B-Class - Urgent.
Discussion
Unless you're fancying the B200 Turbo 
the B200CDI is the one to go for, nice torquey diesel ideal for motorway runs. Economy is good (I ran one for a while) and they cruise at motorway speeds easily enough. Service costs at my old dealership IIRC were about £220/440 A/B service.
Give me a shout if you need any more details.
the B200CDI is the one to go for, nice torquey diesel ideal for motorway runs. Economy is good (I ran one for a while) and they cruise at motorway speeds easily enough. Service costs at my old dealership IIRC were about £220/440 A/B service. Give me a shout if you need any more details.
MarkMullen,
Cheers for the reply, they seem good value with hi-spec for like-priced Audi A3. Is this perception correct in yourt view?
Is there any snag to watch out for, we have not owned a slightly "hi-sided" vehicle before , and I remeber in the A class' earliest days, it toppled over during some kind of stag test?
Cheers for the reply, they seem good value with hi-spec for like-priced Audi A3. Is this perception correct in yourt view?
Is there any snag to watch out for, we have not owned a slightly "hi-sided" vehicle before , and I remeber in the A class' earliest days, it toppled over during some kind of stag test?
B200cdi is the only one to buy, preferably with an autobox. I just changed wifes new shape A class for a B200cdi - no issues, found loads at MB direct (mainly ex management cars with high miles, but well spec'd). As wife only does 3K a year she will balance it out. Avoid petrol engines - they are gutless. 180cdi is adequate if thats all you can find out there. Mine was a 56 plate with Nav and leather and sport pack, it was up for £22K (£5K off new) bit i got a deal at £21500. Happy with that.
So far done 350 miles with still a quarter in the tank.
So far done 350 miles with still a quarter in the tank.
tonylal said:
B200cdi is the only one to buy, preferably with an autobox. I just changed wifes new shape A class for a B200cdi - no issues, found loads at MB direct (mainly ex management cars with high miles, but well spec'd). As wife only does 3K a year she will balance it out. Avoid petrol engines - they are gutless. 180cdi is adequate if thats all you can find out there. Mine was a 56 plate with Nav and leather and sport pack, it was up for £22K (£5K off new) bit i got a deal at £21500. Happy with that.
So far done 350 miles with still a quarter in the tank.
So far done 350 miles with still a quarter in the tank.
Thanks, we have gotten close to buying a manual B180 or 200 CDI. You think we should only for auto? Will re-sell be more tricky with manual?
911fan said:
tonylal said:
B200cdi is the only one to buy, preferably with an autobox. I just changed wifes new shape A class for a B200cdi - no issues, found loads at MB direct (mainly ex management cars with high miles, but well spec'd). As wife only does 3K a year she will balance it out. Avoid petrol engines - they are gutless. 180cdi is adequate if thats all you can find out there. Mine was a 56 plate with Nav and leather and sport pack, it was up for £22K (£5K off new) bit i got a deal at £21500. Happy with that.
So far done 350 miles with still a quarter in the tank.
So far done 350 miles with still a quarter in the tank.
Thanks, we have gotten close to buying a manual B180 or 200 CDI. You think we should only for auto? Will re-sell be more tricky with manual?
Where's the 'handbrake' on the B Class - if it's pedal operated like other MB's then that's the main problem with a manual.
One thing I've seen mentioned is to not go for the sports suspension - it becomes altogether too harsh.
Where's the 'handbrake' on the B Class - if it's pedal operated like other MB's then that's the main problem with a manual.
One thing I've seen mentioned is to not go for the sports suspension - it becomes altogether too harsh.[/quote]
Oh blimey, I've been looking at a B180, manual with sports suspension with 2,000 miles on it! I haven't test driven it bcse I had driven a non-sports suspension, is the difference dramatic?
911fan said:
Oh blimey, I've been looking at a B180, manual with sports suspension with 2,000 miles on it! I haven't test driven it bcse I had driven a non-sports suspension, is the difference dramatic?
I'm repeating stuff I've seen in an MB forum.
Can you see this link (maybe you'll have to register?):
http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread
I haven't read through them all recently, but from memory I think the consensus seems to be to get a B200CDi Auto with standard suspension!
ETA: As you may guess from his handle, DC-insider, who's on one the linked threads, works for MB and he's had a couple of B's.
Hawk20 is mega positive about anything MB!
On the servicing costs, you might want to ask for a ServicePlus quote - this includes all servicing and wear and tear repairs (like brakes) and can run for 6 yrs 120K miles. Even if you don't go for it, then you'll get a rough idea of how much MB think it's going to cost to service the car. With most MB's minor service is typically £250 and major £450. Bear in mind that maintaining the MB service history is necessary to keep the Mobilo warranty which includes all sorts of stuff including breakdown cover and Mobilo runs for 30 yrs.
Edited by deva link on Friday 2nd March 11:46
911fan said:
MarkMullen,
Cheers for the reply, they seem good value with hi-spec for like-priced Audi A3. Is this perception correct in yourt view?
Is there any snag to watch out for, we have not owned a slightly "hi-sided" vehicle before , and I remeber in the A class' earliest days, it toppled over during some kind of stag test?
Cheers for the reply, they seem good value with hi-spec for like-priced Audi A3. Is this perception correct in yourt view?
