I know that they are relatively new model classes, but does anybody here have much experience with either the R or GL? We have a Honda Pilot coming off lease in a couple of months and I was toying with the idea that my wife might like either an R or a GL. My 210 has grown on me and I would like to see my wife and kids in something very safe. Are either of these new classes reliable? What are the problems so far? I would prefer pre-owned and for warranty purposes, I'd go through a dealer. Any information would be appreciated.

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Retired NYPD
Retired USMC
Life is good.

See here http://www.benzworld.org/forums/gl-class/:)

If you compare window stickers, you'll note the fuel mileage for one of these cars with a diesel engine is better than that of your Honda Pilot.

This will be a permanent condition, the price of fuel won't be.

About any Mercedes isn't as appliance-reliable as a Honda, but the "experience" should be worth it.

The GL is positively gigantic, and can prove intimidating for drivers of some sexes.

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Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles

I love mine.
My wife loves her Honda Odyssey except when it snows... Blizzaks on my R320 make it great in snow...
Not a rational decision to by an R class, since the Honda costs a lot less.
My R has had a new air compressor pump for the suspension replaced twice under warranty. Otherwise few problems at 20 months and 25 k miles or so...

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Bob Roe
Lehigh Valley PA USA
1973 Olds 88, 1972 MB 280SE, 1978 Datsun 280Z, 1971 Ford T-Bird, 1972 Olds 88, 1983 Nissan Sentra, 1985 Sentra, 1973 230.6, 1990 Acura Integra, 1991 Volvo 940GLE wagon, 1983 300SD, 1984 300SD, 1995 Subaru Legacy L wagon, 2002 Mountaineer, 1991 300TE wagon, 2008 Murano, 2007 R320CDI 4Matic 52K, some Hyundai, 2008 BMW 535xi wagon, all gone... currently
2007 Honda Odyssey Touring, 2014 E350 4matic

well... lets just say... we've had a few problems w/ the R320 which we ended up trading in on the GL @ 35K or so...
the GL has been problem free.

The R Class problems from personal experiences:

Keyless Go malf. multiple times (had to be towed, even w/ inserting key directly)
leaky diesel injectors
Pano sunroof (even as much as i love it, was a royal PITA)
low front bumper (AMG styled front bumper w/ fogs was really low, met things like parking curbs, driveways, ect often... )
CANT SEE THE NOSE WHILE DRIVING (PARKTRONIC SHOULD BE A PRIORITY)
i HATED the 2nd row center console. it always seemed to be in the way.
3rd row seats have been kinda uncomfortable for some passengers.

the GL :
power tilt/telescopic wheel malf.
COMMAND software issue or two.
rear headrest DVD players are easy to run into while loading car.
tire pressure monitoring system hadn't quite figured out how to adjust to cold weather, even after adding air.


the R got about 21 around town hovered right @ 29 hwy

the GL gets about 19 city, && about 26.5 hwy... (19" wheel/tire pkg)
still GREAT for that car

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Matthew McIvor

2016 E350 4Matic Black/Black
2007 GL450 4Matic with Off-Road Pkg Silver/Black
1995 E300 Diesel White/Gray
1994 S600 Euro Black/ Black Velour
1986 560SL Blue/Blue/Gray
1986 190E Blue/Blue 93k

My R320 just got an indicated 19.6 mpg for the day, on ice, with the Blizzaks The thing is actually fun to drive on glare ice
I like my 2007 because it's the last year of the no-adblue V6 commonrail turbodiesels for PA (at least sold here new). I'd rather not drag around the weight of the extra three gallons of solution... I live in the country so very few people ever smell my NOx emissions...mostly me.

As to problems, I did have to replace one of my Smartkeys under warranty when the black plastic button for the rear hatch release cracked a bit. I'm glad that sucker was under warranty, and now I am more careful not to apply too much pressure to my Smartkey ... also the rear hatch doesn't always open on the first try.

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Bob Roe
Lehigh Valley PA USA
1973 Olds 88, 1972 MB 280SE, 1978 Datsun 280Z, 1971 Ford T-Bird, 1972 Olds 88, 1983 Nissan Sentra, 1985 Sentra, 1973 230.6, 1990 Acura Integra, 1991 Volvo 940GLE wagon, 1983 300SD, 1984 300SD, 1995 Subaru Legacy L wagon, 2002 Mountaineer, 1991 300TE wagon, 2008 Murano, 2007 R320CDI 4Matic 52K, some Hyundai, 2008 BMW 535xi wagon, all gone... currently
2007 Honda Odyssey Touring, 2014 E350 4matic

2008 is last year without AdBlue

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Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles

In PA??