B class short term review:

[S.Speed]

Short term report:

Hi all,
I have now owned the B class for 2 weeks which for me is quite a long time..
My short term report is as follows..
For anyone half thinking of one of these cars I would say to you 100% DO NOT get the sports Package with the ridiculously hard suspension.
My car has this set up with 17” wheels (18” are available but more on that later).
Initially the “shell shock” after the E class was quite profound.
You really have to get it into your head that it isn’t an E class and isn’t designed to compete with one..
After about a week or so I had more or less forgotten the details of the E class and so the merits of this car started to shine through.
Mine is the B180 CDi with sports package (unfortunately) and a 6 speed manual gearbox.
The clutch and gearbox are light and easy to use. In fact its been about 15 months since I have driven a manual car and yet my left foot was fine despite driving an hour each way in rush hour traffic. Talking of which, when going to work and back I typically get 41 – 43mpg which I am well pleased with.

My car was in the dealerships having rear parking sensors fitted and the courtesy car was a B160 Petrol with Manual 5 speed gearbox BUT with the normal “SE” option (Not the sport)..
This car was fitted with the 18” AMG wheels with impossibly low profile tyres…. And yet . . .
The ride was far better than mine even with the 18” wheels.
Its even making me think silly thoughts of one day swapping springs and shocks one day for the normal set up.

I say again to you DO NOT GO FOR THE SPORTS PACK..
The wheel size is less of an issue than the so called sports pack is!
The B class is just under 2 feet shorter than my E class was and so its much easier to park.
I definitely love the high driving position.

On the way back from Preston I decided to go the long route home mixing some congested motorway and A road with country lanes..
Motorway was restricted to around 60 mph and A roads about 45mph (ish) and some conjested town driving + country lanes.
I set the trip computer NOT to show the average mpg so that I wouldn’t drive over carefully..
The photo attached will speak for me.

The “Fit ‘n Finish” is fine for this class of car.
Leg room is surprisingly good both front and rear.
Mine has the “easio Vario” package which basically means you can remove the front passenger seat and the rear seats very easily.

If I had come straight to this car from say my Golf I would have been very impressed..
But coming from the W211..Well pretty much anything would seem like a step down the food chain.

Overall this car is living up to my expectations very well.
I easily get 53 – 55mpg on a run and if I choose to drive more serenely then 60mpg+ is certainly possible.

£110 a year road tax and fully comp insurance of £370 is just what the doctor ordered.

 

[Cole@MBS]

Nice write up Simon, always good for people looking for a B,class!!!

 

[turbopete]

nice one Simon. glad youre happy with it! i do know what you mean though about anything seeming like a step down from an e class. as you know, ive taken a much bigger backward step myself

 

[hawk20]

Just to let people know, the Sport supension is no longer standard on the Sport version -it is now an option. Well worth avoiding IMO, but I feel that on the E class as well. (price list for B is downloadable from MB website and gives correct spec -with comfort suspension standard on all models. Their website frequently gives the wrong details about the B (and not just the B).

As for bigger wheels, the small boy in most buyers means MB still feel they have to offer this on the Sport version and 18 inch are now standard. They provide a more jiggly ride, more road noise, higher emissions and road tax and aquaplane more easily but from Corsas to S classes many buyers still want them.

The SE version of the B class has a ride much closer to an E and the adaptive damping adjusts with your driving style. I've done over 8.000 miles in B's and like them very much. Stacks of room, big boot and all the benefits of a hatchback. Like the high driving position too.

 

[st4]

Just to let people know, the Sport supension is no longer standard on the Sport version -it is now an option. Well worth avoiding IMO, but I feel that on the E class as well. (price list for B is downloadable from MB website and gives correct spec -with comfort suspension standard on all models. Their website frequently gives the wrong details about the B (and not just the B)..

Fair do, the A class I was leant rode well, but rolled a bit but not excessively so. In short the suspension was well set up for the type of car. A really firm set up in a family motor with a high COG is pointless.

As for bigger wheels, the small boy in most buyers means MB still feel they have to offer this on the Sport version and 18 inch are now standard. They provide a more jiggly ride, more road noise, higher emissions and road tax and aquaplane more easily but from Corsas to S classes many buyers still want them./QUOTE]

They do endow a dynamic ability in the dry, more wheel control and grip in the dry. The car rolls less. I rate the set up on the sport 211 a lot higher, it corners more precisely, rolls less and IMHO the ride is firm but supple unless potholes.

Conversely the tyres cost a lot. I'll agree with you a B class with 18s is madness, 16 or 17 is still large for a small family motor.

 

[LTD]

As for bigger wheels, the small boy in most buyers means MB still feel they have to offer this on the Sport version and 18 inch are now standard. They provide a more jiggly ride, more road noise, higher emissions and road tax and aquaplane more easily but from Corsas to S classes many buyers still want them.

