Will GLK Kill R?
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2008 R350 & 2008 C300
Will GLK Kill R?
With pictures of the production ready GLK hitting the net and it set to debut in January at Detroit, I was wondering if this could spell the end for the R class. I first thought it would kill off the C estate wagon, but now after seeing pictures of the refreshened ML, I'm thinking the GLK might kill the R in a round about way. The GLK 350 and ML 350 will be close to the same car, seating will be the same (five adults) the engine will be the same, but the ML will still have a rear loading space advantage. The refreshened ML is showing a tire carrier on the back, which could mean an optional third row of seats for the ML. That could mean that the R, which isn't selling as well as MB would like, would disappear and the ML would fill the gap with a third row and seating for seven to give people a reason to pay the extra money over a GLK.
Any thoughts? I hope they keep the R around, I like the looks but it could use a refreshening of the headlights and tail lights. Go with something more square to fit into the rest of the SUV lineup. Maybe a more pronounced grille and standard 19'' wheels, easy fixes that could help boost sales.
Any thoughts? I hope they keep the R around, I like the looks but it could use a refreshening of the headlights and tail lights. Go with something more square to fit into the rest of the SUV lineup. Maybe a more pronounced grille and standard 19'' wheels, easy fixes that could help boost sales.
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Tailgate mounted spare tire carrier is currently an ML option--just not in the USA.
GLK will be a BMW X3 competitor. It will have plenty of 4-cylinder engines for non-USA markets. The 3.5 V6 will frankly be ridiculous in this vehicle.
The R will live or die on its own, I'd offer.
GLK will be a BMW X3 competitor. It will have plenty of 4-cylinder engines for non-USA markets. The 3.5 V6 will frankly be ridiculous in this vehicle.
The R will live or die on its own, I'd offer.
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2008 R350 & 2008 C300
Tailgate mounted spare tire carrier is currently an ML option--just not in the USA.
GLK will be a BMW X3 competitor. It will have plenty of 4-cylinder engines for non-USA markets. The 3.5 V6 will frankly be ridiculous in this vehicle.
The R will live or die on its own, I'd offer.
GLK will be a BMW X3 competitor. It will have plenty of 4-cylinder engines for non-USA markets. The 3.5 V6 will frankly be ridiculous in this vehicle.
The R will live or die on its own, I'd offer.
Hope they take the time to freshen it up, although I haven't heard or read anything about that. Anyone else have info on a model update? The R came out at the same time as the new ML and its getting updated, so should the R.
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Tailgate mounted spare tire carrier is currently an ML option--just not in the USA.
GLK will be a BMW X3 competitor. It will have plenty of 4-cylinder engines for non-USA markets. The 3.5 V6 will frankly be ridiculous in this vehicle.
The R will live or die on its own, I'd offer.
GLK will be a BMW X3 competitor. It will have plenty of 4-cylinder engines for non-USA markets. The 3.5 V6 will frankly be ridiculous in this vehicle.
The R will live or die on its own, I'd offer.
I fully agree with the final statement. The R is it's own thing, and the basic concept of a large crossover (really a tall wagon) will live or die on its own.
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From: Jersey City, NJ
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2008 R350 & 2008 C300
Yeah I would like the ML or GL head lights on an R. Too bad I've heard nothing about a refreshing of the R class. It came out at the same time as the ML and there are spy photos and all sorts of rumors for its up and coming touch up. 
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2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
GLK has nothing to do with the R. R will go on until redesign time of the ML/GL/R platform, then it may die off. GLK is to small to have any bearing on the R's future.
M
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2008 R350 & 2008 C300
Just to spur even more conversation...why is it there are countless numbers of spy photos of an updated ML but none of an R? They were released at the same time (2006) and between the two the R is the obvious choice for an update, the ML seems to be selling well the way it is.
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From: Barmet Bay, NY
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Your arguments rely on the theory that the ML will get a 3rd row.
There are no plans to introduce a 3rd row on the ML. There are two 7-seaters already; the R and the GL.
