So Mercedes Can't Sell the R Class Because of Looks?
Super Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 684
Likes: 1
From: Leesburg, VA
2014 E550 4Matic with P1/LED/Pano
You guys making this up? 
Let's look at the numbers. R Class is longer than a class leading minvan and taller than a (large) wagon not to mention signifcantly more portly as well.
2010 Honda Odyssey
Length: 202.1 in.
Width: 77.1 in.
Height: 68.8 in.
Wheel Base: 118.1 in.
Curb Weight: 4387 lbs.
2010 Mercedes Benz R350 4Matic
Length: 203 in.
Width: 77.1 in.
Height: 65.4 in.
Wheel Base: 126.6 in.
Curb Weight: 4949 lbs.
2011 Mercedes Benz E350 Estate (i.e. a real wagon)
Length: 192.7 in.
Width: 73 in.
Height: 58.9 in.
Wheel Base: 113.2 in.
Curb Weight: 4213 lbs.
Let's look at the numbers. R Class is longer than a class leading minvan and taller than a (large) wagon not to mention signifcantly more portly as well.2010 Honda Odyssey
Length: 202.1 in.
Width: 77.1 in.
Height: 68.8 in.
Wheel Base: 118.1 in.
Curb Weight: 4387 lbs.
2010 Mercedes Benz R350 4Matic
Length: 203 in.
Width: 77.1 in.
Height: 65.4 in.
Wheel Base: 126.6 in.
Curb Weight: 4949 lbs.
2011 Mercedes Benz E350 Estate (i.e. a real wagon)
Length: 192.7 in.
Width: 73 in.
Height: 58.9 in.
Wheel Base: 113.2 in.
Curb Weight: 4213 lbs.
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Super Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 699
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From: Warrington, PA
08 R350, 12 Mercedes R350
Super Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 684
Likes: 1
From: Leesburg, VA
2014 E550 4Matic with P1/LED/Pano
Super Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 699
Likes: 25
From: Warrington, PA
08 R350, 12 Mercedes R350
Super Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 684
Likes: 1
From: Leesburg, VA
2014 E550 4Matic with P1/LED/Pano
I didn't claim it did. Call it whatever you want, for intents and purposes, its a minivan/SUV ala 'crossover'. Anytime you try make one car serve multiple purposes, its bound to not be good at any.
we've owned two Infiniti FX35's...the sporty end of SUV's. the original was nice within some limits. the new one? its a minvan in SUV clothing. Good thing I don't have to drive it regularly.
we've owned two Infiniti FX35's...the sporty end of SUV's. the original was nice within some limits. the new one? its a minvan in SUV clothing. Good thing I don't have to drive it regularly.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 574
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From: Pennsylvania, USA
2011 GL450, '06 R500 traded, '08 ML350 sold
I own a R500 for over two years now and I never felt like I drive a minivan. Minivans are much more upright in their stance. The R has a wedge shape. It truly feels like you are driving a S class station wagon with extra headroom.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 574
Likes: 2
From: Pennsylvania, USA
2011 GL450, '06 R500 traded, '08 ML350 sold
One more thing. IMHO the main reason the R did not sell very well was because MB did not promote it. The model has been out four years now and people still tell me they didn't know it exists.
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Posts: 6,189
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From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
"Our party lost the last election because we didn't get our message out."
No, sometimes it's the steak and NOT the sizzle.
(Not that I think there's anything wrong with the R-class, but I'm convinced it simply doesn't appeal.)
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 292
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From: Houston, TX
Q & R
MB is always a trendsetter - not trendfollower.
Recent forays by other MFRs into the R class crossover - wagon - SUV - Minivan - whatchamacallit:
Toyota Venza
BMW X6
Honda Crosstour/Acura ZDX
These are all too tall, too short, too long, not long enough, to be any of the above aforementioned types of cars.
Face it, MB hit on something back in 2006, the jury is still out on where these vehicles fit.
Recent forays by other MFRs into the R class crossover - wagon - SUV - Minivan - whatchamacallit:
Toyota Venza
BMW X6
Honda Crosstour/Acura ZDX
These are all too tall, too short, too long, not long enough, to be any of the above aforementioned types of cars.
Face it, MB hit on something back in 2006, the jury is still out on where these vehicles fit.
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Posts: 684
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From: Leesburg, VA
2014 E550 4Matic with P1/LED/Pano
Ford actually released the "Freestyle" a year earlier not to mention the Toyota Highlander predating all as the first car-based midsize SUV or midsize crossover. Don't think MB was blazing any trails here....
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Posts: 556
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2011 C300 4matic, 2015 Porsche Macan S, 2006 R500 (sold)
R is a crossover that looks more like a Mini-Van and drives more like a wagon. Happy?
I do love the combination of the handling, performance and comfort for the R-class but seriously, it is definitely the worst looking Mercedes in the lineup right now including the 2011 restyle one.
I do love the combination of the handling, performance and comfort for the R-class but seriously, it is definitely the worst looking Mercedes in the lineup right now including the 2011 restyle one.
Last edited by supernsx; Nov 17, 2010 at 10:31 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 574
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From: Pennsylvania, USA
2011 GL450, '06 R500 traded, '08 ML350 sold
It always amazed me that the R class is either loved or hated. I totally understand that certain people would love it especially people that own it and can appreciate it's value and functionality. What I truly don't understand is people that hate it and go out of their way to show that, especially when they don't own one. What do they know about it other than a quick look here and there? (this is directed to PGT that drives an E-Class that the average American won't fit in its rear seats!!! - I for one don't fit and I am 6' tall, 210lbs)
People say it is too big! Well duh, some of us have other requirements such as family members etc... that the interior dimensions of a sedan just won't do. Some say it is too heavy, well if I wanted light I'd go Japanese or Korean! And some say it is ugly... well that's in the eye of the beholder, isn't it. I happen to love its looks because it doesn't look like a germanic box like some other designs for the past 30 years.
People say it is too big! Well duh, some of us have other requirements such as family members etc... that the interior dimensions of a sedan just won't do. Some say it is too heavy, well if I wanted light I'd go Japanese or Korean! And some say it is ugly... well that's in the eye of the beholder, isn't it. I happen to love its looks because it doesn't look like a germanic box like some other designs for the past 30 years.
Last edited by aggst1; Nov 18, 2010 at 08:01 AM.
Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 167
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From: Folsom, Ca
R KLASSE
For all intense purposes the R-Class is as much of a crossover as the Ford Flex, Lincoln MKT, GM Lambda platform (Transverse, Enclave, Arcadia) etc... If you believe those vehicles are vans too then so be it call the R-Class a van.
Like said it does not feel like a van when you drive it, more like a Luxury sedan-wagon if there was such a thing.
Like said it does not feel like a van when you drive it, more like a Luxury sedan-wagon if there was such a thing.
Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Folsom, Ca
R KLASSE
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.
