Rhonda Left Me Before Thanksgiving

I Sold My Limo!

I didn’t shed too many tears, though.

I’m looking to start a new Art of Diesel vehicle project soon. A couple months ago I realized I had six vehicles in the fleet and had to rethink what we really need around here.

As much as I liked my R320 CDI, I wound up deciding to sell my large wagon. Since my modifications I’ve always told everybody that it’s an all-wheel-drive turbodiesel minivan with 415 lb-ft of torque, and 30 mpg highway. The fuel economy is especially impressive considering this beast weighs in at 5,000 lb at the curb.

Why was it named “Rhonda?” When you own two Mercedes vehicles, you can’t refer to either one of them as “The Mercedes” anymore. When Mercedes chooses superbly inspired names like R320 CDI and ML320 CDI, you feel the need for names with some character. For me, the R-class became “Rhonda,” and the ML became “Mary Lou.”

Mercedes sold the R-class as a “multipurpose vehicle,” whatever that means. Many websites will call it a “sport wagon.” Some people will actually waste energy arguing whether the R-class is a minivan or a large wagon. That’s silly! Isn’t a minivan simply a large wagon? By extension, then, isn’t a full-sized van also a type of wagon? Working through information in the Mercedes Diagnostic Assistance System (DAS), I actually saw some German language items in the menus using the term “limousine.” I’ll bet you won’t be too surprised this German term translates to “limousine.” Heck, yeah, let’s just call the R-class limos from now on!

I sold my limo!

I put this modified machine out on Craigslist and now a young family has it, which is more appropriate than an empty-nester and perhaps his wife riding around in it. OK, our first grandchild is on the way, but I can always get another R-class or perhaps a GL if I need more space.

For now, the hunt is beginning for something lighter, faster, and more efficient. The intent is that it is also mechanically simpler and easier to work on than the OM642 machines are.

Soon I will choose another vehicle soon befitting our brand of The Art of Diesel!