2008 Mercedes B200 Turbo Vs 2008 Mazda 3 Gs

[mazdas3sporte]

I had the oppourtunity to get told of the 2008 Mercedes B200 Turbo with
AUTOTRONIC continuously variable automatic transmission $1,500
+ B200 TURBO Sport Package $1,500 with the total cost of the vehicle being 37K + taxes. I than compared this vehicle to my 2008 Mazda 3 GS, 5 speed Manual.

Here are my pros and cons for the B200 Turbo Vs my Mazda 3 GS.

Pros:

Mercedes has a very smooth 7 speed transmisson vs my 5 speed stick
There is substantially more Wheel Horse power which you can actually feel 193 hp 2.0 L turbo vs 156 Hp inline 4.

The braking is substantially better than the mazda 3 especially under very hard breaking.

The steering effort is almost none, you can steer with your pinky if you wanted too.

The front headroom area is much more than the mazda 3 due to its taller height.

Significantly quiter interior

Cons:

Interior styling is very bland, nothing special for a 37K+ car. The material used inside is very cheap and boring, the excessive use of cheap plastic is a killer for the car.

The seats are not comfortable at all for front seats (taking into account this is a mercedes afterall)

No lumber support for front seats.

the car is also very ackwardly high.

The seat controls are very hard to use and it takes a while understand how to fold th front seat down, it is impossible while driving, you have to stop to push the seat back.

The car hight seems much more than my mazda 3 making fast turns scary, its sort of like a minivan.

Quick lane changes can make the car rock hard like a boat even in sport mode. I dont think the sport mode does anything to the suspension setting anyways.

The car has 2 modes, Sport and Comfort, under sport engine switches gears at higher rpm but the sound of the engine is nothing special. You dont really have the thrill of being in sport mode.

My conclusion :

For less than the price of the mercedes I would go for the 3 hands down, Mercedes had allot of conveneice features which most I dont really care about such as power mirrors, heated seats, partly coverd leather seats, sunroof ect.... If I had an option between this Mercedes and Mine or a Mazda speed 3 I would go for that.

If there is a comparsion bettwen a mazda speed 3 and this mercedes I think the Mazda will win hands down in terms of overall quality and dollar for dollar value.

any comments or your views on this car are welcome!

[Thrizzl3]

i dont like mercedes vehicles..

[mazdas3sporte]

The "real" Mercedes vehicles start form the C class and up, The B class is the poor mans mercedes, if you cant buy a benz but really want one than you go for the B class, but I would steer away from the B Class, I had a chance to drive the ML63 AMG and that is a real mercedes, the power in that thing can kill a person if there not carefull

[BoostieMonster]

What's the poor mans Mazda? Suzuki Swift? lol It would be funny to see a post on the Suzuki forums on someone comparing a Swift to a Mazda 3.....sorry off topic.....nice review....I've seen those on the road and always wondered how they'd drive

[b.rabbit]

I've never liked my dad's E-class Mercedes. It's not fun to drive. It has great acceleration and braking, but the accelerator and brake are much too sensitive in my opinion (so that means a lot of jerking of the car).

[Malcolm991]

I know it might be bottom of the line but it's still a Mercedes!

[mazdas3sporte]

http://i42.tinypic.com/2rhxl4g.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/f19p9f.jpg
http://i44.tinypic.com/2hcow2b.jpg
http://i40.tinypic.com/53a8i1.jpg
http://i42.tinypic.com/2enn6s2.jpg
http://i41.tinypic.com/2dqlpqp.jpg
http://i43.tinypic.com/2zi58c1.jpg
http://i41.tinypic.com/30wm90g.jpg

[mazdas3sporte]

I know it might be bottom of the line but it's still a Mercedes!

I would still take the speed 3 any day. My mazda 3 is basic with no options except Air conditioning lol, I still feel dollar for dollar you get more with a mazda 3

[omalak]

That's one ugly Benz :chuckle

[HunGJaI]

Hehe, Nice no smoking sticker

lol!

[JashiK]

But you're comparing two different vehicle classes no?
It's probably a better comparison if compared to the Mazda 5?
I dunno... Never really liked the look of the B.

[mazdas3sporte]

there both technically hatches, Iam just comparing cause I have a mazda 3 and thats the only hatch I can compare it too, I dont know anything about the mazda 5 . I got the car for couple of hours till my oil change was done so they gave me this car. its an ok car if your 50 lol but I wouldent really say its a Benz or has any type of performance.

[yearoftherat]

I see so many of these things in Markham...must be an asian status thing...look at me I drive a Benzee

[aris]

i dont like mercedes vehicles..