My S500 needs 18" rims to accommodate the rather large brakes. 16" rims don't fit.

 

[st4]

My S500 needs 18" rims to accommodate the rather large brakes. 16" rims don't fit.

As does a 211 sport, upgraded brakes. Better stopping. Might save the "small boy" who steps out infront of it!!!

 

[whitenemesis]

Short term report:

Hi all,
I have now owned the B class for 2 weeks which for me is quite a long time..
My short term report is as follows..
................

My car was in the dealerships having rear parking sensors fitted and the courtesy car was a B160 Petrol with Manual 5 speed gearbox BUT with the normal “SE” option (Not the sport)..
This car was fitted with the 18” AMG wheels with impossibly low profile tyres…. And yet . . .
The ride was far better than mine even with the 18” wheels.
Its even making me think silly thoughts of one day swapping springs and shocks one day for the normal set up.

I say again to you DO NOT GO FOR THE SPORTS PACK..
The wheel size is less of an issue than the so called sports pack is!

..................

.

This is something I have always maintained. Springs and shocks are what determine 99% of the ride quality. After all they can fit 20+" wheels with 'rubber band' tyres to a Bentley and still give a ride that won't spill your G&T

 

[television]

This is something I have always maintained. Springs and shocks are what determine 99% of the ride quality. After all they can fit 20+" wheels with 'rubber band' tyres to a Bentley and still give a ride that won't spill your G&T

You must be joking, for a start Bentley 20" wheels normally come with tyres 285 x 40, what someone else chooses tofit is up to them

There is enough people on here that hate the ride when the rims house tyres with a sidewall height of under 100mm. you can feel every matchstick when the profile is very low

 

[st4]

The Phantom must be on 65 profile, bigger than proper 4x4 tyres. They ride good.

My old 211 rode uber smooth, better ride than my sport one, and purely a wheel change as AG has sport suspensions too.

 

[S.Speed]

This is something I have always maintained. Springs and shocks are what determine 99% of the ride quality. After all they can fit 20+" wheels with 'rubber band' tyres to a Bentley and still give a ride that won't spill your G&T

Whitenemisis, I have to agree with your thoughts..
The B class I borrowd had 18" wheels with 40 section rubber and yet it still rode and drove far nicer / smoother and more forgiving over pot holes than mine!!
Let me put it another way..I wont be changing the wheel / tyre combo..
It will be the suspension package I eventually do.
Looks like my findings arent unique to me if HAWK20 is correct in that they dont do the "sports" set up as a standard option any more.
They must have had absolutely loads of comments..
I dont just mean its slightly firm..I mean its rock hard !!!
I even jacked it up to see if blocks had been left in the suspension.
I used to own Minis (with the rubber cone suspension) and they were softer !

 

[television]

Whitenemisis, I have to agree with your thoughts..
The B class I borrowd had 18" wheels with 40 section rubber and yet it still rode and drove far nicer / smoother and more forgiving over pot holes than mine!!
Let me put it another way..I wont be changing the wheel / tyre combo..
It will be the suspension package I eventually do.
Looks like my findings arent unique to me if HAWK20 is correct in that they dont do the "sports" set up as a standard option any more.
They must have had absolutely loads of comments..
I dont just mean its slightly firm..I mean its rock hard !!!
I even jacked it up to see if blocks had been left in the suspension.
I used to own Minis (with the rubber cone suspension) and they were softer !

I think that we are talking about two different types of ride, and one would notice the difference between wheels after the suspension was got beck to a better set up

 

[Suki]

Going back to topic (err sort of..)on the B class...
We (wife and I) have owned the b200 for a couple of years now. The ride is harsh in comparison to the C and E. This is most likely due to sports suspension and alloys.
I can get the same type of mpg as shown which is great!
The issue I have is that the car is very low.
There was a metal foldable bollard which I drive over and it ripped out all the plastic cover on the underside of the car. (and yes before you ask it was folded!)
£120 later I now know to avoid such things!
Regards
Suki

 

[rhud]

Many thanks S Speed for an objective and helpful review. I think MB realised two or three years ago that versions of the A and B with 'standard' sports suspensions were some what at odds with the basic nature of the cars - however much MB would like to compete with BMW.

Hence my Avantgarde A (2010) has 'normal' suspension whereas previously it was the 'sporty' model. The only difference between it and the Elegance version now is the trim specification (brushed aluminium instead of wood, for example). Sports suspension is now a cost option, and I would guess that few are sold.

