W245 B class - petrol CVT - which one ?
Discussion
Mrs Mercs has decided that with the patter of extra feet round the corner (four legged) she wants a larger car. We already have the S124 weekend car but for the rare times we want to put the dogs into the daily car the Jazz isn't up to the job due to its small boot (and two setters on the back seat is not ideal).
It must be petrol as her new job is only a couple of miles up the road - and auto. Having driven a B200SE (06) at the local dealer we both liked it - apart from the very light interior (car just in and not yet valeted - so it potential for dirt was evident).
I still think a nice W203 estate would be better - at the risk of the S124 becoming redundant
. She wants the extra height due to some mobility health issues.
So - which model ? We are used to crazy efficient mpg on the Jazz. And I'm a Yorkshireman.
I have seen a few nice B200 Turbo's with good spec and dark interiors. I note a few of you have them but how are you getting on with them a few months down the line. How is the mpg ? How do you find the seats in the Turbo's as I note they are the more supportive seats - and she will be in and out four times in five miles driving.
Any other comments or do we try and find a well spec'd lower model ?
It must be petrol as her new job is only a couple of miles up the road - and auto. Having driven a B200SE (06) at the local dealer we both liked it - apart from the very light interior (car just in and not yet valeted - so it potential for dirt was evident).
I still think a nice W203 estate would be better - at the risk of the S124 becoming redundant
. She wants the extra height due to some mobility health issues.So - which model ? We are used to crazy efficient mpg on the Jazz. And I'm a Yorkshireman.
I have seen a few nice B200 Turbo's with good spec and dark interiors. I note a few of you have them but how are you getting on with them a few months down the line. How is the mpg ? How do you find the seats in the Turbo's as I note they are the more supportive seats - and she will be in and out four times in five miles driving.
Any other comments or do we try and find a well spec'd lower model ?
Diesel is probably a better buy to be honest. They are a bit rough and unrefined but well suited to a car this size and you'll get decent mpg. 180 CDI or 200 CDI will do the job fine.
Problem with the petrols is the 150 is too underpowered for the B with the CVT just making it worse, then if you look to anything bigger the running costs will be excessively high thanks to the high tax and fuel consumption. The 200 Turbo engine is also quite rare as it was discontinued mid way through the production run.
Stick with SE spec cars if ride quality is a concern. Its adequate on 16in wheels but anything bigger makes them crashy and uncomfortable. They are generally well equipped inside with virtually all models having half-leather (artico) seats, AC, decent CD player and a MFSW/ trip computer. Compared to the equivalent VW, Audi or BMW more came as standard.
Reliability is generally OK. Some early cars (pre mid-06) suffer from rust issues so its worth getting a later model to avoid this. You can check this by inspecting the finish of the door, the top picture shows a car with the later design seam and the second picture shows the older rust-prone seam.
Problem with the petrols is the 150 is too underpowered for the B with the CVT just making it worse, then if you look to anything bigger the running costs will be excessively high thanks to the high tax and fuel consumption. The 200 Turbo engine is also quite rare as it was discontinued mid way through the production run.
Stick with SE spec cars if ride quality is a concern. Its adequate on 16in wheels but anything bigger makes them crashy and uncomfortable. They are generally well equipped inside with virtually all models having half-leather (artico) seats, AC, decent CD player and a MFSW/ trip computer. Compared to the equivalent VW, Audi or BMW more came as standard.
Reliability is generally OK. Some early cars (pre mid-06) suffer from rust issues so its worth getting a later model to avoid this. You can check this by inspecting the finish of the door, the top picture shows a car with the later design seam and the second picture shows the older rust-prone seam.
Thanks for the pictures - I had heard something about the doors so that explains it very well.
MrsMercs new job is two miles up the road - too far for her to walk (and she does come back in the dark along an unlit road). So it would have to be petrol as we would end up with expensive DPF issues going down the diesel route (unless very lucky imo).
The 200SE we have test driven was in fact very well equipped and the 30mpg from cold on the small test wasn't too bad. We haven't really monitored her new mileage properly but it must now be under 100 miles per week (150 some weeks but that's short term). The car may get used more in the future if my S124 gets too long in the tooth.
She likes the speed from our SLK so the potential of the Turbo and extra toys appealed to her. Don't forget she is coming from a Jazz iShift - she understands slow as she won't use the flappy paddles to aid her progress. A smaller engine may still work for us based on the shopping trolley's we have had in recent years.
Tyres was another concern - most current roads we use are not bad locally - that can all change again with another winter days away.
MrsMercs new job is two miles up the road - too far for her to walk (and she does come back in the dark along an unlit road). So it would have to be petrol as we would end up with expensive DPF issues going down the diesel route (unless very lucky imo).
The 200SE we have test driven was in fact very well equipped and the 30mpg from cold on the small test wasn't too bad. We haven't really monitored her new mileage properly but it must now be under 100 miles per week (150 some weeks but that's short term). The car may get used more in the future if my S124 gets too long in the tooth.
She likes the speed from our SLK so the potential of the Turbo and extra toys appealed to her. Don't forget she is coming from a Jazz iShift - she understands slow as she won't use the flappy paddles to aid her progress. A smaller engine may still work for us based on the shopping trolley's we have had in recent years.
Tyres was another concern - most current roads we use are not bad locally - that can all change again with another winter days away.
Still sitting on the fence on this Turbo - its not available until middle of this coming week to actually go and test drive. The ordinary 200 we saw has now sold, but we didn't want the light interior.
Its an 07 model Turbo so I'm sure the door seams are the newer non rusty variants.
CVT - anyone had problems. We had a CVT Jazz with no issues but I've seen various things on the web about CVT failures. I know there is an invoice from last year about an oil change on the box which I think is standard. The car is only mid 30k miles.
Any gearbox observations most welcome. We must have an auto for MrsMercs.
Its an 07 model Turbo so I'm sure the door seams are the newer non rusty variants.
CVT - anyone had problems. We had a CVT Jazz with no issues but I've seen various things on the web about CVT failures. I know there is an invoice from last year about an oil change on the box which I think is standard. The car is only mid 30k miles.
Any gearbox observations most welcome. We must have an auto for MrsMercs.
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