That is one of the changes. All the R-class will get the AMG look front bumper. Although I like the original bumper better.

2.9% rates up to 72 months. But I don't think that is the reason. for one, they lowered the price of the R $5,000 from 2006 to 2007. They also fixed the packages to include more options. For example you can get a well equipped R350 with Pano roof, blue tooth, htd. seats, Sirius radio for about $51k and a loaded one for $55k. That is a lot for the money. AWD is standard. An E-wagon is going to run up in the $60k range and is much much smaller. Primarily I think it is the fact that the R has been on the market and people are starting to see what a great driving vehicle it is for the size. The styling is not as radical as when it debuted. Meaning it has grown on some people. It is thousands less than a GL, yet has more room.

You do bring some good points, tennmb, but unfortunately, none of the facts you've stated does good to that vehicle.

Their biggest mistake after previous ML's reliability...IMO.

Even if i was a die hard MB fan, i'd still say the same: this vehicle of MB is a total miss! :

Hate to say that probably i'll be saying the same for some future BMW projects, but that's not relevant in this topic.

Have you all been told yet when this revised version goes on sale here in the U.S.? I'd guess this fall as a 2008? Oh, has there been any interest in the ML550 or GL550?

M

Yeah, we get it, you don't like the R. Message received.

Most of our consumers seem to be unaware that this is even happening. I have one prospect on a GL550, and the only reason he knows is I mentioned it to him. He is a power nut. It's a total waste IMO. But if someone wants to blow their hard earned dollars, who am I to deny.
A ML450 would make more sense to me. That is a huge jump between the 350 and 550.

All changes to the R will take effect for the 2008 MY.

I agree, but there is no doubt that the 3.5L V6 will move closer to the 300hp level for the 2009 model year which will more than likely singal a facelift for the ML. Question is I can't figure out wether or not they're going to turbocharge it or go with just direct-injection or both. The 4.7L V8 is going to be missing in action from the U.S. market until the 5.5L V8 moves over the 400hp mark then the 4.7 will have room for a boost itself to about 360 or so hp, IMO/guesses of course.

Any word on the S450 coming to the U.S.?

My theory on the S450 is that MBUSA will wait until the V8s go direct-injection or whatever other tricks MB has in store come facelift time for the V8s. The current S450 would have only 340hp which isn't enough any more. So when the V8 gets their once overs in a few years, the 4.7 will go to 360 or so hp and the 5.5L V8 will go to like 415-420hp so the S450 can be introduced here with and the S550 will remain at the top of the class in hp. No doubt Audi and BMW are going for the 400hp mark next.

M

MB is getting fat and happy on the S550. Until sales taper off I don't see them bringing the S450 over. Sad, because we have such a huge price gap between the E550 and the S550. The US could clean up with an S450 standard wheel base priced about $69k.

Do you get a lot of customers cross-shopping the Lexus LS460/L?

EDIT: Is there a R63 AMG for 2008?

M

A portable toilet is not an option.

LOL!

We get our fair share. most folks who want a S-Class want an S-class. The LS is a worthy competitor. i took a close look at the LS460/L at our last auto show and i admit I came away impressed. It has the size of the S, except the trunk. The styling is a little too generic for some. But for the money difference it's a heck of a value. That is why we need the 450 here. Not because we are losing sales, but because we are missing sales. Mercedes oft makes the mistake at seeing only what they have, and not what they are missing. having such a huge gap from the E to the S is a huge mistake IMO.
A nicely equiped E350 is $55 and the E550 is hitting around $65k. you then jump to a base price of $85k.