Mercedes B Class - new one - is it out yet ?
Discussion
I haven't kept track of B Class and there haven't been many comments on the MB forums about it, but demo's where scheduled to be at the dealers late Nov with first customer deliveries in March. I notice it appears in this quarter's offers (reduced price upgrade package from SE to Sport - including 18" wheels) on the MB website. The auto is a twin clutch affair.
Anything from Mercedes with "Sport" in its name is usually incredibly un-Mercedes like - one forum owner had MB change the suspension of his B Class from Sport to SE and bought smaller wheels, he considered it that bad.
I thought the driving position on the old B Class was weird - you sit like in a car, but higher up due to the twin floor - so different to the sitting up position of the CRV. The new one is likely to be different though - they've done away with the twin floor and the car is lower overall. So you might want to get your parents to at least sit in it, and maybe drive it as possible - it's entirely possible they'll dismiss it out of hand if it feels strange.
There weren't many owners of the old B Class on the forums so there's no pattern of issues (apart from harsh ride) but I have seem comments about how intrusive the diesel engine noise and vibration was on the old model. Hopefully they've sorted that out but you might want to pay attention to that.
Anything from Mercedes with "Sport" in its name is usually incredibly un-Mercedes like - one forum owner had MB change the suspension of his B Class from Sport to SE and bought smaller wheels, he considered it that bad.
I thought the driving position on the old B Class was weird - you sit like in a car, but higher up due to the twin floor - so different to the sitting up position of the CRV. The new one is likely to be different though - they've done away with the twin floor and the car is lower overall. So you might want to get your parents to at least sit in it, and maybe drive it as possible - it's entirely possible they'll dismiss it out of hand if it feels strange.
There weren't many owners of the old B Class on the forums so there's no pattern of issues (apart from harsh ride) but I have seem comments about how intrusive the diesel engine noise and vibration was on the old model. Hopefully they've sorted that out but you might want to pay attention to that.
How much time have you got? With the discounted Sport pack you might find all the cars in the pipeline have it.
The driving position issue on the old B Class is that your legs are straight - it's not like a van or a normal SUV. The new one might not be so bad (bad as in unexpected for the type of car).
Is their CRV a diesel?
The driving position issue on the old B Class is that your legs are straight - it's not like a van or a normal SUV. The new one might not be so bad (bad as in unexpected for the type of car).
Is their CRV a diesel?
Mercedes Benz
This should help you. At the moment the 2012 Mercedes B-Class, has not been officially released. However Pre-Ordering is available, this can be done via the website though "Build my Own" option, or visiting your nearest Mercedes Dealership.
EDIT
Just read that you are looking for the Vehicle in Motability. New Vehicles are usually held off the Motability list, usually for paperwork and contracts between Motability and the Manufacturer to settle.
I do believe Motability have a name for this act, "Free List Suspended"
I also know this through Experience as my Aunt and Gran wanted the new Kia Sportage, but we were told 9 month wait, and both decided to go down the Chevrolet Orlando route. However I am not sure if this would be the same for all car manufacturers.
This should help you. At the moment the 2012 Mercedes B-Class, has not been officially released. However Pre-Ordering is available, this can be done via the website though "Build my Own" option, or visiting your nearest Mercedes Dealership.
EDIT
Just read that you are looking for the Vehicle in Motability. New Vehicles are usually held off the Motability list, usually for paperwork and contracts between Motability and the Manufacturer to settle.
I do believe Motability have a name for this act, "Free List Suspended"
I also know this through Experience as my Aunt and Gran wanted the new Kia Sportage, but we were told 9 month wait, and both decided to go down the Chevrolet Orlando route. However I am not sure if this would be the same for all car manufacturers.
Edited by TrafficRat on Thursday 5th January 01:29
The current 2012 MB UK Motability listings are here - http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/content/unitedking...
The New B180 CDI SE Automatic is listed as £1799 advance payment.
Not sure on spec but the SE comes fairly well equipped as standard.
The New B180 CDI SE Automatic is listed as £1799 advance payment.
Not sure on spec but the SE comes fairly well equipped as standard.
Cruise is normally included if Automatic, the price list only has it as an option for the Manual http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/content/media_libr...
They are promoting the SE to Sport upgrade on the Offers page - http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/content/unitedking...
I'd go for the above and specify the 17" Alloys and Comfort Suspension (No cost options) which bring the CO2 down to sub-120g/ km and should give reasonable ride quality. The Sport has the reversing camera and ARTICO leather included.
They are promoting the SE to Sport upgrade on the Offers page - http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/content/unitedking...
I'd go for the above and specify the 17" Alloys and Comfort Suspension (No cost options) which bring the CO2 down to sub-120g/ km and should give reasonable ride quality. The Sport has the reversing camera and ARTICO leather included.
anonymous said:
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Cruise (and speedtronic - speed limiter) is standard with the auto. That's mentioned in the brochure.anonymous said:
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There are comments on the MB forum that the new B Class has quite a lot smaller boot and one guy has already rejected it as the wheelchair their family member uses won't fit.I've never seen any suggestion that it has a sliding rear seat. My daughter's Mitsubishi Colt has - it's a fantatic idea.
Is Motability still a good deal? I've never needed to look at it in detail but I've seen comments that for a lot of people it's not worth it. I wondered if I was missing something, on the face of it it's a no-brainer?
Edited by Deva Link on Sunday 8th January 17:22
anonymous said:
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Interesting - in the past the various Vario packs just involved different amounts of foldability & removeablility of the seats. I found this on a review website: "Features of the EASY-VARIO-PLUS system include fore/aft adjustment of the rear seats by up to 140 millimetres thereby increasing the luggage compartment volume from 488 to 666 litres (121 litres more than its predecessor) and a front passenger seat whose backrest can be folded forward onto the seat cushion."
That'll please the old B Class fans who were dismayed that the boot on the new one looks significantly smaller.
anonymous said:
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Merc's are notorious for being way off the Government MPG figures in real life. Maybe the clutched autos will be better.anonymous said:
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There was supposed to be a bigger Honda Jazz coming too, but I don't know what's happened to that.anonymous said:
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Hmm...that's what I thought. I wonder what people's problem with it is? I'm guessing a certain section of society feels they're having the money taken off them but doesn't recognise they get a free car in return.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff