Used - R350 vs R500
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Joined: Jan 2002
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Used - R350 vs R500
Hey - as you may know from previous posts we are in the market for another R class. We already have an 06 R350 and obviously we like it. I assumed that we would just get another 350 but I have found several 500s that are off lease, fully loaded and reasonably priced.
Any thoughts on a 500? Do any of the 350 owners wish they had a 500 or vice versa?
Clearly gas is an issue but I am not too hung up on it.
Any thoughts on a 500? Do any of the 350 owners wish they had a 500 or vice versa?
Clearly gas is an issue but I am not too hung up on it.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 556
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2011 C300 4matic, 2015 Porsche Macan S, 2006 R500 (sold)
Hey - as you may know from previous posts we are in the market for another R class. We already have an 06 R350 and obviously we like it. I assumed that we would just get another 350 but I have found several 500s that are off lease, fully loaded and reasonably priced.
Any thoughts on a 500? Do any of the 350 owners wish Clearly gas is an issue but I am not too hung up on it.they had a 500 or vice versa?
Any thoughts on a 500? Do any of the 350 owners wish Clearly gas is an issue but I am not too hung up on it.they had a 500 or vice versa?
Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 144
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From: los angeles
05 w463 G55, 08 W251 R500, 03 996 turbo
Hey - as you may know from previous posts we are in the market for another R class. We already have an 06 R350 and obviously we like it. I assumed that we would just get another 350 but I have found several 500s that are off lease, fully loaded and reasonably priced.
Any thoughts on a 500? Do any of the 350 owners wish they had a 500 or vice versa?
Clearly gas is an issue but I am not too hung up on it.
Any thoughts on a 500? Do any of the 350 owners wish they had a 500 or vice versa?
Clearly gas is an issue but I am not too hung up on it.
if you are 16 years old and have never driven a car before, I would understand. If you pay your own car bills then only YOU would know the answer if the marginal difference was worth the extra cost. why don't you drive the r500 since you already own the r350?
For me, I could NOT drive the r350. The r500 was the bare minimum and the airmatic suspension was a deal breaker.
Last edited by sc_trojan; Oct 9, 2008 at 08:40 AM.
Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 124
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From: Woodbridge, VA
2007 R-500
R350 vs R500
My first benz was a c240. I soon traded for a c320. That car was my first experience with real power. My next was an SL. Going from less than 300 hp to more than 300 hp is similar to your second time with sex! It IS about the torque!
JR
JR
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 367
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From: Scotland
2004 SL500, 2007 R350 Sport
I'd rather have the 500 of course as there are times the 350 doesn't pull as I'd like but couldn't justify another £10,000 or so when I bought it as 99% of the time it's adequate.
UK prices:-
SE* Sport* Edition S*
Diesel
R 280 CDI 5-seats £36,825 £38,325 -
R 320 CDI 5-seats £39,525 £41,025 £39,525
7-seats £40,525 £42,025 £40,525
R 320 L CDI 7-seats £41,775 £43,275 £41,775
Petrol
R 500 L 7-seats £53,775 £53,775 -
Hell, if I'd the money I'd have got the R63.
UK prices:-
SE* Sport* Edition S*
Diesel
R 280 CDI 5-seats £36,825 £38,325 -
R 320 CDI 5-seats £39,525 £41,025 £39,525
7-seats £40,525 £42,025 £40,525
R 320 L CDI 7-seats £41,775 £43,275 £41,775
Petrol
R 500 L 7-seats £53,775 £53,775 -
Hell, if I'd the money I'd have got the R63.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 556
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2011 C300 4matic, 2015 Porsche Macan S, 2006 R500 (sold)
I'd rather have the 500 of course as there are times the 350 doesn't pull as I'd like but couldn't justify another £10,000 or so when I bought it as 99% of the time it's adequate.
UK prices:-
SE* Sport* Edition S*
Diesel
R 280 CDI 5-seats £36,825 £38,325 -
R 320 CDI 5-seats £39,525 £41,025 £39,525
7-seats £40,525 £42,025 £40,525
R 320 L CDI 7-seats £41,775 £43,275 £41,775
Petrol
R 500 L 7-seats £53,775 £53,775 -
Hell, if I'd the money I'd have got the R63.
