B-Class - Information and Advice

[Mercman786]

A stylish looking car with plenty of room for five people and all of their luggage.
I find the cars ride poor around town (feel free to disagree).
There have been reports of high oil consumption on diesel models, along with numerous small faults.

Visibility is mostly very good, although it's hard to tell where the nose of the car ends when parking.
If comfort is one of your main priority, then avoid a car with the firmer Sports suspension. Some people find the ride even on the standard car hard enough.
The interior feels like it should stand the test of time, but you should still check for any broken or loose trim.
There are several engines to choose from, but I reckon the 134 BHP B200 has the best balance of performance and economy.
The entry-level trim has most of the kit you are likely to want, so there's no need to spend more for the SE.

Go for - B200
Avoid - B200 Turbo

B150 -
Urban - 34 mpg
Extra Urban - 50.4 mpg
Combined - 42.8 mpg
0-62 mph - 13.2 seconds
Top Speed - 108 mph
Engine Power - 95 BHP

Insurance Group - 7
Co2 Emissions - 158 g/km - 1 Year/£165.00 6 months/£90.75

B160 -
Urban - 33.2 mpg
Extra Urban - 47.1 mpg
Combined - 40.9 mpg
0-62 mph - 14.2 seconds
Top Speed - 104 mph
Cylinders - 4
Valves - 8v
Engine Power - 95 BHP
Engine Torque - 103 lbs/ft

Insurance Group - 7
Co2 Emissions - 168 g/km - 1 Year/£190.00 6 months/£104.50

B170 -
Urban - 32.8 mpg
Extra Urban - 48.7 mpg
Combined - 41.5 mpg
0-62 mph - 11.3 seconds
Top Speed - 114 mph
Engine Power - 116 BHP

Insurance Group - 8
Co2 Emissions - 163 g/km - £165.00 6 months/£90.75

B180 CVT -
Urban - 31.4 mpg
Extra Urban - 47.1 mpg
Combined - 39.8 mpg
0-62 mph - 12 seconds
Top Speed - 112 mph
Cylinders - 4
Valves - 8v
Engine Power - 116 BHP
Engine Torque - 114 lbs/ft

Insurance Group - 9
Co2 Emissions - 177 g/km - 1 Year/£210.00 6 months/£115.50

B180 CDI -
Urban - 42.2 mpg
Extra Urban - 64.2 mpg
Combined - 54.3 mpg
0-62 mph - 11.3 seconds
Top Speed - 114 mph
Cylinders - 4
Valves - 16v
Engine Power - 109 BHP
Engine Torque - 184 lbs/ft

Insurance Group - 8
Co2 Emissions - 136 g/km - 1 Year/£115.00 6 months/£63.25

B200 CDI -
Urban - 37.2 mpg
Extra Urban - 56.5 mpg
Combined - 47.1 mpg
0-62 mph - 9.7 seconds
Top Speed - 121 mph
Engine Power - 140 BHP

Insurance Group - 10
Co2 Emissions - 159 g/km - 1 Year/£165.00 6 months/£90.75

B200 -
Urban - 29.7 mpg
Extra Urban - 47.1 mpg
Combined - 38.7 mpg
0-62 mph - 10.2 seconds
Top Speed - 118 mph
Engine Power - 136 BHP

Insurance Group - 10
Co2 Emissions - 175 g/km - 1 Year/£190.00 6 months/£104.50

B200 Turbo -
Urban - 26.4 mpg
Extra Urban - 41.5 mpg
Combined - 34.4 mpg
0-62 mph - 7.4 seconds
Top Speed - 135 mph
Engine Power - 193 BHP

Insurance Group - 14
Co2 Emissions - 197 g/km - 1 Year/£245.00 6 months/£134.75

B150 Blue-efficiency -
Urban - 36.7 mpg
Extra Urban - 52.3 mpg
Combined - 45.6 mpg
0-62 mph - 13.2 seconds
Top Speed - 108 mph
Cylinders - 4
Valves - 8v
Engine Power - 95 BHP
Engine Torque - 103 lbs/ft