I am not a big fan either...my parents have a 98 and i don't like it that much

[Darkfrosty7]

I am not a big fan either...my parents have a 98 and i don't like it that much

... i love mercedes, if only it wasn't so damn expensive

[aris]

... i love mercedes, if only it wasn't so damn expensive

Depending what model...see my parents have a c230 and it's nothing specail...but if when you get in to the AMG line they are way better but you need alot of money for those..hahaha

[Malcolm991]

I would still take the speed 3 any day. My mazda 3 is basic with no options except Air conditioning lol, I still feel dollar for dollar you get more with a mazda 3

Your just looking at the performance aspect of the speed3! After that what else is there, the Mercedes has all the options a person would want. You really cant compare the 2 vehicles!

[vlad5434]

i want a 300 benz its nice or glk suv

[mazdas3sporte]

Your just looking at the performance aspect of the speed3! After that what else is there, the Mercedes has all the options a person would want. You really cant compare the 2 vehicles!


80% of the convenience features people want can be found in a speed 3 for less than 37k+taxes. overall quality and design in a MAZDA SPEED 3 is much better than a B200 Turbo. I have had the b200 turbo for 2 days now and its no better, I would still take my stock 08 gs over the b200 Turbo. People think Mercedes is like WOW OH MY GOD YOU HAVE A BENZ but thats only for high end C class and up . The B class is not that special lol, just rent one for a week and you will see what i mean. There are pros and cons for both vehicles but the cons in the b200 turbo dont make the car that appealing, unless you REALLY want a benz.

[Pereira11]

ya i think this vehicle would compare more to a Mazda5 which is just a mazda3 with a different body. in that regard the mazda5 has the 2.3l engine from the mazda3 gt so power would be more along the same lines, both automatic, and both have similar options. For the money of the base Merc you could have a fully jammed Mazda5 with money left over but of course there are people that will pay the extra for the badge and 'prestige' of owning a Mercedes.

good review overall, German vehicles come with very little standard options which drastically raises the prices as you add things that you think would come standard in vehicles such as BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz...

[BoostieMonster]

80% of the convenience features people want can be found in a speed 3 for less than 37k+taxes. overall quality and design in a MAZDA SPEED 3 is much better than a B200 Turbo. I have had the b200 turbo for 2 days now and its no better, I would still take my stock 08 gs over the b200 Turbo. People think Mercedes is like WOW OH MY GOD YOU HAVE A BENZ but thats only for high end C class and up . The B class is not that special lol, just rent one for a week and you will see what i mean. There are pros and cons for both vehicles but the cons in the b200 turbo dont make the car that appealing, unless you REALLY want a benz.

I agree 100%, speed 3 >>>> B class Benz, however I don't think they should be compared.....but there's nothing really in between the C class...and C class IMO is better than speed 3

[shu5892001]

the only benz i like is SL65

[mazdas3sporte]

lol yea i wouldent mind a 270K+ car eighter, that car is replacing the SLR this tear. I dont think my fast food job is going to cover a 5,000+ a month lease though

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

Never been a big Benz fan. If I were to go German, I am a BMW guy all the way. Most non-sports model Benz's are tuned for disassociation from the road and driving experience. They are not 'driver's cars' by and large, but cater more to the status and comfy ride category of drivers. They're perfect for asian women in Markham and I see a million of this particular combo too, since I work in that area. There are even 3 of them in my work parking lot. All of them black.

Also, the amount of de-contenting in the materials and build quality is also shocking and probably why Mercedes has been taking a pounding in build quality reports for the past few years.

But, some people will continue to buy these cars for status and just cause they are a Mercedes and because they also apparently have more money than they do brains or common sense. Good for them...LOL

[mazdas3sporte]

Never been a big Benz fan. If I were to go German, I am a BMW guy all the way. Most non-sports model Benz's are tuned for disassociation from the road and driving experience. They are not 'driver's cars' by and large, but cater more to the status and comfy ride category of drivers. They're perfect for asian women in Markham and I see a million of this particular combo too, since I work in that area. There are even 3 of them in my work parking lot. All of them black.

Also, the amount of de-contenting in the materials and build quality is also shocking and probably why Mercedes has been taking a pounding in build quality reports for the past few years.

But, some people will continue to buy these cars for status and just cause they are a Mercedes and because they also apparently have more money than they do brains or common sense. Good for them...LOL



I agree, Mercedes foucses more on luxuary comofort rather than pure sport cars, There AMG line is amazing but most if not all people that purchase AMG due it solely for the staus symbol " how far they have gotten in life" . Most AMG drivers i see when going for an oil change is 45+ years old, I dont think these people will be pushing 518 HP in the streets

[silvermist99]

I rode in this car before, haven't personally driven it myself but I can see how old people will like it. Has the classic benz styling, interior is put together nicely, definately not top quality material but above the mazda's. It is also a benz :D

If I'm old & wants a boring look well built hatch with some status symbol. This will definately be the one.... Which is what most old asian people including my asian parents want yearoftherat

[DruidB]

The new C class starts at 37K... why would anyone buy one of these

[SKYMP3]

The new C class starts at 37K... why would anyone buy one of these

new C class is actually very nice. I like it a lot.

