What's the ultimate "family" car?
Discussion
GreigM said:
and thats not to mention the extensive signs of corrosion under the paint on all door panels (beside locks) which Mercedes don't want to know about regardless that it easily falls under their corrosion warranty (06 plate, 65K miles).
Er it's a Mercedes, what did you expect?No, I think their current/last gen was as bad as it got.
W204 C Class
W212 E Class
W164 M Class.
The new W205 C and W166 E seem to be getting back to where you would expect a Merc to be, and I am looking forward to the W213? E Class next year.
Although the cars were said to have gone down in quality a bit a gen or so back at least they felt quality, even if they did rust away.
W204 C Class
W212 E Class
W164 M Class.
The new W205 C and W166 E seem to be getting back to where you would expect a Merc to be, and I am looking forward to the W213? E Class next year.
Although the cars were said to have gone down in quality a bit a gen or so back at least they felt quality, even if they did rust away.
GreigM said:
Miglia 888 said:
In my 18 months and 10K miles of owning one of these monstrosities it had the following failures:
ABS sensors
Parking Sensors
Front SAM
Fuel Tank Sender
CD Changer
Bluetooth module
Wheel bearing
Keyless door handle
Turbo
Rear air suspension
Air con control panel
and thats not to mention the extensive signs of corrosion under the paint on all door panels (beside locks) which Mercedes don't want to know about regardless that it easily falls under their corrosion warranty (06 plate, 65K miles).
Over-burdened by unreliable electronics, absolutely horrendous fuel economy (we're talking 25mpg is good for it), it shook, rattled and handled like a sherman. No wonder the previous owner looked like he'd won the lottery when I foolishly agreed to take it.
My experience with this means I will never own any mercedes again, ever! If mercedes want to salvage their reputation they should immediately recall all R-class only to put them on one of those container ships which accidentally sink somewhere in the english channel.
Would that be considered a rant?
Our R-class, is one of the more reliable cars I've ever owned, from any manufacturer and not just Mercedes.
In my 14 months and 10K+ miles of owning one of these brilliant family cars, it has had the following failure: one wheel bearing (fixed under MB warranty, FOC)
There are no signs of corrosion anywhere on ours (56 plate, 60K miles).
The electronics have been faultless.
Fuel economy for a huge 2.25 ton 4x4 (we're talking 30mpg average for us, with 35mpg on a motorway cruise) is very reasonable, given that if required, it's faster in a straight line than our MINI Cooper SD...
It smoothly transports our whole family with all our luggage, in hushed first-class spacious comfort across continents, while handling better than other MPV's and SUV's I've owned & driven.
No wonder the one previous owner from new, p/ex'd it in for another new R class at the MB main dealer. He even had his old alloys swapped over onto his new R, and we got his brand new alloys & tyres on ours...
My experience with this and other Mercedes (we're on our 8th Mercedes so far) means I will happily own other Mercedes again in future, and if I ever get the chance, I'd buy an R63 in an instant.
It's possible that we just "got lucky" with this one owner R320L CDI from a MB main dealer with FMBSH and a MB warranty, but 8 other Mercs over the years suggests probably not, in our experience...
Perhaps the greatest testament that I can give to our R class, is that if we had to only keep one car out of our fleet, the family is unanimous in that we would all want to keep the R class - It's the best family car we've ever had. By far.
HTH.
Miglia 888 said:
To also somewhat resurrect this thread, I feel obliged to reassure the OP and any anyone else considering an R-class, of my own almost completely contrasting experience.
Our R-class, is one of the more reliable cars I've ever owned, from any manufacturer and not just Mercedes.
In my 14 months and 10K+ miles of owning one of these brilliant family cars, it has had the following failure: one wheel bearing (fixed under MB warranty, FOC)
There are no signs of corrosion anywhere on ours (56 plate, 60K miles).
The electronics have been faultless.
Fuel economy for a huge 2.25 ton 4x4 (we're talking 30mpg average for us, with 35mpg on a motorway cruise) is very reasonable, given that if required, it's faster in a straight line than our MINI Cooper SD...
It smoothly transports our whole family with all our luggage, in hushed first-class spacious comfort across continents, while handling better than other MPV's and SUV's I've owned & driven.
No wonder the one previous owner from new, p/ex'd it in for another new R class at the MB main dealer. He even had his old alloys swapped over onto his new R, and we got his brand new alloys & tyres on ours...