Is there any snag to watch out for, we have not owned a slightly "hi-sided" vehicle before , and I remeber in the A class' earliest days, it toppled over during some kind of stag test?
Sorry 911fan, missed this one.
Yes, I would say similar to an A3.
Re high sidedness, in strong crosswinds you do feel it a little more but not too badly. The Elk test was a strange one, it was very difficult to replicate, IIRC only one journalist managed to roll it, a bit like the launch Audi TT. I've certainly made good progress in a B class without any wheel lifting action.
Ref sports suspension I would probably go for it, it makes it corner a bit more surefootedly but then again I am used to firmly sprung cars and some customers did say they found it too firm.
The auto in a B class is a CVT which takes a little getting used to, when you accelerate hard the revs rise till they get to a point (around 4500 in the CDI IIRC) at which point they stay constant but the speed rises. A lot of people lift off at that point as it sounds slightly like a slipping clutch but it is perfectly normal. (I had an A200 Turbo with it, that was a strange beast).
The handbrake on a B is in the middle in the conventional position, as it is on A class and SLK. The others (including AMGs) have a foot operated parking brake which is released by an handle on the right (except the S class which is electonic). It does become a little difficult stopping on hills using these with a manual box.
If it's not too late to add !!!
B Class handbrake is conventional so don't panic, manuals are not an issue on the B, as the change is actually OK, but autos are easier to sell and hold the value.
180cdi is ok with manual box I would just say that the cvt auto masks the power (or lack of it) so go for a 200 if it is an auto.
Do not fear the sports suspension, it is nowhere near as bad as the press will have you believe. My wife has it and never complains, this car rides well and having owned many sports models - this car is fine. If anything it helps the high centre of gravity by limiting bodyroll but it is not crashy. Try a BMW 1 series with run flats and this car feels like a rolls royce by comparison.
Hope you got what you want - these are a second hand bargain that has not caught on yet. Actually forget that..the car was way over priced to begin with. But hey, whats new.
B Class handbrake is conventional so don't panic, manuals are not an issue on the B, as the change is actually OK, but autos are easier to sell and hold the value.
180cdi is ok with manual box I would just say that the cvt auto masks the power (or lack of it) so go for a 200 if it is an auto.
Do not fear the sports suspension, it is nowhere near as bad as the press will have you believe. My wife has it and never complains, this car rides well and having owned many sports models - this car is fine. If anything it helps the high centre of gravity by limiting bodyroll but it is not crashy. Try a BMW 1 series with run flats and this car feels like a rolls royce by comparison.
Hope you got what you want - these are a second hand bargain that has not caught on yet. Actually forget that..the car was way over priced to begin with. But hey, whats new.
Did you do it?
I bought a new B class at the end of January and went for the 180 CDi SE with the sports pack. I run it on company business and charge them per mile, so wanted the best economy/profit I could get. I had read all about the suspension on the sports pack being a bit rigid, and it is too, but hell I have a Lotus Elise and the fillings went long ago.
It looks fab on the big wheels and the sports pack gives the half artico 'leather' interior which I wanted. Good boot space, and versatile interior for holidays, trips to the tip etc. and loads of rear leg space ( I see some London companies are using them as low level exec transport).
I certainly think the SE spec is worth it. Mostly cosmetic but gives an altogeher better feel and makes it feel head and shouders above the others just below/above it in the cars I looked at ( A3, Avensis, top end Zafria).
Variable service intervals (despite what the salesman said) which I have had before and like.
To date it's been very good (about 1300 miles). Not the pokiest of animals but I am finding that with a bit of pushing it will pick its feet up nicely. The looks are quite odd, sort of one part Chrysler Cruiser, one part 4wd, one part old A series.
Comes into its own on the motorway, where the fuel economy 50+ and low noise (odd for all that glass) are great. The 6th gear tok a bit of getting used to ( almost a week before I remembered I had it).
I tend to be kind to my cars so didn't go for the service package.
All in all, I think a goood buy and I have settled in to keep this one.
I bought a new B class at the end of January and went for the 180 CDi SE with the sports pack. I run it on company business and charge them per mile, so wanted the best economy/profit I could get. I had read all about the suspension on the sports pack being a bit rigid, and it is too, but hell I have a Lotus Elise and the fillings went long ago.
It looks fab on the big wheels and the sports pack gives the half artico 'leather' interior which I wanted. Good boot space, and versatile interior for holidays, trips to the tip etc. and loads of rear leg space ( I see some London companies are using them as low level exec transport).
I certainly think the SE spec is worth it. Mostly cosmetic but gives an altogeher better feel and makes it feel head and shouders above the others just below/above it in the cars I looked at ( A3, Avensis, top end Zafria).
Variable service intervals (despite what the salesman said) which I have had before and like.
To date it's been very good (about 1300 miles). Not the pokiest of animals but I am finding that with a bit of pushing it will pick its feet up nicely. The looks are quite odd, sort of one part Chrysler Cruiser, one part 4wd, one part old A series.
Comes into its own on the motorway, where the fuel economy 50+ and low noise (odd for all that glass) are great. The 6th gear tok a bit of getting used to ( almost a week before I remembered I had it).
I tend to be kind to my cars so didn't go for the service package.
All in all, I think a goood buy and I have settled in to keep this one.
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