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Greetings from Manila! Just wanna share my B-class experience (so far)...

Actually, I've seen the B-class in pictures before but I didn't really give much attention to it till I saw the real thing (pictures just don't do justice to the B-class). Interior space was really BIG for such a SMALL car and the layout of the car was very smart. The B-class also looked very unique compared to most wagons or MPVs in my market which added to its appeal. So I signed up to test drive the B170 and B200 (non-turbo).

Honestly speaking, I found the B170's power somewhat disappointing while the B200's just right. However, the price difference between the two was too big (like US$9k) which makes the B170 kinda tempting. I was actually ready to get the regular B200 until a friend helped me ask the dealer if its possible to order a B200 turbo even though its not on their official B-class lineup.

Dealer quoted US$5000 more for the turbo version and it made me think for a while...for US$5k more, I was going to get something like 40% more power & 50% more torque over the regular B200, and like 100% more power & torque over the B170. Fuel comsumption compared to the regular B200 wasnt much different either. While just having a B-class here in my market makes you very unique already, I figured that a turbo version would be even much more special.

A 193HP car is not very fast in other countries usually but over here, the B200 Turbo's 0-100 km/h time rating would make it faster than 98% of all other cars on the road. Although I seldom drive fast, knowing that fact was a cool idea for me hehe.

So I finally ordered a B200 Turbo but I will have to wait for 3-4 months since its on special order... *sigh*

Here are some of the options I got:
-Sport package, includes sport suspension, 17" 10-spoke wheels, exterior chrome trims, interior leather trims
-Bi-Xenon headlamps w/ HL washer
-CVT transmission w/ steering wheel shifter
-Louvred panoramic roof
-Parktronic
-Audio 20 radio system w/ ipod integration
-power seats

I'm curious about the "louvred" type roof as I haven't seen an actual one. Does it look similar to the panoramic fixed roof while its closed? Will I be able to see through the roof while its closed or will the metal frame cover most of the view? Is it the same type of roof sold with the A-class? (not that I've seen an actual A-class with it). Do you find the mechanism sturdy? I kinda read some concerns about freezing but I'm in the opposite dilemna. Over here its always hot like 30 C all year round.

Anyway, since I was a kid, I've always been intriqued with MB's. The B-class is kinda special for me as this will be my first Mercedes. So I guess I'll be hanging out more often from now.

Anyone else has their B-class already? I read some magazine articles and they say that the B-class is too expensive (although for sure not as expensive as here). Any story to tell? Why choose it over other models? :)