My experience with this and other Mercedes (we're on our 8th Mercedes so far) means I will happily own other Mercedes again in future, and if I ever get the chance, I'd buy an R63 in an instant.
It's possible that we just "got lucky" with this one owner R320L CDI from a MB main dealer with FMBSH and a MB warranty, but 8 other Mercs over the years suggests probably not, in our experience...
Perhaps the greatest testament that I can give to our R class, is that if we had to only keep one car out of our fleet, the family is unanimous in that we would all want to keep the R class - It's the best family car we've ever had. By far.
HTH.
Am I alone in not considering 10K ish of mileage a particularly thorough test of reliability? Even the worst things I've owned have gone from 10K without major meltdown from time to time.Our R-class, is one of the more reliable cars I've ever owned, from any manufacturer and not just Mercedes.
In my 14 months and 10K+ miles of owning one of these brilliant family cars, it has had the following failure: one wheel bearing (fixed under MB warranty, FOC)
There are no signs of corrosion anywhere on ours (56 plate, 60K miles).
The electronics have been faultless.
Fuel economy for a huge 2.25 ton 4x4 (we're talking 30mpg average for us, with 35mpg on a motorway cruise) is very reasonable, given that if required, it's faster in a straight line than our MINI Cooper SD...
It smoothly transports our whole family with all our luggage, in hushed first-class spacious comfort across continents, while handling better than other MPV's and SUV's I've owned & driven.
No wonder the one previous owner from new, p/ex'd it in for another new R class at the MB main dealer. He even had his old alloys swapped over onto his new R, and we got his brand new alloys & tyres on ours...
My experience with this and other Mercedes (we're on our 8th Mercedes so far) means I will happily own other Mercedes again in future, and if I ever get the chance, I'd buy an R63 in an instant.
It's possible that we just "got lucky" with this one owner R320L CDI from a MB main dealer with FMBSH and a MB warranty, but 8 other Mercs over the years suggests probably not, in our experience...
Perhaps the greatest testament that I can give to our R class, is that if we had to only keep one car out of our fleet, the family is unanimous in that we would all want to keep the R class - It's the best family car we've ever had. By far.
HTH.
dme123 said:
Miglia 888 said:
GreigM said:
Miglia 888 said:
ABS sensors
Parking Sensors
Front SAM
Fuel Tank Sender
CD Changer
Bluetooth module
Wheel bearing
Keyless door handle
Turbo
Rear air suspension
Air con control panel
It's possible that we just "got lucky" with this one owner R320L CDI from a MB main dealer with FMBSH and a MB warranty, but 8 other Mercs over the years suggests probably not, in our experience...
HTH.
8 other Mercs over the years however, suggests probably not, in our experience.
The contrast between our different experiences is huge though, and GreigM might have more to say about whether 10K was enough of a reliability test in his particular case...
Nobody has said the obvious choice!
Nissan Almera Tino (the 2.2 dci of course)
It does everything the other people carriers do but it's a bit more compact, doesn't break, everything is wipe clean and it goes like a scalded cat! Had ours longer than any other car we ever had. Fantastic!
Nissan Almera Tino (the 2.2 dci of course)
It does everything the other people carriers do but it's a bit more compact, doesn't break, everything is wipe clean and it goes like a scalded cat! Had ours longer than any other car we ever had. Fantastic!
Chas88 said:
The TVR driver should have put the two littluns in the boot !Miglia 888 said:
The contrast between our different experiences is huge though, and GreigM might have more to say about whether 10K was enough of a reliability test in his particular case...
Yes. I'm sure even the owners of British Leyland tat in the 70s would be able to go 10K without a breakdown from time to time. Doesn't mean the cars can be taken as reliable generally though. All of the the satisfaction surveys and suchlike suggest Mercedes from that era are not satisfying things to own. I've owned, sold, bought back and re-sold to a friend a W168 A Class that has made it to 100K without any issues at all and plenty of neglect but I still accept that generally speaking they are s
t heaps.sulli said:
Chatting to a bloke with a mint one of these, the other week. It had 3 rows of seats (8 seater) a massive boot and a 200bhp engine! He had done a full restoration on it and despite being brown couldn't help but love it....
I used to have a brown one of these (well bronze or something fancy was the actual description) when i was 19-23 ( along with a rally car before any of you feel too sad for me). Fantastic car - it was used as a rally service bus/chase car, party transport, surf wagon, B&B, the works. Still miss it. How about the ultimate CX?
