Honest opinions needed - Mercedes GLB
Discussion
Hi,
We are thinking of getting a 2nd car which will eventually become our main family car, and have pinned it down to a Mercedes GLB, GLC or a Volvo xc60 .
I have a preference for a GLC (300h or 300de) and Volvo but the wife likes the GLB, which I don’t . I find it underpowered and the equipment levels aren’t great compared to the GLC and larger vehicles.
If anyone owns a GLB, can you give your honest opinion which may change my opinion or leave me to sticking to my guns?
It’s likely that we’ll swap around Oct.
Thanks!
We are thinking of getting a 2nd car which will eventually become our main family car, and have pinned it down to a Mercedes GLB, GLC or a Volvo xc60 .
I have a preference for a GLC (300h or 300de) and Volvo but the wife likes the GLB, which I don’t . I find it underpowered and the equipment levels aren’t great compared to the GLC and larger vehicles.
If anyone owns a GLB, can you give your honest opinion which may change my opinion or leave me to sticking to my guns?
It’s likely that we’ll swap around Oct.
Thanks!
Edited by bmwhaz on Sunday 25th August 11:05
bmwhaz said:
Hi,
We are thinking of getting a 2nd car which will eventually become our main family car, and have pinned it down to a Mercedes GLB, GLC or a Volvo xc60 .
I have a preference for a GLC (300h or 300de) and Volvo but the wife likes the GLB, which I don’t . I find it underpowered and the equipment levels aren’t great compared to the GLC and larger vehicles.
We have the GLC but there are powerful GLBs. Sure they do a GLB35 AMGWe are thinking of getting a 2nd car which will eventually become our main family car, and have pinned it down to a Mercedes GLB, GLC or a Volvo xc60 .
I have a preference for a GLC (300h or 300de) and Volvo but the wife likes the GLB, which I don’t . I find it underpowered and the equipment levels aren’t great compared to the GLC and larger vehicles.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
bmwhaz said:
Hi,
We are thinking of getting a 2nd car which will eventually become our main family car, and have pinned it down to a Mercedes GLB, GLC or a Volvo xc60 .
I have a preference for a GLC (300h or 300de) and Volvo but the wife likes the GLB, which I don’t . I find it underpowered and the equipment levels aren’t great compared to the GLC and larger vehicles.
We have the GLC but there are powerful GLBs. Sure they do a GLB35 AMGWe are thinking of getting a 2nd car which will eventually become our main family car, and have pinned it down to a Mercedes GLB, GLC or a Volvo xc60 .
I have a preference for a GLC (300h or 300de) and Volvo but the wife likes the GLB, which I don’t . I find it underpowered and the equipment levels aren’t great compared to the GLC and larger vehicles.
Not keen on the GLB at all, shape wise.
I considered a GLC when changing from a C300d, however, fuel consumption and relatively small boot made it a non-starter for me. I looked at the GLC300d and had one on trial. 45 mpg at best on a longish run. Advantage over GLB here in Cumbria is permanent 4wd, GLB is mostly FWD only.
I ended up with a GLE 250D, mainly for the boot space, my mother has an electric buggy, so room for that plus at least 2 suitcases needed. My early GLE has the 'old' 2.1 diesel, yet moves along well enough, and I also average just over 40mpg. The newer 2.0 diesel, as in my C300, is a backwards step in my opinion.
I considered a GLC when changing from a C300d, however, fuel consumption and relatively small boot made it a non-starter for me. I looked at the GLC300d and had one on trial. 45 mpg at best on a longish run. Advantage over GLB here in Cumbria is permanent 4wd, GLB is mostly FWD only.
I ended up with a GLE 250D, mainly for the boot space, my mother has an electric buggy, so room for that plus at least 2 suitcases needed. My early GLE has the 'old' 2.1 diesel, yet moves along well enough, and I also average just over 40mpg. The newer 2.0 diesel, as in my C300, is a backwards step in my opinion.
bmwhaz said:
TwigtheWonderkid said:
bmwhaz said:
Hi,
We are thinking of getting a 2nd car which will eventually become our main family car, and have pinned it down to a Mercedes GLB, GLC or a Volvo xc60 .
I have a preference for a GLC (300h or 300de) and Volvo but the wife likes the GLB, which I don’t . I find it underpowered and the equipment levels aren’t great compared to the GLC and larger vehicles.
We have the GLC but there are powerful GLBs. Sure they do a GLB35 AMGWe are thinking of getting a 2nd car which will eventually become our main family car, and have pinned it down to a Mercedes GLB, GLC or a Volvo xc60 .
I have a preference for a GLC (300h or 300de) and Volvo but the wife likes the GLB, which I don’t . I find it underpowered and the equipment levels aren’t great compared to the GLC and larger vehicles.
