MyMercedes012

Dear Members,

I joined this forum to read up on R Class for my wife and new baby that is joining the family in 3 months.

I have narrowed down to 2 choices.

2008 R350, white/ash interior, the wife took test drive yesterday and price offer to us is $39,900 from MSRP of $50k from MB dealership.

2007 R500, Black/tan, at a local dealer who is listed at $33k w/15k miles

Please provide opinions where I am leaning towards the R500 where it is V8 and more power. But the wife think R350 is good.

Basically, my question is get the 08 or used model?

Thanks for your time.

rpringle

Why get a V8 that eats more gas?

If you want power, get the diesel - more torque than the V8 and way better mileage!

supernsx

I like the 2008 look better. It is the same as the 2006 and 2007 AMG package without the wheels.

Regarding the R500, I agree with the earlier post that diesel have better torque and will feel more powerful.

Btw, are their options about the same?

chilledbenz

The v8 was a 5.0 liter with 302 hp 339 lb/ft torque, the new 3.5 liter v6 has 268 hp 258 lb/ft torque and then the monster torquer of the group the 3.0 liter 215 hp 398 lb/ft torque R320. Compare those numbers for the old 5.0 liter v8 with those of the new 5.5 liter dohc v8 with 382 hp and 391 lb/ft torque. Shame they don't offer the 5.5 in the R class as I feel they would sell them. I would go with the 2008 R350, at this point the 09's are rolling in and you should be able to find a left over somewhere on the cheap.

R. Reyes

The R350 will be fine. Yes, in some instances you will miss the pull of the V-8 but it's not like the 350 will be underpowered by any means.

But as mentioned right now the added feature of only putting in approx. $65 to fill the tank @ $3.96/gallon every 10 days versus the same for a neighbors R500 every 6 days.

The 500 is very nice from the lights, but hits hardest right now at the pump.

Good luck!

-Ronnie

MyMercedes012

Thanks everyone.

We are going to go with the R350 since got to make the wife happy.

I will post some pictures once we get them, thanks again.

Scotsman

I sometimes wish I'd the 500 for the power but 99/100 the 350 is fine.
Maybe more torque with the 320 but the 350 is cheaper to run here in the UK. You adapt to whatever power you have anyway.

MyMercedes012

so has anyone recent got a good deal for 2008 R350???

R. Reyes

Here are a couple of CPO's that are not that far from me...

'08 4700 +/- a few miles asking $48k, but know they will let it go for around $43-44k.
http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/MBHome.html#/cpo/

Here's another, but an '06 that has 18k miles and they're asking $35k. It's got CD changer, Navigation, Pano roof, heated seats, power liftgate, rear audio & climate. I'm sure this one could be had easily for $32-33k w/out much fuss at all.
http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/MBHome.../vehiclesMenu/

Here's a base R500 '06 that has a sunroof, and Xenon's, power lift gate and headlamp washers...for $38k w/ 14k miles. Not loaded by any means, but not a bad price either.
http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/MBHome.../vehiclesMenu/


-Ronnie