M-B learned from the embarrassing excuse for a 3rd row in the X5 and will not repeat this venture.
Will the GLK kill the R? Well they are two entirely different vehicles with different markets. The question to be asked is whether the GLK can survive on its own? What is M-B doing differently than BMW with the failing X-3?
There are no plans to introduce a 3rd row on the ML. There are two 7-seaters already; the R and the GL.
M-B learned from the embarrassing excuse for a 3rd row in the X5 and will not repeat this venture.
Will the GLK kill the R? Well they are two entirely different vehicles with different markets. The question to be asked is whether the GLK can survive on its own? What is M-B doing differently than BMW with the failing X-3?
Last edited by GL Fahrer; Dec 25, 2007 at 01:20 AM.
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
Wow I agree with GL Fahrer! Though I have no doubt the GLK will be a hit, at the expense of the ML initially, which makes the ML's facelift very, very important.
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2008 R350 & 2008 C300
Your arguments rely on the theory that the ML will get a 3rd row.
There are no plans to introduce a 3rd row on the ML. There are two 7-seaters already; the R and the GL.
M-B learned from the embarrassing excuse for a 3rd row in the X5 and will not repeat this venture.
Will the GLK kill the R? Well they are two entirely different vehicles with different markets. The question to be asked is whether the GLK can survive on its own? What is M-B doing differently than BMW with the failing X-3?
There are no plans to introduce a 3rd row on the ML. There are two 7-seaters already; the R and the GL.
M-B learned from the embarrassing excuse for a 3rd row in the X5 and will not repeat this venture.
Will the GLK kill the R? Well they are two entirely different vehicles with different markets. The question to be asked is whether the GLK can survive on its own? What is M-B doing differently than BMW with the failing X-3?
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
The problem with third row seating in most vehicles in the ML's size class is that those seat are often a joke, as is the BMW X5's. It isn't even decent sized for small kids, much less a regular sized American adult. Its a marketing ploy to have a 3rd row seat in a ML/X5/MDX sized vehicle. People who actually need (and plan to use) a 3rd row seat will buy a GL, Yukon or something a little more manageable like a Enclave or Arcadia.
Anyway, the GLK isn't going to replace the R. If the GLK were built in a Bama then I could see it, not as a direct replacement for the R and its purpose, but as a stopgap or filler for the volume lost on the assembly line if the R was cut from the team. The GLK being built in Germany, smaller, and aimed at a different buyers says that it won't replace the R. Mercedes will no doubt try something different with the next R.
M
Anyway, the GLK isn't going to replace the R. If the GLK were built in a Bama then I could see it, not as a direct replacement for the R and its purpose, but as a stopgap or filler for the volume lost on the assembly line if the R was cut from the team. The GLK being built in Germany, smaller, and aimed at a different buyers says that it won't replace the R. Mercedes will no doubt try something different with the next R.
M
Last edited by Germancar1; Dec 26, 2007 at 03:01 AM.
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Your arguments rely on the theory that the ML will get a 3rd row.
There are no plans to introduce a 3rd row on the ML. There are two 7-seaters already; the R and the GL.
M-B learned from the embarrassing excuse for a 3rd row in the X5 and will not repeat this venture.
Will the GLK kill the R? Well they are two entirely different vehicles with different markets. The question to be asked is whether the GLK can survive on its own? What is M-B doing differently than BMW with the failing X-3?
There are no plans to introduce a 3rd row on the ML. There are two 7-seaters already; the R and the GL.
M-B learned from the embarrassing excuse for a 3rd row in the X5 and will not repeat this venture.
Will the GLK kill the R? Well they are two entirely different vehicles with different markets. The question to be asked is whether the GLK can survive on its own? What is M-B doing differently than BMW with the failing X-3?
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From: Woodbridge, VA
2007 R-500
I have an 07 R500. I rode in the back seat for the first time last night. I was able to move the seat to its furthest distance and reclined it two notches. Once I adjusted the headrest for my height and desired angle, I could have ridden that way for hours. This vehicle has no competition among other crossovers.
