ima55r2

The M-class rally is in Miami this weekend and they had one for a display only.

With my driving position, I had more rear leg room than the S in the second row seating being all the way back, and I still fit in the third row. There was a roomy flat storage area with the 3rd row seat folded down. If I was in the market, I’d pick the R over the ML.

Looking foward to the R-class rally!

Nevada Jack

Great to hear reports like this...:-) For a while I was thinking I was the only one interested in the R Class. I am foregoing the R Class Rally and have committed to a R500.

How did you feel about the overall quality of the materials and workmanship?

ima55r2

It was a black/charcoal interior and the brown wood looked better than the dull cls material. I couldn't tell if the seats were mbtex or leather. The bolsters weren't smooth and the seating surface wasn't perforated...the seats had a fine textured surface and felt stiffer than the typical mb finishes. The individual 2nd row seats had inboard folding armrests to allow access to the rear contoured seats. Overall the whole car looked more like a Mercedes than the MLs.

The new stalk mounted shifter on the ml worked easy enough. They have the shift buttons on the wheel but I forgot to try them out.

Nevada Jack

Since it was a R350, the standard interior includes seats with a product called Alcantara which is their new Tex material I think. Thanks for the additional information.

amb9800

Yeah, it was surprisingly roomy inside -- there's plenty of leg room in the second row, and you can actually comfortably fit two adults into the third row seats.

The interior was very nice, but the exterior looked quite awkward, especially the front end and sides. Most of the problem was with the wheels, though -- the 350's wheel/tire setup looks horrible in person.

I think the 500's wheels fix a lot of the visual issues, but I haven't seen an R500 in person yet (as MB had only the 350 on display at the NY Auto Show and at these M-Class events).

Here's the 350:

ima55r2

The MLs had the fuzzy seating inserts, but the R material was all the same on the seats. There was no window sticker so I can't say what it really was.

ima55r2

I just picked up the UK MB Enthusiast mag and they referred to the seating as Artica artificial leather. Alcantara is now used as a roof liner material.

Nevada Jack

Okay...good input and clarification. On my R500 I selected the full leather seating under the Trim Option which also includes the Ambient Interior Lighting Package.

JackStraw

How much usable storage space is there behind the third row?

I agree with the comment about the looks of the vehicle head on--- the designers should have put more thought into it.

Nevada Jack

I would estimate about 2' maybe behind the 3rd row. Maybe one of the other who have actually seen the car can comment on that.

Nevada Jack

Here is the Production R500 showing the rear area behind the 3rd row seats

JackStraw

Thanks Nevada Jack. It looks like a few suitcases could fit back there.

Those of you who have sat in the 3rd row-- how easy was it to access the seating? Did you climb between the 2nd row seats or did the seats flip forward allowing access to the rear?

AutoSaurus

The one I saw in Birmingham had the 3rd row seats up and I guess that there is about 18" behind them. The photo above shows the seats fully upright which is a little misleading b/c no one would ride in that postition.

ima55r2

I went into the third row between the second row with the inboard armrests up. I think a kid who is smaller and more nimble could get in behind the second row if slid forward with the backs folded down a little bit. The last row sits between the wheel wells and even though I had leg room, the width looks child size or only good for really short trips.

There is a lot of room with the 3rd row flat, and you can imagine how much more with the 2nd row down. The vertical space is a little less than the ML. The interior pic on mbusa shows the seats folded flat...they need a cut-away to show how it really looks.

Nevada Jack

I don't think that would be the normal procedure to go between the 2nd row seats. With the Rear Center Console, the 2nd row seats do not have the armrests inboard (from pictures I have seen) and the console itself would be restrictive. I would guess that the 2nd row seatback folds forward and with the 2nd row seat in the forward position, it allow access to the 3rd row seats.

Nevada Jack

Notice the lack of arm rests when the rear center console is installed.

ima55r2

The car did have the armrests instead of the console. Is the console optional and removable? It looks like a big storage compartment but it seems it would be in the way when exiting to the other side of the car or when folding all the seats flat for hauling stuff.

Jack...I hope the M-Class rally comes to you soon with an R in the show. You can plan on being there for a long time playing with everything.

Nevada Jack

Yes, the console is removable and a free standing option or part of the Rear Seat Entertainment system. They say "easily removable" so it must be fairly light and it is just a storage compartment and drink holder.

The M Class rally was in LV in May and I missed it...did not know they would have other models so my first look will probably be at delivery...:-)

Nevada Jack

Here is the rear seating area of the R class without the console showing the armrests in place.

amb9800

If there's no 2nd-row center console, then you get in through the center aisle.

The second-row seats also flip forward to allow passengers to get out directly through the doors. This is what you'd use if you have the center console. Otherwise, it's just easier to go through the aisle.