Thoughts on B Class Diesel

[Shoto]

Hello All,

New to this site. I have to choose a new company car soon and the B Class diesel is on my list. I'd appreciate feedback and experience from any owners out there.

I do drive a high mileage (45,000 p.a.) in a wide-ranging support role in the healthcare industry.

Thanks

 

[Alfie]

Hello All,

New to this site. I have to choose a new company car soon and the B Class diesel is on my list. I'd appreciate feedback and experience from any owners out there.

I do drive a high mileage (45,000 p.a.) in a wide-ranging support role in the healthcare industry.

Thanks

Great car, great economy, great choice.

Go for at least the B180 CDI with autotronic box. Mine's a petrol but I wish I'd got the diesel. All those whom I know that have the diesel are very very happy with it.

 

[psmart]

Any more info

finally decided to trade in the A140 (even though its still got 1.5 years of service plus) and looking at the B180cdi or the A160-A180cdi with the MAV box. Anyone got any plus/minuses on these cars and what options are needed? basically looking for a sub 5000 mile, sub 1 year example.

 

[NewMB]

finally decided to trade in the A140 (even though its still got 1.5 years of service plus) and looking at the B180cdi or the A160-A180cdi with the MAV box. Anyone got any plus/minuses on these cars and what options are needed? basically looking for a sub 5000 mile, sub 1 year example.

There are quite a few members on here that have the A class diesels.

Wife's A180 Cdi is a great car! Nippy around town, quick enough on the motorways and returns a great 42-46 mpg. Town about 32 mpg.

Options: I find the Parktronic and auto'box the best by far. The xenons are a nice treat and are very bright. Also go for the cheap seat option packs (folding this, folding that etc).

Only thing missing was the heated seats option.

 

[psmart]

There are quite a few members on here that have the A class diesels.

Wife's A180 Cdi is a great car! Nippy around town, quick enough on the motorways and returns a great 42-46 mpg. Town about 32 mpg.

Options: I find the Parktronic and auto'box the best by far. The xenons are a nice treat and are very bright. Also go for the cheap seat option packs (folding this, folding that etc).

Only thing missing was the heated seats option.

Cheers for your input.

Are there any downsides to the MAV? We have sequentronic on the C-Class (Automated manual) and can get upto 62mpg without too much trouble and would prefer the most similar setup, which appears to be the MAV, to reduce the c/o and increase mpg. Auto would be great, but going down that route in the current market, even if its a Merc, may not be the most sensible decision. A pure manual box is a pain so probably best avoided.

Certainly Xenon and COMAND and a full sunroof are high options. Is the A160/170CDI's any more economical, in real terms than the 180/200 (which share the same lump, just different states of tune)?

Some confusion, there seems to be an Auto, MAV (aka CVT) and Manual 5/6 box, but for VED, only the CVT and Manual rates are available. In CAR, the B180 and A180 share the same band C, but on the VED site, the B180 is band D. The manual box is a lot cheaper in VED, especially in the next year, but the CVT goes up to band E for the A80 and F for the B180 and thus higher prices. True, the VED is not really worth worrying about, but overall economy is, which is more difficult to get values for the Auto, CVT and Manual?

 

[hawk20]

If you are talking the new model A class, since 2005, the 169, or the B class, then there is just the simple choice of manual or automatic. The automatic is a CVT box (continuously variable transmission) and gives fuel economy almost as good as the manual. For the A180cdi the combined figure is 54.3 or 52.3 for the auto.

I have owned the B class and also now have two A class (one for me one for wife). Brother has an A class too and so does daughter.

The auto box is truly excellent, remarkably smooth (smoother than the S class I had before) and at 80mph cruises at only 2,000 revs. Very quiet, smooth and refined.

Two litre diesel engine in the A180cdi does 38% more miles per gallon than the 2 litre petrol (54.3 versus 39.6). So even though diesel costs 10% more at the moment, there is still a big saving.

My favourite options are: -
1. automatic (CVT) with cruise
2. comfort seats (only £80 and gives height, and tilt adjustment as well as adjustable lumbar support. Must have extra?
3. Parktronic (great)
4. Steering column adjustable for reach as well as rake (only £115 on A class and means can get that just right driving position) (Standard on B class)
5. Electric folding mirrors
6. Telephone
7. 6xCD changer or i-pod connection.

All reviews I have read, and all owners I have met who have driven both, say avoid the optional sports suspension. It gives a horrid ride on rough roads, and the standard suspension, which has adaptive damping, is quite firm enough.

A class offers the same legroom front and back as an E class
B class offers the legroom of an S class and the same sized boot too.

Be gentle with the accelerator and it is easy to get over 50mpg from the auto on a run. High forties from the B class.

 

[NewMB]

Cheers for your input.