B class targets different market. I will laugh if someone buy it and think they are pimp, lol

A lot of people just want to get something small, easy to drive and don't want a cheap box like Versa, Aveo, or Yaris.

[mazdas3sporte]

new C class is actually very nice. I like it a lot.

B class targets different market. I will laugh if someone buy it and think they are pimp, lol

A lot of people just want to get something small, easy to drive and don't want a cheap box like Versa, Aveo, or Yaris.


it is true , it is much better than the competition , The C class starts at 37K ur right but with options and final cash purchase price ur looking over 45 grand and even the lease rates for the c class are not that great. As I said the b200 turbo is the poor mans mercedes, if u really want a benz and cant afford a c class than u go for the B class,. same with the BMW 1 series, a couple thousand dollars can make a big diffrence if u got kids a mortgage and other things, a thousand here and a thousand there saves u thousands per year

www.mbtoronto.ca check it out

[pearl3]

i got many friends that drives yaris ...that hurts!...haha

[mazdas3sporte]

i was given a yaris sedan when i had the problem with my suspension creeking, it is absoloutly the worst car i have ever driven in my life, the seats have no support , its just like ur sitting on a surf board broken in half, the engine power is absoloutly shit lol, u floor it and if ur lucky u will get a 0-60 time of 12 seconds (if ur lucky). the car is full of negatives, the only positive is the exterior look which is ok, it's a fun loaner car for 3-4 hours to do drifts on the grass but i would never own one.

[seelsy]

yet if u ever see a yaris owner whos under 65, they believe they have a very quick car and will gun it off of every line there is, why is it people with vacumm cleaner engines always run them like a ferrari, i know ours isnt anything to rave about. but still lol

[mazdas3sporte]

there are actually cars produced that even slower than the yaris, My aunt has one in Iran , its called MVM 800, which means its like a shopping cart with a 800CC engine, I beleive it makes less than 70Hp crank, lol
heres the pics '
http://www.mvs.ir/Images/Album/7b.jpg
http://www.mvs.ir/Images/Album/17b.jpg

its called the "cherry" in china, when i went to shnghai the streets were filled with these
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chery_QQ
The QQ is available with the following two gasoline-powered engines (both EURO III compliant):

* 0.8 L SQR372 I3 DOHC 12v — 38 kW (51 hp) at 6000 rpm, 70 N·m (52 lb·ft) at 3500 rpm
* 1.1 L SQR472F I4 DOHC 16v — 50 kW (67 hp) at 6000 rpm, 90 N·m (66 lb·ft) at 3500 rpm

another car which is just as slow, called the Daewoo Matiz
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daewoo_Matiz

[DruidB]

it is true , it is much better than the competition , The C class starts at 37K ur right but with options and final cash purchase price ur looking over 45 grand and even the lease rates for the c class are not that great. As I said the b200 turbo is the poor mans mercedes, if u really want a benz and cant afford a c class than u go for the B class,. same with the BMW 1 series, a couple thousand dollars can make a big diffrence if u got kids a mortgage and other things, a thousand here and a thousand there saves u thousands per year

www.mbtoronto.ca check it out

The C class is very very well equiped at the base price... if both are 35-37thousand... then i dont understand anyone buying a B200 over a C class... If 2 thousand dollars is make or break it then you should not be looking at any merc.

And the basic 1 series BMW is more expensive than the 3 series... the base 3 series sedan is still the most affordable BMW you can purchase

[mazdas3sporte]

u think its well equipped now, wait untill the last year of production into the new gen and the options are gonna be all offerd for next to nothing, My dads 05 Ml had at least 4 grand of options free of cost

[Phalanix]

The C class is very very well equiped at the base price... if both are 35-37thousand... then i dont understand anyone buying a B200 over a C class... If 2 thousand dollars is make or break it then you should not be looking at any merc.

One reason for the B-Class is cargo space over the C. Honestly, my wife and I are actually considering the B200 as it is quite spacious in there, and suitable fitting the stroller in the back. Child seats can be setup at the rear and you'd still have room for an adult (maybe two) in the back.

I prefer the new Mazda 3 Sport GT, but for some reason my wife doesn't like it. It's going to be her car, so in the end she should drive what she's more comfortable with. I never liked Mercedes, and always thought the B-Class is a little weird looking. But at this point in life, practicality takes precedence. lol

1% financing rate for the B-Class right now is also a nice incentive.

[Phalanix]

^ A bit of a double post... but wow, never realized that was my first post since I joined in 2004.

[mazdas3sporte]

lol theres nothing wrong with mercedes if u pick the right cars u should have no problems, we have had 3 mercedes vehicles within the last 10 years with no problems but if u really want value for money and amazing features i would go with japanese luxuary cars such as lexus , we test drove the LS460L and it was much much better than the S550 of mercedes, the engine output, the comfort , extra features and so on, but honestly with the B class i suggest u test drive it firstm, the car seems easier to roll over than a Mercedes Gl. U can get ur self a lexus for under 38k these days brand new