Schmed

(my fist post here )


Thinking about an R350 or R320 to replace our Odyssey for my wife and 3 kiddies.

Just realized there's a 7 seat option that fills in the gap between the 2nd row seats.

- is the "gap filler" removable?
- any feedback on those that got the option and wish they didn't or vice versa?
- is it a hassle to get back to the 3rd row if you have the 7 seat option?
- can the gap filler be added afterward, or only ordered from the factory.

Thanks!

AsianR350

- Middle seat (center) fold down as arms rest (Not removeable)
- I am glad that I have it as an option.
- Use rear doors just like 6 seaters or climb over when the center seat is down)
- Not know.

chilledbenz

- the middle seat is not removable, although it does slide forward independent from the other two presumably for child seats.

- didn't plan on getting the seven seat option, but it was already equipped on the car, I had the idea in my mind to get the center console that looked so nice in between the rear seats.

- having the seven seat option doesn't make a bit of difference when getting to the third row, because unless your five years old you can't squeeze between the second row seats anyway, they both have arm rests in the way.

- from other posts already here, the seventh seat can't be added later, something to do with the mounting hardware being welded into the floor, but to be honest I haven't looked into it.

Schmed

Thanks for the info, guys. I'll spend some more time with the R350/R320 and my wife and make sure she's good with it.

Hard to beat the load-swallowing capacity of the Odyssey, but I'm ready for something a little more... um..... German! The Odyssey has nice power, decent handling, great features, but feels a little "tinny" when compared to the MB or BMWs.

Was also thinking of an MDX or Pilot, but it seems that the R-class has more cargo capacity for the dog/kids/coolers/etc.

AsianR350

Test drove 08 MDX but decided to go with 08 R350.
For the same price (Deep Discount), R 350 is the way to go.
"Nice Ride, Good Handling and Luxury too (Three pointed Star)

BallJack

[QUOTE=chilledbenz;3310875]- the middle seat is not removable, although it does slide forward independent from the other two presumably for child seats.
QUOTE]

How do you do that? I can't figure out how to move the middle seat forward.

AsianR350

There is a strap at bottom rear center seat. Pull up and slide the seat forward.

xxGenericSNxx

I've always wondered if the rear center console is retrofitable in place of the middle seat...

To the OP, with an '09 R, the third middle seat comes as part of the P1 package, so most likely if you get a new R, it'll have the third seat.

BallJack

I would think most R's now come with the seven seat option. At least in my local dealer, all the R's they have are seven seater - for 08 and 09 models.

chilledbenz

Seven seat option is now part of the P1 package for 2009. Most if not all R classes will have the P1 unless they were special orders.

As for fitting the console in a R with the seventh seat, sounds like an interesting task. If the console is hollow on the bottom, which I would assume it is or it would weigh too much, then yes you might be able to remove the seventh seat and have the console hide all the hardware. Guess it will take someone with some time and money to spend to find out lol.

An update on the sliding of the middle seat, you must pull the fabric handle on the back of the seat not the front. There isn't one of the front.

BallJack

I saw that. Thanks!
However, I don't think that there are slots to stop the sliding forward from end to end. Like, what if I only want to slide it an inch forward? I think it only slides forward and lowers to the ground too - for the purpose of folding all the seat for cargo space. It's not the same sliding forward as the other seats.

Untertürkheim

The R is a really great vehicle, although I personally prefer the E wagon.

nanoera

i thought 6 was enough but i would have got 7 if it was available to me at the time.
pano roof and ample 3rd row are the reason i was hooked.

Schmed

We were out doing errands today and stopped by a (closed) Merc dealer and showed my wife the R320. The courtesy loaner was actually unlocked, so we got in and checked out all the seating and adjustments, etc.

I am smitten with this thing! The seats are incredible - even the back row for adults is very comfortable and firm. Folding the 2nd row to get to the 3rd is quick and easy. The 7th seat is nice as my kids could all sit in the 3rd row and we could leave the rear folded much of the time.

Although we have a truck that we can borrow to tow our small camper with, I'd be interested if the '08 and earlier R320s / R350s would be capable of towing it. I'm guessing "no" as our camper is 3100 lbs loaded and only the '09 has a hitch available from the factory. Seems like the '08s and earlier is quite a challenge to get a towing setup.