We had a GLB220d 4Matic Premium for a while - it's actually longer than the GLC due to the 7 seat configuration.
I found the 220d engine to be powerful enough for daily duties, it wasn't rapid but had enough torque to feel punchy enough. Never used the rear 2 seats as they are purely for kids but does mean you get a solid amount of bootspace.
The ride quality was quite good and it was quite a comfortable car to passenger in. Plenty of legroom front and back, middle seat is a bit tight for 3 grown adults.
The architecture is based on the A class family of cars so it has the twin screen setup and the interior isn't wildly different to the A/CLA/GLA - not as premium as the GLC either current gen or previous.
If the price was the same, I'd prefer the GLC - it's a bit more premium feeling, a bit more "presence" and will be based on the C class platform which brings with it greater refinement.
I found the 220d engine to be powerful enough for daily duties, it wasn't rapid but had enough torque to feel punchy enough. Never used the rear 2 seats as they are purely for kids but does mean you get a solid amount of bootspace.
The ride quality was quite good and it was quite a comfortable car to passenger in. Plenty of legroom front and back, middle seat is a bit tight for 3 grown adults.
The architecture is based on the A class family of cars so it has the twin screen setup and the interior isn't wildly different to the A/CLA/GLA - not as premium as the GLC either current gen or previous.
If the price was the same, I'd prefer the GLC - it's a bit more premium feeling, a bit more "presence" and will be based on the C class platform which brings with it greater refinement.
As per above, we’ve run a 220d Premium plus 4-matic for 4 years, having bought it new in 2020.
At the time of purchase it replaced a Freelander 2.
The car has been pretty good, although I only drive it occasionally. The practicality is faultless, ours is 7 seat, and kids have used them happily on a number of occasions.
I like the boxiness of it, it’s not the prettiest car, but has a bit of a mini G-wagon vibe from the front view.
I dislike the driver aids, but you can switch them off. Lane assist is a particular pain.
It’s good on fuel, 45-50 easily achievable on a run.
We’re looking to replace now, but the GLC equivalent is £60k now, so bonkers money, and Merc dealers are not allowed to haggle these days, which is a shame.
We don’t need 7 seats anymore, so probably going with the Kia Sportage next.
At the time of purchase it replaced a Freelander 2.
The car has been pretty good, although I only drive it occasionally. The practicality is faultless, ours is 7 seat, and kids have used them happily on a number of occasions.
I like the boxiness of it, it’s not the prettiest car, but has a bit of a mini G-wagon vibe from the front view.
I dislike the driver aids, but you can switch them off. Lane assist is a particular pain.
It’s good on fuel, 45-50 easily achievable on a run.
We’re looking to replace now, but the GLC equivalent is £60k now, so bonkers money, and Merc dealers are not allowed to haggle these days, which is a shame.
We don’t need 7 seats anymore, so probably going with the Kia Sportage next.
msportpanda said:
We had a GLB220d 4Matic Premium for a while - it's actually longer than the GLC due to the 7 seat configuration.
I found the 220d engine to be powerful enough for daily duties, it wasn't rapid but had enough torque to feel punchy enough. Never used the rear 2 seats as they are purely for kids but does mean you get a solid amount of bootspace.
The ride quality was quite good and it was quite a comfortable car to passenger in. Plenty of legroom front and back, middle seat is a bit tight for 3 grown adults.
The architecture is based on the A class family of cars so it has the twin screen setup and the interior isn't wildly different to the A/CLA/GLA - not as premium as the GLC either current gen or previous.
If the price was the same, I'd prefer the GLC - it's a bit more premium feeling, a bit more "presence" and will be based on the C class platform which brings with it greater refinement.
I’ve driven a GLB200 MHEV and that was a bit naff as it lacked torque and pull when trying to get to higher speeds . Diesel may be better choice. I found the 220d engine to be powerful enough for daily duties, it wasn't rapid but had enough torque to feel punchy enough. Never used the rear 2 seats as they are purely for kids but does mean you get a solid amount of bootspace.
The ride quality was quite good and it was quite a comfortable car to passenger in. Plenty of legroom front and back, middle seat is a bit tight for 3 grown adults.
The architecture is based on the A class family of cars so it has the twin screen setup and the interior isn't wildly different to the A/CLA/GLA - not as premium as the GLC either current gen or previous.
If the price was the same, I'd prefer the GLC - it's a bit more premium feeling, a bit more "presence" and will be based on the C class platform which brings with it greater refinement.
GLB a size smaller than the rest as others have said as based on the A class. Think with having a family car for the kids, more space is always used and useful! Can’t speak for experience on the GLC but they look pretty decent.
