2009 Mercedes-Benz B200 Reviews

From time to time you may have read my mutterings that fashion takes precedence over function in cars far too often. Which is why I admire the Mercedes-Benz B-Class so much, it's a major case of function pushing fashion aside. It is immensely practical, with a spacious interior (you need a large Mercedes S-Class to get more rear legroom), a tall seating position that provides good visibility, and variable luggage space that can be tailored in many ways.Mercedes-Benz B-Class is smaller on the outside than most compact SUVs so easier and safer to drive, as well as being lighter and therefore more economical and cleaner.Access to the rear seats through wide opening doors is excellent. As befits any mover, the Merc has numerous stowage areas including a handy centre console and sensible door pockets.The B-Class was launched in Australia in May 2005. Some are getting on in years, but with good maintenance and sensible driving should still have plenty of life left in them. As befits such a sensible vehicle it remained on sale for almost seven years, albeit with upgrades and a mild facelift until April 2012 when an all-new model was launched.Petrol, turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel engines are on offer, with the turbo-petrol units providing performance that can almost be called sporting in the latest, 2012, generation.There's a solid, quiet, refined feel in the Benz B-Class that belies it size. It's not quite as quiet and smooth to ride in as the larger Merc sedans, but it comes impressively close.Handling is pretty good for a mid-sized front-wheel-drive car, with decent balance, and minimal understeer at normal speeds. Exceed sensible cornering efforts and it remains controllable, with electronic aids moving in to help when required.These small Benzes aren't cheap in absolute terms, but you do get some excellent engineering and good build quality. Many owners are happy to pay thousands extra so they can be seen sitting behind that famed three-pointed star.Mercedes-Benz is well represented in almost all areas of areas of Australia, even in the far outback as diesel Mercedes cars have been a favourite with Aussie farmers for decades.Many owners get all their work done at Mercedes-Benz dealerships. These cars generally fetch higher prices than ones serviced elsewhere. You may pay more in the first place, but recoup your cash when it comes time to trade-in time.This isn't really the sort of car you should attempt to work on yourself, though a good home handyperson can do some of the routine service work.A correctly driven and maintained Mercedes B-Class should have plenty of life left in it, but it's still best to have one inspected by a Mercedes mechanic.If you find what appears to have been major repairs to the body either pass it up altogether or book it in for an after-crash inspection at a reputable panel repairer.Check the interior, particularly the rear seats and the luggage area for signs of rough and ready use.Before going for your test drive try and arrange for the engine to be completely cold, after an overnight stop is ideal. Make sure the engine starts easily and idles smoothly within a few seconds of kicking over.Check the engine never shows any signs of hesitation to your push on the throttle pedal. Also, that it pulls easily and strongly even on hills and with a load on board.

The Mercedes B-Class is an exceptionally practical vehicle built on a stretched version of the Mercedes A-Class platform. The release of an all-new model in March 2012 has generated added interest to those on the used-car market.A taller than average five-door hatchback, the B-Class has a huge amount of interior space, with almost as much legroom in the rear as in the big S-Class Mercedes. The B-Class’s front seats are large and well shaped and provide good support. There's plenty of space for two big Aussie males in the rear and three children will have stretch out room.The boot is bigger and more useable than that of many much larger cars. Not only is it huge, the luggage area is very versatile, and you can even create an almost van-like interior by removing every seat but the driver’s. The removable seats are an extra-cost option so may not be fitted to the one you’re examining.We wouldn’t go as far as to call the B-Class a ‘sports tourer’, as Mercedes has tagged it at times, but it does have a reasonably sleek style in its class.Petrol, turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel engines are all on offer, with the turbo-petrol units providing performance that can be called sporting without using too much imagination.The manual gearbox comes as a five or six-speed unit, but isn’t particularly common. Mercedes also gives you the choice of a continuously variable transmission that has seven manually-selectable preset ratios for use in specific driving conditions.There's a solid, quiet, refined feel in the new Benz B-Class that belies it size. It’s not