So Mercedes Can't Sell the R Class Because of Looks?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 292
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From: Houston, TX
Q & R
The R Class goes beyond the unibody "truck" concept. As others have said, it does not sit tall like a typical SUV and is not intended to. Freestyle and Highlander are clearly unibody design crossovers - but they are truck/SUV poseurs.
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Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Palatine, IL
Speedriven
The R doesn't sell because, as a minivan, it's not very useful. 6 seats (all Capt. chairs) and no way to "walk" from the front to the back, in case you need to comfort/feed/console an infant or toddler.
You know, the POINT of having a minivan.
You know, the POINT of having a minivan.
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,542
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From: Palatine, IL
Speedriven
You could even argue that the Corolla-based Rav4 was the first of these, several years before the Highlander.
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Joined: Oct 2008
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R350 | X1 | Cayenne
One more side bit on the R, it sells fine. I count off 5-6 a day not counting mine. The R-Class is a very demographic specific niche though. It sells **cough** (leases) extremely well in very high end or affluent markets. Not so well in average middle class suburban places. This is why most people never see one because they don’t live in the 1% bracket where most of these vehicles are. Most are driven by housewives, or leased specifically for the nanny to tote kiddies around in. I’m not rich by any means (hence buying my R350 CPO used $30K and not brand new $57K) but wanted the safest vehicle my family of four could ride in.
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 574
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From: Pennsylvania, USA
2011 GL450, '06 R500 traded, '08 ML350 sold
And last, MB never said it is a minivan, simply because it is not. if someone buys it instead of an 8 seater minivan they better think it over!
Last edited by aggst1; Nov 18, 2010 at 10:11 PM.
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From: SF
07 E63 06 CLK55 Cab 03 P-car C4S
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2007 R320 CDI, 2010 FJ Cruiser, CTS-V
R class rocks. I was sceptical at first, but having had the car for 3 months, we love it.
It handles well for its size and bulk, the brakes work well and the (diesel) mileage is amazing.
Just came back from a 200m quick jaunt at 25.8 mpg. I am seriously considering getting an E350 CDI to match the R320. Too bad it I can't get a E350 Wagon in Diesel.
It handles well for its size and bulk, the brakes work well and the (diesel) mileage is amazing.
Just came back from a 200m quick jaunt at 25.8 mpg. I am seriously considering getting an E350 CDI to match the R320. Too bad it I can't get a E350 Wagon in Diesel.
Last edited by fstshrk; Nov 20, 2010 at 02:34 PM.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 292
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From: Houston, TX
Q & R
The Toyota Venza, BMW X6, Honda Crosstour -these are all in line with the R class concept.
RAV4, CR-V, Highlander, Escape/Tribute - there is no question these are SUV truck like with their high ride height and emphasis on a large cargo bay. The R - Class is not the same.
Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 122
Likes: 3
From: Chicago
2006 R350
I'm glad to own something unique. Every parking lot, Stop light look around all you will see is ML's, GL's. Very rarely will I spot another R. Here's my plate # YRUNVS. I think that's the problem with the poor soul's that didn't purchase an R.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1
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From: Austin
2010 R350
I love my R350
This is my first MB and I love it. I think Honda odyssey 2011 copied little bit of R350's design but still that one looks ugly. lol.
Do you all agree?
Do you all agree?
Last edited by MBAUSTIN; Nov 19, 2010 at 07:31 PM. Reason: error
Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 228
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From: California
06 R360, 06 F350 6.0, 04 CayenneS, 96 911TT 500HP, 86 928S, 74 911S, 73 914-4, 70 914-6, 02 Durrango
I really like the body, lights. BUT! The lower center scoop makes it look like a guppy fish or a tadpole. not good...
Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 236
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From: Dallas, Texas
R350 4-matic
I love my R class. It's a nice wagon when I need it. It's a nice SUV when I need it to be. It's a nicely appointed boss pleaser as well, so much that the boss invites me to lunch just to take my car.
It does all things wonderfully, and as such is indeed a Grand Sports Tourer/Crossover vehicle, just as MB designated it upon launch.