Insurance Group - 7
Co2 Emissions - 149 g/km - 1 Year/£130.00 6 months/£71.50

B160 Blue-efficiency -
Urban - 34.4 mpg
Extra Urban - 50.4 mpg
Combined - 42.8 mpg
0-62 mph - 13.2 seconds
Top Speed - 108 mph
Cylinders - 4
Valves - 8v
Engine Power - 95 BHP
Engine Torque - 103 lbs/ft

Insurance Group - 7
Co2 Emissions - 152 g/km - 1 Year/£165.00 6 months/£90.75

B180 Blue-efficiency -
Urban - 34.4 mpg
Extra Urban - 49.6 mpg
Combined - 42.8 mpg
0-62 mph - 11.3 seconds
Top Speed - 114 mph
Cylinders - 4
Valves - 8v
Engine Power - 116 BHP
Engine Torque - 114 lbs/ft

Insurance Group - 8
Co2 Emissions - 153 g/km - 1 Year/£165.00 6 months/£90.75

 

[MB-BTurbo]

Curious as to why you say go for the B200 and avoid the B200 Turbo as I found that real world driving there was very little in it as far as fuel economy is concerned yet you get a massive 50bhp more.

This is probably due to the fact that the efficiency of the turbo allows for a much more relaxed low rev affair where with the B200 it has to have its neck rung, using much higher revs and therefore petrol just to get anywhere at half decent pace.

Add to this the many extra features (those AMG alloys for one) you get with the Turbo model and to me it makes little sense to go for the B200 over the Turbo version, which is why after trialling them I ended up with the Turbo.

 

[terrycufc]

I bought a year old B200 CDI auto with 16" wheels and Comfort suspension in April this year to replace a 2.2 Civic.
The ride is much better than the Civic.
Length and width are much the same, B200 is about 140mm higher which hits the 0-60 time.
Space efficiency in the B200 is good, Civic has an even bigger boot and has "magic seats".
Civic engine is much better than the B200, quieter and better economy for the same bhp.
Build quality of the B200 is better than the Civic.
Heater in the B200 heats up really quickly, heated seats are nice.
Could have got a new Civic for the same prices as the used B200.
It is interesting that on the 2011 models the VED varies with wheel size, £110 for 16" wheels, £125 for 17" and £165 for 18" wheels. On the 2010 version I have they are all £165.

I personally prefer to drive the diesel as it suits my driving style. Overall MPG since I have had the car is 43mpg, short journeys in the cold really knock that figure down.

Personal choice as to which is best I guess.

Terry

 

[Benzowner]

We have the B180 Cdi with sport suspension with 17" wheels and although it is quite stiff, IMO it is not bone shaking like my sons Skyline or Imprezza. We also have the auto CVT box which does take some getting used to, I have never had an auto box that changes down the gear when going down hill with the foot off the gas, no cruise or limiter on either. Being a biggish bloke, I do like the slightly higher aspect of the car, getting in and out is easy, the boot in 5 seat confguration accepts 4 suitcases with ease.

 

[hawk20]

Space efficiency in the B200 is good, Civic has an even bigger boot and has "magic seats".


Terry

The Civic boot is 485 cu litres. The B class is 540 cu litres (about as big as an S class).
The Civic has 'magic seats'. The B class has "easy-vario" which allows rear seats to fold down completely flat and the passenger seat to fold forwards completely flat as well.

 

[terrycufc]

Hawk20: B class is 504 litres. It may be a tad more (I have no idea how they come up with the values), but it doesn't seem to me to be as "usable" as the Civic space.
The Civic doesn't have a spare wheel, but like the B class has a height adjustable floor which gives a much deeper boot space for tall objects.
Magic seats are standard on the Civic, Vario cost a lot extra. When I was looking I think I only found 1 car with Vario seats, which was nearly as rare as leather seats with a folding rear armrest!
The removable seat bases in the B class is a nice idea, but doesn't really gain much extra room as the metal frame gets in the way.

Terry