supernsx

It is almost six years since I bought my R500 (has been the longest ever). I am in no rush to sell but am really thinking about getting something faster and newer the last month or so (X5 50i, X6 50i, A6 3.0T, E550, 750LI and so on)

here is the spec of my R500

2006 R500 Obs Black/Black Leather with Premium Package, Airmatic Package, Panoramic Sunroof Package, Keyless-Go, 3 zone climate control, Trim Package and Second Row Console. The exterior condition is good and interior condition is very good. The car is very much stock except the wheel is 20in 2011 ML63 rep.

I drive about 60 miles everyday to/from work and current mileage of the car is about 95K. The car is in excellent mechanical shape and I still have 14 months/17K miles left on a totally transferable Chrysler Extended warranty.

If I decide to sell, what is your opinion on how much I should ask for it? Also, beside I am a bit bored with the car, do you see any downside to keep the car for another year? My out of pocket repair cost will be minimal since my deducible is $200 with my extended warranty coverage. Thanks.

bzliteyear

first, thx for all that you share w/ the board.
you've been a fantastic contributor, esp for the R500/R251 forum.

i can relate as i've thought about it on/off as well since we got our super-loaded $69k MSRP 2006 CPO R500 in Nov 2008(so almost 5 years). that said, every time i go and drive another car and then come back to the R, i always feel like i would really miss it if i sold it.

recently i've driven the GL and it's a nice car, but much softer and a different ride, and certainly not as much interior room. also, we bought a honda odyssey so that we can carpool with up to 7 more passengers. it's a very nice car around town for 15 minute rides, but it's certainly not as solid or safe for bad weather or long trips.

bottom line, i think all those cars you mentioned are very nice cars but i think you'd still the miss R if you sold it.

p.s. as for your asking price, i think if you found the "right" buyer who would value the warranty and your options, i think you can get as much as $22-25k. otherwise, i've seen some stripped ones near $15k, so you should be able to get around $20k, imho. good luck with your decision.
PL

supernsx

Yeah, I cannot agree with you more about the R500. It is a perfect family vehicle for a family of 4. There are many R-class clones from other car companies nowaday but I cannot get myself to look into them without thinking about me stepping down. I am also disappointed that MB doesn't make the new body style with a V8 or I will be all over it. I had also considered the last generation GL but I cannot see myself to own another vehicle for couple years with pretty much the same interior. The new ML and GL are nice but I normally go for two years old used car to stay away from the deep depreciation.

Thanks for the price suggestions. Your suggestion is more than I thought and may be I should test the market a bit.

mrbobby

Hello Supernsx. Maybe you should consider a high performance MB luxury car - then you can have your cake and eat it too. I have an '04 S55 with about the same mileage and in very good condition. I would consider trading. The reason being, we are now in our 70's and about to retire for the winter months to Naples where we own a condo. We need the size and carrying capacity of the R500 without giving up the Mercedes safety and comfort. PM me if you want to pursue this. Regards Bob

supernsx

Mrbobby,
Thanks for the offer. This is my family vehicle and we are most likely ending up with another SUV.

For a side note, just saw a Telsa S yesterday. It was beyond HOT. Need one.... if I ever move back to the California.

user 823908234

Hi Bob,
You won't go wrong with an R. It sits higher than a sedan, lower than an SUV, giving better view in traffic, and making entry and exit quite nice for folks our age. Plus, the ride is comparable to the S. Too bad they don't sell new ones in the States any longer.
When you get to Naples, let me know... we'd love to have you join us at the MBCA Southwest Florida Section monthly breakfast/meeting. 'Ladies of Mercedes' are most welcome and are very active here.
Jerry

user 823908234

Supernsx, from what I'm reading in your posts, you will kick yourself if you get rid of your R. JMHO.

mrbobby

Thanks for the invitation Jerry. I'm going to look at 3 R500's on Wednesday, trading in the S55. I'll let you know what happens. We'll be down to Naples in the first part of October, hopefully with an R500.

supernsx

yeah, my R has been treating my family extremely well and beside some of the repairs, I have no complain. I like it so much that it has been the longest I own any cars including some really fun and fast cars back in my younger days.

Btw, I did some test drive of the BMW X5 xdrive35 and 535i Grand Turismo the past weekend. Both cars are heavy but the BMW 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo engine is pretty amazing, even compared to my old MB 5.0 V8. I can only imagine how the 4.4 twin turbo V8 will be like on those two cars. The command system on those things are way better than what I have seen in MB including the command in the new ML. Anyway, I do love the drive of the Grand Turismo with similar leg room for my kids compared to my R-class but the trunk is super tiny. The X5 is fine but it sits higher up than I like.

Anyway, the perfect world will be Mercedes continue to build R-class with the V8 engine....

user 823908234

We'll be looking for you!
Jerry

user 823908234

Got some mileage as a passenger in an X5. Power and technology, yes, comfort...not so much. On a multi-state trip in the R, we arrive relaxed.

PeteInLongBeach

This cannot be overstated. Some of the best seats in recent history, great ergonomics and driving position, roomy, long wheelbase, air suspension, quiet environment. Long drives are nothing - it hardly feels like I've gone anywhere.

supernsx

Cannot really find anything I want to buy. Just spend about $900 to replace the brakes and battery on the car and will keep it until my extended warranty ends late next year.

I still don't understand why there is no viable option out on the market today to replace my R500. Want the same utility to haul the family in AWD with horsepower similar to R500.