Mercedes-Benz R-Class (2006 – 2013) Review
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Mercedes-Benz R-Class (2006 – 2013) At A Glance
Mercedes-Benz version of a people carrier. Huge amounts of space inside. Available as a long wheelbase for even more room. A seven seater from 2010 rather than the original six-seater.
Feels big and cumbersome from behind the wheel. Sheer size makes it tricky to manoeuvre. Poor warranty claim record.
Another day, another massive Mercedes. At 5,157mm (17 feet) the RL is actually 69mm (2.7 inches) longer than the gargantuan GL Class.
However, instead of seven seats, the car is built around six supersize Americans. Everyone gets an individual seat and room to stretch their legs, though the rearmost are only good for people less than 7' tall and weighing under 20 stone.
Reviews for Mercedes-Benz R-Class (2006 – 2013)'s top 3 rivals
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Mercedes-Benz R-Class (2006 – 2013) handling and engines
- Engines range from R280 CDI to R63 AMG
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 12–38 mpg
The R hums along the motorway very quietly though, and since 7th gets you 40mph per 1,000 rpm, 70 comes up at only 1,750rpm. Feathering it I averaged 30.7mpg over 45 miles and over the 200 miles of the test I managed 28.37mpg, which isn't bad for such a colossal car.
So where does this leviathan fit? It isn't an S Class estate. It's not as sophisticated as an S Class. It has four wheel drive, but it isn't a cross-country car.
Very simply, it's for big people. If you have four very big people and a couple of big kids to cross continents with, nothing does it better.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| R300 CDI BlueEfficiency | 37 mpg | 9.5 s | 201 g/km |
| R350 CDI BlueEfficiency | 33 mpg | 7.7 s | 223 g/km |
| R350 CDI L BlueEfficiency | 30 mpg | 8.8 s | 246 g/km |
Real MPG average for the Mercedes-Benz R-Class (2006 – 2013)
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
93%
Real MPG
12–38 mpg
MPGs submitted
40
Mercedes-Benz R-Class (2006 – 2013) interior
- Boot space is 305–2385 litres
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4922–5173 mm |
| Width | 1922 mm |
| Height | 1659–1674 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2980–3215 mm |
At 5' 9", getting into the car, I felt like a midget. It's on a different scale, like a ‘Spot On' model car compared to a Dinky. Mine came on optional 19" AMG wheels with gigantic 255/50 x 19 tyres which actually look right on the car, though the standard 235/65 x 17s are probably a bit more comfortable to ride on.
Mercedes describes the R Class as a Grand Sport Tourer: part sports saloon, part estate and part MPV, with a hint of SUV.
The car weighs 2,270kg before anyone gets in, which is 160kg less than the GL. Yet curiously, in hilly conditions, the 320CDI engine seems to struggle to pull it along, whereas it felt adequate in the GL.I can't help thinking that for the UK the R Class would have worked better as a 7-seater, sacrificing a bit of seat width in the centre row to get another body in.
However, with only 395 litres of luggage capacity, six giants, or seven normal people, or a mixture of both are going to have to send some of their baggage ahead.
