lease5252

Hello everyone, i am new to this forum and i am planning to buy a used 2006 R500. The car is fully loaded with AMG package and about 55000km now. Just wanna ask is this a good car to own? Is it durable? Is there any problems about this car? Any parts i need to replace often? Thank you very much.

pacoman

2008 or newer is the way to go with the R.

gforaker

While the R350 engine had some problems fixed by 2008, those problems did nor occur in the R500 V8 or R320 diesel. The R500 seems to have a pretty reliable engine. There were some transmission problems in the early cars with most of them already repaired by now under warranty. You should check this. The remaining problems aren't too serious unless the car has airmatics as an option. Avoid this option.

shobbs666

I would advise you to write down the VIN go to a MB dealer and ask them how much they would charge you for the extended warranty. Should be around 4,250 to 4,500 for the 5 year, 50,000 bumper to bumper. If they want more or refuse to offer their is something in the car's history that show's it may be a problem. if the price is within the normal range as I listed buy it, and also purchase the warranty.

gforaker

While I do not know if true, others here have reported that an MB extended warranty can only be purcheased while the car is still under warranty and/or it is purchased from a MB dealer.

shobbs666

I purchased a used 2006 R350 with 38,000 miles from a Toyota Dealer. Before I bought it, I did exactly what I advised, and Lober Mercedes in Chicago ran the VIN # it's complete service record came up and I purchase the extended warranty as stated. I bought the car in April 2010. In Feb. 2011 one of my front airmatics started leaking air. Lober replaced under my extended warranty, that one repair would have coast me over 5,300. So I am way ahead of the game, and still have 4 years of coverage.

bigben320e

The only issue I had with my R500 is the airmatic pump. Besides that, it has been a great vehicle, with quite a bit more pickup than a 350.

I would advise that you get the car fully inspected, as I did. I bought mine back in 2008 with only 11K miles on it. Steal of a deal.

Extended warranties can be bought only if within the warranty time frame or mileage...just a side-note.

shobbs666

Just as a mentioned in my last post. I bought my R350 used from a Toyota Dealer, before I finalized the deal I walked into Lober Mercedes went to the service manager gave him the VIN # and asked how much would a warranty cost on this R350. He sold me the MB 5 year 50,000 bumper to bumper warranty for 4,250. A dealer will always sell you a extended warranty and you DO NOT have to purchase it before the orginal expires, or even if the car was purchase elsewhere. Whoever gave you that info. "Extended warranties can be bought only if within the warranty time frame or mileage...just a side-note" doesn't know what their talking about.

supernsx

Ummm.... you can always buy extended warranty from the Mercedes dealers but my guess is your extended warranty is not back by Mercedes factory but instead, some third party (btw, nothing wrong with that... both extended warranty of my MB's are from third party)

This topic has been discussed in depth and I believe you can only get Mercedes "FACTORY" extended warranty if you are the original owner of the car before the original warranty expired OR you buy the extended warranty during your purchase of a CPO MB.

bigben320e

Actually, you are correct on third party warranties. A MB warranty is NOT available to you after 50K miles, and no it does not matter where you bought it. This was told to me by two dealers and MBUSA. I am referring to MB extended warranties that have no deductible.

bigben320e

Correct. +1

shobbs666

The warranty that I purchased from Lober Mercedes is good throughout the US and Canada, at any MB dealer. There is no deductible involved. Who really cares if it's not directly from the factory? The only reason I mentioned it was a extended warranty is available, and for me it was sure a good idea that I did purchased one. From reading this thread there seems to be a lot of confusion about, Is a warranty available? Should I buy a used MB? What about if something major breaks down? It's a MB issued extended warranty honored at any MB dealer, I will leave the speculation as to what it is to you, but it works exactly like the one you get when you purchase a new one it's bumper to bumper and you pay nothing when the car is repaired just like the Factory one.

allezdude

I just purchased a car with the MB extended "ELW" warranty and the paperwork says that warranty can purchased by anyone "having purchased this vehicle as new from an authorized MB dealer or used in a private sales transaction from the previous owner." To summarize on the MB Ext. Warranty:

1. Can only purchase if car still under factory warranty
2. Can only be purchased by original owner, subsequent owner who bought vehicle thru private party transaction, or as part of CPO purchase from dealer

FWIW 7 yr/75,000 mile MB ext. warranty cost $3030 for 2008 R320. prices vary greatly from dealer to dealer (I was quoted around $4600 from another dealer).

theweis

R500 - plan on replacing pads/rotors often. this is a heavy fast car, and she eats the brakes!
Fuel economy is terrible. again, heavy car, lots of power, and you will use it. even at low speeds though, the mileage isn't great. I get around 18-19 highway, my wife gets 16 (i know, right?)

