cawimmer430
Piston Pioneer
Finally got to drive it! He took delivery of it prior to the Corona-Lockdown in Germany and I basically didn't see my parents for over two months afterwards. Only now did I get a chance to drive it.
First off, apologies for the terrible photos. Just dropped my dad off somewhere and couldn't find a good location to spend some quality time taking nice shots.
Second, I was really curious as to how it would drive since it's based on the same platform as my A250.
Anyway, the car is..... SURPRISINGLY PLEASANT TO DRIVE.
It's not sporty at all, as expected, but it's incredibly comfortable and relaxing to drive. You get in, close the door, start the engine and you just feel like taking it easy. The car really relaxes you. In fact I drove around aimlessly (Yes, Greta Thunberg, I know... HOW DARE YOU!
) after dropping off my dad because I liked the way it drove so much.
The steering feedback is light but not vague. Out in the open it handles pretty competently when you're driving it normally. But push it a little harder and the higher center of gravity becomes apparent. Nevertheless it's not an issue because you don't want to drive this car in a sporty fashion. It early on makes it clear that it's a comfortable A to B cruiser. The rear wheel suspension is torsion bar by the way.
At this point I have to praise that wonderful 1.33-l turbo engine. People seem to hate on it because it was developed and produced by Renault-Nissan-Daimler, but this engine is incredibly smooth and refined and agile. There is also no noticeable turbo-lag. The Start-Stop qualities of this motor are much better than my Daimler-designed 2.0 engine found in my A250. Whereas my A250 engine starts to life with a noticeable little jolt, the 1.33-l engine in the B200 just turns on and off without you noticing - both in terms of vibration and sound. It's that good. Have to give all three companies props here. The motor also doesn't feel like a small capacity motor. It's really agile and responsive.
The 7-DCT transmission is excellent as usual. You don't notice it. Acceleration is pretty effortless and fluid. The engine has a nice muffled sound when accelerating. It's not a sporty sound, but it doesn't sound bad either. Pleasant. That's how I'd describe it.
My dad is delighted with the excellent fuel economy. He's averaging fuel economy figures in the high 4s and low 5s liters per 100 km. Today he told me that he drove a little spirited on the Autobahn (160 km/h for maybe 10 minutes) and the car still return 5.9 liters / 100 km, which climbed to 6.2 liters once he entered Munich and stop-and-go-traffic. Those are amazing figures, especially since this is NOT a diesel! My dad does tend to drive in ECO MODE all the time.
Interior wise the cabin is well-made and very roomy. I do like the interior lighting option but don't regret not selecting it for my A250.
The MBUX system in the B200 is slightly more advanced and upgraded than the one in my A250. For one, he's got an additional digital speedometer and theme option called Progressive. It looks cool (need to take a photo of it sometime!). He's also got more features.
I can only praise this car. It's roomy, practical, comfortable, safe, well-made and relaxing to drive as well as very fuel efficient. Those are great qualities.
And while it's not sporty, I do not hold this against it. It's a car that's made with a certain customer in mind and that's cool. My dad loves it, the lower running and insurance costs and the excellent fuel economy. That's what matters to him.
First off, apologies for the terrible photos. Just dropped my dad off somewhere and couldn't find a good location to spend some quality time taking nice shots.
Second, I was really curious as to how it would drive since it's based on the same platform as my A250.
Anyway, the car is..... SURPRISINGLY PLEASANT TO DRIVE.
It's not sporty at all, as expected, but it's incredibly comfortable and relaxing to drive. You get in, close the door, start the engine and you just feel like taking it easy. The car really relaxes you. In fact I drove around aimlessly (Yes, Greta Thunberg, I know... HOW DARE YOU!
) after dropping off my dad because I liked the way it drove so much.The steering feedback is light but not vague. Out in the open it handles pretty competently when you're driving it normally. But push it a little harder and the higher center of gravity becomes apparent. Nevertheless it's not an issue because you don't want to drive this car in a sporty fashion. It early on makes it clear that it's a comfortable A to B cruiser. The rear wheel suspension is torsion bar by the way.
At this point I have to praise that wonderful 1.33-l turbo engine. People seem to hate on it because it was developed and produced by Renault-Nissan-Daimler, but this engine is incredibly smooth and refined and agile. There is also no noticeable turbo-lag. The Start-Stop qualities of this motor are much better than my Daimler-designed 2.0 engine found in my A250. Whereas my A250 engine starts to life with a noticeable little jolt, the 1.33-l engine in the B200 just turns on and off without you noticing - both in terms of vibration and sound. It's that good. Have to give all three companies props here. The motor also doesn't feel like a small capacity motor. It's really agile and responsive.
The 7-DCT transmission is excellent as usual. You don't notice it. Acceleration is pretty effortless and fluid. The engine has a nice muffled sound when accelerating. It's not a sporty sound, but it doesn't sound bad either. Pleasant. That's how I'd describe it.
My dad is delighted with the excellent fuel economy. He's averaging fuel economy figures in the high 4s and low 5s liters per 100 km. Today he told me that he drove a little spirited on the Autobahn (160 km/h for maybe 10 minutes) and the car still return 5.9 liters / 100 km, which climbed to 6.2 liters once he entered Munich and stop-and-go-traffic. Those are amazing figures, especially since this is NOT a diesel! My dad does tend to drive in ECO MODE all the time.
Interior wise the cabin is well-made and very roomy. I do like the interior lighting option but don't regret not selecting it for my A250.
The MBUX system in the B200 is slightly more advanced and upgraded than the one in my A250. For one, he's got an additional digital speedometer and theme option called Progressive. It looks cool (need to take a photo of it sometime!). He's also got more features.
I can only praise this car. It's roomy, practical, comfortable, safe, well-made and relaxing to drive as well as very fuel efficient. Those are great qualities.
And while it's not sporty, I do not hold this against it. It's a car that's made with a certain customer in mind and that's cool. My dad loves it, the lower running and insurance costs and the excellent fuel economy. That's what matters to him.