None of the estates really work for me/ my family - I am, of course, a powerfully built company director, and my kids are catching up fast. I cant actually sit in the back of an RS4 with a 5 foot 8 driver up front never mind someone 6 foot plus,and an Rs6/ M5 Touring are still uncomfortably cramped for a long distance.
The other half has a Renault Grand Espace 7 seater turbo diesel thing- I retain my own unreasonable two door car, of course....
The Espace used to be a courtesy bus for Parr Racing (porsche race team) so we got it fully loaded - black leather/alcantara, full tints, pretty much every upgrade. I expected to hate it, but it was a necessity with 3 kids plus a rugby mini bus requirement on weekends. However, it's been a revelation - loads of space, 3 rows of full size comfortable seats and still a decent boot behind (unlike the Smax); a quiet, comfortable, reasonably fast continent chomper. We are a fairly active family so go skiing, surfing, biking and so on, so the space is vital.
As an example, the 650 mile trip the Alps in one overnight hit is almost a pleasure - dvds on in the back, no need to be an expert in origami to pack whatever we fancy inside (including all 5 sets of skis, boots etc, instead of just making do with what we can fit in and/or sticking a roof box on), cruise control set at an appropriate speed
and I get out the other end relaxed and pain free.The only downside for me is the lack of 4wd which we counter with snow tyres when off skiing.I would buy her another one - its only on 60k trouble free miles at the moment- but they don't make them any more and wanting 3 rows of seats and a boot reduces your choices.
As a result, I'm currently contemplating a new Merc GL - it ticks the 3 rows of full size seats, plus a boot, it has 4wd and decent grunt. I also actually like the looks - one parks near me- and part of me would enjoy something a bit different to the default Disco / X5/ Q7 approach. I've test driven them all.
On the subject of the Q7, it has a serious inverse Tardis effect going on. Its huge outside, but tiny inside - only dwarves need apply to sit in the 3rd row. Drives well tho'.
Mind you, if I had a smaller family a Subaru Forester Sti could well appeal...
CorvetteConvert said:
Best sensible family car. Mondeo MK5. 200 bhp diesel engine.
Best sensibly priced (used) massively fast family car. Early Audi RS6 V10 twin turbo. 572 bhp and 750 bhp potential.
Best family car for the rich. RR Phantom.
RS6 V10 mpg is crippling makes the C5 RS6 seem frugal in comparison. Best sensibly priced (used) massively fast family car. Early Audi RS6 V10 twin turbo. 572 bhp and 750 bhp potential.
Best family car for the rich. RR Phantom.
So you did rate it, at one point in time?
sealtt said:
New M6 Cabrio has been a great choice for us, had mine for 8 months or so.
Full family can fit in no problem (2+2), cruise in luxury/comfort wherever you are going and then have fun on sunny days with the roof down. Plus great engine, 560bhp and very torquey - still gets around 32mpg-34mpg carrying on down the motorway. Can always fit our luggage in no problems too.
Very good looking car with a premium image, gets enough attention without pi**ing people off!
Full family can fit in no problem (2+2), cruise in luxury/comfort wherever you are going and then have fun on sunny days with the roof down. Plus great engine, 560bhp and very torquey - still gets around 32mpg-34mpg carrying on down the motorway. Can always fit our luggage in no problems too.
Very good looking car with a premium image, gets enough attention without pi**ing people off!
Edited by sealtt on Saturday 12th July 03:42
Since this thread has been necro'd and seems to have a fair scattering of actual parents...
I'm seriously close to pulling the trigger on a new Superb 2.0 220hp TSI DSG. I'm a bit worried about the width, though. We have a 9 year old (he's a big lad for his age), a 9 month old and one on the way. So, we'll be looking at two baby seats with the lad in the middle. Not ideal. That said he currently sits in the middle of our Mazda 6 tourer when his (toddler) cousin comes along on day trips with no real complaints, and the Superb is a much bigger car.
We have also considered the 2.0 EcoBoost 240ps Mondeo, which is a bit wider than the Superb though shorter / less rear leg room (I'm 6'5").
Can any of the parents in here give me some perspective on whether I'm worrying about rear space for nothing? My Mrs is hinting towards the S-Max but I'd really rather have the Superb if it's not going to be a significant struggle for the eldest between two car seats. He's usually only in the car for <30 minutes at a time anyway, special occasions excepted. In a couple of years when he's growing up, the baby will be on a (small) booster seat and there'll be no problem, as she can take the middle and he can 'upgrade' to the outer seat again. It's sandwiching him between two rear facing baby seats in the interim that's worrying me...
