R Class Question?
Discussion
Have a bit of an itch for one of these as a more sensible car for the family than the current 730d.
Budget would be sub 10k and there are a few with reasonable miles on for 7 - 10k. In particular I've spotted a 2006 R500 that would be nice and qualifies for the lower RFL but maybe its a little heavy on the juice? (I do 8 - 10k pa mixed driving) Also maybe, given the size of these, the torque of the 320 CDi would be useful?
What do I look out for and are early cars to be avoided, in which case what year does the reliability pick up (if ever!)?
All input greatly appreciated.
Budget would be sub 10k and there are a few with reasonable miles on for 7 - 10k. In particular I've spotted a 2006 R500 that would be nice and qualifies for the lower RFL but maybe its a little heavy on the juice? (I do 8 - 10k pa mixed driving) Also maybe, given the size of these, the torque of the 320 CDi would be useful?
What do I look out for and are early cars to be avoided, in which case what year does the reliability pick up (if ever!)?
All input greatly appreciated.
pointedstarman said:
Have a bit of an itch for one of these as a more sensible car for the family than the current 730d.
Budget would be sub 10k and there are a few with reasonable miles on for 7 - 10k. In particular I've spotted a 2006 R500 that would be nice and qualifies for the lower RFL but maybe its a little heavy on the juice? (I do 8 - 10k pa mixed driving) Also maybe, given the size of these, the torque of the 320 CDi would be useful?
What do I look out for and are early cars to be avoided, in which case what year does the reliability pick up (if ever!)?
All input greatly appreciated.
Avoid getting one with air suspension on the front, I recently picked up a R320L cdi for 9k with just under 80k on the clock, all Merc history except the last one done at an indi. An R500 will drink juice like it's going out of fashion, my diesel one is bad enough even on a run. It's very comfortable though once you get the seat positioned right. If you intend on using the third row of seats regularly make sure you get a long wheel base version. that way you can actually put something behind the seats. the second and third row of seats fold down into a flat load space as well which makes moving stuff very easy. The 7 speed auto gearbox is lovely and smoothBudget would be sub 10k and there are a few with reasonable miles on for 7 - 10k. In particular I've spotted a 2006 R500 that would be nice and qualifies for the lower RFL but maybe its a little heavy on the juice? (I do 8 - 10k pa mixed driving) Also maybe, given the size of these, the torque of the 320 CDi would be useful?
What do I look out for and are early cars to be avoided, in which case what year does the reliability pick up (if ever!)?
All input greatly appreciated.
The real world fuel consumption between the V8 and V6 cdi isn't that great.
The V6 CDI gets 30 on a run and 20 during mixed driving.
We've had ours for 5 years now. LWB. It's a decent tool for moving people comfortably but I wouldn't get one unless you regularly need more than 5 seats.
Contrary to the previous advice, I would look for one with full airmatic as it rides and handles better than the base spec car with rear air suspension only.
The V6 CDI gets 30 on a run and 20 during mixed driving.
We've had ours for 5 years now. LWB. It's a decent tool for moving people comfortably but I wouldn't get one unless you regularly need more than 5 seats.
Contrary to the previous advice, I would look for one with full airmatic as it rides and handles better than the base spec car with rear air suspension only.
V12 AMG said:
The real world fuel consumption between the V8 and V6 cdi isn't that great.
The V6 CDI gets 30 on a run and 20 during mixed driving.
We've had ours for 5 years now. LWB. It's a decent tool for moving people comfortably but I wouldn't get one unless you regularly need more than 5 seats.
Contrary to the previous advice, I would look for one with full airmatic as it rides and handles better than the base spec car with rear air suspension only.
Don't get me wrong mine has airmatic and i like it but one of my airbags has burst and mercedes are quoting an expected delivery of the new strut in early septemberThe V6 CDI gets 30 on a run and 20 during mixed driving.
We've had ours for 5 years now. LWB. It's a decent tool for moving people comfortably but I wouldn't get one unless you regularly need more than 5 seats.
