Mercedes-Benz B-Class Problems

The good news for you, Jenny, is that there isn’t really a mainstream car-maker anywhere in the world that doesn’t offer a range of SUVs in various sizes and price points. The SUV has literally taken over the world, so it comes down to finding a brand you like with a model that’s right for you at a price you can live with. You’ll be offered all sorts of options, too, including petrol or diesel engines, two or four-wheel-drive layouts and in many cases the offer of a hybrid drivetrain.

If you only do the occasional country drive, I’d stick with either a petrol engine or hybrid powertrain as a modern diesel engine doesn’t like a full-time life in the suburbs where the engine and exhaust system never get hot enough to purge the emissions filter (the DPF). Beyond that, however, you’re sure to find something that suits you to a tee. Lexus SUVs are built to a very high standard and the brand has lots of experience with hybrids, so I’d definitely short-list Lexus based on your question.

Physically, there’s no problem with switching from run-flat to non run-flat tyres. You might even (almost certainly) find the car rides better than it did on run-flats and the Benz B-Class always had a fairly brittle ride, so any improvement is worthwhile.

Yes, you’ll have to arrange some sort of contingency should a flat tyre occur, but you can source a puncture repair kit pretty easily. There are even puncture-repair-in-a-can products (and have been for years) although they’re not always 100 per cent successful. If you’re keen, you could always find a space-saver spare from another model at a wrecking yard. Provided it’s the right diameter and the stud pattern matches, you’re good to go. Don’t forget to include the tools required to change a flat, though.

The other thing to do is to replace all four tyres at the same time. Driving around on a mix of run-flats and non run-flats is a bad idea and could give the car some evil handling traits, especially in the wet.

It’s not a common failure, and I doubt that Mercedes-Benz would contribute to the cost of repairs.

The price is a little high; I wouldn’t pay any more than $15,000 for it. There’s no question about it doing 115 km a day, but at that rate the kilometres would quickly climb and you’d soon be in the danger zone where problems are more likely to occur. That’s where you would strike the problem of expensive parts, repairs and servicing. You would need an independent mechanic to look after it at a reasonable rate. Bluetooth was standard, but a reversing camera was optional. I wouldn’t recommend it. At $19,900 the ASX is a better buy.

Switching from run-flats will help but could be quite costly. It would be best to get smaller wheels with higher-profile tyres, and definitely not anything with an aggressive 45-series profile.

It's disappointing when problems occur so soon after delivery, but they sometimes do. The issue is whether or not the carmaker fixes them, and in this case it seems that Mercedes-Benz has, which really is the end of the matter. I don't think there is anything in what has happened to you to justify a request for an extended warranty.