CD Article: 2006 Mercedes-Benz B200 Turbo

[bmorton]

No, a hatchback is simply a body style. It's still a car. A Corolla is a sedan. And you're the one who made the distinction between "regular" and "tall" vehicles a couple of posts up, so I'm not sure what's confusing about it now.

[Shnak]

No, a hatchback is simply a body style. It's still a car. A Corolla is a sedan. And you're the one who made the distinction between "regular" and "tall" vehicles a couple of posts up, so I'm not sure what's confusing about it now.

That's not what I said. I said the A3 was a "regular" hatchback while the B200 was a tall, but short, wagon. But "regular" hatchback, I meant traditional looking. Nowhere do I say the B200 isn't a regular car. Anyways.

What I mean is that I doubt people looking at the A3 won't look at the B200 just because it's taller; they won't look at the B200 and say "wow that doesn't look like a regular car, it's too high!"

[bmorton]

Are we reading the same thread? I'm the one who says the B200 isn't a "regular" car. It's a tall car. But as much as I like to argue semantics, my point was that the A3 is more traditional-looking, which is what I personally prefer. So regardless of what we think people in general may do, I wouldn't cross-shop the two.

[Shnak]

Are we reading the same thread? I'm the one who says the B200 isn't a "regular" car. It's a tall car. But as much as I like to argue semantics, my point was that the A3 is more traditional-looking, which is what I personally prefer. So regardless of what we think people in general may do, I wouldn't cross-shop the two.

The very fact that many people came into this thread saying they would buy an A3 instead of the B200 leads me to believe that a lot of people would cross-shop the A3 with the B200... That's in a way what you did yourself in this thread. 

[bmorton]

Again, I'm not talking about "people", just me. I'm sure many will cross-shop the two, particularly those who have interior room higher on their list of priorities than I do. But I can only speak for myself, and I know what I like.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

The B really is ingeniously-marvelously-spacious inside after crawling out of an A3 though. Wish the A3 felt larger inside, but for me it's too tight. Otherwise...

And although I like the concept of the B (out of all the Benz's, it makes the most sense to me), I'm not such a Benz person. I assume servicing would cost lots too. I've thought about it though...

[silversurfer]

i think people who would purchase the B are young, professional families who need the space, but don't want to drive around in a huge mini-van like the sienna. i test drove a B turbo recently and i think it's quite a good car for me and my family. the back seat space is very generous and with the seats being higher up than normal, it's comfortable to bring the baby in and out of the car seat.

yes, if you add in all the options, it's alot of money for a car like this. but as someone had said earlier, you don't need to max out the options. you can get a decently optioned B turbo for less than $40K. but you'll have to factor in the cost of ownership as well (maintenance costs, depreciation, etc).

[Snowman]

I do not understand how we got to comparing the B and A3. If you were looking for a B200 the A3 would not be on the list and vice versa.

[bmorton]

I'd be surprised if they weren't both on many peoples' lists. If you're interested in a premium five-door in the $35-45k range your list would be pretty short to begin with.

[Benhaze]

I just can't get over the pricing. If I would be interested in a premium 5-door, the B200 is a compelling argument to consider a Volvo V50 T5 AWD, an A3, even an A4 wagon base. The smart vehicles are an interesting curiosity and this one falls into the same category.

B200 would not make my list. I side with snowman on this one.

[Arthur Dent]

Looks like a interesting vehicle - If you could get one without any luxo options and the zoomy (relatively) engine I'd be more interested. Of course that isn't Mercedes image in North America.

[picard]

For 50k, I can get the lexus IS350 or audi A4. I wouldn't pay for this B200 for all the oil in saudi arabia   

[AVToller]

 

[Shnak]

For 50k, I can get the lexus IS350 or audi A4. I wouldn't pay for this B200 for all the oil in saudi arabia   

Opt up the IS350 and the A4 to the same level as a B200T @ $50k and those IS350 and A4 would cost you more around 70 than 50k... The problem is... most of the options available on the B200 aren't even available on the IS350 or A4... so it's a moot point anyways.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

If the point of the B-Class is lost on you, it's lost on you.

Makes sense to me, up to about $50Gs loaded. Above that and it's out of it's league. Makes most sense with selected options around between $35-40Gs.

[Shnak]

If the point of the B-Class is lost on you, it's lost on you.

Makes sense to me, up to about $50Gs loaded. Above that and it's out of it's league. Makes most sense with selected options around between $35-40Gs.

I personally think it's out of its league once it passes about $40k... it's performance and overall attributes do not warrant a 50 or $55k price, no matter what the options are... But at $40k, I think it can make sense... and it makes A LOT of sense as a 2-3 years old used car for 25-$28k! 

[Benhaze]

I guess for Merc fans it's a deal since they can get two for the price of one R   

[Shnak]

I guess for Merc fans it's a deal since they can get two for the price of one R   

You can buy 2 Civics for the same price as an Odyssey... your point is what exactly?

[Dede]

A few things....

1-Mistake in the original article, the B200 Turbo comes standard with a 6-speed manual, not a 5-speed.

2-Dropping the CVT drops the price by $1500.  No enthousiast would pick that over the close-ratio 6-spped, right?

3-Cross shopping.  I'm actually looking at a Volvo V50, the A3 or the A4, and the B200 turbo.
2 kids, 9 and 12.  12 year old already wears size 9 shoes....    Think he'd be happy to spend time in the rear seat of the 2 Audis?  Don't think so... the V50 is a bit better, but the B200 beats them both by a wide margin.  More trunk space too!

And, Mercedes has just re-packaged the options list....

A B200 Turbo, with premium package (Panorama sunroof and heated seats) and 17" allloys with summer performance tires lists for $38,265

That nicely splits the pricing of the other cars...

[johngenx]

I sat in one and all I could think was "hey, they're BACK with the interior materials."  Back in 2001 MB introduced "plastic-max-hollow-cheap" interior bits, and they're finally ditching that crap.  The materials in the B200 were excellent.  Yay!

The sandwich chassis helps keep weight down and safety up.  See, it works.

The FWD design SUCKS.  SUCKS SUCKS SUCKS.  But, it's the reality of the market for mini-mini-vans.  I wish they'd kept the pricing the same and found a way to add 4-matic as standard, or even available for a decent price.

If I were shopping one, I'd only buy the base B200 and add just a few desireable options.  Keeps from being burned too hard on depreciation and lowers your cost.  If I was getting one to $40K, I'd say "goodbye tall roof" and "hello Legacy wagon."

The local BMW dealer has an super-duper-low-km's E46 M3 rag-top for $55K.  At $55K, I'd say "kids, you're WALKING, 'cause Dad's got an M3..."