by "Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
Published 06/20/2017 at 15:23
by "Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
Published 06/20/2017 at 15:23
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STARS: 0
I’ve always had an affinity for Mercedes — not for the badge, but for the build quality (electronics excepted). I also feel like VW/Audi have prepared me for disappointment in some sort of weird Automotive Stockholm Syndrome.
Long story short, my car is getting long in the tooth and I’m thinking of something to replace it. Keep in mind that “reliability” to me is “better than a loaded 2001 VW Passat” so it’s not a particularly high bar. But I need something bigger, something that the wife might like to “borrow” (quotes because she might end up driving it 90% of the time) and something that drives better than a minivan, but still has about 80% of the same usefulness.
The R-Class has always been underappreciated, but is a really damned practical alternative to other luxury wagons or SUVs. It’s rare enough to be interesting, but nice enough to avoid boringness. I’m not cross-shopping other luxury cars...if not this, then likely a newer Durango or Ford Flex, both of which meet the above criteria, albeit with less panache (and cost). The one below is at my local CarMax for $18k with just 57k miles. I’d probably wait on a better one with no accidents on file (or I’ll research the severity).
"Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras" (jegoingout)
06/20/2017 at 15:27, STARS: 1
They drive like a SUV, so there’s that.
I’ve secretly loved these things forever and want one, but at the same time I’ll never own one
"Tripper" (tripe46)
06/20/2017 at 15:27, STARS: 0
Well if you want to be talked out of it, I think they’re butt ugly. When people say that about cars I like, It makes me want them more and I’ll dismiss that persons comment as dumb and tasteless. Feel free to do the same here.
"Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire" (arch-duke-maxyenko)
06/20/2017 at 15:27, STARS: 1
If it’s not an AMG, I will be forever sad
"C62030" (c62030)
06/20/2017 at 15:27, STARS: 1
Tall wagon is best wagon. Especially compared to a Durango.
"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
06/20/2017 at 15:30, STARS: 0
If that’s really true, I’ll just shop for a GL...or a Lexus GX or LX instead. Being a sound alternative to the E-Class is the big draw for me, but I haven’t had a chance to drive one yet.
"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
06/20/2017 at 15:30, STARS: 1
$40 worth of badging from ebay will make you happy.
"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
06/20/2017 at 15:31, STARS: 1
I really want an E-Class wagon, which IMHO is one of the best looking cars ever made. But when these are cheaper, easier to find, AND bigger with very similar performance, it’s hard not to be swayed. Damned crossovers.
"G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3" (gbodyman)
06/20/2017 at 15:31, STARS: 0
They drive like an ML, feel like an S-class, and the R500s are actually pretty reliable.
"OPPOsaurus WRX" (opposaurus)
06/20/2017 at 15:33, STARS: 0
i think that is a worse choice than an Allroad
"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
06/20/2017 at 15:34, STARS: 0
Ahhhh...but to me, Durango is a tall wagon, the successor to the Magnum. RWD, unibody. Except for that long hood, I feel like I’m driving a car.
"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
06/20/2017 at 15:35, STARS: 0
I’m torn on whether to even bother looking for an R500...just 35-40 extra hp over the R350 V6 for a lot of extra cash and fuel consumption. Is the V8 really more reliable than the ubiquitous 3.5 V6 that Merc put into all their cars?
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
06/20/2017 at 15:36, STARS: 1
I have one, and we love it. A colleague has one and loves it. I would avoid 06-07 just because early years always have the most issues. Also avoid full air suspension if possible (they all have rear, but those springs are cheap and really easy). Any questions, just ask.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
06/20/2017 at 15:36, STARS: 1
Bleh. A nice Volvo wagon comes to mind because I found one at Carmax once. I’d take that over this Merc. Way more panache, as you call it. I thought the Flex looked cool, like most people here, until I rode in one and found it extraordinarily meh.
"Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire" (arch-duke-maxyenko)
06/20/2017 at 15:36, STARS: 1
But a V8 will make me the happiest
"Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire" (arch-duke-maxyenko)
06/20/2017 at 15:37, STARS: 0
The Durango felt nothing like a car to drive when I drove one.
"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
06/20/2017 at 15:39, STARS: 1
Yeah, I also found the Flex (even with AWD and Ecoboost) very bland and unresponsive. But as much as I want to like Volvo, I still seem them like Acura — ie “Almost Luxury” (at least until the past 2-3 years). And they all lack a usable third row, even the XC90, which I normally really like all around.
"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
06/20/2017 at 15:41, STARS: 0
Awesome, man, glad to hear it...the only above is an 08, which is about as old as I’m willing to go right now. I can DIY all the routine stuff (even the 12 spark plugs, LOL) and have done basic suspension stuff before. I might hit you up for more advice...I used to be on Benzworld all the time — I worked on my in-laws’ W210 and 211 E-Classes quite a bit several years ago.
"Arrivederci" (arrividerci)
06/20/2017 at 15:42, STARS: 0
If you’re after reliability, the GX or LX is the answer.
"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
06/20/2017 at 15:43, STARS: 1
No turbos. No 4-wheel air suspension. Engine goes into every car they make. Have you see the gap in front of the engine? It’s like automatic Service Position :D
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
06/20/2017 at 15:43, STARS: 1
With a Volvo, it kinda has to be the right conjunction of the planets. The right preowned car with the right options at the right price can feel like the luxury steal of the century. No matter how you option a Flex or a Durango, you’re not going to get it to feel luxury. Which is not necessarily a bad thing. They’re fine cars, just not in the same class as a wagon from a luxury brand.
