Foo - Mercedes B-Class?

My wife drives a New Beetle that is now 9 years old. It's really starting to show its age and I think we should unload it before it really goes down the tubes.

One of the cars we were about was the Mercedes B-Class. Anyone have any thoughts/experience with this car?

Get a C class

Get a C class

No, I'd rather get a BMW E46 but she's not too keen on that style/size car. She's expressed an interest in the B-class amongst others but I know little of MB reliability, etc. which is why I'm asking.

After riding in a M series, I want one. The best thing is how insanely easy they are to work on. Damn, finding a car worth owning is going to be hard when I finally get one.

Whatever you do, don't get an inline :p
Changing the spark plugs on an inline is a ****ing PETA and wouldn't you know that was the side the dealer had let the car go out with a snipped wire going from the distributor cap to spark plug.

Whatever you do, don't get an inline :p
Changing the spark plugs on an inline is a ****ing PETA and wouldn't you know that was the side the dealer had let the car go out with a snipped wire going from the distributor cap to spark plug.
Yea, thats the main problem with inline engines. Back to the topic, i have read that new Mercedes and BMW's are made in such a way where you cannot maintenance them yourself. The quality is also not that great as it used to be. Who knows thought, those were just reviews. Personally i would get a BWM.

The latest reliability figures have Mecedes doing poorly. None of their vehicles are recommended. Too many electronic gizmos and doodads are causing reliability problems.

Give her that truck in your avatar.

Yea, thats the main problem with inline engines. Back to the topic, i have read that new Mercedes and BMW's are made in such a way where you cannot maintenance them yourself. The quality is also not that great as it used to be. Who knows thought, those were just reviews. Personally i would get a BWM.

I agree, I would prefer a BMW but she'd prefer a Mazda3 or a MB B-class. However, I do have a 2004 BMW (E46) and have had no issues doing straight forward maintenance like change brake pads, spark plugs, oil, filters, etc. The E46 has an inline-six engine and changing spark plugs is not difficult.

I have been concerned with the reliability of Mercedes especially since MB went slumming with Chrystler. When I was shopping for my car I discounted the Mercedes C-class because of perceived reliability issues. I was hoping they would have worked those out by now.

The B-class is a relatively new car. I think it was only introduced in 2005 in Europe and came to North America in 2006 so it's tough to judge.

Give her that truck in your avatar.
Oh noooooooos. You found me in Foo and have learned personal information about me.

PS - Trucks suck.

PPS - Konas suck. And they will shame you.

PPPS - Let's not get started on Cannondales.

My kona is gold, and we all know gold is l33t.

My kona is gold, and we all know gold is l33t.

l337 is teh sux0r

Oh noooooooos. You found me in Foo and have learned personal information about me.

PS - Trucks suck.

PPS - Konas suck. And they will shame you.

PPPS - Let's not get started on Cannondales.

I am stalking you, santiago. There is no avoiding me. I am everywhere. I am nowhere.

PPPPS - New Beetles suck.

I am stalking you, santiago. There is no avoiding me. I am everywhere. I am nowhere.

PPPPS - New Beetles suck.

Unfortunately you are correct. The New Beetle we have is from its first year (1998) and it's had its share of problems. Luckily my wife barely drives the car so wear and tear has been kept to a minimum. It only has about 110 000 km on the odometer.

Unfortunately you are correct. The New Beetle we have is from its first year (1998) and it's had its share of problems. Luckily my wife barely drives the car so wear and tear has been kept to a minimum. It only has about 110 000 km on the odometer.

Overall, I odn't have much faith in VW. Bad experience with a 1995 Jetta. Forget about the Benzo and get her a Porsche Cayenne.

After 1992, MB's quality went downhill big time! And their customer-service even worse. You're standing there showing them a 2-year old car with a shorted wiring-harness that's on fire and what do they do? Shrug their shoulders and walk away!!! No way would I own another MB.

Look at BMW or Porsche, much better reliability and service. Cayenne Turbo's looking darn nice... :)

BTW - if you can't read the numbers off your spark-plug wires, you shouldn't be doing auto service at home... ;)

With a BMW, you know you are getting a vehicle that will remain in your garage, not the mechanic's garage for work done.

After 1992, MB's quality went downhill big time! And their customer-service even worse. You're standing there showing them a 2-year old car with a shorted wiring-harness that's on fire and what do they do? Shrug their shoulders and walk away!!! No way would I own another MB.

You wont buy another benz because of crap customer service at one dealer?

I would never buy a B-Class, they are absolutely FUGLY. Just like the a-class, they should never have been made IMO.

Or something in between, like an IS300 aka really expensive Altezza.

Oh jeez man ... just get a Toyota Yaris or such and drive the hell out of it for like a million miles and forget all the snooty status symbol B.S. a "Mercedes" indeed ...


Or something in between, like an IS300 aka really expensive Altezza.

