USED Mercedes-Benz B-Class MPV (05 - 12)

My car

This car is simply excellent. Having driven an Audi A4, Saab 9-3 and an Alfa-Romeo 156 for the past few years, I can say none of these compete in terms of drive comfort and overall cabin refinement.

It is unbelievably spacious in the front and back, as well being a good looking car which receives plenty of attention. I coudln't be happier!

My car

I bought a B170 SE with a sports pack for my wife. After reading a lot of negative reviews on this car, I was a bit concerned I had not done the right thing.

After driving the new Mercedes for a few days, my fears were happily put to bed. This car is everything my family needs and it is finished superbly and drives nicely, too.

It may cost more than its rivals, but does a Renault Scenic turn heads? The B Class does.

My car

I have read reviews on the B-Class from all around the world - it seems its a car people mostly love or hate, and some are bemused by it.

People who dislike it say 'why not buy a cheaper car that does the same thing?'

We are in Australia, so our choice of cars and our usage is different to Europe or the UK.

Mercedes seem to have targeted my wife very successfully, and she has bought a B-Class. After two new cars (a Mazda MX-5 and a BMW 325), she thinks the B-Class is the perfect car for her. She does many traffic miles, and sitting high makes driving much less stressful. It's a better drive than a 4x4.

It's about as roomy as my friend's Porsche Cayenne, and it goes about the same, too. It's cheaper than the Cayenne as well. The front seats are much more comfortable than my wife's BMW, because of the lumbar support, and the side support is nicely adjustable.

She wanted a hatch, and it's much roomier than any car which is not a big fat station wagon or 4x4 vehicle. The iPod suits her, the phone system is good, and the acceleration is good. She can now put the dogs in the back, and there's leg room for two teenagers in the back.

She loves the way it looks as well. It rides well too, despite some people's comments - it's not as connected to the road as the BMW, but it is high. You can't have everything! She loves it.

My car

Well done Mercedes!

Why oh why do people have to be picky. This is the second review I have written this year and the second car I have purchased new this year. When writing I am not a company car user or a user chooser, I buy my cars with my own money and feel that the picky comments made by people who will probably never afford to actually buy the new car they so avidly rattle on about is a little sad. It's as stupid as me passing comment on an Aston Martin! I can't afford one so realy shouldn't worry about how they drive and although I have driven a few, I can't realy be considered as a competent reviewer.

The B-Class. We own one and looked about and tried several vehicles in a similar price bracket. It's a Mercedes, unlike the A-Class it replaced in our household. That was an overgrown Smart car built with minimum effort or attention to quality (I owned one so am qualified to give that opinion!).

Finish and fit is excellent and the drive is what I would expect for a child mover (let's face it, thats where its aimed). Roomy, comfortable safe and practical. Not great value for money but that's not why people buy Mercedes. I hope there will be more of this type of vehicle sold to replace the unnecessary 4X4's that perform the school run and park all over a kerb near you!

Before you make inane comments, put your money where your mouth is.