"Carsbikesscooters" (carsbikesandscooters)
06/20/2017 at 15:43, STARS: 0
BMW X3 35i is a great choice. So is a new golf wagon 4motion.
"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
06/20/2017 at 15:45, STARS: 0
Not even close to the “full three row” sizing though. I’ll have one of those in about 20 years when the kids are gone :D
"Carsbikesscooters" (carsbikesandscooters)
06/20/2017 at 15:49, STARS: 2
I would go for a Lincoln MKT ecoboost, kind of similar in design to an R class but more reliable and faster.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
06/20/2017 at 15:49, STARS: 1
Only 6 plugs on that one! They’re super easy to work on though. The only maintenance item you won’t be able to do is the transmission service because it has to be filled from the bottom and takes a special device to do it. Check history if you can (or get me the vin) and if the trans hasn’t been done yet do it right away and get back on schedule, next at 80k, then every 40k after that.
"G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3" (gbodyman)
06/20/2017 at 15:52, STARS: 1
The 500 makes a ton of noticeable torque over the 350 and isn’t plagued with the same harmonic balancer issues. 500s are also typically better equipped.
"Your boy, BJR" (jerseyshoreben)
06/20/2017 at 15:57, STARS: 1
Durango R/T. Or Citadel if you want luxury. Or just stop fooling yourself and get a Grand Cherokee Overland.
"Saracen" (manualdoucheelitist)
06/20/2017 at 16:01, STARS: 1
Talk you out of it? No way!
"Klaus Schmoll" (klausschmoll)
06/20/2017 at 16:02, STARS: 1
I actually considered one of these as an alternative to the E61. Why not just get one of these beauties instead of that mongrel R-class?
"jonny11quest" (jonny11quest)
06/20/2017 at 16:02, STARS: 0
Hold out for the wagon. Or get a 5 series wagon. Or an odyssey. SUV if you’ll actually take it offroad or tow. Don’t join the crossover masses.
"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
06/20/2017 at 16:10, STARS: 1
The wagons are just too small and hard to find, plus the 5 wagon (discontinued) didn’t have a third row. We already have an Odyssey, and I’m not against SUVs, but if I go that route, it’s BOF all the way and offroading dreams :D
I feel a lot less shame about getting a crossover from before crossovers were a thing. They didn’t even know what to call it when it was released...Grand Sports Tourer was the official name.
"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
06/20/2017 at 16:11, STARS: 0
In the US, they’re much, much harder to find AND more expensive than the R. But that E-Class my #1 choice, don’t get me wrong. Best all-around car ever made, possibly.
"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
06/20/2017 at 16:14, STARS: 1
Preaching to the choir...my Passat (ZF AWD tranny) has a similar service — perfectly level, a specific temp range, then you have to siphon the fluid up into the side until it pours out. Lots of messy fun. I recently did it on our newer Odyssey — drain 3 quarts (of 12) from the bottom, refill from the dipstick hole, repeat every 30k miles or so. Ridiculously easy.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
06/20/2017 at 16:26, STARS: 0
Ours only have a drain in the pan. Which is also used to fill and set level. Easy if you can fill it. Same story with temp and level though. I’ve done the ZF’s, can be a little messy but also not difficult.
"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
06/20/2017 at 16:32, STARS: 1
Yeah, not too tricky, but slightly more complicated if using 4 jackstands on your back in a driveway with a manual aftermarket siphon pump :D
I think Honda just figured “We had better make this easy, given our history...”
"Tripper" (tripe46)
06/20/2017 at 16:32, STARS: 0
Yea E wagons are super nice and super tough to find. There are two AMGs that frequent some of my lunch spots. Never seen either driver though.
"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
06/20/2017 at 16:35, STARS: 1
I’ve yet to see an AMG wagon, but I’ve seen several sedans. Dat exhaust note!
"LJ909" (lj909)
06/20/2017 at 18:52, STARS: 0
Since reliability doestn seem to bother you, might I sugghest something a long the same lines as the R Class:
5 Series GT. If you’re willing to deal with over 100 thousand on them, I’ve seen them for as low as $13 grand, but no lower than that.
"E92M3" (E46M3)
06/20/2017 at 19:52, STARS: 0
Do yourself a favor, and visit a forum for these (to scare yourself from making such a mistake).
Seriously, just get an Odyssey.
"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
06/20/2017 at 21:22, STARS: 1
Isn’t that a Kia Rondo? /s
"LJ909" (lj909)
06/20/2017 at 21:27, STARS: 1
Kia wishes they made the Rondo look like that. The Rondo was a forgettable MPV bubble.
"pip bip - choose Corrour" (hhgttg69)
06/21/2017 at 06:34, STARS: 0
go for the R63 AMG version
:)
"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
06/21/2017 at 08:45, STARS: 1
I might have a soft spot for the Rondo, if only for its “No F*cks Given!” approach to design. Pure function, so totally Asian in many ways. The BMW GT (all of them) are objects of my hatred, though. Not even a competitor to the R-class, since it lacks a third row anyway. If they still made the 5 wagon, I might be swayed...