Mercedes B Class 1.8 Turbo Auto Diesel

[Wally]

Just spent a few weeks in Europe travelling around in the Merc wannabe SUV hatch. It had ~12k km on the clock and thought I might give a bit of a score.

It handles well for the chaos that is European city driving, able to scoot in and out of lanes with a few inches other drivers allow for changes. The side mirrors are a problem both with depth perception and collision opportunity with tight spaces. Getting used to not indicating to lane change in city is difficult, but is a must if you don't want other drivers to close the gap. Copious use of the horn for no tangible reason is also a must if you want to fit in.

On the motorways it handles the 110km plus easily, but obviously does not have the punch we would expect in the Falcon or Commodore when booted.

Being a diesel it's clackety bang at idle, but does diminsih enough when on the move to be acceptable, noise wise, in the cabin. No diesel smell.

Interior is nothing fantastic, seats are seats, control console has too many buttons and an integrated phone keypad you can't see because of the steering wheel. Bluetooth hook wouldn't work for me. Cruise control is intuitive in that you have to fiddle with a column stalk and hope for the best.

I haven't done my sums accurately, but for a 1300 km motorway trip over three days, sitting on ~115kph, two people and minor hand luggage I used about 115 litres of fuel.

Cheers