The haters can hate all they want. I love it, and if i had to replace it would have no problem getting another...just in a different color. And within 4 mi. of my home, I've counted 9 R's. I think it's selling just fine, and the others seem to love theirs as well.
It does all things wonderfully, and as such is indeed a Grand Sports Tourer/Crossover vehicle, just as MB designated it upon launch.
The haters can hate all they want. I love it, and if i had to replace it would have no problem getting another...just in a different color. And within 4 mi. of my home, I've counted 9 R's. I think it's selling just fine, and the others seem to love theirs as well.
Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 166
Likes: 5
2012 S550 4MATIC, 2007 R-350
I love my R class also. Because it has all bucket seats everyone has a view
of the center windshield which prevents some of my passengers from
getting dizzy when going on a 1,000 mile road trip.
of the center windshield which prevents some of my passengers from
getting dizzy when going on a 1,000 mile road trip.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2
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From: Chicagoland
2007 MB R350; 2010 VW CC; 1987 Mustang GT Conv
Crossover
I too love my R Class, it was accidental as we first brought home a GL on a test drive. When we were disappointed at some key omissions and brought the GL back (3rd row that can acommodate an adult w/o their knees in their chest), we saw an R down the aisle and started to think about it. Now there are the Buick Enclave and its Chevy/GMC cousins that are really essentially the same style of car. We did get it used, and since it was an 07 it was very affordable but with 15,000 miles it's still like a new car.
Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 122
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From: Chicago
2006 R350
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 911
Likes: 22
From: Ottawa, Canada
2014 C63 507, 2012 R350
I can't see myself in anything other than an R class. I have three kids under 10 and one is a hockey player, great for storage and has a much lower center of gravity than a minivan. You are not going to autocross is, obviously, but it is well slotted between a conventional wagon, which does not have a lot of space, and a minivan which has tonnes of space but high center of gravity which is not conducive to quick actions/reactions.
Coming from an 07 XC90 which I thought was the greatest family vehicle, our 09 R320 Bluetec is the best for a large family without the tippiness and motion sickness you get in an SUV not to mention the 22mpg average in 100% city driving. Everywhere I go, people are very favourable to it especially with the AMG package and 19s...my bro has an ML and is convinced of getting the R.
Can't wait for my lease to run out and get the new one!
People who don't have one will never understand...
Coming from an 07 XC90 which I thought was the greatest family vehicle, our 09 R320 Bluetec is the best for a large family without the tippiness and motion sickness you get in an SUV not to mention the 22mpg average in 100% city driving. Everywhere I go, people are very favourable to it especially with the AMG package and 19s...my bro has an ML and is convinced of getting the R.
Can't wait for my lease to run out and get the new one!
People who don't have one will never understand...
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 574
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From: Pennsylvania, USA
2011 GL450, '06 R500 traded, '08 ML350 sold
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Q & R
I love my R class. It's a nice wagon when I need it. It's a nice SUV when I need it to be. It's a nicely appointed boss pleaser as well, so much that the boss invites me to lunch just to take my car.
It does all things wonderfully, and as such is indeed a Grand Sports Tourer/Crossover vehicle, just as MB designated it upon launch.
The haters can hate all they want. I love it, and if i had to replace it would have no problem getting another...just in a different color. And within 4 mi. of my home, I've counted 9 R's. I think it's selling just fine, and the others seem to love theirs as well.
It does all things wonderfully, and as such is indeed a Grand Sports Tourer/Crossover vehicle, just as MB designated it upon launch.
The haters can hate all they want. I love it, and if i had to replace it would have no problem getting another...just in a different color. And within 4 mi. of my home, I've counted 9 R's. I think it's selling just fine, and the others seem to love theirs as well.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Montreal
C350 and R350
I dont know what it is. It's not a van because my wife was insistent she wouldn't drive another one...its not an SUV, because she thinks they are ugly and not environmentally friendly...its whatever she wants it to be. In my opinion its one of the most pleasant long trip vehicles our family has driven...7 hours, 3 kids and no complaints! This summer we took it to Cape Bretton and I let it loose on the Cabot Trail...woohooo! It sure didn't drive like any other SUV, Minivan or wagon that I had ever driven. Its unique...its an R.