My only slight quarrel now is that MB could not resist specifying 'full load' tyre pressures on the BlueEfficiency models in all circumstances (32 front 38 rear) to lower rolling resistance and increase the headline MPG figure by a fractional amount.This does not do the ride any favours and having taken advice I have reverted to normal, non-eco tyre pressures.

 

[hawk20]

Looks like my findings arent unique to me if HAWK20 is correct in that they dont do the "sports" set up as a standard option any more.

Easy way to check is to go to the MB website and download the price list which gives the specs and the options.

No reason why the B should not have a good ride. The wheelbase is actually longer than a C class or than the Lexus IS. The SE version rides really well if it has the standard comfort suspension and the 16 inch wheels.

Page 8 of the January 2011 price list (downloadable from MB website in the section on the B class) shows the spec for the SE version as: -
16" alloy wheels – 5-spoke design
Active Park Assist
Comfort suspension
Parameter steering – speed sensitive power steering
Selective Damping System
Fog lamps in bumper – chrome surround

And page 9 shows the spec for the Sport version as
18" AMG alloy wheels – 5-spoke design
Comfort suspension
Front fog lamps in bumper – chrome surround and chrome accent
Rear bumper with reflector strips
(and page 10 shows sports suspension as a no charge option).

 

[television]

Some times one wonders what planet car makers think that we are on, but with the post from Simon and the Info from Hawk it does make you think.
Being sure if wheels or suspension that make the car so hard is a balance between all of it.

My V70R from 1998 £39k in 1998)has the racing suspension and 17" wheels, it spent its first 2 years of its life in Herts with no problems, I hit a pot hole yards from home and wrecked a wheel and tyre, only to do the same thing again 1 week later.

The car came with 205 x 40 tyres and I changed to 215 x 50's and have had no problems since. I have to keep the tyres inflated to the max to avoid any more rim damage.
The ride is hard and OK on motorways, but you are always aware of the hard suspension and this make the ride too hard for any real comfort.
The photo shows my near side tyre and wheel after I parked up at home this morning after coming down my steep drive and a bend at the bottom, the wheel rim is nearly touching the drive. add little speed to this and a bend and things get worse, I must be running on the rims at times. To run on less than 100mm for the side wall height does mak for an uncomfortable ride.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

Some times one wonders what planet car makers think that we are on, but with the post from Simon and the Info from Hawk it does make you think.
Being sure if wheels or suspension that make the car so hard is a balance between all of it.

My V70R from 1998 £39k in 1998)has the racing suspension and 17" wheels, it spent its first 2 years of its life in Herts with no problems, I hit a pot hole yards from home and wrecked a wheel and tyre, only to do the same thing again 1 week later.

The car came with 205 x 40 tyres and I changed to 215 x 50's and have had no problems since. I have to keep the tyres inflated to the max to avoid any more rim damage.
The ride is hard and OK on motorways, but you are always aware of the hard suspension and this make the ride too hard for any real comfort.
The photo shows my near side tyre and wheel after I parked up at home this morning after coming down my steep drive and a bend at the bottom, the wheel rim is nearly touching the drive. add little speed to this and a bend and things get worse, I must be running on the rims at times. To run on less than 100mm for the side wall height does mak for an uncomfortable ride.

You would not do well around here Malcolm. We have some potholes locally which I think might be opened to the public as tourist attractions.

 

[alanuk400]

I had a 1992 Lexus LS400, it had 15 inch Wheels and the tyre wall was very big, the ride in that was very smooth, the only car I have driven since has the same ride, is the S Class with air suspension.
You don't even get 15 inch wheels on small hatchbacks now

Alan

 

[Terrycufc]

My first post!
I am thinking of a Bclass, so this review was very useful.
My position: I have a 56 plate Civic 2.2 (which is a really good car, but I don't want to buy exactly the same again), so decided to look at a B200, nearly new costing around £20k. Some reviews said the B series was quite loud, and didn't ride very well.
Had a test drive of a B200 sport with 18" AMG wheels and was well impressed with the ride and low road noise.
My wish list was a manual SE with panoramic fixed roof, heated seats, metallic paint, folding mirrors and rear armrest.
The test drive was an auto, and the salesman said about 85% of them are auto, which seemed to drive OK.
He had a look on the system, and there are none that meet my wish list, the must have is the panoramic roof. Only way would be to buy new.
So back to the configurator, and I was surprised to find the difference in price between auto and manual, tyre prices for 16/17/18" wheels, and VED for auto!
So for a little over £25k I can have what I want with 17" wheels as I prefer the design of the 17" wheels.
So is spending anopther £5k to get what I want worth it?
Looked at internet suppliers, they all quote around £23k.
So how much does the dealer want my business?
First thing I have learnt is searching for B class doesn't do much, and have found that B class is W245!

Cheers,

Terry

 

[television]

Welcome Terry to the forum