New B

[sspeed]

Sorry the website said my message had failed and yet when I looked it was posted twice..
So I deleted this..
Next post is my message..

 

[sspeed]

My 58 plate B class had the so called "Sports" suspension..
I really do hope they have learned a thing or two about suppleness with the new one...

I paid a lot of money (over £1200) to have the "comfort" springs and shock absorbers fitted..
I had this done because whilst my B class was being serviced I had the loan of a 1600 petrol version which had a MUCH softer suspension..

My car was a B1800 Diesel and to be totally honest with you the "comfort" suspension set up only made a very subtle difference..
I really CAN NOT recommend you go to the expense of this modification..
Maybe if I had asked them to put the suspension set up off the 1600 petrol things would have been better but it was a main Mercedes dealership and no doubt there would have been some reason why they would not be allowed to do this!

I didn't have the AMG ultra low profile wheels (Thank God).. Mine had the fairly standard 17" wheels on ( 215 / 45 x 17")..
I think maybe I should have gone for the totally standard 15" wheels with NON Low profile tyres...

In the end I couldn't live with the bone hard suspension so I sold it.. I now have a C class (2005) which is far more compliant..
Its such a shame because the B class is a very, very practical car..

To sum up..
Get the most standard wheels you can ..
You will benefit from a better more compliant ride AND the tyres are much, much cheaper than the silly low profile tyres..

15" wheels would have 195 / 65 x 15" tyres..
16" wheels would have 205 / 55 x 16" tyres and
17" wheels would have 215 / 45 x 17" tyres

Below is a link to a website that specialize in original Mercedes alloy wheels and a NON dealership price..

http://www.alloywheelsdirect.net/mercedes_alloy_wheels/b_class_w245

It will give you an idea of the styles that are available..I suggest you keep to simple 5 spoke design that are easy to clean!!

Live with the wheel and tyre change.. You should be able to sell the original wheels on..

Only as a last resort would I spend on a new suspension set up.. In my view it really wasn't worth the outlay.

I hope this has been of some use to you.

 

[MB-BTurbo]

I think the key here is to test drive for the weekend and see what you think. sspeed finds the ride bone shacking on the 17"s, I find it fine on the 18"s with sport suspension. I personally think the AMG 18"s make the car, it looks so much better than any other wheel combination.

If I had the choice I would have gone for the comfort suspension to put less stress on the components.

 

[HumberMart]

So a couple of key points coming up about the new B here; the value compared with an E, and the Ride:-

I do agree somewhat with the value issue, and I borrowed a new C Coupe for a day to try and temp my wife into one, since they were only marginal on PCP due to huge discounts on the coupe, and of course they are better spec'd. But like most women, she has a 'style' of car that she wants, and likes the upright seating, especially having to ferry her 82 year old mum around.

So the value isssue is not always the prime reason for selection, and in Sport trim, I think it is well enough spec'd as standard. My 2009 SE W212 (albiet now upgraded) never had ambient lighting, bi-xenons, Becker pre-wire, collision radar, reversing camera, all std on the new B Sport.

The ride issue is more important perhaps

I don't disagree with many of the press reports that try to tell MB that this is not a 'sports car', so keep the ride supply. But I've done a few miles in one now with the 18's and run-flats, and have recently owned a W212 SE on 16's which Autocar once described as 'the best riding car on steel springs', plus I'm a regular user of random hire cars.

My conclusion so far is that the ride is not 'dreadful' and I could live with it long term without any issue (unlike a Z4 that I sold at 5 months old due solely to the hard ride). Apart from obvious 'run-flat' traits, I am confident that it's better than the old one, and no one would get out of it and into a BMW/Audi on 18's and feel grateful for an improved ride.

I'm sure my wife will keep it 2-3 years and never complain. I did suggest that she took up the no-cost 17"/Comfort option, but she liked the look of the 18's too much to consider it.

I think we can all forgive a firm ride if it seems to enhance the handling of the car, and feels refined, even if firm. I could never say this about the old B, as it didn't handle well and was jiggly as well as firm.

The new one feels 'right', and is IMHO very enjoyable to drive and not uncormfortable.

Other issues regarding space are not important for her. But just look at it, it's not meant to be a C-Max competitor with its sliding doors etc. to me it's now meant for the Golf+/A3 SB types who want an alternative.