UK prices:-
SE* Sport* Edition S*
Diesel
R 280 CDI 5-seats £36,825 £38,325 -
R 320 CDI 5-seats £39,525 £41,025 £39,525
7-seats £40,525 £42,025 £40,525
R 320 L CDI 7-seats £41,775 £43,275 £41,775
Petrol
R 500 L 7-seats £53,775 £53,775 -
Hell, if I'd the money I'd have got the R63.
It means you can get a $65K new R500 compared to a $50K new R350 for only $5K more in the used market.
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Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 108
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From: Vancouver
2006 R500, 2002 996TT
Before I got my R500, I've try the R350. Is ok but after I try the V8 Torque, you will think this is the way suppose to be for such a heavy car. Now I wish mine is R320, less gas more Torque or go crazy with R63!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,681
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From: SF
07 E63 06 CLK55 Cab 03 P-car C4S
i've been seeing many 2006 R500's for $25-30k w/ warranty still. the R350's don't seem to be much less - it seems people are not willing to pay up for the V8's, even though the cars used to cost $8K+ more.
i've driven the R350 but haven't driven the R500 yet, but in general they seem to be much better optioned. based on the way i've seen the pricing trends and the slowing economy, my gut feel is that the R500's may drop to low $20k's at the auctions soon?
what do you guys think - or do you think they'll stabilize at $25k-30k because for that money, you can't even get a new Odyssey or Ciena?
Patrick
i've driven the R350 but haven't driven the R500 yet, but in general they seem to be much better optioned. based on the way i've seen the pricing trends and the slowing economy, my gut feel is that the R500's may drop to low $20k's at the auctions soon?
what do you guys think - or do you think they'll stabilize at $25k-30k because for that money, you can't even get a new Odyssey or Ciena?
Patrick
Thread Starter
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I drove the 500 and liked it but it was not an earth-shattering difference to me (I guess I am a slow driver). The power was there, however, don't know that I would use it that much.
But, as some have posted, it seems that there are plenty of 500s fully loaded avail for a slightly more than the 350s with much less equip. With that in mind, I will probably lean toward the 500.
But, as some have posted, it seems that there are plenty of 500s fully loaded avail for a slightly more than the 350s with much less equip. With that in mind, I will probably lean toward the 500.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 584
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From: Northern NJ
E90 N54 & W251
When I leased my R350, the R500 was discontinued. The economics swayed me towards the lease versus the purchase of a pre-owned R500. Had the R500 still been available for 2008, I assure you it would be in my driveway today.
I love my R, but the 350 engine is a bit under powered for the weight it's lugging around. I have my CL500 to compare to and the 500 engine is an effortless powerplant. It's better suited and IMO more economical in the R-Class versus the 350 by virtue of fuel consumption with the power you get. The gas mileage I get in my CL is the same and at times BETTER than the R. A harder working engine will consume more fuel, especially if you drive aggressive. Try putting a 40Mpg 4-Cyl Toyota engine in an R-class and watch the mileage drop to 6Mpg. Same principle.
Go for the 5 double "O" and enjoy!
I love my R, but the 350 engine is a bit under powered for the weight it's lugging around. I have my CL500 to compare to and the 500 engine is an effortless powerplant. It's better suited and IMO more economical in the R-Class versus the 350 by virtue of fuel consumption with the power you get. The gas mileage I get in my CL is the same and at times BETTER than the R. A harder working engine will consume more fuel, especially if you drive aggressive. Try putting a 40Mpg 4-Cyl Toyota engine in an R-class and watch the mileage drop to 6Mpg. Same principle.
Go for the 5 double "O" and enjoy!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,192
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From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
If it's torque you're looking for, get the diesel. It has equal torque to the 500.
Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 227
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From: Bay Area
01 S2000, E46 M3, 99 ML320
My wife is cross shopping the used market for a R350 or R500 as well so this thread helps.
What is the EPA MPG for both cars and are those reflective of real world situations?
I read in Wikipedia the R500 has 380+ hp! Is that too much for a family car? We already have a ML320 and sometimes wish for more power. Can the R500 be a good tow vehicle?
Any input from real owners would be great
thanks!
What is the EPA MPG for both cars and are those reflective of real world situations?
I read in Wikipedia the R500 has 380+ hp! Is that too much for a family car? We already have a ML320 and sometimes wish for more power. Can the R500 be a good tow vehicle?
Any input from real owners would be great
thanks!
Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 141
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From: Mt. Sinai, NY
2013 E350 wagon cuprite brown; sold:2014 ML63; R500 Saks Edition; R500; more W124s than I can count
we are on our second R500 and the gas mileage seems to be about the same as our last Honda Odyssey: about 15-16 in town and usually just over 20 on the highway. 360 HP might be quite a bit if we were talking about a golf gti, however the R weighs in at well over two tons. the power is just right for the R's bulk...have never towed, so i can't speak to that...
Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 194
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From: Montreal, Canada
BMW 340i xDrive 2018 MMPSK silver , Cadillac XT5 2018 silver, 09 R320 BT
we are on our second R500 and the gas mileage seems to be about the same as our last Honda Odyssey: about 15-16 in town and usually just over 20 on the highway. 360 HP might be quite a bit if we were talking about a golf gti, however the R weighs in at well over two tons. the power is just right for the R's bulk...have never towed, so i can't speak to that...
Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area
01 S2000, E46 M3, 99 ML320
we are on our second R500 and the gas mileage seems to be about the same as our last Honda Odyssey: about 15-16 in town and usually just over 20 on the highway. 360 HP might be quite a bit if we were talking about a golf gti, however the R weighs in at well over two tons. the power is just right for the R's bulk...have never towed, so i can't speak to that...
*EDIT: Yes the V8 only has 302hp, I must have made a reading error
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,681
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From: SF
07 E63 06 CLK55 Cab 03 P-car C4S
the used R500s seemed to have more options, but most will be out of warranty by now. if you're going for this, ideally the airmatic shocks have all been replaced by now as they'll likely all go out at some point and the car will sag. as for mileage, we're getting 14-15 around town, and around 20 on the highway...not bad for 5k pound V8. surprisingly, our 2012 odyssey with 6 cylinders isn't that much better on the mileage.
as for R350, i'd say the biggest difference is that you can choose a NEWER R350 - 2008+. i've heard from many people that they're much more reliable than the 2006-2007 R's. in addition, it may have the 7-seat option that earlier models do not. lastly, if you want to get the later models, 2012...they look REALLY nice w/ the updated hood/tail. good luck.
PL
as for R350, i'd say the biggest difference is that you can choose a NEWER R350 - 2008+. i've heard from many people that they're much more reliable than the 2006-2007 R's. in addition, it may have the 7-seat option that earlier models do not. lastly, if you want to get the later models, 2012...they look REALLY nice w/ the updated hood/tail. good luck.
PL
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 227
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From: Bay Area
01 S2000, E46 M3, 99 ML320
We had our eye on a 2007 White R500 locally with 24k miles but the lady is crazy wanting $25k!
So I'm now thinking 2008+ R350's which have the 7-seat option, thank you again for your post. 2011+ are out of the price range we want to spent.
I'm going back to Autotrader but if anyone has a clean 2008+ R350 for sale please let me know as we are ready to buy anytime.
thank you
So I'm now thinking 2008+ R350's which have the 7-seat option, thank you again for your post. 2011+ are out of the price range we want to spent.
I'm going back to Autotrader but if anyone has a clean 2008+ R350 for sale please let me know as we are ready to buy anytime.
thank you
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 556
Likes: 4
2011 C300 4matic, 2015 Porsche Macan S, 2006 R500 (sold)
We had our eye on a 2007 White R500 locally with 24k miles but the lady is crazy wanting $25k!
So I'm now thinking 2008+ R350's which have the 7-seat option, thank you again for your post. 2011+ are out of the price range we want to spent.
I'm going back to Autotrader but if anyone has a clean 2008+ R350 for sale please let me know as we are ready to buy anytime.
thank you
So I'm now thinking 2008+ R350's which have the 7-seat option, thank you again for your post. 2011+ are out of the price range we want to spent.
I'm going back to Autotrader but if anyone has a clean 2008+ R350 for sale please let me know as we are ready to buy anytime.
thank you
Make sure your R350 engine doesn't fall within the range:
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w211...et-engine.html
Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 227
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From: Bay Area
01 S2000, E46 M3, 99 ML320
Make sure your R350 engine doesn't fall within the range:
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w211...et-engine.html
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w211...et-engine.html
I swear trying to find a nice R-class for sale in the used market is almost reminding me of my search for my NSX many years ago....crazy! I can't find the right car. I've emailed a few people on Autotrader with very little replies? What gives...?
Is it that hard to find a silver/white/black R350 with the basics
