DBV

Hello All! We are considering trading our 2008 GL320 in on either a 2011 R350 Bluetec or 2011 M350 Bluetec. Our GL just went over 50,000 miles and we are worried about being out of warranty. It has held its value very well for a car. Considered getting another GL, but their price has gone up a lot since we last bought ours.

We can what seems like a great deal on a demo R350 Bluetec with 2,000 miles. MSRP is a little over $59,000 and the dealer will sell it for $46,000. Only bummer is that it does not come with heated seats. Still seems like a great deal though. I guess biggest differences between the ML, GL and R would probably be that the R sits closer to the ground (not as high up) and drives more like a car than a truck. Not sure that I like the styling as much as our GL, but my wife does and it will be her car. Tough decisions!

coladin

We went from a multitude of SUVs, the last onebeing the excelletn Volvo XC90 to the R320 Bluetec, a 2009. We are very happy with this car choice. The biggest feature for me is driving closer to the grand, without that tippy SUV feeling, it feels like a car, albeit a cushy car for sure. I wouldn't want to autocross it! The BlueTec is smooth and very reasonable consumption, our R class, with 95% city driving easily averages 20mpg in everyday driving. On the highway we went to Toronto on 30 liters, 450kms! That is, what, 28mpg or so? Amazing for a 5000lb vehicle.

I would be all over this, but the heated seats matter more to us in Canada then for you, although it does get "breezy" where you are. I typically keep the word "cold" for us Canucks!

listerone

Can't speak for the R Class as such...never having driven one...but,assuming you've never owned a diesel,I can assure you that once you've gone diesel you'll never go back.All things considered the many benefits of diesel (I,for example,get 42mpg on the Interstate),the potential range (800 miles,plus,for mine),the effortless power,and other things,far outweigh the one or two disadvantages.

coladin

I don't think I could only own a diesel. I think as a second vehicle it is perfect. I love cars and sounds of cars, but I have a C63 for that. When the family has to shuffle in for whatever we do, the R is a perfect, efficient transportation in the luxury and refinement you would ex[ect from MB.

DBV

Thanks for all of the comments. It sounds like my wife really wants heated seats, so I guess even though it seams like a deal - no heated seats make it not a deal for her. We definitely prefer diesel to gas on SUV's and crossovers like the R class. Our GL diesel has been great for fuel economy.

We just got back from our annual trip to Rice Lake in Canada and we seemed to see a lot more R classes in Ontario than in the US. We also saw quite a few Audi Q7 diesels - dont see many of those around Ohio either. Looked like nice SUV's too.

storm10

In a few months 2012 R-Class will be available. It will have more of the standard equipment like Navi and LED lights at no charge. Plus new engines! You can see all the updates here: 2012 R-Class Changes! with all the options and color chips. So maybe it's worth waiting...

coladin

They are keeping the old diesel angine? Why in God's name would they do that when the ML has a great new engine? Why wouldn't they put that throughout the lineup?

DBV

Yes - it sounds like they are sticking to the same diesel engine for 2012 in the R & the GL.

We are down to the 2011 R350 Diesel I talked about above. They are about 15k off msrp now. Also, still considering another 2011 GL350, but that costs about about 20k more than the R class would cost us (a lot more options on it).

Also, looking at the 2011 BMW X5 diesel. I know traitor I guess it would be something different and I like the way it drives, but it is much smaller than the R and GL.

coladin

I'll definitely get another R, but i have to see the gap now. The new V6 has gone up in efficiency and have to see what the gap is now considering that the diesel is 1600 more at the time of purchase. I still am very high on the R class over anything else simply for its size and driveability. My brother has a 2011 GL350 bluetec and I have more usable space, faster and a much, much better ride. The Bimmer is very nice but small...

lkchris

It's the same "old" diesel engine just retuned for more power. Only thing "new' is the software.

coladin

I saw the stats of 210 bhp amd 400 lb.ft torque.

SEBZX79

The new motor is a new 60 degree v6