Hello All,

What is the difference between R350(2007) and R500(2007)? I know that R500 has V8 but what else is different? And how is R500(2007) when compared to new R350(2010 and above)?

Thanks.

May I suggest the R320CDI or the new R350CDI Bluetec? Both of these have a healthy dose of torque and get above 22 mpg for us around town and close to 28 mpg on the freeway. As an added bonus, at least where we live, diesel is less expensive than premium.

Other than the obvious advantages (or disadvantages) of a V8 vs V6, there are probably only option package differences between a R350 and R500 within the same model year. I believe transmissions and brakes were same as well as wheel options. I would guess a R500 would have been equipped with more standard options than a R350 because of the price premium.

I opted for a new R class (09) because I wanted a 7 seat model. These were not avaialble until 2008 and starting that year, there were no R500 models for US anymore.

Other than xenon bulbs & the heated lamp washers (and I don't think all 500's got them either), I don't think there was any other real difference between the 350 & 500...other than the V8 of course.

Of the top of my head, I'd say that the R500 is typically better equipped than the R350 of the same year. For instance, when I was looking, most R350s didn't have memory seats, whereas all R500s did. I think R500s have 18" wheels as standard, whereas R350s can have 17" wheels.

I don't think there were any options on the R500 that couldn't be had on an R350 though.

Ok... I am looking at my 06 R-class brochure

Standard equipments on R500 (but not R350)

18" wheels
13.8" front brake rotors
Silver painted grille, chrome trimmed door handle, chrome body side and window trims
Dual Chrome exhaust tips
Tele Aids
Power adjustable steering wheels
Heated Front seats
Burl Wood (darker)
Full leather seats,
premium lighting

no backup cameras on the 07's. 09's they come with the Nav system. 18" wheels are standard on the 09's. Sports package ones come with 19". Different Command Nav for the 09's as well. Of course, the 2011's got a facelift/style change... My 09 R350 has memory seats. The V6 is not bad. figure I am not going to drive like a maniac with the family in the car anyways so... V6 was good enough. Oh, no Xenon lights for the 09R350's. not even an option. I think on the 2011 R's they are an option. Of course, you can retrofit with HID conversion kit like I did, what a BIG difference!

R500 has MORE power with that 305HP V8. When I test drove both, the R500 was much more responsive. The 350 was a little too sluggish for my taste, especially on one the hills the wife and I drove on. Mainly, between the 350 and 500 that is about it.

My 2006 R-500 seats 7.

So how did you achieve that? I thought the middle seat option didn't come around until later? That's the case in the US.

he straps the seventh passenger to the roof rack!

Seriously though I also drove an R-500 and while more powerful, my R350 provides all the zip anyone should need - it loves doing 140K on the highway and seems to be geared to do that speed. Only options I miss on mine would be xenons, and possibly the leather seat option, but in 2006 leather was standard on the front two seats.

The USA R500 is the old-design M113 engine (3 valves/cylinder, two spark plugs per cylinder)

The R350 is the new-design M272 engine (4 valves/cylinder, one spark plug/cylinder).

The new M273 V8 (383 hp) is now being installed in R-class but not sold in USA.

For most 2012 models, the V6 and V8s will be all-new designs.

I bought it used. I just looked at the sticker and 3 rows were standard for 6 passengers but the 3rd row is a bench and seats 3.

I have another question.....someone I worked with thought they were doing me a favor when they thought someone had pushed in my mirrors and she pulled it out for me. Unfortunately, I have power folding mirrors. The mirror opens but makes 4 knocking sounds as it closes. Any ideas on how to fix. We attempted to hold the mirror while the gears turned which worked for one series but it continues. Any idea on what it might cost to repair.

What year is your car? Still under warranty? Dealer may fix it under warranty if your car still has warranty.

7 seats option came out after 2006 in US.... the third row should only seat two... has only two seatbelts.

It is a known problem. It means your mirror is going soon. Hope you have the warranty. If not, try to leave it open.

what mpg do the R500's get?

Before we got our '08 we tested the 350/ 500 back to back. My take was that under normal driving situations there is hardly a difference between the two. I owned an R129 with the M113 V8 and never thought that engine was very powerful even in that car (My wifes C300 could easily keep up with that car) That said I think the V6 does very well in flat level driving conditions or lightly loaded. Where it struggles are low speed driving in hilly situations. Sometimes lugging, downshifting for every slight change in elevation etc... The only thing I really liked better was the throaty sound of the V8 when you got on it. The V6 sounds very unispiring and more like a sewing machine.

I own a R500 (V8) and ML350 (same V6 as in R350) so I think I can contribute to this thread as I drive both almost daily and my experience is way beyond that of a test drive. The R500 is as fast and spirited as they come considering of course you are driving a family car that weighs 5000+ lbs. IMHO if anyone needs/wants more power than that they need to look at another car platform all together (unless they can find one of the few R63s around). I have driven on long trips (12 hours plus) fully loaded with passengers and cargo and the car felt like it was begging to go faster. The same at twisty roads, where the steering wheel gear change buttons come in very handy.
My ML350 drives fine, I have no complains with it. When I start driving it I immediately notice however the difference in raw power between the two. I imagine the same would be said if I had a R350 since it is heavier than the ML. Do I consider my ML350 slow or sluggish? Not at all, however the V8 DOES have more power, and it is the extra 50 HP and torque make all the difference in the world, even at low speeds.

With that said, the conversation should be whether or not the V8 is worth it to the casual driver or not. My answer is, IT DEPENDS. The previous poster said that he test drove both and found little or no difference between the two. Clearly in that case the R350 makes much more financial sense, since he is not a spirited driver as most people aren't. (I am sorry but with a claim that an C300 could easily keep up with a R129 you are telling me that you don't push the throttle at all). In my case, when I first test drove the R350 I immediately rejected it, because it felt like the motor was trying too hard to do too much. Yes, I do have a lead foot, and yes, I expect a lot from a motor, so I opted for the V8. Also, the difference in mpg is small in my view so it is a non issue (or should be a non issue for most folks).

I know by saying this I raised eyebrows so here is what I mean: I drive each car about 10,000 miles per year (my wife uses them too), so let's say the annual average mpg for the V8 is 14mpg (I drive much more in the city) and for the V6 annual average is 17mpg (not 100% sure about these figures but should be close, the difference between the two however is right). If you do simple math you see that I need 714.28 gallons for the V8 and 588.23 gallons for the V6. Multiply each by $3 (cost of premium fuel per gallon) you get annual totals: $2,143(V8) $1,765(V6) so the difference is $378 per year. IMHO $378 per year is well worth the extra expense to have a car with great performance. It's like $30 per month... It costs more to watch HBO on cable for crying out loud. Considering that folks spend many thousands for aftermarket wheels and extra accessories (my favorite is when folks buy the V6 and then they immediately post questions about increasing HP) to still be stuck with the slower motor $378 per year is way cheap!

That's my 2 cents!

I get between 17-20, usually 17.

I've a backup camera and xenons on my 2007 R350 which are, quite literally, brilliant. Sometimes could do with the power of the 500 but the 350 adequate.

I get 14/18. Just drove 800 miles the past week and my R500 average about 17.6 at 72 mph/average..