Heh, does "multifunction all around useful car" include the times when
husband wants to feel "manly"? If so, yes, the turbo could be
worthwhile. ;-)

Cheers,
ws

It seems to me that most of the feedback on this model here has been
extremely negative about quality control and overall product quality...

Don't really know, can't get 'em around these parts (USA).

Marty

Hallo Guenter,

sorry for stepping in late, but had to wait until
my sister got her B200 CDI (W245.208)

Although the quality impression of e.g the dashboard
is better than with the (new) A-Class I find it to
be clearly below what I expect from such an expensive
vehicle (29.000 Euro base, can easily reach 40.000,
German prices, include 16 percent German VAT).

Rear view (especially to the sides) is close to zero,
means you _have_ to order the PARKTRONIC, front view
is not really better with the lower parts of the car
so as a consequence DC only offers front and rear
PARKTRONIC.

Overall quality impression is not that good, some
parts like the seats or door panels (close to)
adequate for a 30k EURO vehicle, other things like
paint (slight difference between metal body parts
and plastic parts like bumpers; colour is 748 comete
grey metallic, a colour here in Germany very poular
with W245) are sub-par and engine hood is really
catastrophic:
1970's style hood support strut, has to be pulled
out of it's retainer and then to be swung upwards
to be inserted into an yellow recess on the underside
of the hood - no hydraulic lifts which hold the hood,
no springs like in the old W123, just a simple hood
retainer... ===:-(((

...and shall I mention there's also no sound insulation
pad under the hood?

To say it nicely: That shabby for such an expensive car!

Due to the sandwich floor e.g for elder people it may
not be convenient to climb onto the seats, but once
reached it gives a nice overview over many other cars
as the B-Class is 10 to 19 cm (4 to 7.5 inch) higher
than normal cars like C-Class etc.;
DC labels the B-Class as Multi Purpose Vehicle - a
bit far stretched IMHO.

The standard trim level of the B-Class is not bad,
the B 200 CDI includes things like 6-speed man trans,
parameter steering, selective damping system,
electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors,
front fog lamps, 12 Volt socket in passenger
compartment, manual air conditioning, front centre
armrest, height adjustable driver's seat, illuminated
and air conditioned glove compartment, luggage
compartment cover, MB audio 20 radio w/CD, multi-
function steering wheel, outside temperature gauge,
electric front windows, ABS, BAS, ESP, ASR,
6 airbags, active headrests, steer control, tyre
pressure loss warning system, remote central locking,
seatbelt tensioners etc. - not bad, really.

BUT on the other hand even metallic paint costs
extra, as well as Xenon headlights, navigation system,
sunroof, leather upholstery, easy vario system and
storage package (Did anybody say _Multi Purpose vehicle_?)
as well as tempomat (cruise control for man trans
vehicles) or AUTOTRONIC auto trans, automatic climate
control or rear electric windows or telephone pre-
wiring or...

B 200 CDI engine is ok, fast enough, but of course
a bit loud (at least on the outside - CDI...).

AUTOTRONIC: depends on, some like it, some not.

In the glove box compartment were connections for
an Apple iPOD (an option, iPOD interface kit), but
the software to show the ID3-tags on the radio
(here: Audio 50 APS) is not ready yet, only a later
DC software update will give that, so long one has
to live without it...
..and what puts even more shame on DC is the fact
that the iPOD interface kit from Dietz _does_ show
the ID3-tags...   ==:-(

All-in-all: Very high price, even higher with with
AUTOTRONIC, auto climate, metallic, sunroof, Xenon
and navi.
Quality level not on level with price.

Would I buy it? No. But YMMV.

Juergen
P.S.: Sheeeesh, don't tell my sister, she likes the
car and that's fine ;-)