Anyone drive an R class?

This is or a guess was one of the more unique offerings from MB. They are the only ones I know of who made this particular platform of a long station wagon with MB 4-matic. Despite being a great 6-7 passenger platform, it was only produced between 2006 to 2012 due to small sales volume.

I’m going to be doing a number of longer road trips which require I carry a lot of stuff with me. I’ve been researching the R class with lightly used examples from 06 to 08 with mileage in the 30K to 60K range to be offered for the low teens. I know that the airmatic can be a pricey fix but not too many complaints other than that.

Any comments?

__________________
Toyota is a leader only because their drivers block everyone behind them. Oh what a feeling.

It's basically an W164 ML/X164 GL underneath - so look at those to get a better idea of what you'll be in for the long run.

Personally, I love my 07 ML320 CDI - low twenties in the city high twenties/low thirties for fuel mileage on the freeway (60/65 nets low 30s, cruising at 75 nets 26mpg). The OM642 with 7 speed is awesome!

As for drivetrain stuff, a later R350 would be relatively bulletproof. They worked the bugs out of the V6 and 7 speed by that point. Also, Arnott sells rebuilt air springs that aren't crazy expensive, and I've heard that can install coil overs and code out airmatic if that's not your thing.

__________________
-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

Thanks for the great feedback!

We have an 06 ML500 which is fabulous and the R class has more storage room (48 cubic feet) and ~ the same electronics package. I’d go with the coil over shocks instead of airmatic, when the time comes. Do you have any info on where/how to do the swap?

__________________
Toyota is a leader only because their drivers block everyone behind them. Oh what a feeling.

Is it a bad idea to buy a car that lived in the Florida Keys? Doesn’t that are get huricanes and major flooding almost every year?

I found an awesome example at a MB dealer in the SE part of the country but the carfax shows it was registered in the south end of the Florida Keys for several years. Really wealthy area but the frequency of damage to cars has to be pretty high....

__________________
Toyota is a leader only because their drivers block everyone behind them. Oh what a feeling.

There is a balance shaft issue with the engines in 2006 and most of 2007. You have to run the VMI to see if the engine serial number is in the range. Its an engine out job, costs many thousands to fix. I used to see lots of shaky motors at dealer auction dumping grounds for that reason.

Find a diesel for those long hauls, or a 2008 or newer.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

There hasn't been any flooding in the last 10 years that I recall, but the salt air really takes a toll on exposed metal. Rusty bolts, exhausts, etc.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

My daughter has or had an r class. I drove it a few times. Felt large and heavy to me but very secure in its handling.

__________________
[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 don't think this is correct. The R class has a transverse mounted engine so a FWD bias platform. Probably has more in common with the Chrysler Pacifica then anything else. Twinoakschef had a diesel version for several years and several hundred thousand miles. He might be a good person to ask.

__________________
With best regards

Al

Which engine? There were a number of different engines used for different models in the first couple of years.

A diesel is candidate as they have the lowest fuel consumption for the R class, and i'll be taking it all over the west-mid west

__________________
Toyota is a leader only because their drivers block everyone behind them. Oh what a feeling.

I don't know. There are so many storms in the area ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Florida_hurricanes ) it is natural supposition that flooding takes place.

I agree about the rust. Another of my cars is from Toronto originally, and it had similar problem of superficially rusted exposed road facing parts due to the winter road treatments. That and i had to replace the exhaust. Forgot about that as it was so long ago.

I contacted the seller, a MB dealer, and asked them if they'd offer a warranty, for an added fee, of course. The sales person said they just received the car and at this point they weren't sure they'd even sell it, or wholesale it to someone else. They said they'd let me know by the weekend.

__________________
Toyota is a leader only because their drivers block everyone behind them. Oh what a feeling.

I dunno what you are thinking of, but it's not the R class. Here is info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_R-Class

__________________
Toyota is a leader only because their drivers block everyone behind them. Oh what a feeling.

It is most definitely all of that. I haven't been a pilot in one, but rode in a few as my local dealer used them to transport people to and from service sessions over several years. The ~ 48 cubic feet of inside storage and comfy front section are the key attractions to me.

__________________
Toyota is a leader only because their drivers block everyone behind them. Oh what a feeling.

Found this for the Arnot stuff (THANKS!) https://www.arnottindustries.com/part_MERCEDES-BENZ_yid18_pid156.html

Still looking for a guide to converting to coil over. Hafta admit that the Arnott prices above are reasonable as MB suspension fixes go.

__________________
Toyota is a leader only because their drivers block everyone behind them. Oh what a feeling.

I had an R Class for 2 days while the E300 was in the shop. I was REALLY expecting to like it. *PUKE* I was very disappointed.

__________________
Current:
1985 300D aka Miss Margaret
1991 300SE aka Alarice
1995 SL320 aka Samantha
1997 K1500 Silverado
Past:
1999 E300 ex-wife got it and let her son ruin it
1984 190 2.3 ex-wife got it and let her son destroy a great car
1985 300D (CA version) aka Maybelline lost to deer at high speed.
1981 300D aka Madeline (went to salvage at near 400k) rusty, yet best car I ever drove
Wishlist:
McFarlan TV6 (only a few privately owned)
ReVere with Rochester engine
1917 Premier (only one left)

DIY: Rear coil spring conversion - MBWorld.org Forums

There's the rear, I'm trying to find the one where they talk about swapping the front to coils as well.

__________________
-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.