Reciprocal agreements between MB dealers?

[Gollom]

Morning!

Trying to get hold of a used B200 CDi SE and would much prefer to buy at my local MB dealer in Blackburn - people buy from people! Of course, they and associated dealers in that chain do not have one for sale (they tell me the one showing in Leeds has been sold!) The Merc site tells me that the nearest availability is Liverpool. Don't Merc dealers have some kind of reciprocal agreement between them?

Being a cynic I do wonder if such an agreement does exist but the salesperson is simpy trying to <cough> maximise commission by ensuring s sale from local stock? ( I really want the 2.0 as opposed to the 1.8 - unless someone tells me I am barmy. Feul consumption is not an issue)

Many thanks - you really are a splendid lot!

 

[pammy]

I think it all depends on your dealer.

I sourced my SLK from a non merc dealer in Chesterfield after my dealer could not find one. They could only source the 200 or 230 and I only wnated the 320.

I spoke to Harrogate MB and we agreed that they would go to Chesterfield, check out the car and buy it on my behalf after I paid a deposit. They would then bring it back to Harrogate for me to check over and confirm it was OK and do the deal with them - ie MB Harrogate. I wanted to do it this way as I wanted my contract of sale to be with MB Harrogate.

The deal was agreed on the terms that I would only reject the car if there was something wrong and not because I changed my mind about the colour, spec etc. Similarly they had the authority to reject the car on my behalf when they went to view if it was in anyway not as described and not in the condition a 3 month old car should be.

It has all worked really well - but sometimes you need to tell them what you want and what you therefore need them to do. Having sourced a car yourself puts you in a stronger position as if they don't do the deal for you you will simply go to where you can get the model you want direct cutting your local dealer out totally.

If it is a car still under MB warranty the local dealer will still pick up responsibility for sorting out problems - but I don't feel they have quite the same level of commitment to you if they weren't involved in the purchase


Hnag out for the car you want - don't accept any compromise - then it's in their hands - they can either work with you or not - their loss

 

[DC_insider]

Morning!

Trying to get hold of a used B200 CDi SE and would much prefer to buy at my local MB dealer in Blackburn - people buy from people! Of course, they and associated dealers in that chain do not have one for sale (they tell me the one showing in Leeds has been sold!) The Merc site tells me that the nearest availability is Liverpool. Don't Merc dealers have some kind of reciprocal agreement between them?

Being a cynic I do wonder if such an agreement does exist but the salesperson is simpy trying to <cough> maximise commission by ensuring s sale from local stock? ( I really want the 2.0 as opposed to the 1.8 - unless someone tells me I am barmy. Feul consumption is not an issue)

Many thanks - you really are a splendid lot!

Dealers can transfer new stock as it is still owned by DCUK and effectively on loan to the Dealer. However, used stock is owned by the Dealer and they are not obliged to transfer the stock.

The Blackburn and Liverpool Dealers are owned by 2 different companies (Pendragon and Inchcape respectively). It may be possible for the Liverpool Dealer to agree to trade the car with the Blackburn Dealer. The usual sticking points are:

1. the 2 Dealers have to agree a trade value for the vehicle
2. the supplying Dealer (Liverpool) is giving up the opportunity to retail the vehicle (which is where the profit is) and may want some commission from the buying Dealer (Blackburn).

 

[sym]

( I really want the 2.0 as opposed to the 1.8 - unless someone tells me I am barmy. Feul consumption is not an issue)

I'm not going to tell you that you are barmy - personal choice, and if I was buying used I'd probably look out for a 200CDI as well, but the B180 CDI is a 2.0 !!! Check the specs .. it is the same engine, with a different ECU, which doesn't let it accelerate quite as quickly (I think its about 2 seconds faster 0-60, and has about 30bhp more, and 50Nm more Torque! Fuel consumption is identical ! For info, the C180, C200, and C230 also have a 2.0 litre engine. Don't be fooled by the badge ! Mine's plenty quick enough. Sure - the B200 CDI is faster on paper, but its mainly marketing !! In real world driving, the difference is negligible.

