I have driven a GMC Acadia, and it blew me away. I think it will far surpass your low expectations.

I dare you to take an Acadia or Enclave on a test drive and report back that you are not smitten.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

The R Class is really good looking for what it is, IMHO.

What I have heard and read is that many new MBZ have issues. Mostly electrical.

You seem to have found an R model that is worth forgetting. A possible lemon.

Keep looking for another. It is kind of a craps shoot. Some are good and some are bad. Maybe newer models will have better quality control now that Chrysler is out of the picture and MBZ NEEDS to redeem itself.

Many people trade new cars for wierd reasons not associated with service problems. I know some folks who fit this scenario.

Be patient and do alot of searching.

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1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
********************
1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD

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I checked out the Outlook and was pretty surprised at the level of finish and overall sense of quality. I would definitely consider it if I was in the market for such a car.

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1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma

These things are enormous! The styling makes it look small but it is a whale!

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I looked at the CRD Diesel R class and was dissapointed in its overall area and price. I would rather get an excursion for the same price and much much more able to handle all towing, and cargo, and space.

MB needs to make things more simple and get ride of some of the useless gadjets it has.

That's the first interior pic I've seen of an Enclave.

Beautiful!

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

GM seems to be getting it. If that interior isn't cheap upon seeing it in person that would be impressive!

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

GMs are getting better. The plastics that are touched most often are usually nice high quality but the plastics that aren't are the same old hard plastics.
It's a decent strategy i guess!

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

Gotta save money somewhere, your not going to get the world for what they sell there cars for.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Another one to seriously consider is the Mazda CX-9.... Made in Japan!!!

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UPDATE: I forgot I started this thread almost 4 years ago. It's refreshing to read it as a reminder that I make well-planned and informed decisions (pats self on back).

Just picked up an '08 R350 with 21K on the clock. Got a good deal that I couldn't pass up. We were actually in Chicago for a funeral and drove it back to DFW (900 miles). Way to get intimate with a new vehicle.

It is pretty well optioned with NAV, 4-Matic, Parktronic, MP3/iPod interface, 7-passenger seating, electronic liftgate, etc. It appeared that MBZ tightened up quality issues after the early '06 and '07 models, so we were willing to take a chance on a very clean pre-owned example with the better part of a year and almost 30K remaining of the factory warranty. As second owners, we are not eligible for Starmark, so I will most likely purchase the dealer's third-party exclusionary extended warranty (good to 100K and 5 years) for $3900. I'll just use part of a bonus check next year and will buy it a couple months before the factory warranty runs out.

CarFax showed one owner, clean title with no issues or accidents, and proper scheduled visits to the local dealer in Michigan. Hopefully that bodes well for the future. Again, I plan to get extended warranty coverage just in case. I'm aware of the business angle of extended warranties, and if I throw money away, so be it. Better than having to cough up $3K suddenly for an engine or tranny issue.

I've already changed the oil with 0W40 M1 and fleece dealer filter. I plan to complete service A (or service 1, according to the online MBUSA maintenance manual for the '08 R350) within the next couple of weeks. I'm sure these were already done, but since I don't have the documentation to back it up, I'll do it anyway. I'm not taking any chances on a warranty coverage denial.

The powertrain is just fantastic. Powerful, smooth, and quiet, especially for someone whose newest experience is a W210 with M104 + 722.6 (nearly 200K on that one). The vehicle soaks up road bumps very well, while still transmitting enough feel to make it a fun driver. A quick punch from 80 to 120 on a straight stretch of highway is exhilarating (so I've been told). Technology sure has come far in the past few years.

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08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280