2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class Consumer Reviews

Luxury on the road

Written by: Purchased used on 06/18/2008

Vehicle

2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class R500 4dr Wagon AWD (5.0L 8cyl 7A)

Review

We purchased a lease return vehicle, replacing a Volvo XC90. The MB is pure luxury in nature. Although the controls are more complicated, the features are second to none. Everyone remarks about the car when we're out and about. At first I thought it was overpriced, but the feel while in the car shows that it is indeed well designed and confortable. We have two 15 year old boys that are 6 feet tall, and the room in the 2nd row sold us on the vehicle. They have lots of room and don't realize they are in a car, even on long trips. Heated 2nd row seats were also a selling point as we live in a cold climate, but have only had front heated seats available before. We are very happy with it.

Favorite Features

Huge sunroof makes rides more enjoyable. Easy to get into the 3rd row seats. Heated 1st and 2nd row seats. Power tilt/telescopic steering wheel. Compass and altitude display. Sound system. Dark tinted windows.

Suggested Improvements

Navigation system and radio controls are too complicated. Park assist should beep earlier as you approach barriers.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Once in a Benz, always in a Benz

Written by: HappyBenzowner on 06/07/2008

Vehicle

2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class R350 4dr Wagon AWD (3.5L 6cyl 7A)

Review

My first luxo-liner. Executive jet indeed it is. This is billiard table smooth on the highway. Nothing like it around town. Must haves are the panorama roof, and navigation and PDC (Parktronic). I can live without 4matic and heated seats. Less complexity and weight. People say "what is it?" And it gets the same mileage as my '06 Honda CRV did. Get one today!! You'll never go back to the "others."

Favorite Features

Panorama roof tilt up / wide open / Parktronic visual / audible radar aid (front / rear). Hot styling - mostly at rear. Massive comfort. Nothing else like it.

Suggested Improvements

Make heated driver seat standard, and keyless Go and those beautiful R500 18" wheels standard too. A beautiful car.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Good Buy

Written by: Joy M. on 04/28/2008

Vehicle

2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class R500 4dr Wagon AWD (5.0L 8cyl 7A)

Review

This is my MB and I am just loving every bit of it. This machine is comfortable and have ample of room inside to fit 6 Adults to sit comfortably. The gas mileage is very good considering the fact that it is V8. The most comfortable part of this vehicle is that it was very minimal engine noise and the drive (specially in the freeway)is very smooth and comfortable.

Favorite Features

Panoramic roof, park distance control

Suggested Improvements

The rear view camera and phone shouldn't be optional.

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Looks great, rides great.

Written by: Karl Z on 04/26/2008

Vehicle

2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class R350 4dr Wagon AWD (3.5L 6cyl 7A)

Review

I love this car. I was going to get a C class but the incentives for this car made me take a look at it. This car may no have been successful seller but my wife and I love this car. It looks great and rides great too. The second row is designed to enjoy the ride. The chairs are great and the Panorama view makes it more enjoyable. I bought this preowned and had nothing major except for lightbulb replacement; however, I have read multiple complaints about quality. I just keep my fingers crossed since we are planning to keep this baby for a while.

Favorite Features

The Panorama moonroof is a must. My two years old loves that feature and always asks us to open it. Spacious. Nice trim. Crossover feeling. Not a common MB in the streets.

Suggested Improvements

Gas Mileage( I live in FL) Parktronic should be standard. Blind spots. Engine noise can be heard from cockpit. With third rows up you can barely put the groceries in.

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Our second lemon!

Written by: Our SECOND LEMON!!! on 03/22/2008

Vehicle

2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class R500 4dr Wagon AWD (5.0L 8cyl 7A)

Review

First we had R350. Gave that back w/in 1st mo.-too many probs w/transmission, thumping noise in rear when going over bumps, back hatch, & electrical probs. Upgraded 2 R500. Trans/electrical/back hatch (even after replacment)/srs sys/ nav sys & more! Car has keyless go-it started without a key twice! Several times after backing up, verifying car was in drive position, I pressed gas to go forward but car went backwards. Automatic trans.& rolls backwds like manual going up hills. Auto shifting between gears is jerky. It lurches forward when stepping on brake. It's been lemon lawed. People say "bad luck". No-bad car! Roadside assist. Came out 2 me 3 different times in 3 bad r350 loaners! Save yourself trouble

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Keep it around

Written by: brubon on 01/20/2008

Vehicle

2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class R500 4dr Wagon AWD (5.0L 8cyl 7A)

Review

This is the best Mercedes on the highhway for comfort and drivability. Plenty of room inside for 6 adults comfortably, and as fuel efficient as my old Acura MDX...and it's a V8. Great vehicle.

Favorite Features

Plenty of room and comfort

Suggested Improvements

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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I was warned.

