Get the manual, it is really nice, and the CVT is an acquired taste, especially in the B 200, where the engine is buzzy when accelerating quickly, being held at a constant high RPM. The Turbo is a bit better with the CVT because it is not revved as much when accelerating hard, so it not as noisy. there is also a fuel economy penalty for the CVT, based upon my own use of loaner cars driven for several hundred km while my leaky sunroof was being fixed.
I would expect the MSRP to jump about two thousand for 2009, based upon exchange rate evolution since the 2008 model pricing was established. They may also de-content the car to try and hold the line on prices. If neither of these happen, it would really surprise me. I hope I am wrong and you can get exactly what you want.
I was at M-B Würzburg yesterday and it had a B 170 in the showroom with a couple of optons, for 30,000 Euros! Well that included the 19% sales tax, but still! Ouch!!
Bill!!!
Are you saying that I'm part of a cult. and are those bullets for "moi."Very,very happy to have you back.
Cheers, Derek
Derek
I light a candle for you everyday hoping you will find redemption and throw away the shackles of the manual transmission. I thank the powers that be, that several members have not suggested bringing back the manual starter as well. Just think of the improvement in gas mileage by not having a heavy starter to drag around.
Thanks for all the opinions everyone! I certainly hadn't intended to start the old manual vs. auto debate! In my case, I know the CVT is good (drove it on test drive, cause - guess what - no manuals available for trial), but I also tried a manual (pre-owned) and liked that too. Comes down to cost, really. I'd probably take the CVT all things being equal given the manuals are so hard to find.
Regarding delivery timing - I don't expect the car will be here until (gasp) August. But hopefully time will fly... so... looks I'll be probably be waiting for most of the summer I need a few months to find a buyer for my current car, so it's not such a bad thing.
We're going to the dealer today to put the order in (for the 2008, which will be switched to 2009 when the pricing is released). We're getting the dealer to write in an escape clause for us if the pricing goes up too much. If we had to back out, I'll probably search for a 2008 demo or something and get a bit more flexible with the options (i.e. bye bye manual)... Cheers, Brad
Get the manual, it is really nice, and the CVT is an acquired taste, especially in the B 200, where the engine is buzzy when accelerating quickly, being held at a constant high RPM. The Turbo is a bit better with the CVT because it is not revved as much when accelerating hard, so it not as noisy. there is also a fuel economy penalty for the CVT, based upon my own use of loaner cars driven for several hundred km while my leaky sunroof was being fixed.
Mike, I see that you're a 'pedal to the metal' kind of guy
The engine in 'normal' driving stays between about 1600 and 2400 rpm.... no buzzing or whatever. Yes, it gets buzzy when you floor the gas pedal and the rpm stay at 6k ... most cars will. re fuel economy there is certainly NO penalty for the CVT, come on, the rpm's stay lowish and you burn the fuel when the rpm's go up.... can't understand your logic there at all. The point is, the CVT 'saves' gas because of the lowish rpm. However, you've made clear why demos are not the kind of car to buy
ps Wuertzburg in winter?? with all those mediteranean areas nearby?
I light a candle for you everyday hoping you will find redemption and throw away the shackles of the manual transmission. I thank the powers that be, that several members have not suggested bringing back the manual starter as well. Just think of the improvement in gas mileage by not having a heavy starter to drag around.
Glad to Be Back
Bill
Thanks Bill....Funny thing though... We also have constant candles burning at Lake Hughes but it's due to our regular local power outages. .............Makes for very romantic evenings...
Thanks Bill....Funny thing though... We also have constant candles burning at Lake Hughes but it's due to our regular local power outages. .............Makes for very romantic evenings...
Hi Derek
I would hate for you to devolve carpel tunnel syndrome from shifting your car, romantic evenings can be spoiled by creaking joints. Actually after shoveling snow all winter I am impressed that you still have energy for romantic evenings
I watched the weather channel to day (usually it is a waste of time) but saw that the winter might pass soon in Eastern Canada. Not in time for Mother's Day, but looking good for Fathers Day. So you will probably have enough candles to last.
Bill
"Sunny in Surrey" 20.5 degrees and the dash yesterday
I light a candle for you everyday hoping you will find redemption and throw away the shackles of the manual transmission. I thank the powers that be, that several members have not suggested bringing back the manual starter as well. Just think of the improvement in gas mileage by not having a heavy starter to drag around.
Glad to Be Back
Bill
Bill...Seeing where our starter is, and what's involved in changing it.....maybe you've hit on a great idea. Bringing back the manual starter!!! nudge ..nudge
Autoboxes are 2500 Euro's more expensive. That's 3700 US$ or 3740CAN$.
That's why most european cars are manually shifted. And I hate it. I have to drive in heavy traffic for 40 km each day (Rotterdam to Utrecht) and I have to drink my morning coffee. And shift.
I'd love an autobox, but I'm not willing to give up my Thermotronic and heated seats for it...choices....
and are those bullets for "moi."
Very,very happy to have you back. 
I need a few months to find a buyer for my current car, so it's not such a bad thing.
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