The R-Class - Flop of the Year?

While reading my latest Top Gear magazine, I was shocked to see the latest deals that are available on new cars. Among them was the R class 320cdi, with a massive 10000 pounds off list price, bringing it down from 39000 to 29000. That makes it cheaper than the C Class 280, or X3 2.0d! And the R500L can be found with over 15000 pounds off list price! That brings it down to a ridiculous 35000 pounds, the same as a C350 or X3 3.0si! It makes a 5.5 litre Mercedes less money than a 3.0 BMW, what's going on?
What happened Merc? Why did you design such a useless car, that nobody wants? And then you have to cut 30% of the price just to shift a few...it's sad how far Merc has had to sink.

EL34 - 1/21/2007 11:49:12 PM

-13 Boost

This MB is no flop.

It's a work of rolling art.

EL34i - 1/22/2007 1:57:21 AM

+3 Boost

Spoken like a graduate of the 'Gogo School of Automotive Design'.

lexusis350 - 1/21/2007 11:53:21 PM

+6 Boost

I saw one of these R-Classes yesterday. They are UGLY. I don't know why anyone would spend that kind of money on such a hideous vehicle.

EL34 - 1/21/2007 11:55:08 PM

-9 Boost

Out here in OC just driving to the mall you will see a half a dozen R-Class' and it is the perfect upscale van for moms with a scrum of kids.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/22/2007 12:02:52 AM

-5 Boost

SHUT UP ABOUT THE OC!!!!


THIS CAR IS HIDEOUS AND YOU KNOW IT!!!

001, I pity you, being paid for by Benz with your hideous R-Class.

Agent001 - 1/22/2007 12:14:22 AM

+4 Boost

MB did not pay me to get it.

It is an awesome vehicle and you can lease them for less than a BMW X3.

What else is there to think about?

If you need a utilty vehicle, it is the best bargain on the planet right now.

001

PolePosition - 1/21/2007 11:59:28 PM

+3 Boost

By FAR the worst looking MB ever to exist. Its a garbled disaster. People respond to good design even if they don't know how to talk about it. And people are not responding to the R-Class. Its just embarrassing.

trd1 - 1/22/2007 12:01:24 AM

+8 Boost

dang straight its embarrassing, i mean its not even good use for a van, i would take any other van over this even thought they cost like half of this.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/22/2007 12:04:38 AM

-2 Boost

My wife's cousin and her husband had an E320 and a 528i. She got a new E320... and he kept his 528i for another year or two.

Last year, they traded in their E39 for an R350. The husband had said, "Oh, I know it's ugly as sin, but they gave me a good deal and it can fit the kids."

I pity them, I really do.

Matthew1 - 1/22/2007 12:46:23 AM

-2 Boost

Well at least you can get a versatile Mercedes for cheap!

You guys may think its ugly, but i think it is MUCH more attractive than any equivalent minivan.

A sleek, Estate-esque car is more appealing than a dressed up van.

EL34i - 1/22/2007 1:58:51 AM

+8 Boost

This automobile is a pizza deliveryperson's dream!

EL34 - 1/22/2007 1:33:06 PM

-4 Boost

LexusAdmirer, the Honda minivan looks like Bart Simpson to me.

Carboy - 1/22/2007 5:51:52 PM

+4 Boost

Matt, I agree.

07mcs - 1/22/2007 5:48:38 PM

-3 Boost

I thought it was a sport tourer, not as SUV.

DavidRoss - 1/22/2007 4:26:23 AM

-4 Boost

They need to drop in the S's 382 hp V8, tighten up the overall aesthetics and maybe slap on a larger navigation screen (the most obvious stuff). Give the whole MB lineup a warranty as extensive as BMW's "Ultimate Service" and they'll be good. I don't quite think the R is an eye sore, but it also wouldn't be among my top choices in the "van-ish" category. What nut would choose an R63 over the cheaper, better looking, and slightly quicker ML63?

S4cabriofoxone - 1/23/2007 12:11:04 AM

+1 Boost

Someone who needs over 500hp and seven seats.

Rupert - 1/22/2007 12:03:04 PM

+2 Boost

i live in london too, and i have seen precisly none.
no mothers driving them at all. that is a disaster for mercedes.

KostinC - 1/22/2007 7:29:51 AM

+3 Boost

This car is embarrassing especially because it's built by Mercedes.They could have done a quick survey to see if people like this car or release some "spy" photos or something.Hundreds of millions of Euros wasted for nothing.

htra0497 - 1/22/2007 11:54:02 AM

+1 Boost

Their largest market is the US and so it just simply too expensive. Better off with an 7 seater SUV - which are now normally heavily discouted, probably with free fuel thrown in.

no1listensanyway - 1/22/2007 3:32:42 PM

+2 Boost

Plenty in NY, I just find them way overpriced.

answer - 1/22/2007 7:44:38 PM

+4 Boost

R Class - "prestige" = Chrysler Pacifica

MBKing - 1/23/2007 12:42:33 AM

-2 Boost

yeah it's wack but I'd take a R63 in a hearbeat and romp on people in a mini van. Just think it'd be fun.

berne1 - 1/23/2007 2:24:37 PM

+1 Boost

I was recently in a Benz store for something related to work. As I waited for the General Mgr, I checked out the product in the showroom. Sat in an E-Class, sat in a GL-Class. Fairly non-eventful. As soon as I cracked the door of the R-Class, all the salesmen in the place swarmed me. That thing is really not selling well and judging from their reaction, I'd say there is some kind of spiff, either from MB or the dealer himself. Wow.

KoruKinshi - 1/23/2007 2:25:48 PM

+1 Boost

Personally, I'm not a fan of the R-class. I don't like it really. I'll stomach the AMG model because it looks better, and it's an AMG, but that's about it. They could've done without this one.

ElSparquito - 1/23/2007 5:03:14 PM

+1 Boost

Is it meant to resemble a tall wagon or squashed SUV? It almost looks like an attempt to merge the CLS look with an SUV. The CLS, though, is mighty fine!

kuvakas - 1/23/2007 5:05:03 PM

+1 Boost

I'm not ready to judge the car on styling. There are plenty of vehicles out there that cause me to scratch my head (Pontiac Aztek anyone?) and wonder who came up with that design? Since this vehicle was designed with the American market in mind, here's the big question; Is it meeting the sales projections? Does anyone know the actual number sold here in the states?

EL34 - 1/23/2007 8:08:30 PM

+1 Boost

Get an R-Class, you'll love it!