EVEN before you even climb aboard, you can't fail to be impressed by the fabulous quality of the Mercedes R-Class.

For as soon as you place your hand on the large chrome-plated door handle you're left in no doubt that if the Stuttgart-based boffins can make a lowly handle this good then the rest of the machine must be something pretty special.

And I for one was not disappointed, for this big sports tourer screams class from every pore. Yes, there's no denying the Mercedes R-Class is pretty much out on its own.

A car for all seasons - and all practicalities - it sits somewhat in a "mix and match" sector, offering the versatility of a large estate car coupled with the ability to power up to seven occupants in the style you would expect from a premier-brand MPV.

And thanks to the machine's all-wheel-drive system which came fitted to all but early entry-level 280 CDi SE models, this estate car could even be classed as a soft-roading SUV.

The R-Class was never what you could call cheap - prices today start at £44,620 for the lead-in, front-wheel-drive, three-litre V6 diesel model - so for that money, you are entitled to expect a decent splattering of life's little luxuries on board.

And to be fair, R-Class buyers certainly got more than their share of on-board goodies.

At launch Mercedes reserved just two engines for for the R-Class, either the above-mentioned oilburner in the choice of 188 or 221bhp and a whopping 384bhp 5.5-litre V8 petrol unit.

Obviously, the diesel was the biggest seller within the 10-model line-up and in fact accounts for eight of those derivatives.

The five-seater 320 CDi SE offered a balance of economy, practicality and luxury, and was powered by the larger-output diesel which offered masses of low-down grunt thanks to its torquey engine which delivered 376lb/ft of torque at between 1,600 and 2,800 revs.

This silky-smooth machine, with its flawless seven-speed automatic gearbox took just 8.7 seconds to hit 62mph from standing and powered to a top speed of 137mph. And even now you have to be impressed by the way in which the power is delivered.

The engine is virtually silent at tick-over. Pull away and the little noise there was disappears, turning the big R-Class into a whispering cruiser.

On the safety front there are six airbags, including two along the sides, and the power-adjustable seats are fitted with active head restraints.

A host of other electronic aids, including full stability programme, are there to help keep the driver out of mischief.

Standard equipment includes electric windows all round, power steering, cruise control, automatic headlamps, immobiliser and central locking.

But is is the fabulous quality that makes the model stand out. Deep-pile carpets, polished wood veneers and soft-feel plactics make the R-Class that bit special. The man-made leather seats also help set the interior off.

Then there's the ride. This beauty glides smoothly along no matter what the road conditions.

On more demanding roads, body roll poses no problem, the car sticking to road as if it was on rails.

Running any large car is expensive, but in the R-Class Mercedes tried to keep costs to a minimum. Service intervals are every two years, but probably the best news is that, even with its huge dimensions, the oil-burning Merc is still frugal enough to return more than 30 miles to the gallon.

But no matter what the age, a used 320 CDi R-Class in SE trim or equivalent offers an awful lot of car for the money, offering luxury and class at a fraction of the cost of a brand new example.

A nice 2008 08-plate machine should cost between £10,250 and £13,250, while a similar 2009 09-plate model will cost anything from £12,875 and £16,300.

A 2010 machine on a 10-plate should set you back anything from £15,100 to £18,800 depending on the amount of optional equipment on board and the amount of miles covered to date. A snip in anyone's book.