I quite fancy an automatic and getting back to a higher seating position. My Civic diesel gives great economy, has toys but is very low seating position and the gear change isn't great.
Have been looking at autos but if you avoid VAG ones then choice within my price budget gets limited especially if you want toys in the car as well.
However have noticed that B Class prices seem very keen used, and unlike the A Class, seems to come loaded with toys I like. Auto wipers, lights, reversing aids, etc
Think it's a 7 speed auto in this car
www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201707077156062
Ironically, although the Sport model looks nicer, I think the SE model has more toys.
Would appreciate any thoughts on the B Class and this auto transmission?
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My B-Class has a one-speed auto...
www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201707147385685
Toys aplenty as long as you don't need to go over 100 miles in one go.
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I wonder how high up you would be in a MB GLA? I was about to add the Infinity QX30 to a list to consider but you said you don't want a VAG auto which are DSGs... and the auto in the QX30 is a DSG.
You probably know the Q30/QX30 is really based on the same platform as the MB A-Class/B-Class.
Last edited by: rtj70 on Sat 15 Jul 17 at 17:36
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>>I wonder how high up you would be in a MB GLA
The GLA is a bit of a fashion accessory and I'd expect prices to reflect this.
The B Class has a lot of height adjustment in the seat - low down it's slightly higher than a saloon - all the way up it's like a small SUV.
It has lots of headroom - I prefer the seat raised and the steering wheel as close as it can extend: I feel I have more wheel control when my arms are reasonably flexed at the elbow, and visibility is a bit better sitting higher up.
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>> I was about to add the Infinity QX30 to a list to consider but you said you don't want a VAG auto which are DSGs... and the auto in the QX30 is a DSG.
You probably know the Q30/QX30 is really based on the same platform as the MB A-Class/B-Class.
looking at 2nd hand, probably sub £15k.
Have only seen one Infinity ever and that was the one the cyclist Mark Beaumont has through sponsorship.
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>> >> and the auto in
>> the QX30 is a DSG.
>>
>> You probably know the Q30/QX30 is really based on the same platform as the MB
>> A-Class/B-Class.
Generically it is a DCT, and a write up I saw referred to it as a Mercedes Benz one rather than a VAG DSG (edit - as Zero said). Whether that makes it better or worse I don't know. They are not the same.
This gives clues although it is probably not up to date, all the citations seem to be from 2008-2010.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual-clutch_transmission
Last edited by: Manatee on Sun 16 Jul 17 at 08:16
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I had a B-class 10 years ago but didn't like it - mainly because of the appalling drone from the combination of 4-cylinder diesel and CVT. Very much the same noise as a London taxi (the usual TX sort, not the Mercedes V-class).
If I'd gone for the petrol B200 I might have liked it more. It was certainly comfortable with a nice high seating poition, although you have to get used to the fact that the floor is high too.
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The mark I and II A/B class were certainly higher than the current one. The MKII was about 6 inches higher than the mark III.
Some might also recall that in an accident, the original A/B class would have the engine and gearbox go under the passenger compartment to improve safety. They called this safety feature the 'Sandwich'.
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The auto box in the one Bobby linked to is the Merc version of the VW DSG, si the "stuck in the torque sweetspot drooooooooooonnnnneeeeee should not be in evidence.
Never rated small MB's, traditionally they have been complete dogs.
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Then current B-Class (since 2011) is a far better car than the predecessor.
The sandwich floor remains - I believe that's where the 35.8kWh of batteries hide so the cabin and boot aren't compromised.
Mine has a 'Sport' badge and 17" wheels - I haven't driven a petrol/diesel variant but it is meant to be the best for handling and ride comfort.
Apparently once you put on 18" rims or the 'upgraded' suspension it turns to a thumpy dirtbox that doesn't handle any better.
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>>
>> Never rated small MB's, traditionally they have been complete dogs.
>>
Not sure that's completely true is it...? The first small modern MB was the 1980s 190, and that was a lovely car. Pricey, but good. Still sought after nown the right spec. It's successors have varied from average to very good, but none are what you'd call dogs I don't think? A propensity to rust for a few years, perhaps, and somewhat spartan until the W204 shape. But dogs? The first A class definitely was a dog, as was the Smart car if it counts as an MB, but the current A class is a good car IME. More so than some cars though I think a lot of Mercs are sensitive to colour / spec choices
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>>
>> >>
>> >> Never rated small MB's, traditionally they have been complete dogs.
>> >>
>>
>> Not sure that's completely true is it...? The first small modern MB was the 1980s
>> 190, and that was a lovely car.
Wasn't a "small" car, by design or by market sector.
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It *was* a small MB though :)
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Small really, looks like a exec car to me.
:)
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It might have been a small Mercedes car but it was not a Mercedes small car.
More Sierra sized. The ancestor of the C class And quite sporting in some versions.
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There was a Cosworth powered 190 (the 190E with a 2.3l and later a 2.5l engine).... but the Mercedes Benz of the time were all quite spartan. Even a 300E around that time. I remember seeing a senior IBM consultant's (working for WDA) 300E coupe (green!) and it was basic inside.
Compared to today's cars there will be faster diesels than the 190E.
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Mate's old man who was very senior in a large conglomerate had a 2.3-16 followed by a 2.5-16 as company cars in the 1980s.
He rated them as better than the DB7 and Merc SL 500 than subsequently replaced them.
Last edited by: Lygonos on Sat 15 Jul 17 at 21:49
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Pal of mine has a newish A45 AMG. It's a dog. He calls it Jim.
Named after the canine in the book 'Narrow dog to Carcassone'.
A fine, humorous read
Whippet incidentally
Very few dogs that fast from a standing start
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>>The auto box in the one Bobby linked to is the Merc version of the VW DSG
Does that make it bad, or good?
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I had a '99 A160 as a company car for a short while, quite liked it though not very sporty.
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So not really relevant then. That was a mark 1 A class and Bobby was asking about the mark 3 B class (shares chassis etc with the current A class).
And he wants to know about the auto transmission too.
Last edited by: rtj70 on Sun 16 Jul 17 at 01:22
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>> So not really relevant then. That was a mark 1 A class and Bobby was
>> asking about the mark 3 B class (shares chassis etc with the current A class).
>>
>> And he wants to know about the auto transmission too.
>>
Hmm, so are the comments about 190Es etc relevant then? And how about your comments:
"The mark I and II A/B class were certainly higher than the current one. The MKII was about 6 inches higher than the mark III.
Some might also recall that in an accident, the original A/B class would have the engine and gearbox go under the passenger compartment to improve safety. They called this safety feature the 'Sandwich'."
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>> >>The auto box in the one Bobby linked to is the Merc version of the
>> VW DSG
>>
>> Does that make it bad, or good?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_7G-Tronic_transmission
you'll need to do your own research on those two failure modes and see how common they are. Sounds very similar to the DSG.
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>> you'll need to do your own research on those two failure modes and see how
>> common they are. Sounds very similar to the DSG.
>>
Not sure that's the gearbox fitted to the FWD B-Class?
Last edited by: VxFan on Mon 17 Jul 17 at 02:12
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The one that has 7G DCT in its description?
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Mercedes Benz - B Class thoughts? - Lygonos