I know the S-Max gets decent enough reviews, but it also has an uber-reflective dash:windscreen ratio and in 2.0 ecoboost (240ps) guise still manages to be rather slow while still eating rather a lot of petrol.
I'm seriously close to pulling the trigger on a new Superb 2.0 220hp TSI DSG. I'm a bit worried about the width, though. We have a 9 year old (he's a big lad for his age), a 9 month old and one on the way. So, we'll be looking at two baby seats with the lad in the middle. Not ideal. That said he currently sits in the middle of our Mazda 6 tourer when his (toddler) cousin comes along on day trips with no real complaints, and the Superb is a much bigger car.
We have also considered the 2.0 EcoBoost 240ps Mondeo, which is a bit wider than the Superb though shorter / less rear leg room (I'm 6'5").
Can any of the parents in here give me some perspective on whether I'm worrying about rear space for nothing? My Mrs is hinting towards the S-Max but I'd really rather have the Superb if it's not going to be a significant struggle for the eldest between two car seats. He's usually only in the car for <30 minutes at a time anyway, special occasions excepted. In a couple of years when he's growing up, the baby will be on a (small) booster seat and there'll be no problem, as she can take the middle and he can 'upgrade' to the outer seat again. It's sandwiching him between two rear facing baby seats in the interim that's worrying me...
I know the S-Max gets decent enough reviews, but it also has an uber-reflective dash:windscreen ratio and in 2.0 ecoboost (240ps) guise still manages to be rather slow while still eating rather a lot of petrol.
rainmakerraw said:
Since this thread has been necro'd and seems to have a fair scattering of actual parents...
I'm seriously close to pulling the trigger on a new Superb 2.0 220hp TSI DSG. I'm a bit worried about the width, though. We have a 9 year old (he's a big lad for his age), a 9 month old and one on the way. So, we'll be looking at two baby seats with the lad in the middle. Not ideal. That said he currently sits in the middle of our Mazda 6 tourer when his (toddler) cousin comes along on day trips with no real complaints, and the Superb is a much bigger car.
We have also considered the 2.0 EcoBoost 240ps Mondeo, which is a bit wider than the Superb though shorter / less rear leg room (I'm 6'5").
Can any of the parents in here give me some perspective on whether I'm worrying about rear space for nothing? My Mrs is hinting towards the S-Max but I'd really rather have the Superb if it's not going to be a significant struggle for the eldest between two car seats. He's usually only in the car for <30 minutes at a time anyway, special occasions excepted. In a couple of years when he's growing up, the baby will be on a (small) booster seat and there'll be no problem, as she can take the middle and he can 'upgrade' to the outer seat again. It's sandwiching him between two rear facing baby seats in the interim that's worrying me...
I know the S-Max gets decent enough reviews, but it also has an uber-reflective dash:windscreen ratio and in 2.0 ecoboost (240ps) guise still manages to be rather slow while still eating rather a lot of petrol.
Here's mine :-) I'm seriously close to pulling the trigger on a new Superb 2.0 220hp TSI DSG. I'm a bit worried about the width, though. We have a 9 year old (he's a big lad for his age), a 9 month old and one on the way. So, we'll be looking at two baby seats with the lad in the middle. Not ideal. That said he currently sits in the middle of our Mazda 6 tourer when his (toddler) cousin comes along on day trips with no real complaints, and the Superb is a much bigger car.
We have also considered the 2.0 EcoBoost 240ps Mondeo, which is a bit wider than the Superb though shorter / less rear leg room (I'm 6'5").
Can any of the parents in here give me some perspective on whether I'm worrying about rear space for nothing? My Mrs is hinting towards the S-Max but I'd really rather have the Superb if it's not going to be a significant struggle for the eldest between two car seats. He's usually only in the car for <30 minutes at a time anyway, special occasions excepted. In a couple of years when he's growing up, the baby will be on a (small) booster seat and there'll be no problem, as she can take the middle and he can 'upgrade' to the outer seat again. It's sandwiching him between two rear facing baby seats in the interim that's worrying me...
I know the S-Max gets decent enough reviews, but it also has an uber-reflective dash:windscreen ratio and in 2.0 ecoboost (240ps) guise still manages to be rather slow while still eating rather a lot of petrol.
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