Contrary to the previous advice, I would look for one with full airmatic as it rides and handles better than the base spec car with rear air suspension only.
wolfie1978 said:
Don't get me wrong mine has airmatic and i like it but one of my airbags has burst and mercedes are quoting an expected delivery of the new strut in early september
Have you tried arnott and all the other sources?https://www.arnotteurope.com/mercedesbenz-rclass(w...
We're a family of 4 and very occasional access to 6 seats would be useful. The current car carries us all around fine tbh and for local pottering gets late 20's with 40 on a run but given my sub 10k miles fuel costs aren't a major concern. I generally just fill the car when it needs it and avoid thinking about consumption.
My main concern is reliability and the risk of major bills. What's the reliability like on yours?
Re the air suspension, is it the same system as the S Class uses? I've read they can be ruinous when they go wrong?
My main concern is reliability and the risk of major bills. What's the reliability like on yours?
Re the air suspension, is it the same system as the S Class uses? I've read they can be ruinous when they go wrong?
Yes, the airmatic system is the same as used in many other mercy, including the S class. Top of the range s class models get the ABC hydraulic system which can be extremely costly when it goes wrong. Many people confuse the 2.
The airmatic system has 6 main components. Air compressor. Distribution valve block. 4 x struts.
The system is easy and cheap to work on from a labour perspective. Parts are very reasonably priced if you buy from suppliers such as arnott and avoid the main dealer. You can see the prices by following the link in my last post.
The 7G auto box and other electronic issues can be more troublesome as they often take man hours to diagnose and pinpoint.
We have 6 cars currently on the fleet with air suspension and they have all been pretty sound for a while now. Last repair was to the compressor on the r class at around 90k miles. We managed to get away with a new seal kit at a cost of around £20 for the parts and 2 hours labour.
The airmatic system has 6 main components. Air compressor. Distribution valve block. 4 x struts.
The system is easy and cheap to work on from a labour perspective. Parts are very reasonably priced if you buy from suppliers such as arnott and avoid the main dealer. You can see the prices by following the link in my last post.
The 7G auto box and other electronic issues can be more troublesome as they often take man hours to diagnose and pinpoint.
We have 6 cars currently on the fleet with air suspension and they have all been pretty sound for a while now. Last repair was to the compressor on the r class at around 90k miles. We managed to get away with a new seal kit at a cost of around £20 for the parts and 2 hours labour.
My summary:
First class luxury & space, with more legroom & luggage capacity than E-class estates, plus 4-wheel drive.
Not a sports car, but rides & handles better than most MPV's or SUV's.
More like a LWB S-class 4Matic estate, with room for 6 in comfort if required.
Perfect for crossing continents in supreme comfort & quietness.
And probably the one car we'd keep, if we had to only keep one car...
Had a regular R500. Now have a lwb R320 CDI.
500 is quicker & thirstier as you'd expect - 19mpg mixed & 24 on a run for me.
Lwb CDI is much roomier, and 25mpg mixed with 35 on a run for me.
We are also only a family of four, but all the luggage comes along too with room to spare.
500 had air suspension issues. CDI has had one wheelbearing, plus a glowplug replaced in two years of ownership so far.
Brilliant family cars - definitely get a lwb, which will make your 7 series feel small inside & out.
Just make sure you have a big enough parking space, and enjoy.
HTH.
First class luxury & space, with more legroom & luggage capacity than E-class estates, plus 4-wheel drive.
Not a sports car, but rides & handles better than most MPV's or SUV's.
More like a LWB S-class 4Matic estate, with room for 6 in comfort if required.
Perfect for crossing continents in supreme comfort & quietness.
And probably the one car we'd keep, if we had to only keep one car...
Had a regular R500. Now have a lwb R320 CDI.
500 is quicker & thirstier as you'd expect - 19mpg mixed & 24 on a run for me.
Lwb CDI is much roomier, and 25mpg mixed with 35 on a run for me.
We are also only a family of four, but all the luggage comes along too with room to spare.
500 had air suspension issues. CDI has had one wheelbearing, plus a glowplug replaced in two years of ownership so far.
Brilliant family cars - definitely get a lwb, which will make your 7 series feel small inside & out.
Just make sure you have a big enough parking space, and enjoy.
HTH.
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