2009 Mercedes-Benz B-Class B200 2.0L petrol from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Great car to own and drive. Very happy!

Faults:

Nothing so far.

General Comments:

Purchased the car about 18 months ago. We needed a car that had good, easy access; not too low as we are in an older age group, and my wife in particular has joint problems. Didn't want an SUV, and although they call this model an MPV, it still only is a 5 seater. The passenger interior space is incredible and the seats very comfortable. There is some wheel tyre noise evident inside the car, particularly on coarse road surfaces, however this could be due to the tyres being low profile 215x45x17. However on smooth surfaced roads there is no problem. The turning circle on the steering is quite poor in comparison to other Mercedes, possibly due to the front wheel drive configuration.

I was reluctant to purchase any car with a CVT auto transmission, but it works perfectly, and from my research there are very few problems with this generation B200. Being a 2009, soon after I purchased it as a used import from Japan I had the CVT transmission oil and filter changed and was happy to do so. The 2009 model was updated with upgrades to the engine, becoming more fuel efficient and less emissions, so this would be the one to go for if considering a purchase.

Apart from the servicing, I did replace the existing radio with a Kenwood. There have been no other costs and nothing has required fixing.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 15th September, 2018

15th Sep 2018, 21:39

Please keep us advised on how the car runs, any problems encountered, etc. I'm pleased you are happy with the car and the CVT - I myself just don't trust that type of gearbox, but hopefully Mercedes has laid those problems to rest.

In reply to 15th Sep 2018, 21:39

17th Sep 2018, 05:35

More often than not now, the majority of small cars with auto transmission are CVT, including the very reliable Toyota Corolla. DAF were the original concept for CVT, and I believe that many trucks are CVT. Many faults are from lack of maintenance and ill treatment. At present I would rather have a CVT than the past offerings of the dual clutch versions from the Volkswagen DSG boxes and Ford group. The manufacturers do not seem to have properly tested these products before fostering them on the public.

2nd Sep 2019, 03:05

One year since my last review and the car has been without fault and now covered 68000 km. I replaced the spark plugs at 55000 as they are not iridium long life but standard NGKs. However there seemed to be no apparent wear on the old ones. Oil and filter service has been the only other cost. The car continues to be a pleasure to drive.

2013 Mercedes-Benz B-Class 220 from Poland

Summary:

Is it really a Merc?

Faults:

Upholstery started to wear thin on the driver's seat.

Gear problems and loss of power whist driving.

Carbon fuel filter required replacing.

General Comments:

Apart from the 220 engine which had terrific performance in terms of acceleration and fuel economy, this car was disappointing in all other aspects. I downgraded from a C-Class Elegance which was real Merc; with the B-Class I cannot say if it is worthy to carry the Mercedes badge. Or at least not for the price I paid.

I've had the car shy of four years, and in those four years, it was at least 6 times in the workshop. After sales support left me sometimes with question marks. Going to BMW after my B-Class experience.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 25th October, 2017

22nd Jun 2024, 17:45

It's a Mercedes all-right, but from a different space and time. Your C-Class comes from a lineage of classic sedans, but this B-Class is an all new compact hatch back for the modern times, not always what Mercedes typically made.

7th Feb 2026, 09:53

The B class isn't worse than other compacts. However it's definitively built to a certain price point. Going to BMW doesn't fix anything. Their entry level cars aren't any better, believe me. Want problem free car ownership? Buy a Toyota or Mitsubishi.

In reply to 22nd Jun 2024, 17:45

8th Feb 2026, 22:54

The introduction of the C-class marks the end of “classic” Mercedes-Benz. In response to the new Japanese luxury brands, MB cut costs and more closely aligned its cars with the competition. It didn’t necessarily result in bad cars, but it severs any sort of conceptual succession beyond position in the product lineup.