Off Topic: Mercedes R Class...

My wife has been wanting to sell her 04 Navigator and it appears that she has settled on a new Mercedes R350. She asked me "what would you do" wrong question as I said "get somehing different". Seriously though it is a nice car for her needs. Anyone on the board have any experiece with them? The car looks good and drives fine, it just does not seem to wow me. But it is not for me I must keep the lady happy.

I looked at one the other day at the dealer and it seems pretty nice. My sister is in the market for one to replace her Escalade but my brother-in-law was also looking at the Audi Q7 instead, which we got to sit in at the 12 Hours of Sebring, since Audi had a booth there. I did like the Q7 a little better, maybe because its an SUV as oppose to a Touring Mini-van type vehicle. I know the R class is not a Mini-van per se, but it looks too much like one for me. Although I saw a black one the other day on my way to work, it was slightly lowered and with some nice aftermarket chrome wheels and it looked really good. They also probably handle a lot better than the taller SUVs. If the wife wanted one, I wouldn't have a problem with getting one and also wouldn't mind driving it once in awhile. Good luck, Lou

Your in luck, my brother in law just bought one. Fantastic ride and handling, rock solid feel, very comfortable and classy interior. The R350 could use a little more power, I have not drove the R500, the power may be a little more impressive. I personally don't like the looks of it...it's a minivan no matter what Benz has to say...but some like that sort of thing. You should take a ride in one, it's the only way to know if you or your wife likes it. Hope this helps.

Can't get over the fact that it looks like a minivan with a MB badge on it. Considered it but ended up buying the Cayenne instead. That R class doesn't even resemble a SUV.

I came up on one the other day from the back that was black. Initially thought it was a hearse. I don't care for the looks of it at all, but I hear they are not moving well, so you may be able to get a good deal on one. The great thing about the way things look is that it only needs to look good to you! Kris

Check out an Acura MDX before you plunk down the cash. They have a similar ride, the MDX feels a bit faster than the 350, it has more useable room and is about 25k less.

So true! They are advertising $495 a month 27 month lease $0 down on a R350 MSRP around $50K!!!!

from carsdirect.com 2006 Mercedes-Benz R500 4dr All-wheel Drive Base MSRP Price: $56,275 Invoice Price: $52,790 Target Price: $51,275 Pricing as of 04/07/06

Wow...I wont show my brother in law this...he paid close to sticker and got raped!

My Mercedes sales guy, Curt Rich from Star Motors in Houston, is the best in the world (he'll even tell you so!). He puts out a monthly newsletter with info on M-Bs, driving tips (he was SCCA National Rally Champion in 1977 and 1991), his cats and dogs, etc. The March 2006 issue had info on the M-B R Class: March Issue: http://curtrich.com/march2006.html His Website: http://curtrich.com/

Its an over-priced minivan, IMO. Talk about depreciation. They can't give them away. I would look elsewhere.

I just read in a german car magazine that the R-class might not live longer than one model cycle. And guess what: they said the main reason it isn't selling in the US is that it look too much like a minivan for the price tag. To be honest I don't see why it's so bad for a car to look like a minivan or why the SUV-look is so much better at the same price. Thorsten

image after 3 years, the trade-in on those R-class?

If I do tell him I will hide the straight razors.

The R class = Chrysler Pascifica. Similar to SLK = crossfire but reverse

the biggest problem with R is, it's NOT a minivan. it can't compare with other minivan on the market in terms of space, cargo room, etc. i know ppl would give it a shot, but disppointed and bought either a real minivan(honda/toyota), or real suv( cayenne).

Thanks everyone there is a real delema. My wife currently has a 2004 Navigator that we bought because we felt we needed the size. The problems are that 1- she is paying about $75/week in gas, 2- I have an SUV so we really do not need 2, and 3- we thought we could use the third row of seats; however, you can not get to them because 2 car seats prohibit the 2nd row of seats from folding. The R class drives nice but lets face it it is no Porsche. But a Porsche is not what my wife needs. She is looking for room, better gas milage, a car like ride, and safety. The R clas fits all except we will still have the back seat issue...I think only a true mini-van will take care of that. I am $6,238 below MSRP plus I have gotten them to waive that stupid processing fee of $249, so it is essentally $6,487 savings after rebates. Seems good and is a litle below the Target price from carsdirect.com; however, you all have me scared about the trade in value. I am getting killed on the Navigator. The MSRP was $63K and I paid $53K 2 years ago. The truck has 31,000 on it and I will be lucky to get $30,000 for the truck.

Did you look at the Lexus RX-350?

if u need to 3 row seats comfitable enough for a long trip, look for a real minivan, both top-of line honda/toyota van are very nice, and their trade-in will be solid. and save $$ on your mods!

when is the AMG version out?