Are there any downsides to the MAV? We have sequentronic on the C-Class (Automated manual) and can get upto 62mpg without too much trouble and would prefer the most similar setup, which appears to be the MAV, to reduce the c/o and increase mpg. Auto would be great, but going down that route in the current market, even if its a Merc, may not be the most sensible decision. A pure manual box is a pain so probably best avoided.

Certainly Xenon and COMAND and a full sunroof are high options. Is the A160/170CDI's any more economical, in real terms than the 180/200 (which share the same lump, just different states of tune)?

Some confusion, there seems to be an Auto, MAV (aka CVT) and Manual 5/6 box, but for VED, only the CVT and Manual rates are available. In CAR, the B180 and A180 share the same band C, but on the VED site, the B180 is band D. The manual box is a lot cheaper in VED, especially in the next year, but the CVT goes up to band E for the A80 and F for the B180 and thus higher prices. True, the VED is not really worth worrying about, but overall economy is, which is more difficult to get values for the Auto, CVT and Manual?

Go for it!

The auto is a must on any MB.

 

[psmart]

Thanks hawk/newmb for the info, there is a lot of confusing information on the web and also in the limited English car mags I can get hold of over here.

Basically, Im sourcing the car for my parents, trading in the A-Class against it and I will be taking over their C-Class. Thus, small VED rates etc do matter, and economy very much so. The C-Class can quite easily manage 62mpg with them driving with its Sequential auto-box, so its a hard nut to beat! They dont want a plain manual and will baulk at lower mpg and higher VED rates of the CVT, so a tad difficult. They like the B-Class, but the A-Class is higher mpg/lower VED than the B!

Was a sequentronic ever offered on the W169/T245 cars?

 

[hawk20]

Thanks hawk/newmb for the info, there is a lot of confusing information on the web and also in the limited English car mags I can get hold of over here.

Basically, Im sourcing the car for my parents, trading in the A-Class against it and I will be taking over their C-Class. Thus, small VED rates etc do matter, and economy very much so. The C-Class can quite easily manage 62mpg with them driving with its Sequential auto-box, so its a hard nut to beat! They dont want a plain manual and will baulk at lower mpg and higher VED rates of the CVT, so a tad difficult. They like the B-Class, but the A-Class is higher mpg/lower VED than the B!

Was a sequentronic ever offered on the W169/T245 cars?

All the info you need is on the UK website for MB.

The combined fuel economy of the A and th B class are better than the C class so whatever their style of driving can get from a C class, they should at least equal or better it in an A or B.

But hit the calculator. The effect of 1 0r 2 mpg is trivial.
The CVT box has almost identical performance and economy to the manual A's and B's. For example on the A 180cdi the difference is 54.3 to 52.3. Or about £50 per year. And the VED differnces from A to B are pretty tiny also.

 

[hawk20]

Figures from MB UK.
A180cdi combined fuel economy 54.3 manual and 52.3 automatic CVT. Facelifted model is 56.5(52.3)

B class is 54.3 manual and 50.4 for the CVT (only 2 mpg different from the A class. Insignificant IMO.

VED: - A class: -CO2 manual is 134 and Auto is 142. Difference in VED is zero now and is going to be only £10 per year.

B180cdi CO2 is 137 and 148 so they are in the same tax bands as the A class. The manual is one lower new band which saves £10 per year. Insignificant IMO.

So I would say the differences are far too small to worry about; just choose the one you like best and which meets your needs best.

The A does most things the B does almost as well and for about £4-5k less.

The B offers more space and a bigger boot. Valuable if you need these things. Also quieter on some road surfaces and less sensitive to changing surfaces than the A. But pretty minor.

Diesels offer best residuals. In modern traffic I find autos a must have accessory nowadays. And the CVT is magically smooth and refined with only a marginal loss of performance and economy.

 

[psmart]

As mentioned earlier, the web is awash with misinformation. On Friday, the site I was looking at took an A180 manual as going to Band D, which is 30 pounds different, and the B180 manual went to Band E!

Eventually, using Parkers and the government VED site, I pieced together the info below. So as you rightly say, its only 10pounds different. Best I get them to test drive both vehicles and see how they fare.

Thanks for all the info Hawk.

