'well to do'. I like it, from the looks, and the inside is comfy and a-typical Merc, not unlike any other E, C class etc. Basically, its an E-estate on steroids. I love the idea of the fold away third row (much better than my ML bodged in 3rd row), where you have seats for bums when you need it, and a large storage area when you dont. The choice of equipment, and the all important 4Matic is outstanding, but my biggest grumble is the price! It costs more than a GL!!! Why o why are Merc thinking that an MPV should be priced at the level they set it! For this money, an ML is a way better choice, with enough cash saved to buy the wife an opentop city run around! From viewing all the Mercs on their purch in the showroom, the R class, comparatively, is not value for money. The other complaint I have about the car is that its designed for midgets!!! I have leg trouble, and if my upper leg is not horizontal and my lower leg at 90' or 10', I get circulation problems. In the R class, my upper leg is at 20-30' rising, and if I raise the chair, I get head restrictions! For my bulk, not a valid choice, considering the distances that will be driven. The ML, in comparison yields good head height, horizontal upper leg and lower leg at 90' angle. I like the R class, but its not worth the money wanted and it has (for my physical size) some problems.
Thus, for me, its an ML420 or GL320 (want the GL420, but cant justify the cost)!
Technical Data (German) click on: http://www.mercedes-benz.de/content.../new_cars/r_class/modells_technical_data.html , then click on: Download technische Daten R-Lasse (PDF 532KB)
Technical Data (English) click on: http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/con...products/new_cars/r_class/technical_data.html
Price list (German) click on: http://www.mercedes-benz.de/content...rs/home/products/new_cars/r_class/prices.html , then click on: Download Preisliste (PDF 628KB)
Prices (English) click on: http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/con...rs/home/products/new_cars/r_class/models.html
Basically, I'm 6' 4", and find problems with most sedans, both in legroom and head height, also I need a vehicle which can carry a lot of equipment around yet get down and dirty in snow and ice and cruise on un-restriced roads at a decent pace. Its also got to carry several people (not school run!!!!!), generally works colleagues, but more importantly, ski-bums, like myself. This negates me buying anything in the sedan range (C, E, S, SL, CLK, CLS etc) and its got to be Merc. Thus, the only cars Merc do that can satisfy this dilemma are: GL, ML, G & R class cars. The G wagon is a little too brazen for my liking, and at high speed, can see the mpg go rocketing up. The ML, having owned one for 5+ years is a definite contender, I like the new one, not much (from the feel of it) different from the old, but in saying that, Im very much attached to the old ML. The GL, it isnt going to be in the showroom for sometime yet, so until Ive seen and driven it in the flesh, wont be jumping to place the order, so I started to look at the R class.
The R Class, in blunt honesty, is Mercs attempt at an MPV, for the 'well to do'. I like it, from the looks, and the inside is comfy and a-typical Merc, not unlike any other E, C class etc. Basically, its an E-estate on steroids. I love the idea of the fold away third row (much better than my ML bodged in 3rd row), where you have seats for bums when you need it, and a large storage area when you dont. The choice of equipment, and the all important 4Matic is outstanding, but my biggest grumble is the price! It costs more than a GL!!! Why o why are Merc thinking that an MPV should be priced at the level they set it! For this money, an ML is a way better choice, with enough cash saved to buy the wife an opentop city run around! From viewing all the Mercs on their purch in the showroom, the R class, comparatively, is not value for money. The other complaint I have about the car is that its designed for midgets!!! I have leg trouble, and if my upper leg is not horizontal and my lower leg at 90' or 10', I get circulation problems. In the R class, my upper leg is at 20-30' rising, and if I raise the chair, I get head restrictions! For my bulk, not a valid choice, considering the distances that will be driven. The ML, in comparison yields good head height, horizontal upper leg and lower leg at 90' angle. I like the R class, but its not worth the money wanted and it has (for my physical size) some problems.
Thus, for me, its an ML420 or GL320 (want the GL420, but cant justify the cost)!
Technical Data (German) click on: http://www.mercedes-benz.de/content.../new_cars/r_class/modells_technical_data.html , then click on: Download technische Daten R-Lasse (PDF 532KB)
Technical Data (English) click on: http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/con...products/new_cars/r_class/technical_data.html
Price list (German) click on: http://www.mercedes-benz.de/content...rs/home/products/new_cars/r_class/prices.html , then click on: Download Preisliste (PDF 628KB)
Prices (English) click on: http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/con...rs/home/products/new_cars/r_class/models.html
