Mercedes R class (or Metris) - terrible idea?

"BaconSandwich is tasty." (baconsandwich) 01/02/2018 at 23:36 • Filed to: None

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Yes, likely a terrible idea. But I’m still curious.

Mrs. BaconSandwich and I may be looking for a larger family hauler in the future. I was trying to remember what Mercedes model it was that looked like a giant half-wagon, half van. It turns out the Mercedes R class has 6 or 7 seats. It also turns out they are much less expensive than I had thought. I hadn’t ever considered getting one. I’m still not seriously considering one, but I am intrigued.

I can imagine the maintenance is crazy expensive, and I’m sure there’s a reason they are near Toyota Sienna levels of inexpensiveness, but dang... $5k for one of the cheaper ones listed here:

http://www.autotrader.ca/cars/mercedes-benz/r-class/?rcp=15&rcs=0&srt=4&prx=-1&loc=T1J%202G3&hprc=True&wcp=True&sts=New-Used&inMarket=advancedSearch

Do these things have Allroad levels of terrible maintenance costs or something?

My searching also brought up another one I hadn’t heard of - the Mercedes Benz Metris. 8 seater van, so probably bigger than others we would consider, and definitely newer, but ~$30k for one that is a year old or so. For some reason Mercedes Benz doesn’t list them on their regular website, but they do seem to be on sale here:

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It’d definitely be something different than the usual Sienna/Odyssey/Caravan, that’s for sure.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > BaconSandwich is tasty. 01/03/2018 at 00:06

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My dad has 8 Metris’s (basic plastic bumper work spec) for his work. They replaced a bunch Ram C/Vs. So far he says they are very good. His techs do around 100,000kms/year. Even the basic work spec ones drive very nice, are nicely equipped(for a base work spec), & good on fuel. 

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > BaconSandwich is tasty. 01/03/2018 at 00:10

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R-Classes are fun. Basically think of them as long-wheelbase W164 MLs. V6 models may develop balance shaft issues, so they’re best avoided in the long haul. The air suspension compressor and the power steering pump will probably need replacement at some point, air shocks aren’t super cheap but probably aren’t as expensive as you think to replace, and the R500s get terrible mileage, but R500s are really solid overall. If you can find a solid one and get a good PPI, by all means pull the trigger.

not for canada - australian in disguise > BaconSandwich is tasty. 01/03/2018 at 00:15

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Mercedes has a separate website for their vans, and their cars/SUVs.

https://www.mercedes-benz-vans.ca/en/

dogisbadob > BaconSandwich is tasty. 01/03/2018 at 00:23

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I like the R and Metris more than I should

7:07 > BaconSandwich is tasty. 01/03/2018 at 00:27

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The Metris is on my radar when it the lease on our Pacifica is up next year. Size-wise it is the step between minivan and Suburban. Wish it had the interior and engine options of the V-class available across the pond.

E92M3 > BaconSandwich is tasty. 01/03/2018 at 00:35

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This is the worst idea I’ve heard all year. We’re only 2days in, don’t worry someone will top it.

Textured Soy Protein > BaconSandwich is tasty. 01/03/2018 at 00:38

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The R is basically Mercedes’ Venza, somewhere in between an E wagon and an ML. I wouldn’t buy any high mileage example without being prepared to spend additional money to get and keep it in good working order. Which is fine, if you know what to expect. But the purchase price is not the only thing you need to budget for.

The Metris is not exactly as luxurious as you would expect from a Mercedes. It’s a commercial vehicle done up for passenger duty but unlike the G-wagen which has gone through many years of increasingly fancified interiors, it’s still kinda commercial feeling inside. It’s nice for a commercial vehicle, but feels chintzy compared to something like a Honda Odyssey.

That hasn’t stopped my local Mercedes dealer has been advertising pimped out Metris conversion vans (complete with built-in vacuums, just like the Odyssey!) on local tv.

dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter > BaconSandwich is tasty. 01/03/2018 at 01:02

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I looked at it after you mentioned it because Mrs dsigned001 and I are in a similar situation and I can’t get her to consider a minivan. So our current champions right now are an X5, which I see having similar maintenance costs, and a Hyundai Santa Fe (2014) which she doesn’t love because it’s not “fancy”.

dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 01/03/2018 at 01:04

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Hmmm... The R500 is really that much more reliable? Lol. I think it would be funny if the Mrs wound up with a V8 minivan...

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter 01/03/2018 at 01:42

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The M113 is an incredibly stout motor. 10/10 would recommend. 0-60 in 6.5 in a minivan wouldn’t be too bad either.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > BaconSandwich is tasty. 01/03/2018 at 03:52

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I’ve got one. R500. It’s great in so many ways. But they only made the 500 in 06, which is the first model year. So, unless you’re me, I don’t suggest going that route because there are lots of other little issues that will pop up. If you really want one I don’t suggest going any older than 08. Any engine after that is fine, balance shafts were only an issue in 06 and 07. They’re available with a diesel V6, but those have leaky oil coolers which are expensive, and 10-11 may have timing chain stretch issues.