quite as quiet and smooth to ride in as the larger Merc sedans, but it comes impressively close.Handling in the B-Class is very good for a mid-sized front-wheel-drive car, with decent balance, and minimal understeer at normal speeds. Backed up by Mercedes' inbuilt electronic stability program, this is one of the safest cars in its class size.These aren't cheap cars in absolute terms, but you do get some excellent engineering and there are a host of luxury and safety features. Of course, you do pay several thousand extra dollars for the privilege of sitting behind that three-pointed star, but many think it’s worth the money.Mercedes-Benz is well represented in almost all areas of areas of Australia, even in the far outback as diesel Mercedes have been a favourite with Aussie farmers for generations.This isn’t really the sort of car you should attempt to work on yourself, though a good home handyperson can do some of the routine service work. It’s common for owners to get all their work done at authorised Mercedes-Benz dealerships and these cars generally fetch higher prices than cars serviced elsewhere. You may pay more in the first place, but recoup your cash when it comes time to trade in your ‘serviced by Mercedes’ car.WHAT TO LOOK FORA correctly driven and maintained Mercedes B-Class is unlikely to have any faults, but it’s still best to have one inspected by a senior engineer at your motoring club.Take a good walk around the car checking for signs of damage to the bumper corners, the wheel rims (the front left is the one that generally suffers at the hands of poor parkers), and the door panels at their widest sections.If you find what appears to have been major repairs to the body either pass it up altogether or book it in for an after-crash inspection at a reputable panel repairer.Check the interior, particularly the rear seats and the boot for evidence of harsh use.Before going for your test drive try and arrange for the engine to be completely cold, after an overnight stop is ideal. Make sure the engine starts easily and idles smoothly within a few seconds of kicking over.Check the engine pulls easily and strongly even on hills and with a load on board. And that it never shows any signs of hesitation.CAR BUYING TIPCars with prestigious badges can be driven just as badly as those from the lowliest on the image stakes. Don’t fall for the fancy badge, have it fully inspected.

If the Mercedes-Benz A-Class suited young singles and couples without kids starting out in life along with older couples at the other end of the journey whose kids had fled the nest, the B-Class was the car for couples in the midst of family life.The B-Class was a logical extension of the A-Class concept, a larger version of the small peoplemover capable of hauling a tribe of kids to school, sports days or wherever they need to go.Outwardly it looked like an A-Class, there was the same upright stance, the same sloping front, and the same sweeping roof, but it was longer. That extra length was used to create a roomy and versatile interior that was perfect for its intended use.At launch there were two models, the B200 and the B200 Turbo, but they were joined a few months later by the B180 diesel. All were five-door, front-wheel drive hatches cum wagons capable of accommodating five adults and packed with features and safety equipment. Mercedes offered a choice of two 2.0-litre petrol engines, one of them turbocharged for extra zip, and a frugal 2.0-litre turbodiesel.All engines could be had with a Continuously Variable Transmission, CVT, which was the auto choice, or that could be with either five or six-speed manuals. The manual 'boxes were generally praised for the their ease of use, but the CVT copped some flak for being sluggish and unresponsive.On the road the B-Class demonstrated good grip and nice chassis balance, but for a more sporty drive there was a sports suspension package available as well. All models were well equipped with all the standard features wanted in a car today, including air, power windows and mirrors, remote central locking, cloth trim, fog lamps, alloy wheels, central locking and CD sound.IN THE SHOPAnyone buying a Mercedes-Benz needs to do so in full knowledge that servicing and parts come at a premium, which makes it important to seek out a specialist who can service your car, and source parts, at a more economical rate. When checking a car prior to purchase test all the gadgets to make sure they work, fixing them later can cost a motza. If you're unsure get a mechanic to help you.Check for a service record, as like all engines, Mercedes-Benz powerplants suffer when forced to run on dirty oil. Also check for panel damage, particularly around the front, which is hard to see and can make it hard to judge when parking. Also check the interior for the damage that can naturally occur when transporting kids.IN A CRASHFive stars from ANCAP say it all. The B-Class is well geared for a   crash with front, side