Zachmac

Just went from a 2006 to 2009 R350 for my wife. What a difference in the command system! It's about time MB got into this century with their electronics. New system is a joy and a MAJOR improvement. The dealer told me that now they don't have to make excuses anymore to the folks shopping Lexus that "other than that" our cars are better. For us it made considering anything before 09 a no-brainer.

aggst1

You make it sound as if the price for 06,07 ,08 and 09s is the same. If that was the case it would be a no brainer. Since it's not, consider that upgraded gps cost you $20k+

if it's a lease then that's a different case.

supernsx

Yeah, I have a 06 and the command center is not very good and Nav part is totally suck. However, not sure I will upgrade to a 09 purely for that reason... If I want to upgrade a new R-class, 2011 will be the one.

Zachmac

Dude, how friggin deep! What part of "I was selling an 06" did I not post?

First, I upgraded because with 99k miles on the 06 and no warranty it was time. I was ONLY looking at certified used and I found a 16k mile 2009 for the same price as most dealers were asking on 2008 models. That got me the 09 + system AND lower mileage AND another year of CPO coverage. Yes I could buy an 06 or 07 (or 1960 wagon for that matter) cheaper (duh) but that totally misses the point. THE POINT WAS if you are looking to buy an 08 or 09 R, the SMALL difference in price makes the 09 a no brainer.

PLUS, BTW coparing my 2006 window sticker to the 2009 sticker, they were only $750 different with VASTLY (not just GPS) better equipment on the 2009. The competition in the auto industry has INCREASED bang for the buck.

aggst1

If you read your first post again you will see that you never mention the 99k miles or your reasoning you mention here. Don't get excited. Dude!!!

boochi101

You just hit some chord of several people here who are 2006 owners.

2009/10/11 might have a better COMMAND interface but the driving dynamics could be mostly same. also your 2009 R350 can not compare to my 2006 R500, isn't it?

If you want top most COMPUTERS in a SUV I guess ACURA is better.

AsianR350

I agree with you.

Own 2007 Acura RL and I know what you meant about Acura GPS Nav which is much better than my 08 R.

Zachmac

BUT, have you compared it to an 09 Mercedes? No comparison with the 08 system which was similar to my 04 S55 and pretty dated.

Zachmac

[quote=boochi101;4091163]You just hit some chord of several people here who are 2006 owners.
[quote]

Until recenlty I WAS a happy 06 owner. My post was just to let anyone know who didn't that if you are shopping for a newer R there was a marked upgrade between 08 and 09. I wan't trashing 06, just stating my opinion having now owned both. If you have an 06 then you have a nice ride, but don't kid yourself that your electronics are even up to the current Hyundai standards.

AsianR350

Zachmac,

Congrats to you on new 09 R.

boochi101

[QUOTE=Zachmac;4091257][quote=boochi101;4091163]You just hit some chord of several people here who are 2006 owners.
See, you are doing it again. The word ELECTRONICS is broad and the COMMAND unit even in 2006 R has nice touch and feel and easy to use as long as you do not need to use gps 100 times every day. The 2006 navigation is not subpar IMHO, as it is very accurate in GPS positioning and announcing turn-by-turn directions at precise points accurately. MAPS, yes they are dated, what do you expect? Your 2009 MAPS are pretty soon obsolete compared to a 2011 HYUNDAI

I was given 2009 C-Class loaner and I agree the FM interface and RDS is good but the sound is basically same quality.

My 2010 prius has keyless-go as standard feature which is only available in LOADED R350. what now?

Having said that just curious what excited you so much about GPS in 2009 R?

aggst1

[QUOTE=boochi101;4091690][QUOTE=Zachmac;4091257]I bet it was the voice activated controls.

Zachmac

Wow, I give up on you guys. All I tried to say was that I was pleased that the 09 had improved the Navigation, the radio interface, the voice activation, and the phone integration. I.e the whole command system got a lot better (not just the friggin maps). I really wasn't interested in a pissing match with people who cannot accept that the model they are driving has been improved on and want to waste time debating it. I never said any thing about any other system sucking, I have the same one as the 06 in my S55. The 09 is clearly better. Clearly all you want to do is pick nits and throw stones. A bunch of imature haters. Grow up and get a life. I remember now why I quit coming to this forum.