Safest bet, 09 or newer R350 gas with minimal options. Most only have rear air suspension, and you can get those springs for a couple hundred and install them in about 15 minutes. Avoid full air suspension systems. Look for the best service history you can find. No service history? Then walk away. Get a PPI. A coworker of mine has one of these, he also loves it. It’s his second, he leased one new years ago.

I’d bet my job that if you buy a 5k R-class, you will spend at least that much in the first year of ownership. But if you buy a 10-15k R-class that’s had all of its services on time and all other repairs taken care of you’d think it was a Honda.

Working on these is easy too by the way. Until you need a scan tool of course.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 01/03/2018 at 03:53

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Compressor mostly if strut leaks are neglected too long. Pumps only if reservoir or rack leaks are neglected too long.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 01/03/2018 at 05:52

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Well, strut leaks or neglected filter replacement. Sometimes it’s just a bad air control valve. Weirdly enough, both of my friend’s ML500s had their power steering pumps go bad despite having no rack leaks and good fluid. Are the internals plastic?

boxrocket > BaconSandwich is tasty. 01/03/2018 at 06:36

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Why not Ford Flex Limited with EcoBoost and AWD? Or its more-unique-looking sibling the Lincoln MKT? Similar performance, form, and function, without the anxiety that will keep you up at night. R-classes have some neat attributes, but I wouldn’t rely on one to be my sole source of transportation. Also the Sienna you mentioned ccan have some surprising giddy-up and in top-spec could be mistaken for a Lexus.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > boxrocket 01/03/2018 at 13:26

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I certainly wouldn’t object to a Flex. In reality, we will likely end up with a Sienna or an Odyssey. This was just an option I hadn’t really thought about before. I’m guessing because of the depreciation, the R class might end up costing less than a Flex, as far as initial purchase price goes. There seems to be a pretty steep “Toyota Tax” around these parts.

Jayvincent > BaconSandwich is tasty. 01/03/2018 at 21:43

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I saw my first (and hopefully only) Mercedes R320 today and from behind... its horrible. Ford escort horrible. It may be fun to drive, have great cargo space, blah blah blah, but you are causing serious eye injury to everyone you pass. Just take a look....

what’s with the no-bump bumper? the cats-eye tail lights? the wimpy lip spoiler? In short, where’s the Mercedes style? I’ll pass and I hope you do too.

(FYIW, the R500 isn’t nearly as bad based on my internet look-see, but I doubt I’ll see one in person anytime soon based on AMGtech’s comments about scarcity)

Style-wise, I’d take any of the BMWs in the cross-over class over the R320.

boxrocket > BaconSandwich is tasty. 01/04/2018 at 06:41

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One thing I’ve found with buying used cars is that - depending on your budget - it’s possible if not likely to cost close to the same over a set timespan for vastly different cars, but the level of stress, frustration, and potential collateral issues rise with the more fun/interesting cars. Put another way: If a comparable relatively-boring Sienna is (made-up figures here, bear with me) $25K and will give you 5 years of trouble-free ownership, the interesting but risky R-class would be about $20K but cost you $5k in repairs and lost time over the same period, but the Flex, which is slightly both boring and interesting depending on audience would cost $22K but need maybe $3K in work over the same ownership period. It’s admittedly not as exciting and different as the R-class, but it’s more rewarding than driving the cavern-on-wheels Sienna. 

Anecdotally, I went from a Camry wagon to a Volvo wagon. The Camry’s most fun aspect was a button that changed the transmission settings (supposedly, it didn’t have much over 110 or 120hp IIRC) to “PWR” (POWERRRRRR!) mode. Other than that it was a year of largely carefree ownership, punctuated with the addition of some tasteful upgrades like a strut tower bar (for a Camry!) and fancier wheel covers. I replaced it with the aforementioned Volvo wagon. Actually it was technically 2 Volvo wagons, but the first one was very much a dud and I should have walked away instead of being Mr. Nice Guy and taking it off a struggling family’s hands, but I digress. The 2nd Volvo wagon - with RWD and a Turbo! - was a hoot and a half, and I loved it, and owned it for 8 years. The first two or three years I could barely afford to keep it on the road due to replacing worn parts and an electrical gremlin that took a couple thousand dollars to chase down and resolve. The remaining 5-6 years I focused on mild upgrades and updates and reliability wasn’t a strong concern. After 8 years I realized and decided I needed something with more than 1 airbag and got my first Mazda6, which has been a mix of boring (FWD, sedan, silver paint) and fun (more than 200hp! Handling! Acceleration! Tires wider than 195mm! Wheee!), but other than spark plugs, a PCV hose, and an ignition coil or two, was trouble free. Just to add to the fun quotient, I replaced it with a near-identical orange Mazda6 a year and 12K newer, and - best of all, and as mentioned - orange! Every time I see it I can’t help but smile a bit. However, I still miss having a wagon, so I’ve been on the lookout for something that is that similar balance of fun, value, and practicality.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > boxrocket 01/04/2018 at 12:10

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I think that really is the key - I need to consider reliability vs. “fun”. I suspect I will side on the reliability side. Between being a parent, working full time, and house ownership, I often feel like my hands are full.