Advice on buying a B Class

[cws196]

Thinking about the next car and considering a B Class (W246/facelift). Models I am considering are either a petrol B200 or diesel B180 or 200 (looking at the OM651 equipped cars as I want the MB engine). Looking for a car with no more than 80K mileage. Any tips on what to watch out for (other than the 7-DCT box having been serviced)? Any common issues to be aware of?

 

[colinallcars]

Thinking about the next car and considering a B Class (W246/facelift). Models I am considering are either a petrol B200 or diesel B180 or 200 (looking at the OM651 equipped cars as I want the MB engine). Looking for a car with no more than 80K mileage. Any tips on what to watch out for (other than the 7-DCT box having been serviced)? Any common issues to be aware of?

We’ve had a B180 Cdi for six years now. Apart from servicing all it has needed are two springs (says more about our roads than the car) and a heating element for the driver’s seat. It’s got the Renault engine, no issues with it.

 

[geoffus]

We have a B200 diesel with the OM651 engine, its been absolutely brilliant.
Had it for 5 years now and its a 2012 model, great on fuel, easy to drive and very reliable. The only issues were a front spring broke and nearside wheel bearing lost its magnetism (used for ABS signal).

The wife loves it and I cant see us getting rid, we always go on holiday in it as its just so convenient with dogs and such like.

It did have a tendency to wear the edges of the front tyres prematurely but this was cured after a 4 wheel Hunter alignment.

The sat nav is basic and comes as a plug-in module, check it has one as some sellers do remove them.

The on ours does need a service, thats my next job, but still changes lovely and smooth.

Coming back home from the Lake District I got 70 mpg, and a recent trip to Lincoln got me 80 mpg.

 

[A.J.]

I think you should be mindful of the hefty bills you may get with an MB. I have a C Class, my last service which included a transmission oil change was over a £1,000, I need a new set of tyres which will be £700ish, I have a Nox sensor that needs replacing, probably just under £1,000.

However they are a joy to own and drive, they can just be a little heavy on your wallet

 

[cws196]

I think you should be mindful of the hefty bills you may get with an MB. I have a C Class, my last service which included a transmission oil change was over a £1,000, I need a new set of tyres which will be £700ish, I have a Nox sensor that needs replacing, probably just under £1,000.

However they are a joy to own and drive, they can just be a little heavy on your wallet

I'm well aware of MB servicing costs, currently owning a C43!! At the age of B Class I would be looking at, I'll take the route of using an MB independent garage (Merc Pro in Wymondham, so not far from you).

 

[A.J.]

I'm well aware of MB servicing costs, currently owning a C43!! At the age of B Class I would be looking at, I'll take the route of using an MB independent garage (Merc Pro in Wymondham, so not far from you).

Haha, Merc Pro is my preferred Indy too

 

[Tilly33]

I am on my second B Class, Both my wife and I love them. The driving position seems to suit us both perfectly. My first one was an automatic, I loved it but my wife hates them. Our current one is manual and I have to say it is a beautifully smooth gearbox. It is a pleasure to drive and inspires me to get out and about in it, so, it is a big thumbs up from me for the ‘B’

 

[Wearsthefoxhat]

We had a B180 diesel MY2015,, very nice car and would buy another B class but would go for the bigger engine, 200 or petrol as I felt that the 180d was a little hesitant.

 

[mioba]

It’s got the Renault engine, no issues with it.

yet

 

[colinallcars]

yet

You could say that about anything

 

[Dickie Fix]

Had ours almost 8 years now from new and we still love it. Nothing has broken or gone wrong and we regularly get mid-60s mpg on a long run. Try and find one without the Ad-Blue system - just one less thing to worry about. The only servicing that requires an indi is the DCT gearbox because it needs Star. Everything else is DIY-able. The sport version has lower profile tyres (often run-flats) that make the ride a bit harsh.

 

[geoffus]

Had ours almost 8 years now from new and we still love it. Nothing has broken or gone wrong and we regularly get mid-60s mpg on a long run. Try and find one without the Ad-Blue system - just one less thing to worry about. The only servicing that requires an indi is the DCT gearbox because it needs Star. Everything else is DIY-able. The sport version has lower profile tyres (often run-flats) that make the ride a bit harsh.

Why does it need Star to service the gearbox ?

 

[Deleted member 126251]

We’ve had a B180 Cdi for six years now. Apart from servicing all it has needed are two springs (says more about our roads than the car) and a heating element for the driver’s seat. It’s got the Renault engine, no issues with it.

We also have a 2014 180 Cdi (purchased as a 1 years car) - mileage is not very high (~40k) but it has not had a single problem. It is not as posh as yours - no heated seats.

 

[colinallcars]

We also have a 2014 180 Cdi (purchased as a 1 years car) - mileage is not very high (~40k) but it has not had a single problem. It is not as posh as yours - no heated seats.

I love heated seats, might be an age thing!
Mine is on 85K now and I recently realised that we have three vehicles in the family, each with a different variant of the engine. My 1.8, my daughter’s Qashqai 1.6 and my son in law’s Renault Trafic 2.0 on 220K miles.

 

[Deleted member 126251]

I love heated seats, might be an age thing!
Mine is on 85K now and I recently realised that we have three vehicles in the family, each with a different variant of the engine. My 1.8, my daughter’s Qashqai 1.6 and my son in law’s Renault Trafic 2.0 on 220K miles.

Oh we’ve had heated seats in most cars we’ve owned just not this one. It was a rush buy back in 2015 when we’d returned from Australia (after 8 years there) and I was headed to the middle east and only had a couple of days to buy a car. We never intended to keep it this long but it has been fantastic and will now drive it until it becomes unreliable

 

[Dickie Fix]

Why does it need Star to service the gearbox ?

You need to check the fluid level when the trans fluid is either at 40 or 70, + or - 2 degrees C.
Sorry, in senior moment I wrongly said Star when I should have said Xentry. I guess other tools are capable of reading the trans temp output, but I don't know which ones.

 

[geoffus]

You need to check the fluid level when the trans fluid is either at 40 or 70, + or - 2 degrees C.
Sorry, in senior moment I wrongly said Star when I should have said Xentry. I guess other tools are capable of reading the trans temp output, but I don't know which ones.

Yes the ICarsoft will read the fluid temperature, it’s a great tool to own if you have a Mercedes or two.