q7 3.6 premium or and r350 ?? my wife is leaning towards the r350 and I like the q7

of course I would vote for the Q7. April (Verdegirl) has said that the R350's are selling for invoice (or very close to it).

I thought we were talking RX 350 at first!

The Benz would be a solid car, but I think the Audi will be better.


Good luck on this choice!

The R350 looks like a hearse and is a thinly disguised chrysler minivan/crossover. It handles like a Buick (steering feel and brake response couldn't be worse) and has poor build quality. I sincerely don't want to insult anyone that has purchased a R class, but I can't think of a good reason to buy one other than wanting a three pointed star on the hood (which isn't a good reason)...However, if prestige is important, it is the only "fancy" minivan made.

imagine the R is a nice rig, but it seems it is Merc's version of the Pacifica. I know the Q7 is Audi's version of the Cayanne/T-Reg but these are night and day above the Pacifica. I personnaly think the Q7 looks much better and I have heard handling is much better on the Q as well. The R has a bigger 3rd row but how much is it going to get used and by who?

It is going to her car so I would imagine it will be her call.......but try to keep her in the 4-rings family ;-)

sales volumes for the R, but I expect they are very low. Maybe if it's discontinued, you can get one at a give-away price.

IMHO, it's a close call. Just had #2 kid. I'm in need of something to replace my wife's B5 A4 ASAP. There are a number of candidates...

I've only crawled around the R. The minivan comments are spot on, it definitely has more room. It's bigger than the Pacifica (which, incidentally has a very disappointing amount of usable interior room). Like the AWD on every model. And I've seen some that are pretty neat looking. I'd play up the hearse angle. Black with alloys and tints is pretty cool looking. Also saw a maroon on tan that was very enticing today.

I think the materials in the Q are better. Ergonomics better. Engine power better (unless you go the AMG route...which doesn;t make sense).

R is easier access for small kids. Lower, more room between seats, big 3rd row and still some storage behind it.

Better lease deals and probably CAP discounts on the R. Better MPG on the R.

And...no one has brought up the fact that the R CDI will be here (is here?) before the Q's TDI.

My list; used MDX, used T-reg, R series, used 4.2 Q7 (demos, others out there...amazingly), new 3.6 Q7 prem, used A6 wagon (precipitous resale drop on these; but prob not interested in an AR unless heavily warrantied), GMC Acadia, and I'll even take a look at the Mazdas CX-9 and the new Saturn thingie (only because the Aura rental sedan I drove reminded me of a nice tight VW). Need to figure some things out soon.

I love the Q...but it's not cheap. If I buy a used car, I'll release it with the 3.0tdi which I truly would love to own.

DD

depends on your priorities.
comparison tests rates cars on specific criteria, then rate the importance - often i would give different weighting as my priorities don't match testers so i would pick a different winner even if i agreed with each score.

personally, i would choose the r tdi if it was available and the q7 tdi was not. well...i would if i didnt plan to go offroad. without a tdi i dont think i would choose either actually.

r350...
better access to 3rd row
lower, similar on road
more economical

q7
off road capabilities
mmi, audi interior

how often will you use the third row...how often will you go off road?

and I have to admit the looks are kinda growing on me. Saw a black one with tinted windows, roof rack, hard case and bike carrier. Thought it look pretty cool.

My bigger concern would be the merc quality issues. I lived through our Land Rover constantly being in the shop and it was a pain in the ass.