Is Mercedes B Class The Answer ?

[V8RX7]

My mum has an A3 TDi 130 Auto 1999 which she wants to change, her requirements:

5 doors
Automatic gearbox
Larger in the back as the grand children are growing
Larger in the boot (or at least a vertical rear tailgate) as her Lab has it's nose pressed against the glass
Not much larger car externally - I've checked and the tardis is not currently for sale

She only covers circa 5k so diesel seems pointless although she likes the low rpm torque

Budget £10k but she can afford more if necessary.

I've looked - online - at the Note, B Max, Auris but they seem very cheap inside compared to her old A3 a newer A3 is possible but from pictures at least the B Class seems the best bet - is it ?

[V8RX7]

Thanks

Yes the problem is that she takes the Grand children and dog to the park - although it's only a couple of miles so I can't see it's a major issue myself.

The Q3 and Yeti appear to be much larger (I'll google sizes) and TBH her parking abilities are waning so smaller is certainly better.

I'll add the Jazz to the list although it does appear small.

Is leather a dirty word in this sector - hardly any of the cars on sale seem to have it - and then it's usually the Sport spec

[V8RX7]

Yes many of the modern gearboxes (and engines) aren't as reliable as the older ones.

I must admit I've pondered about refreshing her car as it hasn't done many miles and was one of the last reliable diesels - in 10yrs it's only had basic servicing but now the windows / locks / alarm are playing up.

[V8RX7]

ZX10R NIN said:

The CVT box is shockingly bad the only box that seems worse & more expensive is the VAG DSG.

Are all modern(ish) VAG Autos DSG or did they have an old fashioned Auto on lesser models ?

[V8RX7]

I spent a while looking up car sizes on Parkers (I have rounded off) and discovered that the camera clearly lies !

Her old A3 is only 4150 Long 1850 Wide and whilst she's happy to have a bigger car, the parking scuffs suggest it's not in everyone else's interests.

The B class is 2040 W which really isn't ideal - the B and C Max are even wider.

The Yeti is 1950 W

The Jazz is simply too slow.

The Note looks huge in pics yet is only 4100 L 1700 W so I've sent her to have a look - I suspect she'll hate the interior.

The Merc A class is wider at 1975 but only 3850 L so I suspect that will be the better compromise.

Thanks

[V8RX7]

Sheepshanks said:

I think some of those dimensions are with mirrors and some are without - most cars within the same class are remarkably similar widths.

Is the Jazz that slow? OK, it's not a ball of fire, but it's perfectly adequate. The CVT is OK to drive (the iShift from 2009 to 11 is terrible) especially as the engine needs revs, which most owners are reluctant to use in a manual. I can't imagine its performance is much different to an old A3 auto.

I'll take another look to check - all the info was from Parkers so I'd hope it was consistent.

Yes - the 130 diesel has a lot of torque low down, I've no doubt a teenager could rev a yaris to death and make progress but it has over 30% less power too.