During the summer I autocrossed the car three times. Considering it has all-season tires, I was able to outrun two novice drivers of a V-8 sedan (I've been autoxing for 32 years). I drove the new ML when it first came out. I was quite impressed, expecially compared with the older model. I've driven my R with all 6 seats filled with adults. Everyone in the four rear seats complimented me on the comfort of the vehicle. I like mine just fine. I plan to lower it next summer and get summer tires and become a serious competitor in the V-8 class! The ML and R are two completely different types of vehicle. I'd love an opportunity to run an autox course against an ML 500.
JR
During the summer I autocrossed the car three times. Considering it has all-season tires, I was able to outrun two novice drivers of a V-8 sedan (I've been autoxing for 32 years). I drove the new ML when it first came out. I was quite impressed, expecially compared with the older model. I've driven my R with all 6 seats filled with adults. Everyone in the four rear seats complimented me on the comfort of the vehicle. I like mine just fine. I plan to lower it next summer and get summer tires and become a serious competitor in the V-8 class! The ML and R are two completely different types of vehicle. I'd love an opportunity to run an autox course against an ML 500.
JR
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2008 R350 & 2008 C300
I have an 07 R500. I rode in the back seat for the first time last night. I was able to move the seat to its furthest distance and reclined it two notches. Once I adjusted the headrest for my height and desired angle, I could have ridden that way for hours. This vehicle has no competition among other crossovers.
During the summer I autocrossed the car three times. Considering it has all-season tires, I was able to outrun two novice drivers of a V-8 sedan (I've been autoxing for 32 years). I drove the new ML when it first came out. I was quite impressed, expecially compared with the older model. I've driven my R with all 6 seats filled with adults. Everyone in the four rear seats complimented me on the comfort of the vehicle. I like mine just fine. I plan to lower it next summer and get summer tires and become a serious competitor in the V-8 class! The ML and R are two completely different types of vehicle. I'd love an opportunity to run an autox course against an ML 500.
JR
During the summer I autocrossed the car three times. Considering it has all-season tires, I was able to outrun two novice drivers of a V-8 sedan (I've been autoxing for 32 years). I drove the new ML when it first came out. I was quite impressed, expecially compared with the older model. I've driven my R with all 6 seats filled with adults. Everyone in the four rear seats complimented me on the comfort of the vehicle. I like mine just fine. I plan to lower it next summer and get summer tires and become a serious competitor in the V-8 class! The ML and R are two completely different types of vehicle. I'd love an opportunity to run an autox course against an ML 500.
JR
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I am so glad to see others like the R. We have an '06 R350 which replaced a Navigator (which replaced a Discovery...) It's a fantastic vehicle and totally misunderstood and underappreciated. I think it initially suffered because some thought it was the MB version of the Pacifica and of course it is not like that in any way. I was very sad to see the 500 and 63 versions dropped because I fear that's the start of its demise. It's always heavily discounted - except ours of course because we got one of the first! - and that doesn't help. Everyone who rides in it is completely impressed, but MB has to get people into it. Maybe the fading SUV glamor will help, if they stick it out (BTW, my car is an '07 ML63, which replaced an '04 Turbo Cayenne, so I have some good comparisons!). It's smooth and luxurious and ridiculously roomy.
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2008 R350 & 2008 C300
I am so glad to see others like the R. We have an '06 R350 which replaced a Navigator (which replaced a Discovery...) It's a fantastic vehicle and totally misunderstood and underappreciated. I think it initially suffered because some thought it was the MB version of the Pacifica and of course it is not like that in any way. I was very sad to see the 500 and 63 versions dropped because I fear that's the start of its demise. It's always heavily discounted - except ours of course because we got one of the first! - and that doesn't help. Everyone who rides in it is completely impressed, but MB has to get people into it. Maybe the fading SUV glamor will help, if they stick it out (BTW, my car is an '07 ML63, which replaced an '04 Turbo Cayenne, so I have some good comparisons!). It's smooth and luxurious and ridiculously roomy.