and curtain airbags, plus ABS brakes and ESP stability control.UNDER THE PUMPFor economy the diesel delivers to the tune of 6.2 L/100 km on   average and the pick of the B-Class bunch. The petrol engines deliver 7.2 L/100 km (non-turbo) and 7.9 L/100 km (turbo), and what's more 'Benz says they can handle E10.AT A GLANCEPrice new: $47,400 to $51,400Engines: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel, 80 kW/250 Nm; 2.0-litre 4-cylinder, 100 kW/185 Nm; 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder, 142 kW/280 NmTransmissions: CVT auto, 6-speed manual, 5-speed manualEconomy: 6.2 L/100 km (B180 CDI), 7.2 L/100 km (B200), 7.9 L/100 km (B200 Turbo)Body: 5-door hatchbackVariants: B180 CDI, B200, B200 TurboSafety: 5-star ANCAP

The smallest of the Benz-badged cars is the A-Class and the B is not a massive step up in size, but it's enough to offer that little bit of extra interior space.We're in the B200, which has just been facelifted, offering a re-sculpted bonnet, radiator and altered headlights, new-look mirrors and alloy wheels, but it's a blink-and-miss job.Whereas most of the other Mercedes driven recently require a descent to enter, you step into the B-Class, which Benz rather optimistically markets as a `Sports Tourer’.It's an upright driving position, but despite being a small car it's easy enough to get settled behind the reach'n'rake adjustable wheel.Thankfully, the B-Class hasn't adopted the ridiculous stalk-control for transmission that has infiltrated the S and M-Class cars — a conventional transmission selector for the CVT and a normal handbrake are welcome.Some might miss the extra width of a larger car, but it wasn't a serious issue for us.At 190-odd cm I found a workable driving position, and slipping into the back seat I could sit behind someone of similar stature, which is something not feasible in some larger vehicles.Four adults would be the B200's maximum number of occupants, but they could travel with a surprising amount of room given the car's relatively small coverage of the road.The test car was also fitted with Benz's Metro package option, which adds the continuously variable automatic transmission, the Active Parking Assist parking guidance system (standard in Turbo model) and a 12-volt socket in boot for $4160.Why anyone would need an electronic parking system for such a little car is beyond me — some of the other large vehicles already endowed with the system require it but the little Benz is a doddle to park.This is a town car and it has the skills for it — the engine has decent outputs and could be considered almost peppy, but the edge is taken from it by the CVT, which sometimes feels as though it takes a long time to hook up under full throttle.Forward progress is actually deceptive, particularly on part throttle take-offs — it's no autobahn-stormer — but it's more than adequate for metropolitan work.It will corner as well, but don't expect anything other than a bit of understeer, some stability control warning light flashes and a fair bit of leaning — brisk but civilised pace is best.The test car also had the $5070 Luxury package, which upgrades the airconditioning to dual-zone climate control, adds full-leather trim, myrtle wood/aluminium highlights interior trim, chrome exhaust tailpipe tips, body-coloured door handles, mirrors and side skirts.The infotainment system has an integrated 6CD changer, Bluetooth connectivity and an MP3 facility buried right at the back of the glovebox (which wasn't illuminated due to a faulty light).Both packs quickly shift the B200 upwards by almost $10,000 to just over $55,000.Of course, even the little Mercedes-Benz models have a safety list that compensates to some extent for the price — the B-Class has (now non-switchable) stability control, with front, side and curtain airbags. There's even flashing brake lights (in an emergency stop) as standard, a crash-responsive emergency interior lighting among the standard safety fare.Those who stick with the manual gearbox will enjoy the automatic hill-start assist.The German car maker is also boasting improved fuel use up to seven percent, with an official claim of 7.4 litres per 100km for the two-litre four-cylinder when working with the CVT.After a week in the Carsguide garage the trip computer was showing 9.5 litres per 100km of predominantly metropolitan running, which would suggest a range of just under 600km from the 54-litre tank.As commuter cars go the B-Class was a pleasant surprise in many respects — a decent ride without wallowing through corners, adequate interior room and good safety features. SnapshotMercedes-Benz B-Class Price: from $46,200.Engine: two-litre SOHC 8-valve four-cylinder.Transmission: five-speed manual, optional CVT fitted, front-wheel drive.Power: 100kW @ 5750rpm.Torque: 185Nm between 3500 & 4000rpm.Performance: 0-100km/h 10.2 seconds. Top speed 190km/h (governed).Economy: 7.4litres/100km, on test 9.5litres/100km, tank 54litres.Emissions: 176g/km. 