My transmission went at 49,000 miles. very lucky. i have been unable to purchase an extended warranty from the dealer, either MB or 3rd party, because, i was told, i did not buy the car from an MB dealer (bought used in 2007). this could have been a disaster.

i have airmatic and love it. i have been nervous about all the comments on here saying they are going bad, but so far so good. without a warranty at 70K, its a problem...we go to houses with dirt driveways, and some grassy places, and on such a long car, it's very valuable to be able to lift the car over high spots. it also handles very well for such a large car. not sure how the sprung car does.

2 weeks ago, the rear fuse block (there are 3 blocks in the car that i know of) needed changing $$

other than that the v8 is a fantastic engine, lots of juice for the highway, and great brakes to stop it. if you can get a nice low mileage one, grab it.

My only regret is that they don't make it anymore, and I will have to "downgrade" to get a new R. This car is too heavy for the small engine, at least for my driving style...

good luck.

lkchris

The diesel V6 has way more torque than the gas V6, in fact about the same as the V8. Not as high-revving of course.

They did continue the R-class with the new "550" V8 for markets other than the USA, but recent look at UK website reveals it's now gone from that market, too.

shakabra

Hi. I've had my 06 R500 for 1.5 yrs. I purchased it without a warranty to save 2500/2 yrs. I love the car. Especially the V8 + 7 speed tran. I like the way it engine break-down shifts-so smooth and helpful in traffic and ferry lines with less break wear. Even though discontinued, this engine was a very reliable engine for many years. I too like the airmatic suspension. I figure its only a matter of time before I replace bags w. after market and before compressor fails. It seats 6 very comfortably and like others have said, you can drive long distances and really enjoy the ride. (dvd's in headrest for kids and rear heated seats is a+ as are the contour airbladder front seats). It has a ton of room in the back, i went camping w. gf recently and put a twin or std (cant remember) mattress back there, with sun roof open and rear vented windows open it was comfortable. Plus we can put our bikes back there (stacked) and leave front wheels on. But I did put a tow hitch on w/o wiring for a bike rack. No problems so far..knock on wood. So easy to change the oil with dip-stick pump. Keep tailgate door gasket area and water drains in engine area clean. Enjoy "da ride".

pedra

Imported a Florida vehicle into Canada about a year ago and saved a bundle. The car is all and more everyone says about it. The 500 is worth the gas mileage for long journeys with a full load, and of course in the city when I can't resist using the power and acceleration.
Points to watch are the air intake drain - if it is not cleared the repairs to the air blower and other electronics are expensive. Also I can't seem to fix the messages about failed tail and brake lights despite new bulbs and electrolube.

shobbs666

That problem has been discussed in this forum and I believe there is a service bulletin on that. Do a "search this thread" for that issue and some answers will come up. I had the same problem and clean the area around where the blub socket fits in really good. But some have had MB replace the fiber optics to the tail light assembly under the service bulletin free.

Rturn

Check the transmission, the transmission and the transmission.

gweeks

Hello. I am new to this forum. I have an '07 R500 and the Air Cond Blower didnt function when I turned the car on, yesterday. All the guages on the dash work fine, and the blower in the rear works ... no AC, just blows air. I want to start with the fuse and go from there, but cant find it as there's no bloody fuse chart on this vehicle. Anyone have any insights? Thanks

GW

rgood10921

Fuse chart is in the spare tire well, I believe. Check to see if your A/C compressor is cycling on/off. Is the front blower working - if not check for water in the passenger foot well, sometimes the cabin filter basket under the hood gets clogged and fills up with rain water and drains into the passenger dash and foot well area - killing the front blower motor

pacoman

R350FUSECHART-1.pdf