A180cdi CVT is Band C (142g) going to Band F
A180cdi manual is Band C (137g) going to Band E
B180cdi CVT is Band C (148g) going to Band F
B180cdi manual is Band C (146g) going to Band F

From the charts below,Band F is 120 to 125 pounds, Band E
VED for petrol and diesel cars
Band A (up to 100g/km CO2) no fee
Band B (101-120g/km CO2) £35
Band C (121-150g/km CO2) £120 £5 increase
Band D (151-165g/km CO2) £145 £5 increase
Band E (166-185g/km CO2) £170 £5 increase
Band F (185g/km to 225 CO2)£210 £5 increase
Band G* (226g/km and above ) £385 £100 increase

VED Rates in 2009-10
Band A (up to 100g/km CO2) no fee
Band B (101-110g/km CO2) £20
Band C (111-120g/km CO2) £30
Band D (121-130g/km CO2) £90
Band E (131-140g/km CO2) £110
Band F (141- 150g/km CO2) £120
Band G (151 to 160g/km CO2) £150
Band H (161 to 170g/km CO2) £175
Band I (171 to 180g/km CO2) £205
Band J (181 to 200g/km CO2) £260
Band K (201 to 225g/km CO2) £300
Band L (226 to 255g/km CO2) £415
Band M (Over 255g/km CO2) £440

VED Rates in 2010-11
Band A (up to 100g/km CO2) no fee
Band B (101-110g/km CO2) £20
Band C (111-120g/km CO2) £35
Band D (121-130g/km CO2) £95
Band E (131-140g/km CO2) £115
Band F (141- 150g/km CO2)£125
Band G (151 to 160g/km CO2) £155
Band H (161 to 170g/km CO2) £180
Band I (171 to 180g/km CO2) £210
Band J (181 to 200g/km CO2) £270
Band K (201 to 225g/km CO2) £310
Band L (226 to 255g/km CO2) £430
Band M (Over 255g/km CO2) £455

 

[mastereng]

As an A180 CDI (manual) owner I thought I would add a few comments to this excellent thread. I have never driven a B Class so can't comment on it; it does appear to have exactly the same engine/transmission as the equivalent A Class and I think if you check the dimensions the width is exactly the same. So you are paying a significant amount of extra cash to achieve what is effectively a stretched A Class.

On the auto/manual debate I wouldn't dismiss the manual out of hand; particularly with the A180 as it is a six speed box. My previous car was a BMW 3 series petrol with a good auto box and I was inclined to stay auto. However on testing the A180 CDI I was surprised how light the clutch is and the 6 speed box is a delight. It is also cheaper to buy, more economical, and inherently more reliable than an auto. OK so you have to change gear, but with the light clutch this is no hardship and with so much torque you can potter around without hardly changing gear at all (bit like a taxi driver!) and then when you do get on the open road there is fun to be had with the 6 speed.

Final point is "get what you want" - don't be swayed by all the experts!!

 

[hawk20]

As an A180 CDI (manual) owner I thought I would add a few comments to this excellent thread. I have never driven a B Class so can't comment on it; it does appear to have exactly the same engine/transmission as the equivalent A Class and I think if you check the dimensions the width is exactly the same. So you are paying a significant amount of extra cash to achieve what is effectively a stretched A Class.

On the auto/manual debate I wouldn't dismiss the manual out of hand; particularly with the A180 as it is a six speed box. My previous car was a BMW 3 series petrol with a good auto box and I was inclined to stay auto. However on testing the A180 CDI I was surprised how light the clutch is and the 6 speed box is a delight. It is also cheaper to buy, more economical, and inherently more reliable than an auto. OK so you have to change gear, but with the light clutch this is no hardship and with so much torque you can potter around without hardly changing gear at all (bit like a taxi driver!) and then when you do get on the open road there is fun to be had with the 6 speed.

Final point is "get what you want" - don't be swayed by all the experts!!

Agreed
My brother has a manual A class and loves it
I have an auto A class and love it.
Horses for courses.

 

[psmart]

I dropped through the floor this morning when quotes from the showroom here in Stuttgart came back for the A & B Classes Im looking to source for my parents. A180CDI and B180CDI, as close a spec to the C220CDI they are to replace:-
"
A 180 CDI: offer: 32200,-- + 6118,--(Depot, you get it back after
admittion in England)

B 180 CDI: 34100,-- + 6479,-- (Depot, you get it back after admittion
in England)
"

Are Mercedes having a laugh? Walk out the showroom and 5000 pounds is gone in VAT immediately, followed by probably a 20% depreciation hit!

In comparison, similar specced cars on directmercedes.com, approx 6 months old, upto 3000 miles are circa 15000 pounds!

What price, the priviledge of owning new is now!

@mastereng - My parents now prefer auto, but would love a Sequentronic (automated manual), which sadly they no longer make.

 

[hawk20]

VAT has nothing to do with it. Second-hand prices are determined by supply and demand.

People will pay a premium for new and like the choosing of their exact spec and the pleasure of a brand new car. Plus nowadays it is rare not to get a pretty substantial discount on new.

Remember, too, that we are in the middle of the facelifted A's and B's just arriving. That always affects the price of nearly new cars.

Three year old A's have a residual around 50% of what you pay for a new one. Can't expect much better than that nowadays. By far the majority of makes get far, far less than 50% residual at three years old. Most are around 30%. Some even less.