teabag
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2009
- Messages
- 705
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- North East England
- Your Mercedes
- 2001 W163 ML270 CDI
As I'm now back on my own 2 feet and discarded the wheel-chair I've been using for the last 6 months, I've managed to dispose of the "Kia Carens" I was using to transport it around. I got used to the massive boot on the Carens so I decided to buy another MPV to replace it, but this one had to be quiet and comfortable and also have a bit of "street cred" so I took the plunge and ordered a brand new W246 B180CDi last Monday.
I did not have a lot of choice as far as specification and trim levels were were concerned as I needed the car pretty quickly and was not prepared to wait the 4 or 5 months quoted by MB of Sunderland if I were to order a car to my taste. I told them I needed a diesel automatic and they found a white B180CDi SE which was sitting in Bristol as a result of a cancelled order for immediate delivery.
The only extra specified on this car was "Lumbar adjustment" at an extra cost of £164, so I said I would take it if they filled the tank and gave me a set of mats.
I took delivery of the car last Thursday complete with a full fuel tank and 4 velour mats and I must say I have been pleasantly surprised with the level of equipment supplied as standard and also with the performance and economy of the car over the first 500 miles of mixed motorway and urban use. The computer tells me 54.3 MPG but I can't validate this yet at the pump as I don't know how full the "Full tankof fuel" was
The engine combined with the 7 speed auto-box has enough grunt to keep up with traffic and is very quiet and refined at motorway speeds (1800 rpm at 70mph), the stop start technology takes a bit of getting used to but is ok as long as you remember to switch it off when you reach the front of the queue at roundabouts. The only thing I do not like is the gear selector which is mounted on the right of the steering column and looks just like the indicator stalk of my 124 cabriolet, it just feels alien to be using your right hand to select between drive and reverse but I suppose I will get used to it in time as long as I do not select reverse by mistake when sitting at the lights waiting to turn left.
The colour is starting to grow on me but white would not have been my first choice, nor would the black cloth uphostery athough it suits the car well and seems very serviceable, I still prefer the look and feel of leather.
I must be getting lazy as the only thing I feel the car needs is "Sat Nav", I know I can use my "Garmin Nuvi" but it looks out of place in the car so I may be tempted to buy the "Becker Map Pilot" which the car is pre-wired to accept but the cost of £600 or so MB ask for this is a bit off putting, so if anyone knows of an aftermarket supplier for this module please let me know.
I did not have a lot of choice as far as specification and trim levels were were concerned as I needed the car pretty quickly and was not prepared to wait the 4 or 5 months quoted by MB of Sunderland if I were to order a car to my taste. I told them I needed a diesel automatic and they found a white B180CDi SE which was sitting in Bristol as a result of a cancelled order for immediate delivery.
The only extra specified on this car was "Lumbar adjustment" at an extra cost of £164, so I said I would take it if they filled the tank and gave me a set of mats.
I took delivery of the car last Thursday complete with a full fuel tank and 4 velour mats and I must say I have been pleasantly surprised with the level of equipment supplied as standard and also with the performance and economy of the car over the first 500 miles of mixed motorway and urban use. The computer tells me 54.3 MPG but I can't validate this yet at the pump as I don't know how full the "Full tankof fuel" was
The engine combined with the 7 speed auto-box has enough grunt to keep up with traffic and is very quiet and refined at motorway speeds (1800 rpm at 70mph), the stop start technology takes a bit of getting used to but is ok as long as you remember to switch it off when you reach the front of the queue at roundabouts. The only thing I do not like is the gear selector which is mounted on the right of the steering column and looks just like the indicator stalk of my 124 cabriolet, it just feels alien to be using your right hand to select between drive and reverse but I suppose I will get used to it in time as long as I do not select reverse by mistake when sitting at the lights waiting to turn left.
The colour is starting to grow on me but white would not have been my first choice, nor would the black cloth uphostery athough it suits the car well and seems very serviceable, I still prefer the look and feel of leather.
I must be getting lazy as the only thing I feel the car needs is "Sat Nav", I know I can use my "Garmin Nuvi" but it looks out of place in the car so I may be tempted to buy the "Becker Map Pilot" which the car is pre-wired to accept but the cost of £600 or so MB ask for this is a bit off putting, so if anyone knows of an aftermarket supplier for this module please let me know.