Mercedes-Benz R-Class (2006 – 2013) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4922–5173 mm |
| Width | 1922 mm |
| Height | 1659–1674 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2980–3215 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 2155–2375 kg |
| Boot Space | 305–2385 L |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Servicing | - |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £36,505–£74,115 |
| Insurance Groups | 44–48 |
| Road Tax Bands | K–L |
| Official MPG | 16.9–37.2 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | - |
| Child | - |
| Pedestrian | - |
| Overall | - |
On sale until April 2014
| Estate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 300 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY 5dr Auto | £44,620 | 37.2 mpg | 9.5 s |
| 350 CDI L 5dr Auto | £48,775 | 33.2 mpg | 7.7 s |
On sale until April 2010
| Estate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 350 CDI L Auto | £44,175 | 30.4 mpg | 8.8 s |
On sale until May 2009
| Estate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 280 CDI SE (5 seats) Auto | £36,970 | - | - |
| 280 CDI Sport (5 seats) Auto | £38,470 | - | - |
| 320 CDI SE (5 seats) Auto | £39,665 | - | - |
| 320 CDI SE (7 seats) Auto | £40,665 | - | - |
| 320 CDI Sport (5 seats) Auto | £41,165 | - | - |
| 320 CDI Sport (7 seats) Auto | £42,165 | - | - |
| 320L CDI SE (7 seats) Auto | £41,910 | - | - |
| 320L CDI Sport (7 seats) Auto | £43,410 | - | - |
| 500L SE (7 seats) Auto | £53,630 | - | - |
| 500L Sport (7 seats) Auto | £53,630 | - | - |
On sale until October 2007
| Estate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 320 CDI Auto | £38,605 | - | - |
| 320L CDI Auto | £40,105 | - | - |
| 500 SE Auto | £50,125 | - | - |
| 500 Sport Auto | £50,125 | - | - |
On sale until March 2007
| Estate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| £38,605 | - | - | |
| 280 CDI Auto | £36,505 | - | - |
| 350 SE Auto | £41,555 | - | - |
| 350 Sport Auto | £41,555 | - | - |
| 350L Auto | £40,105 | - | - |
| 350L SE Auto | £43,055 | - | - |
| 350L Sport Auto | £43,055 | - | - |
| 63L AMG Auto | £74,115 | - | - |
On sale until April 2006
| Estate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 320 CDI Auto | £38,520 | - | - |
| 320 CDI SE Auto | £41,470 | - | - |
| 320 CDI Sport Auto | £41,470 | - | - |
| 350 Auto | £38,515 | - | - |
| 350 SE Auto | £41,465 | - | - |
| 350 Sport Auto | £41,465 | - | - |
| 500 SE Auto | £50,035 | - | - |
| 500 Sport Auto | £50,035 | - | - |
Model History
March 2006
R63 AMG announced March 2006 Genevca Motor Show with 510bhp and 630Nm torque plus AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7G-TRONIC.
March 2006
Dramatic and very good looking semi-estate luxurious 6-seater 4x4 SUV. Entry model to have new 3.7 litre V6. Also 5.0 V8, 320 V6 CDI and (eventually) 252bhp 400 V8CDI.
At 5,157mm (17 feet) the RL is actually 69mm (2.7 inches) longer than the GL Class.
April 2010
Facelifted from September 2010 with 6 + 1 seating and lower emission engines. The UK model range consists of two variants: R 300 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY 2WD and the R 350 CDI L 4MATIC. With a fuel consumption figure of 37.2mpg*, compared with its predecessor the R 300 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY model requires around 7 per cent less fuel while offering the same power output and enhanced performance.
The new R 350 CDI 4MATIC combines the high performance of a V8 model with the low fuel consumption of an economical V6 variant. It consumes 33.2mpg* of diesel, thereby undercutting its predecessor by 2.8mpg– yet is able to offer significantly enhanced performance.
While previously the maximum performance topped out at 165 kW (224 hp), the V6 diesel engine now boasts 195 kW (265 hp) as well as massive torque of 620 Newton metres. Making its debut in the R-Class, this powerful package enables the sportiest of all of the R-Class models with diesel engine to achieve effortlessly superior levels of performance. Acceleration from 0 to 62 mph takes 7.6 seconds, while the top speed is 146 mph.
What to watch out for
On 280CDI, temporary loss of power may be due to a failing turbo actuator, requiring a new turbo as a hefty £3,500 fitted. Though, depending on the car's age and history, MB may contribute up to 50% of the cost .
27-08-2011:Problem of premature wear of timing chain sprocket for balancer shaft of M272 and M273 V6 petrol engines. Mercedes Star bulletin about this. Big job. Can cost £4,000.
30-05-2012:2nd Least Reliable 3-5 year old family car in 2012 analysis of Warranty Direct Claims records on www.reliabilityindex.com
16-04-2013:Strange case of 58k mile 2008 R320CDI starting to run a main crankshaft bearing despite fuel Mercedes service history.
25-04-2016:Report of brake problems with 2011 R350 CDI purchased 7 days previously from London MB dealer. During normal driving, the ABS and ESP inoperative message turned on, then later it lost power upon acceleration, with a strange choking sound as coming from front front left brake. MB Roadside Assistance took it back to the dealer.
11-08-2017: Report of Used Approved Mercedes Benz R350 Cought from a Mercedes dealer in May 2016 suffering a multitude of problems: Steering wheel issues, suspension/spring etc. Most recently, it has been in for repairs for well over a month for faulty air conditioning (new compressor was hard to find and when found failed again because of a blockage in one of the pipes). Owner had extended the warranty (for a cost) so the works were covered and they provided him with a loan car.
