CVT in B200 Turbo - W245

[Pork]

Hi all,

I've had a search (manually, search function still not working) to see if I can find out about the CVT in the B class, W245, specifically the B200 Turbo.

Google searches throw up a couple of threads on the CVT being a problem, but most seem to be in Canada and during excessively cold weather (temps we're unlikely to get in the UK).

I've a mate who's got an A class with the CVT and he loves it, and I consider him to know a thing or two about cars.

I'm hoping to go look at a B class tomorrow which has my near perfect spec, but it’s a CVT - I'd prefer manual.

Are the CVTs troublesome or are they generally thought to be OK, so long as maintenance is done on time? What's the general consensus on the CVT - worth going for, or should I hold out for a manual?

Any thoughts/experiences appreciated.

Cheers
Pork

[Pork]

Just to add, another reservation is on the general feel of the car - do they feel odd and does it detract from your driving experience, as I'm told the revs don't match the speed on the CVTs?

[355spiderguy]

hi there.

i bought a B200 turbo with the cvt 'box in august as a very temporary stop gap runaround while i got the missus a replacement for the ML AMG we sold...

what an absolute hoot of a car!

i have had loads of decent cars in the past (and still do) and i kid you not this is defo in my all time top 10 if not top 5 fave cars!

it turns out ours has been remapped so i have no idea how much more than the standard 200ish BHp it is running, but it is just sooo nippy, and the handling is really good...i always have a smile on my face after jumping in this...especially after pressing the 'sport' mode...

the gearbox does seem strange tho as the revs don't jump up under acceleration like normal...just a constant acceleration with no remarkable rev increase.

i would without doubt recommend one of these, esp with the cvt 'box...as it is i am gonna keep hold of ours for a wee bit longer.

hope this helps!

[richarda0109]

This thread has now got me thinking about my car (A200 CDI avantgarde)
How can you tell if it is a CVT. I'm sure mine is the standard automatic but just saw a picture of a supposedly A200 CDI elegance and the gearshift looks the same.

Regards
Richard

[Pork]

355spiderguy said:

hope this helps!

Certainly does!

They look like they make a lot of sense and having taken my Dad out in one, he liked it a lot. My reservations were on the 'box not being a conventional auto, so not really having gears, as such. I thought it would feel a bit odd, but it didnt bother him at all. It was certainly nippy enough and felt firm (maybe too firm?) on the suspension.

From what I gather, so long as the 'box has had an oil change when required, it should be reliable enough. Plus, apparently they suffer from corrosion on the doors. Late 2006 onwards are supposed to be better than early cars for this.

richarda0109 said:

This thread has now got me thinking about my car (A200 CDI avantgarde)
How can you tell if it is a CVT. I'm sure mine is the standard automatic but just saw a picture of a supposedly A200 CDI elegance and the gearshift looks the same.

Regards
Richard

What age is it? I *think* all A and B class Mercs are CVT (2002-2012), though I am not certain.

[Pork]

355spiderguy said:

hope this helps!

Interstingly (well, to me), I notice you're in Scotland. Looking for a B class, the spec I want is rare but of the handful I've found, they're normally in Scotland! Odd, but true. Do Scots like speccy B classes or seomthing?

[ralphrj]

Pork said:

richarda0109 said:

This thread has now got me thinking about my car (A200 CDI avantgarde)
How can you tell if it is a CVT. I'm sure mine is the standard automatic but just saw a picture of a supposedly A200 CDI elegance and the gearshift looks the same.

Regards
Richard

What age is it? I *think* all A and B class Mercs are CVT (2002-2012), though I am not certain.

I can't remember what automatic boxes were available on the 1st model (168 series, 1997-2004) but the only auto available on the 2nd generation (169 series, 2004-2012) was the ZF CVT unit.

[richarda0109]

ralphrj said:

I can't remember what automatic boxes were available on the 1st model (168 series, 1997-2004) but the only auto available on the 2nd generation (169 series, 2004-2012) was the ZF CVT unit.

Now that is a real surprise!
I was the owner of a fantastic W168 A190 auto avantgarde and I saw one of those wierd W168 CVT models with the clutch pedal so when my W168 A190 died with the dreaded "E" error on the autobox after 106K miles and I exchanged it for my current W169 A200 CDI I assumed it was the newer version of the same autobox.

That said my A200 CDI is a blast (stiff on the suspension and very nippy) but suffering from "mid life crisis" at the moment so wanting to exchange it for a nice ML420 or even a Porsche Cayenne.