From MB Website

B180 CDI

Capable of a potent 109 hp and 250 Nm of torque, this is a thrilling addition to the diesel stable.

On the road price: £19,235
Combined fuel consumption: 50.4 (47.9) mpg*
Performance 0-62 mph: 11.3 (11.8) seconds*
Top speed: 114 (111) mph

The table below shows figures for both manual and AUTOTRONIC transmission. AUTOTRONIC data where different is shown in brackets.

Number of cylinders/arrangement
4/in-line


Total displacement (cc)
1992


Rated output (hp at rpm)[1]
109/4200


Rated torque (Nm at rpm)[1]
250/1600-2600


Compression ratio
18


Acceleration from 0 to 62 mph (s)
11.3 (11.8)


Top speed approx. (mph)
114 (111)


Tyre size
205/55 R 16


Fuel consumption (mpg)[2]
city
extra-urban
combined
39.2 (38.7)
61.4 (57.6)
50.4 (47.9)


CO2 emissions (g/km)[2]
146 (157)


Fuel tank capacity (l), inc. reserve
54/6


Turning circle diameter (m)
11.95


Kerb weight (kg)[3]
1435


Permissible gross vehicle weight (kg)
1880





B200 CDI

This agile diesel engine doesn’t let down on its promise of pure driving pleasure.

On the road price: £21,815
Combined fuel consumption: 50.4 (47.1) mpg*
Performance 0-62 mph: 9.6 (9.7) seconds*
Top speed: 124 (121) mph*


The table below shows figures for both manual and AUTOTRONIC transmission. AUTOTRONIC data where different is shown in brackets.

Number of cylinders/arrangement
4/in-line


Total displacement (cc)
1992


Rated output (hp at rpm)[1]
140/4200


Rated torque (Nm at rpm)[1]
300*/1600-3000


Compression ratio
18


Acceleration from 0 to 62 mph (s)
9.6 (9.7)


Top speed approx. (mph)
124 (121)


Tyre size
205/55 R 16


Fuel consumption (mpg)[2]
city
extra-urban
combined
39.2 (37.2)
61.4 (56.5)
50.4 (47.1)


CO2 emissions (g/km)[2]
146 (159)


Fuel tank capacity (l), inc. reserve
54/6


Turning circle diameter (m)
11.95


Kerb weight (kg)[3]
1435


Permissible gross vehicle weight (kg)
1880









S.

 

[DC_insider]

I'm not going to tell you that you are barmy - personal choice, and if I was buying used I'd probably look out for a 200CDI as well, but the B180 CDI is a 2.0 !!! Check the specs .. it is the same engine, with a different ECU, which doesn't let it accelerate quite as quickly
S.

Not quite the same. Both engines start out as OM640 1991cc engines but the 200 CDi has a different turbo.

 

[Gollom]

Diesel - 2.0 vs 1.8

I know tons about cooking (form an orderly queue ladies!) and computers but very little about engines and manly stuff.

Apart from the acceleration, what advantage would I gain from having the 2.0 vs the 1.8?

Would I suffer in terms of weight I could carry? Would I struggle up hills and on French roads? Would it stress a bit over distances? Why have a 2.0 anyway - just for the headline acceleration figure? Why is there always a teaspoon left in the washing-up water? Would small boys laugh in derision at my choice?

Any help would be much appreciated (I will be changing from a C220 CDi do you can probably understand my concern)

Thanks

Steve

 

[sym]

Not quite the same. Both engines start out as OM640 1991cc engines but the 200 CDi has a different turbo.

Useful to know ! Thanks for the info.

S.

 

[sym]

Would small boys laugh in derision at my choice?

Any help would be much appreciated (I will be changing from a C220 CDi do you can probably understand my concern)

Thanks

Steve

You could always de-badge it if you are embarassed ! Or add a (Its a 2 litre ..... really !!!) window sticker !

P.S. did you read the posts above? - it is a 2 litre - just with a different turbo and ECU.

Drive them both - I bet there's not a lot of difference. I've not driven a 200CDI, so can't advise - can only praise the 180CDI engine.

S.