New R Class under $50,000
 

Just read this in the Detroit News reporting on the R Class debut in New York.

http://members.cox.net/pewtersport

Jack

Be aware that under $50K will be:

without Leather Inserts
without Sunroof
without Heated Seats
without Destination Charge.

I HATE when manufacturers advertise starting at $(Low Ball number)... ads.

Figure that the R-Class will cost about $2K less than an equivalently equipped 2006 E350W4 (which is roughly $56K with Metallic Paint). A normal R350 will be about $54K. Equipped like the NY auto show (which had an appearance package and a few other additions) you'll be looking at $58K or so.

You are close but short. I did some math figures on the R350 with a loaded car and using the ML and E Class (2006 build your own) as a guide, come up with a figure of $65,000. This would include all the options except maybe the entertainment package for the DVD/TV and the AMG package. But if someone is planning on buying one of these (I have a pre-order deposit) and want a fully loaded R350, plan on spending close to $60,000 and maybe up to $65,000. A R500, even though it will have more standard equipement will probably base out around $58,000 or so. Add the extras and you will be above $65,000, approaching $70,000. I hope I am wrong but that is the way it looks to me.

I had almost ordered a 2006 E350 wagon with the goodies and it came to $64,000.

I am preparing myself to have to pay at least S-class type prices. Hopefully I will not be too disappointed when the vehicle is finally released.

A major, major turn off though will be if the European version will be a shorter wheelbase than the US model?

John

Hi John...with the new ML prices being available I did some conversion to a R350 with the base at $50000 and the options prices with the ML listings. It looks like a loaded 350 will price out at about $63-65000 and I would imagine the R500 would get close to $70000. This is with almost all the options.

From my understand the European version will be the SWB which I think mean about 9" off the overall length...don't quote me on the length but I think that is right. The LWB US version will be 203" which I understand is 1" longer than the present S Class.

Anyway, I think the European version will be close to the Paris show car just like the US was. If I hear anything I will let you know

Jack

Hi Jack,
This is what I am lead to believe. It is annoying though, the S-class is available both as a standard wheelbase and the long wheelbase option. Why all of a sudden is there a model that carries the Mercedes-Benz badge and yet it will not be available in Germany???? I can understand how certain models within the range are not available in certain countries, but it looks like we will only have a short wheelbase option of a flagship model. No doubt the vehicle on display is the standard wheelbase and the Worlds press is going ooooh!!! aahhh! but what will they say when they look at the shorter wheelbase model?

Am I annoyed about this?????

Regards,
John the Grump

A cool misty morning in Torquay