AsianR350

Calm down bro.
I do respect your opinion but I also respect other opinion too.

Peace.

Benz-O-Rama

What did they give you for the 2006 w/ 99K miles?

Zachmac

20k, and yes I negotiated the cash deal BEFORE trade so it was an honest 20k for the trade. I talked with several dealers and they all offered between 19 and 20 for the trade.

Benz-O-Rama

This is the VERY best thing you can do when trading a vehicle in. Don't even mention it to the dealer until you've negotiated the new car price first. Then, before you're ready to sign, introduce the trade and walk if they low ball you. You know what it's worth before sitting down, so they can't hide money anywhere in the new car purchase.

That said, $20K is a very aggressive price considering the miles. I just sold my 2006 Saks 5th Ave R500, with 60K, for slightly more than that. And trust me, I went to several sources before pulling the trigger. Wholesale on mine was anywhere from 20-24K, but mine did need tires and had a few dings. I didn't even try to retail it, but I probably could've gotten 24K for it.

Anyway, congrats on the new purchase. Hopefully, this one holds it's value better than the current ones.

Zachmac

Yeah, that's exactly what I always do, start with cash deal / no trade and negotiate that to the bloody end first. Then and only then do you bring the trade into the conversation. Otherwise you are kidding yourself that you'll ever know what you got for your trade. It makes the already long process longer but is worth the effort. I was out the door with taxes and all plus an added two years on the CPO for just under 20k difference on a loaded 16k mile 2009. I might be crazy but I think that was a pretty good deal all said.

I don't really expect the car to hold it's value any better unless MB starts advertising this car! It frustates the heck out of me how they keep it such a secret! Think about it, have you ever seen a TV add for an R? I haven't.

supernsx

People are being a bit sensitive these days. Anyway, have fun with your 09, Zachmac.

aggst1

I think either way you negotiate it's the same providing the buyer understands what they are dealing on. If you tell them up front you have a trade then you are working on a deal for two things , the price of the new car and the price of the trade. The same happens if you deal separately and bring up the trade after the fact. I had an experience in the past where I had come to an agreement with the dealer for the new one and when I brought up the trade they gave me below blue book. When I asked why they said "you can't have it all. Take it or leave it" I left but after going to other dealers the deal was still a better one so I took it. In other words, they might not accept to play by your rules if they don't have to.

aggst1

Read the thread from the begining to see who got sensitive first. The OP!!! And by the way, I am sure we are all wishing him to enjoy his new ride.

Zachmac

Guilty as charged. My bad. Thanks to everyone for the input and well wishes.

AsianR350

As long as you are happy with the new R. Go for it

R KLASSE

I think the OP burned the dealer on the trade, makes me think he didn't get so hot of a deal on his '09 R. Personally I would have to be pretty high to purchase ANY car for $20K with 99K miles, just saying.

Also I don't know whats different about the '09 to the '08 other than the nicer black painted grill on the '09 but the command in our '08 is pretty decent. It's not Acura or Lexus quality, but it's decent for what it is. Honestly when we were shopping for an R Class the command was the least of our concern and definitely not a deal breaker. We wanted a comfortable, AWD, car like ride & drive with the space of a van and utility of an SUV without the big bulbous size and mpg of a full sized SUV.

IMO most people shopping for these cars don't get to wrapped up in all the bells and whistles.

Zachmac

R KLASSE

The bottom line was the bottom line. I found an 09 priced the same (or less) than most the dealers wanted for the 08s and the command com being updated was a bonus.

If you haven't seen / tried the 09 command com then sure, your 08 (just like the 06 I traded) seems nice. But, having things like a fully integrated 10 phone interface that works with any phone with no pucks or other add ons, state of the art color navigation maps and real time updates, and voice command put the new system in with the current generation of systems in the market. As the dealer who sold me the car commented, "with the 09 changes we aren't trying to apologize and make excuses for it to folks who come shopping after looking at the competition."

Again, I DIDN"T buy the car FOR the command com, I was just very pleased that Mercedes greatly improved it in the 09 model year and that I could buy an 09 for the same money as an 08. THAT COMBINATION made the 09 a no-brainer versus an 08.