It really came down to pointing out cars on the road and her giving a thumbs up and thumbs down. She is really looking for a compact car that offers room. I've pointed out the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Mazda3, Honda Civic, MB B-Class and several other cars. We want to move away from the small two-door because we now have two kids so the Mini, C30, etc. are out.

I really tried talking her into getting a BMW but she wasn't interested so it's not a status symbol thing. She wasn't interested in a pre-owned E46 either. I think they're fantastic cars but she veto'ed that.

The only two that have stood out for here are the MB B-Class and the Mazda3. I know several people with Mazda3s so looking for info/history on that car is easy to come by, no matter how contradictory it's been.


Overall, I odn't have much faith in VW. Bad experience with a 1995 Jetta. Forget about the Benzo and get her a Porsche Cayenne.
I will never get another VW so no problems there. We are not truck people either so no interest in any SUV. The closest we would get is a station wagon.

I think if the Mini Traveller was immediately available, we would seriously consider it but who knows how far we are from that and there very likely be premium to get the first ones.

Scion xA anyone?

Scion xA anyone?

Scion isn't available in Canada. I would have like d that one as well. I'm into quirky shaes. The Honda Element is close but I think it's getting into "too big" territory for her.

Scion isn't available in Canada. I would have like d that one as well. I'm into quirky shaes. The Honda Element is close but I think it's getting into "too big" territory for her.
You can buy a used one and take it over. Only minus is that you'll have to order parts from the USA.

Scion isn't available in Canada.
really? i saw a bunch for sale at one dealer in Regina, they mustve been used then.

really? i saw a bunch for sale at one dealer in Regina, they mustve been used then.

I've seen one rolling around in Montreal but I haven't seen them at any Toyota dealership. I think it was imported.

I've seen one rolling around in Montreal but I haven't seen them at any Toyota dealership. I think it was imported.
actually, my friend bought one and used it as an advertising vehicle for his restaurant. I should ask him if he got it brand spankin new.

My wife drives a New Beetle that is now 9 years old. It's really starting to show its age and I think we should unload it before it really goes down the tubes.

One of the cars we were about was the Mercedes B-Class. Anyone have any thoughts/experience with this car?


Why would you ask about cars on a bike forum. I certainly wouldn`t ask about bicycles on an automobile forum.

GG

You wont buy another benz because of crap customer service at one dealer?Oh no, it wasn't just me and this dealership. It was ten-thousands of customers at thousands of dealerships. First problem was they completely cut back on engineering budget in building the cars. Quality and reliability went down the drain. MB cars built in up to the '90s would run troublefree for decades. From '92 onwards, they'd catch on fire or be in the dealership constantly for repairs. The dealers feel completely abandoned by the parent company with insufficient compensation and support for these warrantee jobs and they turned their backs on teh customers. It's a vicious circle that caused a lot of loyal customers to flee to BMW.

Why would you ask about cars on a bike forum. I certainly wouldn`t ask about bicycles on an automobile forum.

GG

I've asked in several forums including a few car ones. The amount of people who have experience with this car is fairly limited so I'm casting my net far and wide.

The thing with cars is that even bike people use them. Car people are not necessarily knowledeable about bikes so you're right, I wouldn't ask about bikes on a car forum.

Oh no, it wasn't just me and this dealership. It was ten-thousands of customers at thousands of dealerships. First problem was they completely cut back on engineering budget in building the cars. Quality and reliability went down the drain. MB cars built in up to the '90s would run troublefree for decades. From '92 onwards, they'd catch on fire or be in the dealership constantly for repairs. The dealers feel completely abandoned by the parent company with insufficient compensation and support for these warrantee jobs and they turned their backs on teh customers. It's a vicious circle that caused a lot of loyal customers to flee to BMW.
Why after '92? My '94 e420 has 150K maintenance free miles aside from the recommended tune up. It's starting to show signs of simple problems now but it's been and still is a very reliable ride.

Why would you ask about cars on a bike forum. I certainly wouldn`t ask about bicycles on an automobile forum.

GG
funny you should ask that. I had a few issues with my car, i asked questions on Hondaforums.com and questions on here. By far i got much better advice on bikeforums.

The people on hondaforums were complete muppets, and their adivce to anything was to either put neon lights on the bottom of my car, or to put faux switches on my dash.

funny you should ask that. I had a few issues with my car, i asked questions on Hondaforums.com and questions on here. By far i got much better advice on bikeforums.

The people on hondaforums were complete muppets, and their adivce to anything was to either put neon lights on the bottom of my car, or to put faux switches on my dash.

The replies I got from a particular BMW forum to this same question were ridiculous. Here is a typical reply, "Gay. Get her a cool car."

The replies I got from a particular BMW forum to this same question were ridiculous. Here is a typical reply, "Gay. Get her a cool car."
Some of the people here are saying the same thing. ;)

Some of the people here are saying the same thing. ;)

lol

I actually don't mind the car. Then again I think station wagons are the coolest thing.

My wife really likes the look of it so her say on the aesthetics are all the matter.