Regards
Richard

[geezerbutler]

My A180CDI is CVT and has done just over 80K - no problems with the gearbox. The only thing that I find weird about it is that the revs shoot up when you're going downhill - but I think most (if not all) CVTs do this to some extent. It's also managed 45.6MPG over the last 60K.

[355spiderguy]

Pork said:

Interstingly (well, to me), I notice you're in Scotland. Looking for a B class, the spec I want is rare but of the handful I've found, they're normally in Scotland! Odd, but true. Do Scots like speccy B classes or seomthing?

hi pork.

ours has a pretty big spec...cvt, electric seats, pan roof, folding mirrors, command sat nav, parking sensors and the rare jupiter red paintwork + more; as i said it was a stop gap and i am thinking of selling it and just put it on ebay (toe in the water style)..get in touch if your interested ;-)

[355spiderguy]

That said my A200 CDI is a blast (stiff on the suspension and very nippy) but suffering from "mid life crisis" at the moment so wanting to exchange it for a nice ML420 or even a Porsche Cayenne.

Regards
Richard
[/quote]

hi richard.

one of our other cars is a GL450cdi...going from the super nippy 200bhp B-class to the HUGE near 400bhp V8 diesel GL is comical!
the GL is a beast, but the wee B-class runs rings round it, and we notice now that the GL is usually last picked when a car is needed unless we are going out as a family ( the 6 of us! )
you will love the V8 diesel in the ML, especially if fitted with the Brabus chip or remapped like ours is...

[Pork]

355spiderguy said:

hi pork.

ours has a pretty big spec...cvt, electric seats, pan roof, folding mirrors, command sat nav, parking sensors and the rare jupiter red paintwork + more; as i said it was a stop gap and i am thinking of selling it and just put it on ebay (toe in the water style)..get in touch if your interested ;-)

Ah, yeah, I've seen that. Looks nice, good spec, apparently the louvred roof was quite rare. Electric seat too, shame they've not got the memory function. Personally, I think its a bit toppy on price but it's a rare spec and as you say, toe in the water pricing, so you never know. I'm sure it'll find a buyer when you want it shifting, they seem to have a following.

Good luck with the sale.

[355spiderguy]

Ah, yeah, I've seen that. Looks nice, good spec, apparently the louvred roof was quite rare. Electric seat too, shame they've not got the memory function. Personally, I think its a bit toppy on price but it's a rare spec and as you say, toe in the water pricing, so you never know. I'm sure it'll find a buyer when you want it shifting, they seem to have a following.

Good luck with the sale.
[/quote]

hi pork.

i think price is pretty reasonable; it's the cheapest for its year that is advertised that isn't damaged or a 'scam ad', and has the best spec of nearly all that are advertised...'webuyanycar' give a hard offer of nearly £7300 when you type in reg and details, and they are woeful on realistic prices...

we'll see what happens; not a hardship if it doesn't sell!

[DSLiverpool]

Pork said:

Hi all,

I've had a search (manually, search function still not working) to see if I can find out about the CVT in the B class, W245, specifically the B200 Turbo.

Google searches throw up a couple of threads on the CVT being a problem, but most seem to be in Canada and during excessively cold weather (temps we're unlikely to get in the UK).

I've a mate who's got an A class with the CVT and he loves it, and I consider him to know a thing or two about cars.

I'm hoping to go look at a B class tomorrow which has my near perfect spec, but it’s a CVT - I'd prefer manual.

Are the CVTs troublesome or are they generally thought to be OK, so long as maintenance is done on time? What's the general consensus on the CVT - worth going for, or should I hold out for a manual?

Any thoughts/experiences appreciated.

Cheers
Pork

Lexus use cvt in the hybrids - utterly reliable and I've had one it was brilliant (not like a DAF 33 )

[Pork]

DSLiverpool said:

Lexus use cvt in the hybrids - utterly reliable and I've had one it was brilliant (not like a DAF 33 )

It seems a few manufacturers use the CVT.

From the above feedback, I'll keep looking and if I can find the right spec, I (or my Dad!) will live with the CVT.

[Pork]

As an asside, does/has anyone owned a diesel CVT? Are the diesels 'agricultural' or are they OK? I heard an early A class diesel which sounded terrible, but then heard a Vito today which sounded like a modern S class.

[matc]

The diesels in the old model B-Class sound terrible IMO, they're very noisy at idle and don't get a lot quieter when on the move; unless you're desperate for a diesel I'd avoid.

[Pork]

matc said:

The diesels in the old model B-Class sound terrible IMO, they're very noisy at idle and don't get a lot quieter when on the move; unless you're desperate for a diesel I'd avoid.

OK, cheers. I like the idea of the economy, but less so if it will wake the neighbours up every time I used it!

Did they get better with age?