The B200 is part of a range that Mercedes Benz hope will fill the role of the classic all-rounder.From school-run taxi to prestigious business vehicle, the German carmaker says the possibilities for the car are endless.EXTERIORThe unique feature of the B-Class exterior design is its wedge-shaped front section and dominant grill. The long, sweeping arched roof line, large sloping windscreen, flared wheel arches housing 16 inch alloys, and short overhangs, create the sporty look that wasn’t seen as much in earlier versions.The wider track and longer wheel base aim to give the new B-Class a sleeker, more aerodynamic appearance.INTERIORWith a simple and fresh interior in the B200, it carries on the modern approach Mercedes-Benz is taking into the future with their latest range of vehicles.There is potential for plenty of space with a folding rear seat with a 1/3:2/3 split and a 544 litre boot. Add to that driver and passenger seat storage boxes plus front and rear cup holders.The dash is intuitive and controls a range of features including a Harman/Kardon LOGIC7® surround sound system with six disc CD changer and a Thermatic climate control system.The multi-function steering wheel controls the trip computer, vehicle settings, audio, optional UHI telephone preparation and cruise control with Speedtronic variable speed limiter.DRIVETRAINSPowering the B200 is a 100kW, two litre, in-line four-cylinder petrol engine, with a decent 185 Nm. A five speed manual gets power to the wheels.The turbo variant adds another 42kW with 280 Nm and comes as a six speed manual or with the optional Autotronic CVT system.SAFETY Acceleration Skid Control, Brake Assist, ESP, ABS and a full airbag package comes as standard in the B200.Mercedes Benz’s Steer Control helps the driver to avoid a collision by identifying potentially hazardous situations. When swerving, the system helps to stabilise the vehicle by administering additional force on the steering wheel.PRICINGThe standard B200 starts at $45, 500 and you can get the Turbo version from $52, 100.DRIVINGPincott saysThe B-Class could be a handy little vehicle for buyers who don’t want a SUV or people carrier, but occasionally need something with more luggage space than a sedan boot.The four-cylinder engine is up to most tasks, but - in the absence of a load of cargo - we stacked it with four large adults and found it was straining to do the job on steep hills. If you’re the kind to lose patience with this, better head for the Turbo version with its extra power and torque.Mercedes calls the B-Class a compact sport tourer, but there’s little sporty about it. However, it’s not unpleasant to drive, is quiet and economical and generally handles well. It’s simply that it doesn’t inspire any kind of affection.VERDICT: 6.7/10Halligan saysWhen I told my wife I was testing a B-Class Merc, she asked "is that that ugly one". I didn't know if she thought it was the A or the B but I was confidently able to respond simply with "yes".But looks aside, it was nice and it was good. Which is basically the description you would give to the plain but academically talented girl in the front row of your class that struggles to find friends.It’s smooth, it’s comfortable, it’s quiet. It’s a little under powered but not unsafely so. It's good at what it does, but then again the Kia Rondo we tested a couple of weeks ago didn't feel much different.Perhaps the Merc’s steering wheel did - it was leather - but the dynamics where quite close. The Kia also has a neat folding third row of seats which the B-Class doesn't and I suspect would be important for a lot of people buying into this class of vehicle.The kids where certainly ho-hum about it.. My wife thought it was nice and not half as ugly in Metallic Burgundy as the white one she’d previously seen. She actually liked it, she liked the Rondo too. I asked which she preferred to which she replied, what's the price difference? I told her the prices and her answer was the Kia.We’re both Merc fans, but these days a badge is no longer enough. Things have changed. The gap between the Merc and other cheaper brands in this sector is not wide enough.Buy the Rondo and push Merc back out of this sector.