Written by: Fast Ed on 12/25/2007

Vehicle

2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class R350 4dr Wagon AWD (3.5L 6cyl 7A)

Review

I have met a lot of former Benz owners. I didn't believe them when they said stay away. For the money, this car spends way too much time in the shop. We had one dead key requiring a 2 hour replacement drive, one dead ignition switch requiring a tow. Headlights that short out when the car is off. Many electrical gremlins. Service engine light always on (they tell me it is fine). Great looking car, lot's of room, but if you can't trust it to get home, what good is it? Maybe the last 6 cars we owned (all American I might add) we just got lucky and they never broke. Buyer beware. I would be real leary of buying a used one. Make sure you live close to the Benz dealer.

Favorite Features

It does take 6 6' adults easily. It handles snow remarkably well. Second row is the most comfortable. The cruise control is cool to use.

Suggested Improvements

It is what it is. They can't make it any less complicated or reliant on a mind boggling array of electronics. If you could just start it and drive it and only have to do oil changes,it would be a great car.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Gefahr! -Danger, may be addicting!

Written by: Ronnie Reyes on 09/08/2007

Vehicle

2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class R350 4dr Wagon AWD (3.5L 6cyl 7A)

Review

This is my first MB and I came from a Durango LTD w/ the big V8 hemi. While torque and outright power are not the same I have no problem in this V6 cruising the interstate above the legal limit w/ ease and not putting any stress at all on the vehicle. Storage is not what it was, but is deceptively enough to put a $200 grocery purchase in the car w/ ease. The family fits great, the quality is MB and the safety aspect is more than worth the sticker. The only warning I can give is pay attention to which option package you choose. And everything is optional...MB should pay attention and put phone, NAV, back-up camera and memory seats as standard features on a car of this stature.

Favorite Features

Ride quality, and gas mileage. I'm getting 21.5 mpg total, and that includes highway driving that exceeded the limit as well as stop and go city traffic. I saved $25/tank over the durango and am getting over 400 miles/tank even w/ my lead foot and a full and loaded vehicle. Awesome! Sunroof!

Suggested Improvements

Nav, phone, and memory seats should be standard. A car of this size must have a back-up camera, to produce this vehicle w/out one is almost criminal. Nicer 18" rims from the 500 or the 19" optional Y-spoke rims would do away with the mini-van references immediately. Get act together and market the car!

10 out 11 people found this review helpful

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No Buyer's Remorse

Written by: Richard Poe on 08/11/2007

Vehicle

2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class R500 4dr Wagon AWD (5.0L 8cyl 7A)

Review

I drove a Suburban (or some version of it) for 15 years, and was ready for a smaller, more driver friendly car. This is it. The V8 is great, mileage a surprising 19/22, and I love the handling and responsiveness compared to the suburban. It's so aerodynamic, I can't feel a gust when I meet an 18 wheeler. While storage is not what I was used to (how could it be?) it is still very good. This car had 7000 miles (put in service 1/07). It was CPO and I bought 1 extra year ($1595), gave me 5 1/2 yr, 100,000 warranty. Paid less for it than my last Denali XL, and feel I got a lot more car. It is sure more fun to drive.

Favorite Features

Engine response and handling are great. Kids love the panorama sunroof. I like the looks of it, minivan or not. I must be the exact market target, because it is exactly what we needed, a 4wd people (and stuff) hauler that drives like a sedan and looks pretty classy. Mileage was a surprising plus.

Suggested Improvements

Visibility can be poor, the large headrests and door pillars can create blind spots and I'd like to see the front end as I drive, it just disappears. I wish I could open the trunk from further away with the remote. The Nav system, while good, isn't as user friendly as some (needs a touch screen).

4 out 6 people found this review helpful

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R-Class Beauty is only skin deep

Written by: Rich Baker on 08/11/2007

Vehicle

2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class R350 4dr Wagon AWD (3.5L 6cyl 7A)

Review

We have had our R-Class for about a year and a half and it is a beautiful car that seats 6 like no one else. However we have had to take it into the shop too many times, for things like: 1. Static in the audio system Across CD, Sat radio, regular radio, (MB has made software upgrades to the software numerous times, the issue may be addressed but the issue was very intermittent so we will see. 2. Frayed driver seatbelt. 3. Transmission strange noise 4. Electronic tailgate not operating properly. 5. Cloth being separated at the back opening of the tailgate. 6. Navigation system returning erroneous information frozen random display. 14 service tickets over about 16 months.

Favorite Features

Looks great. Seating is great.

Suggested Improvements

Fix the key so that when the car needs to be left with the service center or valet they have a hole to tie a tag onto. Improve yor quality now that Chrysler is gone. Improve your electronic technology in the cars. The cars should be able to identify the drivers and adjust the settings of the car.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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