Mercedes CVT - yes or no?

[Pork]

Chaps,

Does anyone own one a Mercedes with a CVT box? What are your thoughts on it?

I've been looking for a B Class and have found one with near perfect spec but is a CVT. I wanted a manual ideally, but happy to go Auto if its a good box.

Google suggests they're probemlatic, but sounds like its primarily in North America where the temperatures aren't kind to it.

Any experiences/opinions appreciated.

Cheers
Pork

[GreenMan]

I've done about 20k miles in cvt A classes over the last few years - they take a bit of getting used to but I've had no reliability issues at all. The box drives better with the larger, more torquey engines - ideally the 200 (diesel or petrol). The less powerful engines end up revving at constant rpm more often as you often find yourself demanding full throttle to make progress which can be noisy and leads to prolonged periods of "cvt drone", especially in the diesels. The more powerful units don't take so long to achieve the desired speed and youll not always feel the need to use full throttle, and as a result I've found they feel more "natural".

[markmullen]

My A200 Turbo went as fast backwards as it did forwards with its CVT box.

[LHD]

I've had a B160 CVT for a few days.

Avoid it like a dockside hooker.

[Mikey_W]

They are reliable but pretty crap really. My dad has a B200 and the CVT box blunts the performance. Wrong gear at the wrong time and takes forever to change down / kickdown. Does an easy 40mpg around town though. I'd choose the manual personally..

[Ozzie Osmond]

Personally I wouldn't touch one.

My understanding is that any significant transmission fault will write off the car because cost to fix is simply ridiculous.

In contrast, the manual box on A/B class is very good indeed.

[craigjm]

How to make your car sound like a sewing machine and be about as much fun to drive? Fit a CVT gearbox.

[Deva Link]

Pork said:

I've been looking for a B Class ..

What age are you looking at? Rusty doors (all 5 of 'em) are an issue on older models.

[Pork]

Thanks chaps.

Deva Link said:

What age are you looking at? Rusty doors (all 5 of 'em) are an issue on older models.

Its a 2006, one owner car. The spec is cracking though, I don't know of an option you could have that this one doenst have fitted!

Will take a look, but the CVT seems to be disliked more than liked....unless my folks are thinking of driving around in reverse!

[AnotherClarkey]

The inlaws have an A180 cdi with the cvt box and it is great. I agree it needs one off the larger engines in the range. The box is smooth and seems to have very good control logic - it is particularly good in the mountains, providing well judged engine braking and excellent hill climbing. They haven't had any problems and really don't want to go back to a more conventional auto.

[Deva Link]

Pork said:

Its a 2006, one owner car.

OK, so they changed the door seam seal in June 2006 - prior to that it looks corrugated, post that it looks smooth. Of course a later 2006 registered car could have been built pre-June.

Pork said:

Will take a look, but the CVT seems to be disliked more than liked....unless my folks are thinking of driving around in reverse!

There aren't a lot of B Class owners on the Merc forums - I just did a quick search and nothing too horrendous. Suggests the fluid change at 40K miles/4yrs is important.

One indie says he's starting to see more and more faults with control units and selector modules.

I've never driven a Merc CVT but I drove a Honda Jazz one recently and thought it was fine. My own car is a normal auto but the Jazz CVT felt more go-kart like - push one pedal to go and the other to stop.

[Pork]

Thanks for the responsed fellas, much appreicated.

Went to see the car Saturday and while it was a lovely spec, one owner etc, it was actually not at all well loved. My Dad drove the CVT and liked it. While I was only a passenger in the car, it seemed to drive well and I think the fact it was a B200 Turbo would have helped. Didnt use the paddles but they were fitted.

I'm in a bit of a quandry though... the CVT is a little unusual as auto's go but it does seem popular - approvimately half of B classes for sale are CVT.

I agree with the above though, it did feel a little go-carty. Not sure if thats a good or bad thing - for me, bad, but for most, I can see the appeal.