B160 SE

Does everything very well

Within two days of seeing one of these I was driving off in one. I needed something which gave lots of rear leg room for an ever growing daughter, lots of load space for camping gear and usual day to day use, but not a huge estate as I need to park it easily. I also wanted quality finish and this car is solid. The car was 6 months old ex demo and had done 3,000 miles. I have now done another 30,000 in 2.5 years and it feels as new now as when I bought it. No creaks, rattles, trim falling off.

A blown reg plate bulb and a new reversing light switch are the only repairs, I've just had two new tyres and before 40,000 it will probably be due a brake overhaul. Negotiate with dealers and servicing is not expensive - the last 'A' service was £180 at a main dealer and this included a year of breakdown cover. Previous much larger 'B' service was £260.

Scare stories of stop start systems potentially wrecking batteries and alternators doesn't see to be coming true. The system on mine has been faultless.

At 95 bhp it will never be burning cars at the lights, and it does need plenty of revs when fully loaded, but use the gearbox and the full rev range and there isn't a problem. When your driving is 90% around town excessive power isn't needed. On the motorway it will bowl along in excess of legal limit, but in reality with today's traffic keeping at 70 is a bonus! MPG over 30,000 largely town based miles is 36. I have achieved mid 50s on long A road runs and at motorways speeds mid 40s is usual. Being a tall car it is affected by cross winds on motorways so have this in mind if this is your usual driving environment.

I am now getting itchy feet for a change and the new B class is top of my list, but if I do get rid of it my wife has just bought one of the last model 'A' classes which has a cabin exactly the same so I will feel at home if it does go!

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