Educate me on the R-Class.

"Alex B" (alexb420)
07/05/2016 at 13:34 • Filed to: R Class

I’ve always liked the R-Class, but never knew much about it. It’s not a wagon, it’s not an SUV and it’s not a minivan. What is it?

What’s it based on?

Is it reliable?

Was it truly luxurious?

Cost when new?

And how are 2011 models still worth 25-30k?

DISCUSSION (23)

f86sabre > Alex B
07/05/2016 at 13:39

Favorite vehicle of pirates.

C62030 > Alex B
07/05/2016 at 13:39

1. Who knows

2. HAHAHAHAHA

3. Probably

4. Way too much

5. Again, who knows

Party-vi > Alex B
07/05/2016 at 13:41

Stupid minivan without sliding doors. That being said, it’s the only minivan sold with over 500hp (R63 AMG). The AMG is pretty scarce.

GE90man > Alex B
07/05/2016 at 13:42

one thing: R63 AMG.

For Sweden > Alex B
07/05/2016 at 13:43

It’s a Mazda5 with swinging doors and RWD

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Alex B
07/05/2016 at 13:47

It’s a minivan. don’t swallow Mercedes’ line on that. potentially a very fast and powerful minivan, and one with relatively low roof/CG, but it’s a minivan.

E90M3 > Party-vi
07/05/2016 at 13:56

The AMG is pretty scarce.

That might be an understatement. If the internet is to be believed, they made under 100 R63 AMGs for the US.

TeamClearCoat > Alex B
07/05/2016 at 14:00

My Uber ride last week was in one, so I’m pretty much an expert.

Seriously, though, I’m sort of intrigued by them as well. Especially the R500. The R63 is just so damn rare, but a V-8 minivan-ish thing seems like it could be a fun family truckster. I’m wondering the same thing about reliability.

Alex B > Party-vi
07/05/2016 at 14:02

Didn’t someone on Oppo/Jalopnik get one? Maybe I read it somewhere else and thought it was here idk..

Alex B > f86sabre
07/05/2016 at 14:02

This seems to be an accurate statement, at least for the pre-refresh ones.

Alex B > GE90man
07/05/2016 at 14:05

Hard to come by though...

Alex B > TeamClearCoat
07/05/2016 at 14:07

Was it nice from where you were sitting?

And me too, I would like to own one for a bit just to see what it’s like. As for reliability I went to the Benz world forum and it seems hit or miss. http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w251-r-…

RallyWrench > Alex B
07/05/2016 at 14:09

In my opinion they are poorly designed and made and are a pain in the ass to work on. Also, the M272 from 2005-2008 suffers balance shaft gear and valve guide wear problems.

TeamClearCoat > Alex B
07/05/2016 at 14:17

I was in the front seat and it was, you know, nice but button-y. My parents had an E-class wagon for a while (it was an ‘06 maybe?), and that thing was not very nice to drive. It was one of those big cars that never really shrinks around you as you drive it, you know? I’m really curious about how this thing compares.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Alex B
07/05/2016 at 14:28

An MPV

A somewhat bespoke platform that’s loosely related to the ML

It’s an early 2000s Daimler product, draw your own conclusion (read: no)

See above

Too damn much

No idea since it’s essentially Benz’s Pacifica

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Alex B
07/05/2016 at 14:33

It’s a wagovan, a minivan that had a baby with a wagon.

I think it’s based on the mid 2000's E-class, but i could be wrong.

Reliable? Reliability is about on par with an 80 year old’s prostate, so take that as you will.

Luxurious? It’s a benz amd cost about $60k new, so yeah, but i really don’t believe you can ever have a luxurious minivan. (The R63 was a stupid fun car tho!)

And they’re worth $25k?! Where?! On the moon? I haven’t seen any sell for over $12k recently

Ash78, voting early and often > Alex B
07/05/2016 at 14:46

First, get the R63 out of your mind — they’re unicorns (there are several in my area and I'm tempted to pre-write some notes for them "in case they ever want to sell"). That said, these things have been sold at tremendous discounts since day 1 (compared to, say, an E-class wagon with similar stats). However, the used market seems to appreciate them a little more. They haven’t even lost half their value in 5 years, which is really good value retention. But they’re thirsty, have typical Mercedes repair bills, and are a little on the large side. Just look at those rear doors. But I also love this thing and feel like it was ahead of its time. The world didn't even know what a "crossover" was at the time, but now we have the Traverse and Flex and numerous other cars with the same basic configuration. If it were launched today with no prior track record, it would do much better. IMHO.

DynamicWeight > Alex B
07/05/2016 at 14:49

Whats a pirate’s favorite letter?

petebmwm > Alex B
07/05/2016 at 14:53

if you like these also check out chrysler pacificas.

RT > Alex B
07/05/2016 at 14:58

I’ve always liked the R-Klasse, but never knew much about it. It’s not a wagon, it’s not an SUV and it’s not a minivan. What is it?

It’s a luxury minivan. It looks odd because it uses SUV parts though.

What’s it based on?

It uses its own chassis, but it’s sort of similar to the M and GL chassis.

Is it reliable?

Well, it’s German so it shouldn’t break. When it does though, I’d expect it to cost (though maybe too much due to shared M and GL parts). Good luck if you have the AMG version though.

Was it truly luxurious?

As luxurious as a 00s Benz. It’s German but also a Daimler-Chrysler product, so it depends on your standards really. It is a luxury car though.

Cost when new?

More than an M-Klasse, less than a GL-Klasse.

And how are 2011 models still worth 25-30k?

It is too new and prestigious to depreciate just yet I guess. In the mean time I’d recommend an X5 instead, same luxury at a cheaper price with much better driving dynamics.

Rico > Alex B
07/05/2016 at 15:02

Somebody once told me it’s 75% a Chrysler Pacifica.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Alex B
07/05/2016 at 15:18

I have an R500. Is awesome.

Very similar underpinnings to W/X164 ML/GL. It has proper differentials and transfer case. Front engine longitudinally mounted.

Reliability is hit or miss. The newer the better, facelifted being quite good actually. Reliability drastically improves if you avoid front air suspension (they all have rear, but those bags are relatively cheap and very easy) and speed sensitive steering. Speed sensitive steering isn’t problematic in and of itself but it’s much more expensive to repair if the steering rack leaks. I personally don’t think they’re bad to work on. Avoid bluetec diesel models, because the maintenance and repairs are much higher on those. 06 and early 07 V6 models have balance shaft sprocket issues, avoid those unless it’s already been repaired. Make sure transmissions have been serviced every 40-50k (they specify 40k).

I think they’re extremely comfortable, even in the third row. Ours is loaded (for an 06) with the high end climate control, and all of the other fun goodies one could want. My wife loves it and never wants another car.

IIRC $60-90k new depending on trim levels and options. Mine was $78k I think (we bought it used for much much less).

11/12 models are better looking, harder to find, and much more reliable. 12 actually has the newer direct injected M276 V6 engine which is very reliable, more efficient, and more powerful.

Full disclosure, ours hasn’t been perfect, but the issues it has had were early model only issues that newer ones just don’t have to deal with, or issues we caused (broken plastic from rowdy kids). But I also bought a warranty with mine so we were safe.

Truth be told, when/if this one dies we will definitely be looking at another one, but probably ‘09 or newer.

Brian McKay > E90M3
07/05/2016 at 16:16

Sources say 88-108 in US and Canada.