Models Compared 2005 Black B 200 CDI SE Sports to 2008 Silver B200 CDI
Have done just over 1,00 miles in the new B and thought some comparisons might be handy to those thinking of purchasing a new B class.
I find the handling of the old sport (lowered stiffer suspension 7x17" Wheels)was not a lot better than that of the new standard version Ok probably if pushed to the limit you might notice a difference but even on the little (due to the running in period) reasonably "Brisk" driving I have just been able to start doing the car feels quite safe.
I feel that the benefits of the softer, slightly higher suspension (eg over speed humps & bad roads etc) outweigh those of the sports suspension.
The wheels, I am sure, will not get kerbed so easily as the tyre is well outside the rim & the 5 spokes are far easier to clean. I do find that on coarse country roads the 16" Continental Premium Contact tyres are noisier than the 17" Sport Contact 2 that were fitted on my Sport B class probably due to the greater amount of differing tread pattern on the Premium whereas the Sport has thinner bands of plain tread spread over a wider tyre.
Lights the Sport had Bi-Xenon these give a much whiter light and the dipped beam is much better. Dipped beam on the standard is not brilliant but I feel the main beam is good. I found that the lights that come on whilst turning a bit a of a gimic and sometimes annoying so I don't miss those. I did not feel that the Bi-Xenon are worth the extra approx £1,000 that they cost in the UK.
The Aux input port on the radio is good but the should have made the CD player MP3 compatible.
The mirror is supposed to be auto dimming but it just seems darker all the time at night but maybe I have not got it set up properly.
I do miss the "secret" pocket beside the back of the rear seat.
Fuel consumption seems a little better than it was on the sport but that may be due to running the car in and consequently a little less sportier than before.
I find the silver looks cleaner for longer and does not get as hot inside as the black. I have sprayed the aerial base silver as I think this looks better than the black "blob" on the roof. I may also spray the foglight surronds.
I miss the aluminuim trim fittings that the sport had and decided to purchase, at the extortionate price of £ 37 +VAT, the rear garnish strip (the meshy grill looking strip with reflectors) that goes in the recess in the rear bumper.
I am sure many will disagree with my comments and will prefer their own vehicles specifications and I respect this as these are my own personal views of the 2 B Classes I have owned.
Picture of the sprayed aerial boss (Ineed to touch in a bit round the base as a bit of the paint pulled up with the masking tape)
Hi Keith, Could you clarify the difference between the trims in aluminum on the sports and the non sports. It might not be the same in Canada especially when I received my B in 2005. Cheers, Derek
Trim on steering wheel
trim on gear lever
sports pedals
Other changes are
10 spoke wheels 17"
larger oval exhaust
3 slat grill
rear garnish strip(mesh effect in bumper)
Sport seats
sports suspension (lower & harder)
darker tail lights (I think these now comes as standard {?SE?})
These all cost about £500 extra which for M/B is pretty good value
Hi Keith, The option I had in 2005 was 1200$ CAD for chrome trim on bumpers and door sides and color matching mirrors and boot chrome at inside lip and a passthrough door in rear seat(great for skis) and alloys(the originals were steel and I put my winter tyres on those). It also included heated front seats, a great addition for our winters. Cheers, Derek
Last edited by Derek Lecours : 08-06-2007 at 11:13 AM.
Keith
If you remove the trim from the tailgate for you reversing bleeper you will find that you can also loosen the aerial boss ,this will eliminate overspray /underspray problems.
Does this aerial work as well as the original? I tried a richboro sharks tooth which ruined reception especially Classic FM
keith,
could you tell me whether there is any difference in driving the car with sport pedals and standard ones?
i remember you have CVT but i'm curious becasue sometimes when i have wet shoes my feet is sliding on the clutch pedal
thanks
Michael (Trout)
I have only tried the radio on the driveway, next time I go out I will try Classic FM (? what frequency is it on ?) but if it is broadcast from the London area I will probably get a stronger signal anyway being only about 20 miles in straight line from central London.
PS it might interest you to know that I back on to a trout fishing lake.
Paul
I don't remember getting any slipping on the pedals on the sports B class but I usually rub wet feet on the cars floor mat anyway ( I have a cheap set of mats over the top of the Mercedes mats so them getting grubby doesn't matter). I havn't yet tried the new pedals out in the wet to notice any difference yet.
If you have any form of ridges on your shoes the rubber "studs" on the sports pedals would probably dig into the shoe ridges & grip better.
As you probably know the sports pedal (covers) are available as an extra they look nice but they do get grubby quickly. A quick brush over with a floor type scrubbing brush brings them up like new again.
Michael (Trout)
Keith
I have only tried the radio on the driveway, next time I go out I will try Classic FM (? what frequency is it on ?) but if it is broadcast from the London area I will probably get a stronger signal anyway being only about 20 miles in straight line from central London.
PS it might interest you to know that I back on to a trout fishing lake.
You will not notice the difference I only get it going downhill into Salisbury
glad to hear you are near a trout lake ,you should give it atry.I mostly fish the river Test or small rivers around Salisbury
Keith
If you remove the trim from the tailgate for you reversing bleeper you will find that you can also loosen the aerial boss ,this will eliminate overspray /underspray problems.
Where exactly is this trim you are talking about? I think I read somewhere that the aerial base is held by a bolt inside (under) the interior roof light.
I am interested in body painting the base and mud flaps. Do you think it will look nicer in body color or black? Yours looks nice keith. Here is a pic of my B.
Linear Mode
