To Compete With 5-series GT, Should MB DUMP The R-Class?

As automotive design progresses, it seems that certain trends dry up and new ideas come to fruition.  In BMW's case, it is pretty evident there is going to be a strong shift towards fast-back designed crossovers.

Knowing that BMW wants to make approximately a fifth of their 5-series sales GTs, it is likely the BMW wagon is on the chopping block, at least in the U.S.  And, if you take a look at the sales figures, wagons never were a hit in the Americas so you cannot blame the Bavarians. 

But, now where do competitors go?  Should they wait and see if BMW hits a grand slam or act early and in line with the brand? 

Mercedes-Benz's R-class is a peculiar crossover/minivan type vehicle that has been relatively popular with the suburban, soccermom crowd and "black car," fleets in urban areas.  Talk of this model's future has remained quiet with no updates or spy photos.

With a paradigm shift on the horizon, should MB act now?

Agent001 has experienced the new GT and has said you WILL want to check this car out and get behind the wheel.  And, 001 has a pretty good feeler about these sort of things.

Now the ball's in Mercedes court but what would you do, spies?



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darzav - 7/10/2009 9:34:52 AM

+3 Boost

Yea they should dump this model. Or at least make it pleasing to look at.

JRobUSC - 7/10/2009 10:12:17 AM

+4 Boost

the R-class has been "relatively popular"? Compared to what exactly? Not having a car? Mercedes couldn't move these things whatsoever until they came out with a lease that was so ridiculously low for the MSRP of the car they were practically paying YOU to drive it.

quizz - 7/10/2009 1:29:06 PM

+4 Boost

LOL

Yonder7 - 7/10/2009 10:15:23 AM

+1 Boost

Let me tell you: X6 will sell less than this....and it is unpractical if you compare it to the R class...

JRobUSC - 7/10/2009 12:31:30 PM

+3 Boost

and what you just said might make sense if the X6 was designed to be an R-class competitor. Unfortunately they aren't even remotely competitors, so it doesn't.

fatandsassy - 7/10/2009 11:02:27 AM

+3 Boost

The R Class is a great car it just needs a new face. Those headlights are just plain ugly. Take a new E class design and slap it on the front of this thing. ALSO - this car has tons of room and seats more. The X6 does not. It is not a real comparison. BMW does not make a van

theoptimisticpessimist - 7/10/2009 12:00:25 PM

+6 Boost

Hmmmm, should they Dump the R class because of the new GT? Dump them both!

JMB1013 - 7/10/2009 12:48:06 PM

+3 Boost

I thought MB said they are doing only one redesign then dumping the R. Plus, why would they build a 5 GT competitor when 1) it's hideous and 2) the 5 GT is meant to copy the CLS?

NItePhire - 7/10/2009 1:24:23 PM

+3 Boost

I Kinda liked the big guy. They dont need to compete with BMW in this segment though. Make the R class about three hundred pounds lighter and a richer interior. the leather in it is rather hard. It drives fine.

pennfootball - 7/10/2009 1:27:46 PM

0 Boost

Kill kill kill...kill the R Klas...Kill kill kill...Kill the R Klas

quizz - 7/10/2009 1:34:12 PM

0 Boost

As a car enthusiast with a wife and 2 kids, I would much prefer driving the 5GT as my "family car" on my commute than a minivan (for obvious reasons) or X5 (handling is still compromised, top heavy). And, I find the 5GT more attractive than the 5 Wagon. My choices now are narrowed to the 5GT or Audi Q5.

There is definitely a market for the 5GT and that market is: people who want the practicality of a wagon without its Brady Bunch look. SUV's are a decent alternative, but you give up a little too much in inefficiency, weight and handling in order to drive it around town.

JRobUSC - 7/10/2009 2:17:16 PM

0 Boost

+1

I have said this before but I don't get the animosity towards the 5GT. Last year I wanted my wife to get a 3-Series or 5-Series wagon to replace her X5. She wouldn't hear of it, the idea of driving a station wagon at 33 years old just repulsed her. Unfortunately, as great as some of the wagons out now are (and BMW, Benz, and Audi make some great ones), that's just how American's see wagons. I showed her the 5GT though and she thought it was awesome. Wagon practicality? Check. Higher seating position? Check. DOESN'T LOOK LIKE A STATION WAGON? CHECK. Most importantly for BMW though (or Benz or Audi or anyone who "sells" wagons here) it certainly can't sell worse than the current wagon lineup, which is practically non-existant (there are four BMW dealers within 30 minutes of me, and between them there's not a single new 5-Series wagon on the lot).

david999 - 7/10/2009 1:43:10 PM

+2 Boost

R-Class has been a disaster for MB from the beginning.

thstone - 7/10/2009 3:28:57 PM

+4 Boost

Dump it. The R-class never had a real identity. It certainly wasn't a SUV. But was it a wagon? Crossover? Hatchback-wagon-crossover? Unfortunately, it looked more like a minivan than any of the aforementioned types and sales suffered accordingly.

009load - 7/10/2009 5:13:36 PM

0 Boost

"And, if you take a look at the sales figures, wagons never were a hit in the Americas so you cannot blame the Bavarians".

What do mean by you can't blame the Bavarians. They misjudged and did not understand the American market. It's plainly their fault. Classic case of another culture force feeding us their stupid ideas. Wake up and see that their trying to do the same with Diesel. BMW GT's, 4 door coupes.

These sportback designs are unwanted. How well is the X6 doing? And the cochroach cars such as the CLS are only appealing to men that get their eyebrows plucked.

Yonder7 - 7/10/2009 6:24:26 PM

+2 Boost

Sorry but the horrible GT5 do not compite with the CLS.....CLS is pure elegance....GT an ugly (but very useful) car..both are for diferent customers...If I need a more practic car, I'll buy and ML or X5, And I'll keep my STS...The GT 5 will be heavier than a regular sedan therefore with a bigger consumption of fuel, honestly I see the same future for it that we saw with AMC Eagle, which of course, have a profile very similar to the X6 or GT5...the main diference is the BMW logo and 20 years of engineering.

JUGNU - 7/10/2009 8:39:30 PM

+1 Boost

MB should dump the R class for ever and also not make a 5 GT competitor. They already have more than enough models.
btw R class resale is so poor here in ME that a 2008 R350(if u can find one, i have only seen >3 on roads yet) can be bought for around same money as new Toyota Previa mini-van or Rav4.
Is it any better in US?

JUGNU

1dott8 - 7/10/2009 9:23:15 PM

+1 Boost

both of them are not cars of my taste and i can only speak for myself but i wouldn't be caught alive owning either one.

Dodgeyaussie - 7/11/2009 12:09:56 AM

0 Boost

As ugly as it might be, the R Class is a much misunderstood car. Incredibly smooth to drive, i think the R Class is worth persevering with, even if it might not be one of MB's best sellers.

bny24 - 7/11/2009 9:38:27 PM

+2 Boost

FYI

Mercedes Benz has decided to make the 2010 R Class the last year for this model.