Mercedes B200CDI vs Octavia 103TDI wagon

[K1W1]

Previously I would never consider a Merc (or Audi or BMW or any other premium brand) because you pay a premium for the badge. But the new B class is real good value for money!

Probably until you pay for dealer service.
One thing I would never do is buy a Mercedes under the impression that it will be any more reliable than any other vehicle on the road. MB reliability scores slipped horribly about 10 years ago to the point where they were verging on becoming rated as just ordinary. They have worked fairly hard to get them back up recently but they are still now only in line with other brands and definitely not better.
Personally I would be reluctant to buy the new B class simply because it's a new model from a European manufacturer. I'd be waiting till the two year update in 2014 and buying then with the initial bugs worked out. That doesn't help your requirement to buy now unfortunately. In the $50-60k range if you really want a MB I'd be looking at dealer demonstrator C class cars and be prepared to negotiate really hard.

[VAG newbie]

I paid $50K for my built-to-order RS, which has all the options of Leather, Sunroof, Xenons, Front Park Assist...
This may be a completely crazy idea, but maybe you need to visit a dealer in person and negotiate a price? (This also applies to the Merc...) Instead of relying on websites offering you full price for the car plus full price for every option... But hey, it's your money, spend as you may!

PS You should expect to be driving away in an Octavia with your spec's from low-to-mid $40K...

I always use a broker rather than negotiating with dealer directly. They are professional negotiators. The only problem is they want us to be sure which car we want first rather than shop around. Of course we are not obliged to buy if we think the price is not good enough an try to negotiate ourselves. So far, I could never beat the car brokers.

I don't pay RRPs. I think anyone who does has got too much money.

BTW, we are off topic here. I certainly appreciate all the advices about why I shouldn't pay $53K for an Octy and how much discount I should get. I would do the same if I see someone is about to be ripped off. However, it seems that everyone agrees that at $53K for an Octy is way too expensive, but no one seem to think that at $56K (which is also RRP) for the B200 is a rip off.

Has anyone had any experience negotiating with Mercedes? Are they likely to give discounts? I know Audi gives good discounts so I expect Mercedes to do similar. Any thoughts?

[candy_wagon]

I agree on the value of a broker. I just picked up my new VRS wagon using Stratton Finance and they saved me over $6000 on the list price with my driveway being $41,500. Of course, I didn't specify any options, but my car was ordered especially for me. If you tell them exactly what you want, right down to the colour, they can see what dealers are willing to do it for you. Of course, they do prefer if you use their finance, but that was also a deal I couldn't refuse!

As for the B Class, I just think they are too small for the money. I would rather pay $65K for a C250 CDI wagon demonstrator (usually loaded to the hilt with kit) than the high $50's for a little B class. A good fianace deal might make that possible.

[K1W1]

However, it seems that everyone agrees that at $53K for an Octy is way too expensive, but no one seem to think that at $56K (which is also RRP) for the B200 is a rip off.

$56k for a German designed built somewhere unknown version of a Mazda 3 series is a total rip off but you expect that when you go into a Benz, BMW or Audi dealer and I suspect that people here either have no experience of that or are now numb to it.

[VAG newbie]

I agree on the value of a broker. I just picked up my new VRS wagon using Stratton Finance and they saved me over $6000 on the list price with my driveway being $41,500. Of course, I didn't specify any options, but my car was ordered especially for me. If you tell them exactly what you want, right down to the colour, they can see what dealers are willing to do it for you. Of course, they do prefer if you use their finance, but that was also a deal I couldn't refuse!

As for the B Class, I just think they are too small for the money. I would rather pay $65K for a C250 CDI wagon demonstrator (usually loaded to the hilt with kit) than the high $50's for a little B class. A good fianace deal might make that possible.

Is your wagon TSI or TDI? I'm looking into the vRS seriously now. If I can get the TDI under $42000 that would be great.