Well... time to think. If we can get by without towing, the R is my first choice. Otherwise, we might have to look at another Odyssey or MDX.

xxGenericSNxx

The R has a towing capacity of 3500lbs. I remember hearing if you got an '09 R, it would cost nearly $2k to get the hitch retrofitted from the dealer (v. $510 from the factory), I don't see any reason why the pre 09 models couldn't be retrofitted as well. Best bet is to ask the dealer. (are you in the market for a used R, I presume?)

Schmed

Yes - maybe a demo '08 with a nice discount, but $40k+ is higher than we'd like to be at this point.

AsianR350

You should get lower than $40K for 08 left over.
I got mine in May 08 for $41,200 W/ P1 package, 7 seater and Ipod.(70 miles on odometer when I got my 2008 R350)
(listed price was $51,100).
Still love mine (3800 miles on odometer now).
Handling is super on & off clover exit. (Outrun all mini vans and most SUVs except MDX SHAWD)
Honda Odyssey is almost 40k loaded already.

rickpo

To be fair, you can get a fully loaded (aka Touring) Odyssey for around $32-35k (even though it stickers higher) especially any left over 08s on the lot.

AsianR350

R Class is luxury brand and Honda Odyssey is economy brand.
You get more heads turn in R Class than Honda Odyssey.

C/P from rickpo

I have an Odyssey (Touring) and an R 350. Completely different cars and both serve their purpose well. We use the Odyssey when we are going on trips with the baby. It's spacious, the doors open and close automatically, and has the reliability of a Honda. It doesn't have AWD and it looks and drives like, well, a mini-van.

The R looks more wagon-ish but futuristic in my book. It can seat 6 including the baby comfortably albeit a little more labor when taking the baby in and out of the seat. It drives like German car, that is to say it handles like it's on rails (I have the 19in. rims) and I feel confident in all weather conditions and driving on the beach (4Matic).

I agree that MB made this car ahead of its time.

chilledbenz

Also keep in mind that Honda doesn't make the Odyssey in awd, nor does any other manufacture of so called mini vans. The Odyssey does have more cargo room options but the R and the Odyssey are two different animals all together and aren't meant to do the same job.

rickpo

Actually, you can get the Toyota Sienna in AWD. I would have bought an Odyssey AWD if they had this as an option/model.

Schmed

Regarding the Odyssey, MDX, Pilot, and the R-Class:

IMNSHO....

- I personally prefer the R-Class. Looks, interior quality, "German" handling, status, etc.
- AWD is minimally important to me. I live in the mountains and drive RWD with snow tires 24/7/365. Been through 4 blizzards with a RWD car and good snow tires.
- At this point, I think I need to figure out if a dealer can reasonably install a towing package on a used R-class. If not, I think I'll defer to an MDX/Pilot/Odyssey. Sounds like this might be my biggest challenge to get into an R-Class

Honda/Acura makes a very nice vehicle. Maybe not in the status class as the Benz, but handling, braking, build quality, reliability is spectacular.

I think there's two types of people that buy a BMW/MBenz:

- one group wants the status that the badge brings
- the other wants no-comprimise performance and handling

I'm in group #2!

AsianR350

schmed,

If you are in group #2, get Acura MDX. It has 300HP, Super Handling AWD and hitch to tow, seat for 7 (third row seats are good for kids only)
BTW, You will get 4 yrs, 50,000 miles bumper to bumper warranty and 72,000 miles powertrain warranty.(Honda only has 3 years, 36k miles)

thegeneraltso

Those with babies and strollers, a minivan is a god-send. there is so much room behind the third row to swallow anything plus the sliding doors are great in tight parking spaces.

Abeit, if you had teenagers or kids required no carseats, an R is a nice addition

R. Reyes

True, especially w/ the sliding doors. However, with today's prices, the R is a better value by far. I don't think you would be able to get a fully loaded late '08 Sienna or Odyssey out the door for less than $42k. They're hard to find, but a loaded w/P2 new R can be had out the door for $44-45k. And you'll have DVD headrests, etc., plus the tri-star on your hood, and piece of mind.

W/ a CPO the deal gets even better. There are some loaded '08's w/ low miles going for $ high 20's, low 30's. And you can wedge the extended warranty in there for that price as well.