CD Article: 2006 Mercedes-Benz B200 Turbo

[CD_Editor]

You may discuss our cover story of the day in this thread....
Test Drive:

All-new for 2006, the B-Class is a new direction for Mercedes-Benz, say Assistant Editor, Jil McIntosh.  The front wheel-drive compact B200 Turbo is roomy, comfortable and powerful, but with a price-tag that can climb very quickly, and a set of very quirky wipers.      More...

[Bullet Blue]

Wow... Base price= $34K

Price as Tested= $46K

Not surprising since all euro manufacturers are notorious for that, but still. I've seen 3 of these around so far. And I can't get used to that back end yet. The rear looks odd. Almost minivan-like, like the old ML. Glad that MB is taking a chance by brining it here though. Hatches are in.

[The Mighty Duck]

I really like the sound of that roof...  neat.  Not sure it's something I would ever get into - in the hatch market, there are better offerings for less money (imo), and for the money, there are better performing cars (which is a factor for me, not neccessarily for all).

I think and hope the B class will do well, just not something I would ever buy.  Unless I was exeedingly wealthy, that is. 

[Vancup]

As for me, I don't think I see too many people buying a forty-six thousand dollar compact car...you could buy two fully loaded whatever's and still be able to insure them for that kinda dough...just my two cents though....

[tpl]

I drove a A-Class  a few years ago for a month in france and I really liked it but this one seems too big... that is, IMHO the stretched body and the ugly front end just dont do it.  As for the 46K  price on a loaded one... that is a turn off.

[Shnak]

If reliability holds up (CVT worries me), a lease return might be tempting in 3 or 4 years... I really like the format of this vehicle, and cargo space is unparallelled in the tall wagon segment. On the other hand, I think it might be hard for me to justify buying a 4 year old B200T instead of a brand new Matrix... that is a lot of money for such a small vehicle. I'm still hoping that Honda will wake up and offer us something like the Matrix... At least, Suzuki is coming out with an interesting vehicle in this segment, the SX4. Things are getting interestnig in this segment!

[eax]

46k and there's no leather or navi yet...just for hell of it I equipped one with most factory options...low and behold $56,000.00!!!...yikes!  I'm sure these will be like 25k in 2 years just like the C230 coupe.  As a base model, I believe it's probably pretty good value, but wow typical Mercedes for the options and packages, over $21,000 dollars of them...oh and there's still Freight/PDI, dealer charges and taxes on top...ouch...

[Shnak]

46k and there's no leather or navi yet...just for hell of it I equipped one with most factory options...low and behold $56,000.00!!!...yikes!  I'm sure these will be like 25k in 2 years just like the C230 coupe.  As a base model, I believe it's probably pretty good value, but wow typical Mercedes for the options and packages, over $21,000 dollars of them...oh and there's still Freight/PDI, dealer charges and taxes on top...ouch...

If a fully loaded B200T is $25k after 2 years (and reliability holds up, damn CVT), it'll be VERY tempting to buy one with their certified extended warranty. Even at $30k, a 2 year old fully loaded B200T would be a great deal.

[bmorton]

As with any Mercedes, checking all the option boxes jacks the base price up significantly. Be a little more careful with options and you can get into the B200T for significantly less. Configuring one the way I'd buy it comes out to $40,700 or right on top of a well-equipped A3. However, the looks of the B200 would be an issue for me -- I'd have to choose the A3.

[Shnak]

As with any Mercedes, checking all the option boxes jacks the base price up significantly. Be a little more careful with options and you can get into the B200T for significantly less. Configuring one the way I'd buy it comes out to $40,700 or right on top of a well-equipped A3. However, the looks of the B200 would be an issue for me -- I'd have to choose the A3.

I still don't get what people don't like about the B200... I think it's certainly the best looking tall wagon vehicle!

And the A3 isn't even an option for me, it's just not tall enough, and because of that, leg and head room throughout the vehicle is very limited. I much prefer the tall wagon format where people can sit more upright and enjoy a lot more comfort.

[safristi]

 Hell there charging $1,200 fer Vision & light....fack what next AIR   .... oops YES.....$47 K fer a Mercedes Matrix with wipers that would annoy ya every day....Is it APRIL 1st ......

[bmorton]

I know what I don't like: it's a tall wagon vehicle!  The A3 has more than enough room for my needs and it looks better to boot. But good on Mercedes for offering the first premium compact "tall wagon" for those who want one.

[safristi]

..there still lookin' fer that DEMOGRAPHIC........RICH & STUPID........hey that's an OXYMORON....I'm THE DONALD HAIR ME ROAR.....

[turbodiesel]

correction on engine spec: it  should be SOHC 8-valves, not 16-valves...

if it's a 16-valves and a DOHC, it should be a CDI, which is not yet available in Canada

[rsxca]

I think for te money I would pick an A3.  You could probably get a fully loaded A3 V6 for the same price as a fully loaded B200T and that includes maintance and 4wd.

[Snowman]

I think for te money I would pick an A3.  You could probably get a fully loaded A3 V6 for the same price as a fully loaded B200T and that includes maintance and 4wd.

The B is quite a bit larger than an A3.

[Shnak]

I think for te money I would pick an A3.  You could probably get a fully loaded A3 V6 for the same price as a fully loaded B200T and that includes maintance and 4wd.

The B is quite a bit larger than an A3.

It's taller for sure, but I would think it's about the same width and lenght, no? Maybe a tad longer, but not by much.

But the A3 isn't a tall wagon at all, it's a hatchback, although a long hatchback, somewhere between a regular hatchback and a wagon... while the B200 is a tall, but short, wagon. 

[safristi]

  Sir SnowrichyMAN...so SOLLY..yer call could NOT GO THRU as posted....there is NO NEED TO DIAL extra $$$'s fer a Mazda 5...please TRY AGAIN........!!!!!!

[Shnak]

just like people shopping for a Mazda6 don't wonder into Mercedes' showrooms for a C-Class, the same thing will happen with the B-Class and Mazda5. I doubt anyone will cross-shop those two. People that walk into a Mercedes showroom have money, and want a Mercedes. They don't care that they could save 15 or $20k by buying something else, they have money and they want to buy a Mercedes. And I think the gap is big enough that those looking at the Mazda5 will not even look at the B-Class because it's just too much more.

[AVToller]

B200 - 168.1" length, 70.0" width, 63.2" height, ~2800 lbs

A3    - 168.7" length, 69.5" width, 56.0" height, ~3263 lbs

The figures are from Canadian Driver test reports.