The reason I compared B class with Octavia is not just on price alone, they are in the same class. In Europe I believe B200 competes with Golf Plus (?wagon), and they have similar engine capacity. The length of B200 is short, yes, but apparently it's interior space is good. (rear leg room bigger than S class, boot capacity 488L), so although it's a small-medium car, I think it is fair enough to compare it with Octavia.

But after reading some reviews, I believe vRS wins big time in handling and performance.

[VAG newbie]

Probably until you pay for dealer service.

3 years free service.

[Transporter]

3 years free service.

Better check what is included. It has a flexible servicing and it may send you to the dealer for the service every 5,000km so, you could runout of the free servicing in the first year.

[VAG newbie]

Better check what is included. It has a flexible servicing and it may send you to the dealer for the service every 5,000km so, you could runout of the free servicing in the first year.

Thanks for the tip. I'll check with my colleague, who owned the CLS350 for 3 years, now sold that and traded-up to a Porche. He told me about the free servicing using our corporate discount. He knows the dealer so well that he said one phone call, the dealer will deliver the car to my house for test drive for a week. Don't know how much truth is in there.

[candy_wagon]

Is your wagon TSI or TDI? I'm looking into the vRS seriously now. If I can get the TDI under $42000 that would be great.

The reason I compared B class with Octavia is not just on price alone, they are in the same class. In Europe I believe B200 competes with Golf Plus (?wagon), and they have similar engine capacity. The length of B200 is short, yes, but apparently it's interior space is good. (rear leg room bigger than S class, boot capacity 488L), so although it's a small-medium car, I think it is fair enough to compare it with Octavia.

But after reading some reviews, I believe vRS wins big time in handling and performance.

I have the TSI. usually the TDI is a few grand more expensive I think.

Call Michael Angus at Stratton Finance on (03) 9685 9733 and see what he can do. While you're at it, ask what he can do on a B200 as well?

If the B class competes with the Golf in Europe, why not consider a Golf 118TSI or 103TDI wagon? Ticking every single option would still probably only bring that to $40K. It might not have the rear seat room of an S Class, but the boot is huge and you should be able to get all your options on it too.

[K1W1]

3 years free service.

This post should have said:

"There is no such thing as a free service. It is a sad reality that you will likely be paying for this as part of the purchase price. I hope that helps."

[woofy]

I have the TSI. usually the TDI is a few grand more expensive I think.

Call Michael Angus at Stratton Finance on (03) 9685 9733 and see what he can do. While you're at it, ask what he can do on a B200 as well?

If the B class competes with the Golf in Europe, why not consider a Golf 118TSI or 103TDI wagon? Ticking every single option would still probably only bring that to $40K. It might not have the rear seat room of an S Class, but the boot is huge and you should be able to get all your options on it too.

Not sure why you would get a golf wagon over a Skoda? The back half looks like an afterthought and compared to the Skoda where the wagon is the better looking of the range it's not as appealing. I thought VW sold them to people unaware of Skodas?

[anthony]

Dont buy anything until you see the 2013 Mazda 6 wagon,it looks STUNNING,way better than Golf /Octavia wagons as well as Merc

[Transporter]

I wouldn't choose Mazda over the any above mentioned. Never choose the car based only on the looks or just because it's a popular or my mates have it.

[DunlopRS]

Have you ever travelled in the back of a Mazda 6 wagon?? - I cannot hear myself think at 60km/hr on smooth flat bitumen ......

[VAG newbie]

Excuse me I thought I saw a pink elephant fly past
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A FREE SERVICE!
You pay for your FREE service in the purchase price.
Are you just naive or are you unaware of the way commerce works?

No, I'm not naive. I will not compromise in my negotiation with the purchase price because I get free servicing. It's something I take as bonus. If i know it exists, I'll get it. How else did you think I got factory extended warranty for free even after $6500 discount on my Superb?

Even on RRP alone, Merc is only $4500 more than Octy, but with all the extra equipment, in terms of value for money, I still think the 3 years free service (if it really exist) is a good deal.