My wife has been driving a Cadillac SRX V8 for the past four years, and she's been hankering for something with more room, no worse fuel economy, that isn't a minivan. A while back we looked at the Mercedes R-class, and really liked it, and used values are in the toilet right now. We could pick one up for low 20s with the 7-Yr/100k warranty, which looks like a steal. The only real downside is that the V6 and diesel versions (which are the only ones that get better gas mileage than the SRX) have rather anemic performance.

The obvious solution is the AMG version, but she just rolled her eyes at me and asked how I would feel when her minivan roasted me off the line in my precious M5


Any of you guys have one in the family? How are you liking it? Is there a reason they can be had for so little beyond the current economic climate?

 

AMG version is rare, it was a build to order model.
I never even seen one in real life. They have a R500 one available.

 

we had an R500 for a couple of years. we loved that car and would not hesitate in getting another one. it had plenty of room for 6 large adults and if were just traveling with our family of 4, there was plenty of cargo space in the back. i was told by a salesman that they discontinued the R500 and only make the R350 now. i suppose a 300+ hp minivan was not a big seller.

 

Once I saw an R63 driving down the freeway. I count it among the rarest spots ever. Right up there with the Audi RS4.

 

There's a R63 in Scott's 'hood. I've seen it several times and it always grabs my attention.

 

A coworker is going to get one. He's trading a 3 year old Honda Odyssey mini-van with 18K miles STRAIGHT UP for an R3xx (forgot if it's 320 or what) similar miles.

 

Oh really? I haven't seen it. I wonder who has it.

 

Dunno, but I've seen it 3 times now in Sugar Land and Katy. I saw it last week at Azzarelli's @ Westheimer and Peek.

 

i have never seen an r63 in person.

 

Interesting. That would be an interesting vehicle to drive regardless. Huge suv with huge power.