Have had a V60 (so on the same chassis/power train as XC60) for over three years as the family rucksack and it’s been absolutely brilliant, wouldn’t want to be without it.
Volvo’s obsession with safety was kind of top of our list when looking for a family car too.
Have had a V60 (so on the same chassis/power train as XC60) for over three years as the family rucksack and it’s been absolutely brilliant, wouldn’t want to be without it.
Volvo’s obsession with safety was kind of top of our list when looking for a family car too.
Bought one new last year, after a lot of research thought this ticked all the boxes and would be a 10- year keeper. Long story short, couldn’t live with it and chopped it in for a XC90.
Initial view was impressive, but very cheap interior, flimsy plastics ( the glovebox latch was paper thin and had stress marks after the first use) no power tailgate, the third row seats were impossible to use for anyone but a very small child with little to no boot space left.
Underpowered anywhere other than residential streets, the lane assist violently dragged the car back on anything more than a gentle curve and tyre noise perceptible.
We bought at 36k but managed to part exchange it for a slightly used XC90 at 36,500 so at least that.
Initial view was impressive, but very cheap interior, flimsy plastics ( the glovebox latch was paper thin and had stress marks after the first use) no power tailgate, the third row seats were impossible to use for anyone but a very small child with little to no boot space left.
Underpowered anywhere other than residential streets, the lane assist violently dragged the car back on anything more than a gentle curve and tyre noise perceptible.
We bought at 36k but managed to part exchange it for a slightly used XC90 at 36,500 so at least that.
Edited by DesertPatrol on Monday 26th August 11:35
DesertPatrol said:
Bought one new last year, after a lot of research thought this ticked all the boxes and would be a 10- year keeper. Long story short, couldn’t live with it and chopped it in for a XC90.
Initial view was impressive, but very cheap interior, flimsy plastics ( the glovebox latch was paper thin and had stress marks after the first use) no power tailgate, the third row seats were impossible to use for anyone but a very small child with little to no boot space left.
Underpowered anywhere other than residential streets, the lane assist violently dragged the car back on anything more than a gentle curve and tyre noise perceptible.
We bought at 36k but managed to part exchange it for a slightly used XC90 at 36,500 so at least that.
You can’t have done that much research if you didn’t know it hadn’t got a powered tailgate or much room behind the third row of seats… Initial view was impressive, but very cheap interior, flimsy plastics ( the glovebox latch was paper thin and had stress marks after the first use) no power tailgate, the third row seats were impossible to use for anyone but a very small child with little to no boot space left.
Underpowered anywhere other than residential streets, the lane assist violently dragged the car back on anything more than a gentle curve and tyre noise perceptible.
We bought at 36k but managed to part exchange it for a slightly used XC90 at 36,500 so at least that.
220d Premium plus has one and plenty of go.
MickyveloceClassic said:
DesertPatrol said:
Bought one new last year, after a lot of research thought this ticked all the boxes and would be a 10- year keeper. Long story short, couldn’t live with it and chopped it in for a XC90.
Initial view was impressive, but very cheap interior, flimsy plastics ( the glovebox latch was paper thin and had stress marks after the first use) no power tailgate, the third row seats were impossible to use for anyone but a very small child with little to no boot space left.
Underpowered anywhere other than residential streets, the lane assist violently dragged the car back on anything more than a gentle curve and tyre noise perceptible.
We bought at 36k but managed to part exchange it for a slightly used XC90 at 36,500 so at least that.
You can’t have done that much research if you didn’t know it hadn’t got a powered tailgate or much room behind the third row of seats… Initial view was impressive, but very cheap interior, flimsy plastics ( the glovebox latch was paper thin and had stress marks after the first use) no power tailgate, the third row seats were impossible to use for anyone but a very small child with little to no boot space left.
Underpowered anywhere other than residential streets, the lane assist violently dragged the car back on anything more than a gentle curve and tyre noise perceptible.
We bought at 36k but managed to part exchange it for a slightly used XC90 at 36,500 so at least that.
220d Premium plus has one and plenty of go.
The old 2.1 in Euro 6 form, in vans and cars, very often have Adblue issues, otherwise does miles.
The 654 has timing chain issues, a major fleet operator friend says 100k is a good mileage on it before surgery is needed, they are dropping them totally, the last ones are being shifted out now.
For a family car, probably not an issue, but worth knowing.
We had a GLC350d(3.0 V6 diesel) for almost 5 years and just over a 100k miles, and we were very happy with it. We now have a GLE400d(3.0 straight 6 twin turbo diesel), and we're even happier with that too.
Merc know their lane I think, and I love how good they are at comfort/relaxing, rather than making their regular cars sporty if you know what I mean.
Merc know their lane I think, and I love how good they are at comfort/relaxing, rather than making their regular cars sporty if you know what I mean.
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