2008 Mercedes-Benz R320 CDI Review

When I first heard that I was getting the R320 CDI to review, I wasn't overly enthusiastic to be honest. You see, from the first time that I saw the R Series, it wasn't exactly love at first sight for me.

For that reason, I hadn't taken much interest in the vehicle. So when I learned that a week long tester had been organized for me, it was a bit like going on a blind date!

My blind date turned into a princess right before my eyes.

Now I'm sure that many of you have experienced one or two of those, usually put together by some well meaning friend who hasn't got a clue whether the two of you are actually suited.

Anyway, the day came for me to pick up my R320 CDI, and I hastily approached the vehicle, and rather quickly climbed in. I had a good reason behind this, as it was the exterior of the R Series which I'd had trouble warming to in the first place. To be honest, I thought that it slightly resembled an out of proportion station wagon, and its long wheelbase brought to mind those ancient torture racks which were once used to stretch confessions out of people.

Never mind, because as I climbed aboard, I remembered something once told to me about dating, and that was, "It's what's on the inside that counts"! (Now that may well be true in some cases of sexual attraction, but with cars, give me the SLR McClaren with the vinyl interior over the leather clad Lada any day!).

However, as I sat there in the R320, I started to think that maybe I had been a tad hasty in making my earlier judgment, as I was quite impressed with the inside of the vehicle.

Full leather, GPS, Panoramic sunroof, rain sensing wipers, Parktronic, Keyless-Go, Electronic Tilt and Telescopic steering, the list goes on and on. It even had the odd unexpected feature, such as the heated steering wheel.

It was then that I broke my golden rule, and instead of waiting to get home before opening my press package and fishing for the price of the vehicle, I opened it then and there... $69,200 as tested (Base price $65,000).

I was quite impressed with the inside of the vehicle.